Month: October 2006

Vision Mapping Process

I finished reading Steven Scott’s book The Richest Man Who Ever Lived.  The biggest benefit I received from the book was knowledge of his “Vision Mapping Journal” available via his Web site at www.stevenkscott.com for just under $50.  I purchased a copy and was pleased that if is 5.5×8.5 size.  I was able to punch the pages and put them into my Daytimer.

I’ve already been finding it very helpful in helping me sort through all the different areas of importance in my life, dreams in those areas, goals for those dreams, task for those goals, and steps within those tasks.  It’s really helping my strategic planning for growing the law practice.
If you have the $50, this is a good place to spend it.

Effective Partnering

Granted, this post is a bit self-serving, but I’m as guilty as the next person for not asking for help and advice as often or as soon as I should.

I picked up a book yesterday at B&N. I’m always on the watch for books that I can pick up when I’m feeling lazy or having a hard time getting my brain in the game, or just feel like I’m adrift.  This book may prove to be one of those that rechannel my energy and get me refocused on being productive.

Title: The Richest Man Who Ever Lived: King Solomon’s Secrets to Success, Wealth, and Happiness.

Author: Steven K. Scott

ISBN: 0-385-51666-5

As many of you know, I’m a Freemason. King Solomon plays a key role in the “work of the craft” so I’m always watching for books that help me find understanding of this character – whether he was a real man, or simply a legend really doesn’t matter to me.  So, the book looked like it would fill two of my book-watch criteria.

I’ll be sharing some quotes from the book as I read through it.  Here’s the first, from page 26 in a section discussing the need for “diligence.”

“Throughout history, no one has achieved any worthwhile goal, significant project, or impossible dream without effectively partnering and seeking outside counsel. If the most successful people in history have needed the help of counselors and partners, why would you think that you can accomplish anything worthwhile without such aid? The fact is, none of us can. The truly diligent do not seek counsel simply when an endeavor is in trouble; rather, they seek counsel from the very beginning, before they begin an effort. This greatly reduces the risk of failure and significantly increases one’s probability of success.”

Think about that.  I’m going to make it a point to ask for advice more often and build my own stable of advisors.  I’ve been thinking of taking on a partner too, this makes me think about it more seriously.  If there are any solo-practice patent attorneys (I don’t do patents, but get asked about them all the time…so it makes sense for me to partner with someone in that field.) that might want to form a law partnership with a guy like me, let’s talk.  🙂

New Release Breckenridge Culture Indicator ™

Mark as been very busy over at the Breckenridge Institute. The Institute has just released an updated version of the Breckenridge Culture Indicator ™ – the leading organizational culture assessment tool available. Here’s some more information:
Download the Brochure (pdf)

Brochure Cover

One Down

Last Friday we sent the C&D letter on one of the Google AdWords trademark infringement cases I have open right now. It was delivered this morning. By the end of the day the ad was down and the President of the recipient company called my client to say he had not previously been aware of the situation and that it wouldn’t happen again.

So, one down. I’d like to say that it was the power of my letter that resolved things so quickly, but the truth of the matter is that it’s all in the attitude of the leadership on the otherside of the issue. In this case, the President of the company on the other side intends to compete fairly. That’s refreshing.

Google AdWords

I have 3 cases, all coming in within the last three weeks, dealing with the issue of possible trademark infringement when one company purchases the brand name (trademark) of a competing company.

Because I’m involved in specific client-related representation on this, I don’t feel comfortable publishing my analysis of these issues to the blog (at least not yet), but if you are facing this issue, please let me know. I’d be happy consult with you and potentially represent you.  This is really an area of law that is very fact (client) specific and one can’t really generalize about it.  The law is developing in Federal courts around the country, so we’ll keep a watch on it.

One good blog to watch is:  http://www.likelihoodofconfusion.com/