Month: March 2020

Posted on

Patent Guidance: 10 Criteria for Deciding when to File a Non-Provisional Patent Application

[This post was originally published May8, 2018, on LinkedIn by Jeff Holman.]

Ironically, the tasks of preparing and filing a patent application might be less stressful than actually making the decision to file. Very often, inventors file a provisional patent application, get “patent pending” status for 12 months, and then stress over whether to file a non-provisional patent application before the provisional patent application expires. Here are 10 criteria to help make that decision easier.

Continue reading “Patent Guidance: 10 Criteria for Deciding when to File a Non-Provisional Patent Application”
Posted on

Are You Managing Your Patent Portfolio Strategically?

[This post was originally published February 2, 2018, on LinkedIn by Jeff Holman.]

How many times have you found yourself scrutinizing your budget for opportunities to save money, control costs, and optimize productivity? You might find a way to save $100 on travel or $15 on office supplies, because you can easily evaluate the cost/benefit analysis of these expenses.

When it comes to your legal costs, do you find yourself making decisions with very little ability to articulate the benefits you’re obtaining? In terms of your patent portfolio, can you articulate the specific objectives of your portfolio? Or do you just assume you are “protecting” your inventions, because your outside counsel tells you what everyone else is doing, without a clear understanding of what “protecting” really means?

Continue reading “Are You Managing Your Patent Portfolio Strategically?”
Posted on

A Friend and a Narcissist

[This post was originally published December 6, 2017, on LinkedIn by Jeff Holman.]

My friend works for a narcissist.  

I recently had a conversation with a friend who is certain he works for a narcissist, maybe two. It was very interesting to consider the intricacies of his situation, because he is extremely vigilant, perceptive, cautious, and creative with how he approaches each interaction.  

For those of you who think you might be in a similar situation, Bernardo Tirado offers four suggestions:

Continue reading “A Friend and a Narcissist”
Posted on

Finally, a Framework for your Vision, Purpose, and Mission.

[This post was originally published September 6, 2017, on LinkedIn by Jeff Holman.]

Have you ever tried to discuss your company’s vision, purpose, and mission? How these differ from one another usually depends on whoever is speaking. Getting a handful of executives, let alone an entire company, to come to consensus and stand behind what these should mean is nearly futile. No, it is futile, unless your team operates within a simple framework.

Continue reading “Finally, a Framework for your Vision, Purpose, and Mission.”