The need to protect the inventions and creative work of individuals has been recognized for centuries. The first modern patent was granted in 1421 to Filippo Bruneslleschi by the Republic of Florence for a barge with hoisting gear. Hundreds of years later, the United States Constitution affirmed the importance of protecting “writings and discoveries” in order to “promote the progress of science and the useful arts.” Continue reading
Jon Leasure had nowhere to go when he wanted to turn his ideas into something tangible.
“In my younger years, I fooled around in robotics,” said Leasure, who works for a family owned business in Crossville. “When you get to that point where there is something you need, and you can’t make it, then that’s problematic. With a 3-D printer, for example, I could have made a ton of things.” Continue reading
The overall theme of the Peter Thiel book, Zero to One is a study of what successful innovation looks like, primarily in tech start-ups. One of the main concepts in the book is that most of the really successful businesses have started by dominating a very specific and limited niche market.
Examples: Continue reading
A to Z Printing has completed their move to the CBI! Diane Morey celebrated her 5th anniversary of owning A to Z Printing in January. She bought the printing business when it was located on Miller Avenue in Crossville. Three years ago Diane relocated the business to the Woodmere Shopping Center. Now they are resident within the CBI! Continue reading
If you have employees, at the heart of your business is knowing what motivates people to do great work. It turns out that over the last 50 years a group of Social Scientists all over the world have taken a very systematic look at this question. Continue reading
I attended a webinar yesterday where the presenter spoke my language! It was with John Jantsch of Duct Tape Marketing. Here are three questions that we should all be asking before we spend money on marketing. Once you are clear on your responses to these questions, your marketing strategy will be much more effective.
1. Why do we do what we do? Continue reading
This past week I was reminded of the concepts that Maslow described in his 1943 paper “A Theory of Human Motivation” – typically portrayed in the shape of a pyramid. Maslow studied what he called exemplary people such as Albert Einstein, Jane Addams, Eleanor Roosevelt and Frederick Douglass, and the healthiest 1% of the college student population. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs described that until basic needs are met, an individual will not be able to focus or be motivated toward their higher level needs. Continue reading
The Cumberland Business Incubator Maker Space is almost ready! The laser cutter is vented to the outside, mirrors are aligned, and the cutting has begun! The vinyl cutter has been cutting symbols and signs and will be cutting out our newly developed Maker Space logo next! The 3D printer is working on parts almost every day. Hand tools are in place as are the embroidery sewing machine, miter saw, router, band saw, electronics station…….and more! Don’t miss the information contained below about our Maker Space Grand Opening and Cumberland Business Incubator Open House on April 8th. Continue reading
As we continue to work on developing the CBI Maker Space, I discovered The Grommet www.thegrommet.com . It will be a great resource for some of our makers. From the website:
“A Grommet is an innovative, unique product that is created by a Maker with a story to tell. Often a Grommet is new to market or has not yet been broadly discovered. When we choose Grommets, they are ready to find a wider audience and our product launch platform gives them the amplification and attention they deserve. Continue reading
I’m enjoying learning from The Starbucks Experience by Joseph A Michelli.
Starbucks has found a way to move from one small store in Seattle Washington to over 11,000 stores worldwide with 5 new stores opening every day and annual sales topping $600 million. Can we learn a thing or two about management and leadership from them? I think so! Starbucks has 5 principles that set it apart. The first one is:
Principle 1: Make It Your Own Continue reading