Trademark

The Biggest Concern Of Those With A Great Idea

The Biggest Concern Of Those With A Great Idea

Garth Beyer

Steal Ideas

People (you?) are amazing. The ideas some come up with and share with me, they are truly remarkable. Consistently the thinker of the great idea wants to see it to fruition, but doesn’t have the time, resources, money, etc,.

Instead of just starting small (or just starting. period), instead of sharing their idea with someone who might partner with them, instead of starting a blog and writing about their idea to become an expert and build their brand for when they can see the idea through, they forfeit their idea for fear of it being stolen. That is the biggest concern of those with a great idea. “What if someone steals it?”

Newsflash: You can’t own an idea. Even if you copyright or trademark, neither can save your idea, they can only preserve the expression of your idea. This form or protection requires you to act on your idea. (Even then, I have a few words about that.)

The best way to resolve the concern and to shun the pirates?

Create something they can’t duplicate the same way. Work so hard and so fast to turn your great idea into reality that the competition can’t keep up. Be so remarkable that even if someone tried duplicating your product or service, everyone would know their product or service is not your product or service.

You can leverage the pirates by giving them something they can steal and encouraging them to (think music industry). You can nurture the pirates (start a blog you share your ideas on for them to feed off). Or you can outperform them (actually create that great idea).

 

Stay Positive & I Put My Money On Option Three

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My Secret Obsession: Starbucks (Not their coffee…well..that too)

Garth Beyer

I was in New York last week for Seth Godin’s Pick Yourself event. Instead of writing a post about that, (which I will soon), I couldn’t help but write about the one thing that you see every 72 steps in any direction: Starbucks

1 out of 3 Baristas laughed. 2 actually thought I was named Voldemort

Guy Kawasaki, a likely idol of both of ours, had written an article telling how important mantras are and that the shortest are often the sweetest. The example he used for the greatest mantra from the greatest company on the planet is  Starbucks – “Rewarding Everyday Moments”

I apologize for those who disagree,  I can’t help but side with Guy. Starbucks is the the real deal, the perfect role model and incorporates every trademark of a successful company. For example, my friend (who works at Starbucks) had told me this story the other week.

“The other day in the drive through this woman wanted a small but ordered a venti because she thought it meant a small. When she was shocked at the size and the price, my manager told me to  just charge her for a tall. So many other places you just don’t do that. It’s always a pleasant surprise to people you meet at work when you get to be nice.”

Starbucks revolutionized coffee and the experience of getting it. Put together a CEO and marketing mavens and you get a company like Starbucks; who defy all logic and assumptions and who have altered the beverage marketplace by defining quality, creating convenience and most importantly, having heart.

That is why I couldn’t complain after every 72 steps when I would look up at see the Starbucks sign. The beauty of Starbucks is that it is available to the masses – “from the student who wants a latte to the CEO who needs it.” More importantly, it represents that you can find generosity, people who care, tentativeness and truly great people – in abundance. Simply walk 72 steps in NYC and you will know what I mean.

Starbucks also signifies risks.

“When Starbucks and other companies made stock options grants back in 2008, there was no guarantee that the companies would succeed. Performance was not a sure thing,” says Starbucks spokesman Jim Olson.

It was less than a sure thing, it was unexpected. It was an occurrence that only the greatest companies could actually leverage. In this case, Starbucks succeeded and continues to do so.

Stay Positive & I Solemnly Swear That Starbucks Is Up To Too Much Good

Garth E. Beyer