Minnesota Inventors Congress

And the

Minnesota US Small Business Administration Office

Presents

Inventing Success™ Workshops

 June 11 & 12, 2010

What is the most important investment an inventor can make?

To learn how successful inventors develop marketable products!!

Attend these sessions and find out from the experts how to spend

your time and money wisely as you develop your idea.

Friday, June 11, 8:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.

GAME ON!!  - - Are YOU Ready for SHOW TIME?

Keynote Speaker: DON KELLY

Patent Agent, Inventor Coach. www.PatentAgentPlus.com

Inventors’ Champion Don Kelly kicks off the Invention and Idea Show with an entertaining,

information-packed session on bringing inventive ideas to market:

- - Getting Ready from Day #1 ~ When lightning strikes

- - Validating Inventive Concepts; Invention Triage

- - Selling Others on that Great Invention

- - Invention Protection while Pitching to Investors and/or Manufacturers

- - Exhibition Pitfall:  Bad Booth Behavior

Recognized for his open, humorous style and considerable experience in counseling inventors

from workbench to market, Patent Agent Don Kelly answers all your questions and more!

Room 1. Aspiring/Emerging/Established Inventor Level.  2010 Exhibitors attend this session free.

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Friday, 10:00 a.m.

 Generate Interest in Your Product Ideas

A Step-by-Step Process.

LINDA POLLOCK

Successful Inventor, Founder – Inventing Rocks. www.InventingRocks.com

What if others could instantly “get” what your product is or does, without a lengthy explanation or sales pitch? What possibilities would that open up? What if it were extremely easy and simple to do? Would that help you get your product out there faster? Have you ever wondered how to write an effective benefit statement and design a sell sheet? If you’d like to learn, we’ll be covering the process step-by-step. What will it take for you to be there?

Room 1. Aspiring/Emerging/Established Inventor Level.

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Thinking Globally: Tips on Securing International Patent Protection

JOHN THUENTE

Patterson, Thuente, Skaar, & Christensen. www.ptslaw.com

 This workshop will look at the rules and practices for securing patent protection outside the United States.  It will focus special attention on how to determine when foreign protection might be necessary as well as on the best means to get it, especially by using the international patent filing system known as the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).

Room 2. Aspiring/Emerging/Established Inventor Level.

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Trademarks & Copyrights: A Business Perspective

ROGER BELFAY

Attorney at Law. www.rogerbelfay.com

Learn how Trademark and Copyright law relate to the business of turning your invention into cash:

1. What is the relationship between your business plan and Trademark protection?
2. How do you establish your Trademark rights?
3. Do you even need Trademark Protection?
4. What is the relationship between your business plan and Copyright protection?
5. How do I preserve my copyrights?

Room 3A. Aspiring/Emerging Inventor Level.

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 Design for Success.

DAVE CLARK,

Business Development Manager, Malco Design & Deliver Group. www.malcod2group.com

 This seminar is a crash course in the techniques of design for manufacturing. You’ll learn the nuts and bolts strategies that manufacturers use to reliably avoid problems, speed products to market, and turn great ideas into successful products. We’ll open your eyes to a whole world of design considerations that you probably never imagined. These topics can literally save you tens of thousands of dollars, and a lot of gray hair.

Room 3B. Aspiring/Emerging Inventor Level.

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Friday 12:00 p.m.

Patents - What Inventors Need to Know!

MICHAEL NEUSTEL

Patent Attorney, Neustel Law Office. www.neustel.com

Michael Neustel is a U.S. Patent Attorney who counsels inventors and small businesses on various patent matters including patent searches, patent applications and patent infringement.  He will discuss the most common mistakes made by inventors with patents and how to avoid them.  Michael will also discuss how to effectively protect your patent rights against companies when working on a budget.  A Question/Answer session will be held at the end of the seminar.

Room 1. Aspiring/Emerging Inventor Level.

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 Sales Calls.

Create an Effective, Dynamic and Memorable Sales Presentation!

BILL McHENRY

President, Entrepreneur Sales & Marketing. http://entrepreneursales.com

Learn how to develop effective sales presentations through understanding the process of selling. Bill’s presentation, “The 7 Step Sales Plan” offers valuable information, tips, techniques, and the components necessary to create a solid plan for presenting your product and keeping the attention of your audience.  With over 25 years in sales and marketing and a background of training, developing and successfully leading large sales teams of over 100 staff, Bill delivers the methods and proven techniques to assure well organized and well received sales calls. Across the country, Bill has shared this lively and informative presentation - helping inventors and entrepreneurs be prepared to seize opportunities that they cannot afford to lose. By understanding each of the steps of the sales process, you will be more prepared to manage and execute them! Bill will also include the importance of developing your network and how you can expand your network to help the sales process.

Room 2. Aspiring/Emerging/Established Inventor Level.

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 Funding Options, from Economic Development Loans to Venture Capital

MARC SALMON.

Partner, Arch Funding LLC. http://www.archfunding.com

Investors consider many factors when determining what they want to invest in – the product, the market size, selling costs, management and your exit strategy. Depending on your research in each of those categories it can make a difference on whether you want to license your idea or form your own company. In this session you will learn what each of those factors mean and how it can help you determine your goals for you and your product.

 Room 3A. Aspiring/Emerging/Established Inventor Level.

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Basic Networking:

The Fundamentals of Building Your Network

RON WACKS

Entrepreneur, CEO, Microbusiness Strategies, and Co-Producer, IssuesLive

Author, Instructor, “Power Networking: How to Solve any Problem by Connecting with the Right Person”  www.microbusinessstrategies.com

You often hear about networking as an important tool to build your business or endeavor.  What is “networking”?  Why should you care about it?  Why do you need to effectively network?  And what will that accomplish for you?

Learn what networking is and get great tips to help you build a solid network.  And learn the difference between networking and having random conversations AND the difference between being well-connected and having a bunch of contacts.

Tips include:

• How to properly introduce yourself—what to include in your “elevator speech”

• How to engage someone in a conversation and how to overcome your fears

• Where to meet prospective clients, contacts and good referral sources

• Follow-up techniques – I’ve met them, what do I do now?

• Cultivating excellent referrals—why a referral network is critical

• How to build a network from relationships you have…or need

Room 3B. Aspiring/Emerging/Established Inventor Level.

 Friday 2:00 p.m.

 Licensing your Product.

WARREN TUTTLE

Housewares Industry Marketing Guru. www.monasheemarketing.com

Learn from the person who helped launch the TV mega-hit Smart Spin, MISTO The Gourmet Olive Oil Sprayer, The Toss and Turn Pan and QVC's Adjustable Depth Rolling Pin. Warren also works with Lifetime Brands, the world's largest manufacturer and distributor of kitchen utensils, searching for innovative new products. Speed Prep and The Odor Absorbing Splatter Screen are two such products just introduced to high acclaim at the recent International Housewares Show in Chicago. Warren serves on the Board of Directors of the United Inventors Association and resides in Connecticut.

Room 1. Aspiring/Emerging/Established Inventor Level.

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 Minnesota Indian Business Alliance

"Enlightenment and Business –

How You Can Carve Your Own Path With Entrepreneurship"

JEFFREY A. STAMP, PhD.

Inventor, Founder & CEO, Bold Thinking. www.boldthinking.com

Starting a business in Indian country is more than simply an economic activity. It is an intensely personal journey that requires both skills as an entrepreneur and the personal capacity to become entrepreneurial.  In this session, we will talk about the core philosophy of entrepreneurship and take you on a guided journey of the process of starting your own business as an entrepreneur. In addition, we will discuss the educational and financial resources available in our Native American New Enterprise Program, a program created by experienced Minnesota entrepreneurs, and discuss how you can use these tools to begin your journey as an entrepreneur.

Room 2. Aspiring/Emerging/Established Inventor Level.

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 Invent Outside the Box for Success

JACK SMITH

Patent Illustrator, Consultant, President Inventors’ Network. www.patent-illustrators.com

Open up possibilities for yourself. What do I need to do next? What if I could think outside the box? Learn what outside the box really means. Find out how to get out of your box. Hear how outside the box innovators achieve their goals using five simple success principles. You can learn and use these principles too.
Room 3A. Aspiring/Emerging/Established Inventor Level.

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 Best Practices for New Product Development.

DAVE CLARK

Business Development Manager, Malco Design & Deliver Group. www.malcod2group.com

Coming up with an idea for a new product is always very exciting, but that is only the start of the invention process. Whether you are an experienced inventor or someone embarking on this journey for the first time, you can benefit from knowing and following best practices in new product development.  David Clark, of The Malco Design and Deliver Group, a new product development veteran whose has put over 200 end items put to shelf during his 20+ year career will share with you “10 Best Practices of New Product Development”.  These are proven practices that are easy to learn, easy to implement, and extremely relevant for inventors struggling with limited resources. 

Room 3B. Aspiring/Emerging/Established Inventor Level.

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Friday 4:00 p.m.

 "Bold Thinking: How Entrepreneurs Convert Ideas Into Opportunities."

JEFFREY A. STAMP, PhD.  

Inventor, Founder & CEO, Bold Thinking. www.boldthinking.com

Entrepreneurship is more than simply writing a business plan.  In this session we explore what entrepreneurs think about and ultimately what entrepreneurs must do in order to manage their ideas from conception to the marketplace.  If you have been thinking of or are starting your own business, you don't want to miss this session.  Dr. Jeffrey Stamp, an experienced Minnesota entrepreneur and the inventor of the Baked Lays® Potato Crisps, will lead this session and bring an experiential and entertaining way to look how ideas are converted into opportunities.  He will also explain the important keys to identifying the consumer benefits you need to enter the marketplace.  Join us as we walk through the techniques to help bold-minded entrepreneurs look at their business in a bold new way.  

Room 1. Aspiring/Emerging/Established Inventor Level. FREE admission!

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 Saturday, June 12, 8:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.

Keynote Speaker

 How to Market and License your Brilliant Ideas. Part one

RON DOCIE, SR.  

Inventor; President, Docie Invention Services; Author- The Inventor’s Bible, Agent. www.docie.com

It is the American Dream to bring the next big idea to market and achieve success. Whether it’s a small gadget that makes something work smoother or a technological breakthrough that forever changes the way we live, it is human nature to create, invent and build a better world. Using real case studies learn how to bring your brilliant ideas to life. Ron will talk about the important lessons he’s learned from over three decades in the business of successfully marketing and commercializing inventions. Be prepared to throw your questions at him about selling and marketing your idea!

Room 1. Aspiring/Emerging/Established Inventor Level.  2010 Exhibitors attend this session free.

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 Saturday 10:00 a.m.

 How to Market and License your Brilliant Ideas. Part two

RON DOCIE, SR.

Inventor; President, Docie Invention Services; Author- The Inventor’s Bible, Agent. www.docie.com

It is the American Dream to bring the next big idea to market and achieve success. Whether it’s a small gadget that makes something work smoother or a technological breakthrough that forever changes the way we live, it is human nature to create, invent and build a better world. Using real case studies learn how to bring your brilliant ideas to life. Ron will talk about the important lessons he’s learned from over three decades in the business of successfully marketing and commercializing inventions. Be prepared to throw your questions at him about selling and marketing your idea!

Room 1. Aspiring/Emerging/Established Inventor Level.

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 Saturday 12:00 p.m.

 Power Networking:

How to Solve any Problem by Connecting with the Right Person.

RON WACKS.

Entrepreneur, CEO, Microbusiness Strategies, and Co-Producer, IssuesLive.

www.microbusinessstrategies.com

Ask yourself this question: Do you want to call people or do you want them to call you? You've heard it many times: "it's not what you know, it's who you know".  Whether you're employed or self-employed…in business 20 years or 20 minutes, Power Networking is the most important tool you can have for success. Power Networking is different than any networking seminar or workshop you've ever attended—you'll learn how to cultivate relationships and develop them into long-term relationships and partnerships and pull a rabbit out of a hat…and people will call you.The most important thing one can do each day beyond getting up in the morning is effective power networking.

Room 1. Aspiring/Emerging/Established Inventor Level.

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 Patent Law: A Business Perspective.

ROGER BELFAY.

Attorney at Law. www.rogerbelfay.com

Learn how patent law relates to the business of turning your invention into cash:

1. What is the relationship between your business plan and patent protection?
2. How do you preserve your patent rights before filing a patent application?
3. Do you even need patent protection?
4. What kind of application should be filed and when?
5. How do I preserve my rights to a patent outside of the United States?

Room 2. Aspiring/Emerging/Established Inventor Level.

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 Saturday 2:00 p.m.

How I Became “The Needle Lady”

Learn the Lessons of What Not to Do!

PAM TURNER

Inventor, Entrepreneur, Spiral Eye® Needle. www.spiraleyeneedle.com

Find out how I became an inventor - From inspiration to prototypes. From money issues to angels in waiting. From "it can't be done" to "here it is!" From manufacturing it in your kitchen to licensing your patent” From "there will be no ROI" to "We are interested in your product" 

Room 1. Aspiring/Emerging/Established Inventor Level.

Turning Your Idea into a Profitable Product:

Myth & Reality

KEVIN ANDERSON

Business Development Consultant

Can you develop a product the market wants?

In this interactive workshop, learn how to position yourself for success by participating in this unique presentation of business basics you must have to succeed. You will learn why and how these basics affect your success.

Kevin will present and discuss a model that he has used in all his businesses. He calls this successful model “ICE” an acronym for Identify, Communicate, Execute.   He will walk you through each part of the model and how each impacts the process from idea to profitability.  We’ll discuss how to identify the basis for revenue, quality and profits.

As a part of this interactive discussion, Kevin will use his broad skill sets and history as an example.  All your work will remain confidential as you choose.  Prepare to learn the myths and the realities of how profitability really happens and how to get there whether you’ve already started or have an idea on a napkin.

Room 2. Aspiring/Emerging/Established Inventor Level.

Aspiring/Emerging/Established Level Descriptions:

Aspiring: Limited financial resources; knowledge of the process is low; initial stage of development; needs to learn the basic product development process.

Emerging: Limited financial resources; knowledge of the process is low to mid; prototype stage; knows it will not make a fast million; understands the time commitment to develop; knows the value of a patent; knows how to find out if there is a market; and is learning how to commercialize the product.

Established: Using personal financial resources; knowledge of the process is good; advanced stage of development; may have a direct connection to the potential market; has a business plan and marketing plan developed; learning how to make the decision to license or manufacture your product; and knows what it takes to finance a start up operation.

Note: Please don’t let these descriptions stop you from participating in any workshop you wish to attend!

 

The 8:00 a.m. sessions on Friday and Saturday are open to the public and are free for 2010 Expo exhibitors. Workshop speakers and schedule are subject to change. No advance registration necessary. $20 Fee per session. $15 MIC members Fee per session. Online – prepay only – 3 for $40.00. At the door – 3 for $50.00.

Redwood Area Community Center

901 Cook Street

Redwood Falls MN  56283

Held during the Minnesota Inventors Congress’ Invention & Idea Show™ 2010

 

Minnesota Inventors Congress

P O Box 71

Redwood Falls MN  56283

800.468.3681

info@minnesotainventorscongress.org

www.minnesotainventorscongress.org

  

   SBA's participation in this cosponsorship is not an endorsement of the views, opinions, products or services of any cosponsor or other person or entity.  All SBA programs, services and cosponsored activities are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.  Reasonable arrangements for persons with special needs will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance.  Contact: the Minnesota Inventors Congress at 507-627-2344 or info@minnesotainventorscongress.org.  Cosponsorship Authorization #: 10-01.