MEGAN AUMAN

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what I’m reading: a homemade life

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Contrary to popular belief, I do occasionally read for pleasure.  I came across A Homemade Life: Stories and Recipes from my Kitchen Table while browsing Amazon, and knew it would make the perfect airplane read.  Written by Molly Wizenberg, author of the blog Orangette, A Homemade life is part memoir, part recipe book.
Its a really lovely and enjoyable read, and it didn’t even make it to the flight home.  (I couldn’t resist reading it while laying by the pool at my hotel.)  The most frustrating part about reading the book while traveling is that you want to run into the kitchen and try the recipes.  Looks like I’ve got a lot of cooking and baking to do when I get home!

what I’m reading

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Normally I like to put the title of the book I’m reading in the title of the post, but The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Patents, Copyrights, Trademarks, Trade Secrets, & Licensing seemed a little wordy. Long title aside, this is an excellent book that really highlighted the differences between copyright, trademarks, and patents. If you run any kind of creative business, I highly recommend that you read this book. As I read, I was able to clearly apply the discussions to my own work.
Here’s a little summary, and how it applies to my work:
Trademarks
Trademarks cover the source of the product, not the product itself (even though we might call a product by its trademark name). One example is that Twinkie is the source of a snack cake (ie. Twinkie brand snack cake). Coca-Cola is the brand of soda, etc.
It is difficult to trademark a “weak” mark – meaning a trademark that is purely descriptive of a product. The “strongest” marks are those that have no relation to the products being sold. (Such as Apple computers.) Which means I would have a difficult time trademarking cozy/cuff – its really just a descriptive name. If I wanted to trademark cozy/cuff, I’d have to prove secondary meaning – basically, that I’ve used the name so much that it is now synonymous with only my brand. That takes time to establish, so for now, no trademarking of cozy/cuff.
Copyrights
This is the area where I though I understood the most, but it turns out I still have so much to learn. Did you know that you can’t copyright useful things? Copyrights are meant to protect expressive works. However, there is a blurry boundary between creative and useful objects and copyright can cover certain aspects of a useful object.
According to the book, “Copyright is best suited for art that appears on functional objects such as a design or ornamentation that is not part of the physical, functional structure of the object.” This really struck me, because one of the ideas I work with is that surface is structure, that the pattern designs become the objects themselves.
I’ve already filed for a copyright for the cozy/cuff, and ultimately, this should give me some level of protection if someone were to copy my idea directly. But if copyrights don’t cover it, then what’s left?
Design Patents
The other option is to file for a design patent. “Design patents are best suited for protecting the shape and appearance of useful objects such as perfume bottles bottles, furniture, cars, and appliances, which have designs that have commercial and economic value.” This does seem much more applicable to my work. However, while easier to apply for than a traditional patent, design patents are still difficult to obtain and expensive. Based on the costs on the PTO website, it would cost over $600 dollars to apply for a design patent, plus over $3,000 in maintenance fees over the next 12 years. And those are the reduced rates for small businesses!  And you must apply for a design patent within one year of an object being sold or used.
Unfair Competition
After reading most of the book, it did seem like there were still a lot of opportunities to have others steal your ideas or designs. Fortunately, there is one more method of legal recourse – which is unfair competition. This affords some protection for someone who is copying aspects of your design in such a way that (while not covered under copyright, trademark, or patent) that seeks to confuse the public on the identity and source of the product. This should offer some means of protection over someone trying to co-opt your entire brand identity as their own. (At least I hope this is the case).
One last thing I learned from the book is no matter what form of intellectual property law you are covered under, you must constantly police for infringers of your work.
This is just a small snippet of the information covered in this book, and some of the ways I’ve applied it to my situation. This book is a worthwhile (and easy) read – its not too legal-jargon-y, and really helped me understand the differences between copyright, trademark, and patents.

what I’m reading: made to stick

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I’m teaching at Towson again this semester, which means back to the really long commute (at least its not every day).  I’ve decided to make really good use of my driving time by tackling some books that have been on my list – as audiobooks, of course.
First up, Made to Stick.  By studying everything from urban legends to advertising, authors Chip and Dan Heath (they’re brothers) figured out that there are common factors in ideas that endure over time.  They’ve boiled these ideas down, allowing anyone to apply these principles to make their ideas more memorable.
Sticky ideas, according the the authors, are Simple, Unexpected, Concrete, Credible, Emotional, and Stories.  (Remembered as SUCCES.)  That in and of itself stuck with me, because I’m now able to recite this checklist without referring to the book.
This book is such a fabulous tool!  As I was listening, my brain was churning, thinking of ways to apply these principles to my business, my teaching, and my bike advocacy.  
One of my favorites quotes from the book was from Mother Teresa, “If I look at the mass, I will never act.  If I look at one, I will.”  This might be my new mantra.  Every time I feel frustrated by a seemingly daunting task in front of me, I will remember this quote, and try to think of one little person or thing to move forward with.  That way, I can continue moving forward.
The authors used this quote as part of the chapter on Emotional, and yes, I’m totally using it out of context, but hey, it stuck with me.  What can you do?
Regardless, I highly recommend this book.  There is so much information, that I know I didn’t absorb it all the first time around.  This is definitely worth repeated listenings.  I might even put it on while I sleep, just to give something else the chance to stick.

what I’m reading: the art of innovation

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For a long time, I always thought that if there was one company that I would absolutely love to work for, it would be Pixar. (Lately I’ve been obsessed with watching the behind the scenes footage on all my Pixar DVDs.) But after reading The Art of Innovation by Tom Kelley, I’ve changed my mind. The company I’d most love to work for is IDEO.

Truth is, my goal is actually to run my own company, but fortunately for me, The Art of Innovation gives you insights how you can incorporate the IDEO methodology into your own business.

It’s also wonderfully insightful for anyone who designs objects that are used by people. One of the best chapters was the one on direct observation, which really resonated last week at the gift fair as I watched people interact with my products. Sometimes as designers, we become so familiar with our own products that we forget to consider how newcomers will respond to them. Utilizing IDEO’s observation strategies, its easier to consider the needs of our potential customers.

The chapter on hot teams made me dream of the day when I can afford to hire fabulous employees and surround myself with good people. Which reminds me of one of the concepts in Good to Great – first who, then what – meaning that the people you have in a company are more important than the products you’re making. (Actually, a lot of the ideas in The Art of Innovation paralleled the concepts in Good to Great – which only solidifies IDEO’s ability to understand what it takes to create a great company.)

And after reading the chapter on creating a workplace that facilitates innovation, I can’t wait to go home and reorganize my workspace. Plus, I’ve now got grand plans to steal space in my parents barn to set up a big space to play and test out new ideas.

The book is easy to read and full of inspiring ideas and useful action items. I’d highly recommend it.

what I’m reading: outliers

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I just finished reading Outliers: The Story of Success – the newest book by Tipping Point author Malcolm Gladwell.  It was one of about a dozen books I got for Christmas, and I chose to start with it because I knew it would be an easier, enjoyable read.  Just as with the Tipping Point, Gladwell looks at the world around us and comes up with new reasons for why things happen the way they do.

In Outliers, he argues that success is not so much a product of personal achievement, but occurs by a combination of circumstance, opportunities, and culture.  It is often factors beyond our control that create the opportunities for some people to be enormously successful.  While its difficult to disagree with Gladwell’s arguments, I find them a bit frustrating.  It really seems like so much of success happens by chance, and while Gladwell gives examples of how society’s can increase their peoples chances of success, there doesn’t seem to be a lot you can do on an individual level.
The most interesting concept for me was the idea that it takes 10,000 hours to truly become proficient at something.  Gladwell sites examples ranging from professional Canadian hockey players, to Bill Gates, to the Beatles – all of whom had opportunities to get in 10,000 hours before their peers, thereby making them more successful.
The 10,000 hours concept makes me curious about the students I teach.  Every semester that I teach beginning jewelry/metals, I always have one or two students who seem to have a natural affinity for the material – an innate set of hand skills.  After reading Outliers, I wonder if this is actually the case.  I’d love to know more about the childhoods of my students.  Did the ones with the “natural ability” spend more time building and making things and just using their hands as children?  Were they already closer to 10,000 hours of manual dexterity than their peers?  Is there a way to predict which students will be the most talented metalsmiths based on their childhood experiences?  
I’m already interested in understanding the growing lack of hand skills among my students.  Now, I’d like to apply the theories in Outliers to see if there really is a way to predict which students might be the most successful metalsmiths and if there is a way to help all my students become more successful.

what I’m (re)reading: writing to learn

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Its no secret that I wish I was a writer.  (Partly because then I could devote more time a day to reading.)  I have a few favorite books about writing that I like to re-read from time to time, and anything by William Zinsser tops the list.  If you want a classic guide on clear and precise writing, I highly recommend Zinsser’s On Writing Well.  (I own two copies.)  Currently I’m reading Writing to Learn.

In Writing to Learn, Zinsser explores the idea that any subject can be made accessible through good writing, and that those with a fear of writing can be taught to overcome that fear by writing about subjects they love.  This certainly makes the book a must read for any teacher.
What I love most about Zinsser is that he clearly loves to read, and Writing to Learn is filled with examples by excellent authors.  I added many of these authors to my holiday book wish list, including John Muir and Rachel Carson.  In fact, my favorite chapter in the book wasn’t the one on art, rather it was Earth, Sea, and Sky – the chapter on the environment and ecology. 
Which got me thinking, I’ll happily read a book on any subject if the author is good.  I would count Sarah Vowell among my favorite authors.  Even though I don’t have any particular interest in Presidential assassinations or Puritan society, I know I’m going to enjoy the story.  The same goes for Michael Pollan, Barbara Kingsolver, or Annie Dillard.  (Or, of course, William Zinsser.)
Sadly, I often find myself ordering books because the topic is interesting to me (such as craft theory or alternative transportation) only to find myself struggling to get through the book.  In Writing to Learn, Zinsser is heavily against jargon and academic speak, and the craft theory books I’ve been reading lately are some of the worst offenders.  As is the case with many craft academics, there’s a strong desire to show just how smart you are.  Yawn.  I wish someone would read Writing to Learn before setting out to write the next craft theory book.
Hmmm, maybe that someone could be me…

the wordy shipmates

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I finished listening to Sarah Vowell’s The Wordy Shipmates on Friday, and just want to say, I highly recommend it. Even if you have no interest in 17th Century Puritan America, Sarah Vowell tells a great story and makes it relevant for today. And funny to boot. I would really recommend the audio book as well, there’s nothing like listening to the author telling the story herself.

And for your enjoyment, here’s a little clip of Sarah Vowell on the Daily Show. I was still laughing ten minutes later.

On a side note, when I searched Amazon.com for Sarah Vowell to find a link for the book, the first thing that came up was a book about Sarah Palin. I’m sure Sarah Vowell would love that.

something new to listen to!

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I’m so excited because Sarah Vowell’s new book, The Wordy Shipmates, comes out today! Some of my studio-mates in grad school turned me on to Sarah Vowell, and her previous books are some of my favorite studio listening. After fighting with my computer, I finally managed to download The Wordy Shipmates from iTunes. I’ve got to leave for a cross country meet shortly, but I can’t wait to head back out to the studio when I get home so I can start listening!

what I’m reading: good to great

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Lately, it seems like I’ve been reading a lot of bicycling related books, so I decided to switch things up and read something business related. I’d been thinking about reading Good to Great by Jim Collins for a while, and since my business hasn’t been going as well as I’d like, now seemed like the perfect time.

As I began reading, I had a hard time visualizing how a book about major corporations such as Gillette and Walgreens would apply to my little, one woman show. But it didn’t take long for me to start applying the lessons in the book to my own business. In fact, I found this to be one of the most relevant books I’ve read in a long time. So I’ve decided to break the book down step by step and examine how it relates to me and my business. (I won’t do this all in one post, it would overwhelm everyone!)

But first, a little introduction. The initial premise of the book is that “Good is the enemy of great.” There are so many good companies around that very few invest the time and energy to become great companies. By studying eleven companies they identified as “great”, Collins and his research team came up with a series of characteristics that set these companies apart. And these are the concepts that can be applied to companies, organizations, teams, and most any other group of people looking to make the leap from good to great. These concepts are:
-Level 5 Leadership
-First Who… Then What
-Confront the Brutal Facts (Yet Never Lose Faith)
-The Hedgehog Concept
-A Culture of Discipline
-Technology Accelerators
-The Flywheel and the Doom Loop
I’ll be using these concepts to examine myself and my business. Hopefully those of you running your own businesses will find some use in this exercise as well. (In fact, I recommend anyone running their own business run out and grab a copy of this book. You won’t be disappointed.)

I’ll be back tomorrow to take a look at Level 5 Leadership.

what I’m reading: the dip

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I know what you’re thinking, I just did a “what I’m reading” post yesterday, but Ivan from Patina Gallery recommended this book to me, so I ran out to get it. (Plus, its only 80 pages and doesn’t take very long to read.)

I’ve been feeling really stuck, and a little disappointed with the way my business is going. The Dip really gave me a new perspective to focus on. The premise is pretty basic, and by the end I kept thinking “ok, I get it,” but this book was exactly what I needed right now.

Verdict: If you’re feeling stuck at all (particularly with your business), run to the bookstore and read this book tonight.