-- If you think it is tough at your end, it's similarly difficult forcing knowledge into your mind. You are looking for a shorter cut to the short-cuts that we have listed.

-- So, let's cut to the 'short-cut' chase: -->>

1. Know who your buyers are and who you will turn-to to buy. - You'll find out that it's the manufacturer, not the consumer.
2. Get the skills to pursue your goal.
3. Who can help you and how will you get to them? Begin your networking and then communicate logically.
4. Join a local inventors group. Attend your meetings religiously. Go to the SBA - Small Business Administration for help and to S.C.O.R.E - the "Service Corps of Retired Executives."
5. Proceed to a Patent Attorney or Patent Agent. Read all those books on Inventing. Continue with this IASL Website.
6. Find a legitimate invention-mentor who is willing to help you.
7. Don't give up your day job. You'll need enough money to help 'hang in there.' It's persistency that counts.

-- "If one is master of one thing and understands one thing well, one has at the same time, insight into and understanding of many things." -- Van Gogh

-- "The process of developing a new product is actually a series of “GO/NO GO” decisions. At each step of the way the information gained from the previous step gives you the data you need to make that go/ no go call for the continuation of the process for that product.

-- One of those steps is called a “Benefit –vs- Detriment” scale. Each product (or even idea) lives on a BD scale. Think of a see-saw of sorts. Start by looking at the current products in the market and outline the things your product does better. Then add to the benefits side those things that your product does that others don’t and the problems it solves, and other things like …maybe you have a cheaper or more efficient manufacturing process, or you make it from less expensive materials. On the Detriment side, you have to always start with the retail price (detriment to the user) and things that make yours a little worse in some areas, or maybe your manufacturing methods costs more….things like that.

-- Any company who sees you come through the door with a well thought out and honest BD scale will be more then impressed. It shows them you have taken the time to think it all out, and that you have taken some of the “Inventor emotion” out of the process and recognize your product needs development.

-- Just a thought…." -- M Reyland

-- Thought of the day: --
-- "Those that build great companies understand that the ultimate throttle on growth for any great company is not markets, or technology, or competition, or products. It is one thing above all others; the ability to get and keep enough of the right people."

-- "Get A Bid - Project Bid Request form on Solomon's Directory" --

-- What you should know about Patent Infringement Litigation - the Cultural Difference --

-- River Bluff Industries, P.O. Box 121, Hermann, MO 65041 - 573-486-2152 - Fax: 573-486-2153 - rbi@ktis.net

-- Sheltered Industries of Meramec Valley, Inc., P.O. Box 354, Sullivan, MO 63080 - 573-488-3888 - Fax: 573-488-2429

-- Sheltered Workshops Inc., 1600 W. Main Street, Washington, MO 63090 - 636-230-2744 - Fax: 636-239-9470 - swi@mail.usmo.com

-- Earthwise Industries, 1386 S. Main Street, Troy, MO 63379 - 636-528-8869 - Fax: 636-528-5417 - earthwise@nothnbut.net

-- *Boone Center, Inc., 200 Trade Center Drive West, St. Peters, MO 63376 - 636-978-4300 - Fax: 636-978-4343 - cblossom@boonecenter.com

-- TEMCO, Inc., 2245 Highway D, Marthasville, MO 63357 - 633-433-2335 - Fax: 636-433-2312 - temcoQ@usmo.com

-- Osage Sheltered Ind. and Services, Clinton Satelite, 417 S. Center, Butler, MO 64735 - 816-885-8208 Fax:816-885-4705

-- Mo. Community Improvement Industries, Inc., 105 Burks Rd., Farmington, MO 63640 - 573-756-6406 - Fax:573-756-7051 mcii_inc@hotmail.com

-- St. Genevieve Co. Sheltered Workshop, P.O. Box 166 Industrial Drive, St. Genevieve, MO 63670 - 573-833-7431 - Fax:573-883-9082 sgiworkshop@idd.net

-- Worth Industries, 3501 N. Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63134 - 314-231-6600 - Fax: 314-231-2266 worthind@inlink.com

-- Industrial Aid, 4417 Oleatha Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63116 - 314-773-3200 - Fax: 314-773-4120 - indus631@aol.com

-- Metropolitan Employment Rehabilitation Center, 1727 Locust, St. Louis, MO 63116 - 314-241-3464 - Fax: 314-241-9348 - jreeg@mers.org

-- Project Workshop, Inc., 6301 Manchester, St. Louis, MO 63139 - 314-647-3300 - Fax: 314-647-6057 - david@projectinc.org

-- *Lafayette Industries, 170 Gaywood Drive, Manchester, MO 63021 - 636-227-5666 - Fax: 636-227-9650 - lwc@lafayetteindustries.com

-- *Florissant Valley Sheltered Workshop, 210 Rue St. Francois, Florrisant, MO 63031 - 314-839-1406 - Fax: 314-839-0302 - marketing@fvsw.net

-- *Florissant Valley Sheltered Workshop West, 10746 Trenton, Olivette, MO 63132 - 314-428-2222 - Fax: 314-428-6569

-- *Jeffco Subcontracting, 2065 Pomme Road, Arnold, MO 63010 - Fax: 636-296-6212 - jsi6212@aol.com

-- Universal Sheltered Workshop, 6912 Florissant Ave., St. Louis, MO 63136 - 314-389-7072 - Fax: 314-389-6674 - universl@primary.net

-- ITE, Inc., 4621 World Parkway Circle, Berkeley, MO 63134 - 314-429-0866 - Fax: 314-429-7859

-- WAC Industries, Inc., 8520 Mackenzie Rd., St. Louis, MO 63123 - 314-631-8300 - Fax: 314-631-8302

-- *Human Support Services, 988 North Illinois, Route 3, Waterloo, IL 62298-0146
- 618-930-4444

-- *Past Guest Speakers at IASL Meetings

-- "Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect." -- Mark Twain

-- All is not gold that glitters -->
-- sum uv yoo - "Sity Slikkers" - yoo noe or shood dat Iron Pyrite iz de 'fools gold' - it kin bedazl yoo - yool be downryte sukkerd - {8-)) IASL kin assay it fer ya.
-- frum yoor flatout-silly old-kantank'rus sodbustin-swettin goldseekun miner

-- "Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere."
-- Albert Einstein

-- Here's an Excellent Hint: -
-- If you need assistance in creating a physical prototype, mechanical or electrical, call on Amie Osborn at Florissant Valley Community College - 314-513-4307 - or Gwain Marron, Computer Numerical Control Professional
-- Use the ID Cards that IASL issues to identify you to Ami.

-- -- -- -- :: ZODIAC SIGNS :: -- -- -- --
-- -- -- (Know yourself and others) -- --

- ARIES - Witty and clever...but can be sarcastic
- TAURUS - Rock solid, loyal..but can be vindictive
- GEMINI - Smart, creative...but can be skittish
- CANCER - Sensible, earthy...but never forgets
- LEO - Sharp mind, great laugh...but testy, arrogant
- VIRGO - Street smart, many friends...but demanding
- LIBRA - Good values, wily...but impatient
- SCORPIO - Charismatic, wry humor...but short tempered
- SAGITTARIUS - Wickedly funny...but self-indulgent
- CAPRICORN - Great friend, integrity...but too picky
- AQUARIUS - Terrific human beeing...but knows it all
- PISCES - A true individual...but hard to know

-- So, look out for #1 - which is you. --
-- You must take responsibility for your own actions -- good or bad. You are the one with the brains, aren't you? You dreamed up that "invention," so follow through. --

-- Be sure to get the job done right.

-- Hire good people. Those who can be depended upon to produce results.

-- "It is only the results that count."

-- -- "The world has millions of starters, but only a few finishers. Only a few that can be depended upon to produce a result. And it is only the result that counts - in business, school and in social life."
-- The Palmer Method of Handwriting

-- "Put on a good performance," they said to John Wilkes Booth. -- "Go out there and break a leg," and he did. - He didn't understand, when they said to him, "Go out and kill the audience." He plotted and murdered Abraham Lincoln.

-- Read or listen to the Directions. Write it Down. - Ask, if you don't understand? - There are no dumb questions; only dumb people not asking. --

-- "The Associated Press: New Yahoo service helps users share their location" --

-- "The Steps Successful Inventors Take, Common Inventor Pitfalls To Avoid" -->

-- INSTRUCTIONS: --
"The female dormitory will be out-of-bounds for all male students, so too the male dormitory to the female students. Anybody caught breaking this rule will be fined $20 the first time. Anybody caught breaking this rule the second time will be fined $60. Being caught a third time will incur a hefty fine of $180. Are there any questions?" At this, a male student in the crowd inquires, "Er... How much for a season pass?" :-))

-- Directions for victims of an Atomic Attack: 1) Reach over and grab your ankles. 2) Place your head between your legs. 3) And kiss your ass goodbye.

-- "He who asks is a fool for five minutes, but he who doesn't ask remains a fool forever." -- Chinese Proverb

-- One of the best ways to get in front of lots of people with your new product is to exhibit at trade shows. Since I have exhibited at more trade shows than I can remember (certainly as many as 100!), I have found this can be one of the most efficient ways to show your product to so many people in just a few days.

-- Below are some tips and thoughts I have about some of the "rules" you need to follow and what you need to know to have a great show:

-- When you exhibit at a show, make sure your booth is complete with a table to display your products, at least two chairs for you and a potential customer to sit down and talk, bottled water to refresh your guests, and have great graphics (signs) that clearly tell people what your product is so they don't walk by and wonder what you are displaying.
Always dress professionally - no jeans, t-shirts, shorts. Looking good means a lot and makes a great impression.
Try not to sit down in your booth space during show hours. There is nothing worse in my mind than an exhibitor who appears lazy and disinterested in welcoming people as they walk on by. Show enthusiasm and say hi to people passing by and invite them to look at your product.

-- Never eat in your booth - again, it just looks unprofessional. Take five minutes and walk away and grab a quick bite or ask a neighbor to cover you for a few minutes.

-- Bring more than enough brochures and business cards - and make them look good! Always ask visitors for their business card so you can follow up with them.

-- Have your "elevator pitch" ready to go! You must be able to explain what your product is and the key features and benefits in less than a minute or you will lose people's attention. If they are interested they will ask you more questions and then you can talk more.