So you decide you want to trademark your brand, and you start looking around for names that sound attractive and coincide with your corporate needs and image. After late night bull sessions with your fellow officers and running your proposal by the bartender at Daily's, you decide that your company -- which makes industrial strength boxes for the discerning consumer -- should have a trademark worthy of its product.You decide to call the company...more
Most of us have had that moment in a department store or a supermarket where we stare at two seemingly identical products and try to figure out what one cost infinitely more than the other. They look the same, are made the same, and even have the same basic packaging, so why should you be expected to pay considerably more for one than the other. In most cases, its a question of brand name or advertising or some obscure business practice that most...more
The other day a friend of mine was talking about the way we recognize symbols and what they mean to us. He suggested that with the end of the series Smallville a huge portion of the nation's bloated television audience would no longer be exposed to even a hint of the symbol of strength and courage by which the Man of Steel is known, but instead would find themselves unhappily relegated to watching re-runs of Cheers or M.A.S.H. or even older late-night paradigms of hopelessness (e.g., Archie Bunker). A symbol that we can look up to in times of trouble is something we all need, of course, but I found it oddly intriguing that the symbol he looked toward was a make-believe superhero from the Golden Age.Upon further reflection, I attribute his thinking to the society we live in, which is inundated with stars both real and imagined, but which of late seems to have openly embraced the icons created so long ago by the stalwarts of the comics industry. Thus, recent years have seen a spate of movies about the Dark Knight, Daredevil, Iron Man, the X-Men, Wolverine, the Hulk, and the Fantastic Four -- to name a few -- and the superhero bandwagon shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon....more
Do you remember the big international trademark battles of yore? The almost mythical battles that set the stage for fifty years of international policy on designation of origin and engendered the inchoate animosity brought to life in the tariff battles at the end of the Bush era? Well, let me refresh your recollection.Remember when France sued...more
Many people are drawn to the convenience of airport rental kiosks simply because they don't want to have to trek away from the airport in order to find a suitable location in the immediate area. Accepting the first location that you come across, especially at an airport, could be a big mistake on several fronts.First of all, don't think that you...more
The Pay-Per Call (PP-Call) is geared towards small businesses that do not have a web presence on the internet. However, this form of advertising can be used by all types of business or services offered on the net.Advertisers create an ad similar to a Pay-Per-Click (PP-Click) ad. Advertisers choose key terms in which they would like to appear under. They also choose their geographical location (local, regional or national) Pricing starts at $2 and can exceed $20. The ad itself consists of a headline and 2 additional lines of text, (including a URL if the company has one). Surfers then call the toll free number shown in the ad. After the surfer calls the number, the call is forwarded to the actual business phone. Seems pretty basic doesnt it? But, I had a few questions I needed answered so I contacted Ingenio and spoke to them about their service.My first question regarded calls placed after business hours. If my business phones are manned Monday Friday, 9 to 5, will calls still come in after 5pm on Friday? The answer is that currently there is no automated scheduling that will turn your ads on or off at a specified time. However, you can go in manually and pause your account so that...more
Most people out there feel that they will have to staple their mouths shut if they ever want to lose weight but fortunately, that is not true. Because people have become fanatic about the way they look and are worried about their health as well, an...more
Running a marathon may not be at the top of everyone's to-do list. For some, running is much more of a chore than a hobby. For others though, it is a passion and a quest. If you are just getting in to the sport and are wondering where to start,...more
Most people are longing to start their own businesses. But do they know what it takes to become successful entrepreneurs? What about you? Which characteristics of successful entrepreneurs do you bring in the business you have or you intend to begin?...more
How many CaloriesAre you eating enough calories? To many skinny guys or hardgainers as they are known in the gym, eat the same way their gym partners do and that just won't work for the skinny guy so the fail to see any weight gain.If you are a...more
Early Menopause Symptoms - When will it All Start?All women are different, but most women will start to notice the onset of menopause around the age of 45 to 50. However, it can start as early as 40 years of age for some women. Sometimes it will...more
Australia is a gorgeous land filled with fantastic beaches and tropical rainforests. It is also a rugged land that is better suited for touring in a four wheel drive vehicle since most of the natural settings of this region can be challenging to...more