• 5 Alternatives To Traditional Retirement – US News & World Report June 7, 2010 http://money.usnews.com/money/retirement/articles/2010/06/07/5-alternatives-to-traditional-retirement.html
• Pew Trust – “Small Business Most Trusted! http://www.startupnation.com/blogs/index.php/2010/05/12/pew-study-small-business-most-trusted-institution/

Recent press mentions/quotes by John Reddish

• Six Ways For Small-Business Owners To Save Money
  http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20100630-705223.html (I’m quoted in this story; however an online subscription needed to read full article – the online only edition is $1.99 per week )
• There are SBA Loans to be Had – Courtesy of AOL Small Business – here are some tips (from me & others) on increasing your chances http://lnkd.in/a54xq9

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What’s wrong with this thinking – and let’s take it point by point?
1. STRANGERS – Strangers shouldn’t be in business together. But let’s talk about friends, unrelated parties. If they have a dispute and can’t agree, shouldn’t they have someone who can break their deadlock? I once had a client, an INC Magazine “500” company that went bankrupt because their attorney didn’t put a deadlock provision in their policies and by the time I got there, things were so tenuous, they wouldn’t adopt one. That company is no more. I believe every company where a deadlock COULD happen, needs a deadlock provision.
2. STATE LAW WILL PREVAIL – Anyone who’s been divorced knows that breaking up is both hard to do, usually generates hard feelings and takes time – sometimes lots of time. Furthermore, equitable distribution only deals with a division of assets, not with the ongoing running of a business. Either owner can sabotage a business in the time it takes to get to equitable distribution – by gutting the cash, by interfering in transactions, in venting anger in the workplace. By the time you get to equitable distribution, sometimes the business isn’t worth much anymore. Divorce should never be one of your exit strategies. A deadlock provision can help avoid this. Supported by pre-established guidelines, the person voting the minority position, can help break the deadlock and keep the business alive.
3. WE’VE BEEN MARRIED A LONG TIME – Is wonderful news and I applaud long-term, happy, marriages. I also know that in first, second and third marriages, of whatever duration, the chances of staying together until one partner dies is typically never more than 50%. If you can’t rely on something happening, you manage the risk – with a deadlock provision – a cheap and easy safeguard just in case. (a clause like this can also be helpful in cases of mental disability that is not readily diagnosed, the third person voting the minority position, can help save the company by inserting objective, common sense.)

We normally buy health, auto and life insurance. We usually look both ways before crossing the street. In a 50-50 business “partnership,” a little prevention can save a great deal of pain.

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Trademarks and tradedress ( the packaging and design – how the brand is presented – the materials chosen etc.)  protect your logos, name, packaging and other unique design expressions.  When you claim and/or file for trademark protection, remember, you are locking in the design and it must be used consistently going forward, or you will risk your ability to enforce your rights going forward.

Consistent “presentation” and use (including use by your suppliers) are keys to protecting intellectual property.  You can’t protect it if you don’t use it consistently.

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