CAN-SPAM Act Basics

“The CAN-SPAM Act of 2003 (Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act) establishes requirements for those who send commercial email, spells out penalties for spammers and companies whose products are advertised in spam if they violate the law, and gives consumers the right to ask emailers to stop spamming them.

The law, which became effective January 1, 2004, covers email whose primary purpose is advertising or promoting a commercial product or service, including content on a Web site. A ‘transactional or relationship message’ – email that facilitates an agreed-upon transaction or updates a customer in an existing business relationship – may not contain false or misleading routing information, but otherwise is exempt from most provisions of the CAN-SPAM Act.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, is authorized to enforce the CAN-SPAM Act. CAN-SPAM also gives the Department of Justice (DOJ) the authority to enforce its criminal sanctions. Other federal and state agencies can enforce the law against organizations under their jurisdiction, and companies that provide Internet access may sue violators, as well.”

Read more in this CAN-SPAM Act summary from the FTC.

Planning a Startup M&A Exit Strategy

“There are lots of things that a company can do over its life that will make a successful M&A exit easier to achieve. With careful planning and an attention to detail, start-ups can avoid at lot of the pitfalls that usually come back to haunt them only when they are on the cusp of closing what they thought would be a relatively painless deal.”

Read this post from Burnham’s Beat for a list of ten commandments for startups planning or considering an merger or acquisition as an exit strategy. See also this post from Software Only that comments on and amplifies Burnham’s list.

Rolling Stones Rock PNC Park

Mick Jagger at PNC Park
Originally uploaded by TigerTigerTiger.

On a starry night, with the sparkling Pittsburgh skyline as backdrop, Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones rocked PNC Park last night. I know, it’s only rock n’ roll, but I liked it.

Many in the throng paid top dollar for their tickets, but for the adventurous, plenty of good seats were available from scalpers and concert goers with extra ducats. I bought a floor ticket for half price and spent the night near the catwalk linking the main stage in center field and the auxiliary stage near home plate, front and center, maybe thirty rows back.

From my vantage point, I could feel the heat of the show, both figuratively and literally. Flames shot out of the floor on the opening “Start Me Up” and more burst from the top of the 80-foot stainless steel main stage at the beginning of “Sympathy for the Devil.” Brief bursts of blast furnace heat punctuated other sensory treats.

Cool visuals included a spacey video introduction, giant over inflated flower-power lips, fireworks, a multi-level stage with ramps that stretched from foul line to foul line, flanked by four story towers that resembled curvy silver parking garage ramps.

The super-sized video screen featured multiple camera shots showing the performers from all angles. Many scenes were in sepia or black and white, giving the impression simultaneously of the old and the new. The Stones rocked, in the now, on stage, up front, yet, with a little imagination, there they were, also, performing in black and white on the big screen on the Ed Sullivan show.

“It’s good to see you. It’s good to be back. It’s good to be anywhere,” joked guitarist Keith Richards, cigarette in hand. I agree, it is good to be anywhere, but last night it was especially good to be in PNC Park.

Enjoying classic cuts like, “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” and “Get Off My Cloud” and “Paint it Black” and “Honky Tonk Woman” and “Sympathy for the Devil” and “It’s Only Rock and Roll (But I Like It)” and “Jumpin Jack Flash.”

And joining the crowd raucously singing along with, “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.”

I sure got what I needed.

100 Tips to Improve Your Business

This excellent and comprehensive list of tips from Entrepreneur.com serves as a checklist with explanation for achieving your business (and life) goals. For example, consider the following excerpts:

“96. Revisiting Your Goals
The value of a goal lies in the way it provides you with a relatively steady, unwinking light toward which to steer in the fog of everyday business life. But that doesn’t mean a goal should be as immovable as a lighthouse. You should periodically take a fresh look at your goals to see if they need to be changed or, perhaps, dumped. Changes in your personal situation, such as a desire to spend more time with your family, may cause some goals to become irrelevant to your true desires. Of course, the best reason to scrap a goal is because it’s been accomplished….

97. Loosen Up!
If setting and achieving your goals isn’t fun, then why bother?… And if you fail? Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and create a new goal…

99. Creating Targets Worth Reaching
When looking at new goals, make sure they have the following qualities:

Specificity. You stand a better chance of achieving a goal if it’s specific. “Raising capital” isn’t a specific goal; “raising $10,000 by July 1″ is.

Optimism. Goals should be positive and uplifting…

Realism….Begin with small steps, such as increasing your monthly income by 25 percent. Once your first goal is met, you can reach for larger ones.

Thinking short- and long-term. Short-term goals are attainable in a period of weeks to a year. Long-term goals can be achieved five, 10 or even 20 years from now; they should be substantially greater than short-term goals but should still be realistic…”

57 Varieties of Optical Illusions

This site is just too cool for words, although words explanatory words abound along with 57 interactive optical illusions.

Valuing Technology in a Joint Venture

A principle of technology valuation is that the optimum value of a technology transferred (in/out) is a fair percentage of the cash flow generated by the competitive advantage of the technology (sold/purchased). Of course, what is fair, how to estimate cash flow and how to measure competitive advantage are vexing issues. Not to mention defining the technology being considered. For a good discussion of this topic, see this article from PLI by Mark A. Peterson.

The Art of the Elevator Pitch

“Your first and most important objective as an entrepreneur is to learn how to make a powerful and captivating first impression. This requires honing a business idea into a clear pitch that can be given in 30 seconds or less, which is not easy. In that brief amount of time, you need to communicate the value you bring to the table including: who you are, how your technology or business idea will solve a given problem, the market potential and your business idea will solve a given problem, the market potential and your plan to make it all happen. Whew!”

Check out this article from Techcomm Journal for a few points to consider when developing and delivering your pitch.

Theater to be Auctioned on October 15

PC260010
Originally uploaded by TigerTigerTiger.

aboutu1
Originally uploaded by TigerTigerTiger.

Historic Uptown Theatre in downtown Washington, Pennsylvania is scheduled for auction on October 15, 2005 at 10 a.m. at the premises.

The recently-renovated theater can hold up to 500, has a stage, dance floor, and new sound and lighting systems. To be sold as an operating business with all amenities included. Pennsylvania liquor license to be auctioned separately.

The history and specifications of the theater are available here. Current bookings and other information can be found here.

The listing is featured at this auctionzip site. Further details and brochure are available from the auctioneer, Steve Yilit Jr. at 724-229-4548.

Please note that the theater is owned by a firm client and I have a small ownership interest in it.

Small Business Articles from American Express

The American Express Small Business Site contains a useful and comprehensive collection of articles on starting and operating a small business, including:

– Day to Day Management
– Doing Business Online
– Financial Management
– Finding Money
– Hiring and Managing Staff
– Law and Insurance
– Marketing and Sales
– Starting a Business
– Tax Center
– Cash Flow Center
– Export/Import Center

Tutorial for Inventors on How To Write A Marketing Plan

“Even if you are not able to market your own invention, writing a marketing plan will help you to sell or license your invention to manufacturers, retailers, and other interested parties. You will be able to intelligently discuss the market for your invention with potential buyers.

This tutorial on how to write a marketing plan [from About.com] will provide you with the following marketing know-how:

Understand The Purpose Of A Marketing Plan
Identify strategies for conducting market research
Identify advantages of market research
Understand What The Marketing Plan Contains
Target market
Competition
Product
Marketing budget
Location
Pricing strategy
Promotional strategy

List
Advantages of developing a marketing plan
Disadvantages of developing a marketing plan

Prepare A Marketing Plan Outline

Develop An Effective Marketing Strategy
Advertising strategy
Promotional strategy”