The Small Business Innovative Research Program (SBIR) of the Nevada Commission of Economic Development is an
exciting resource for inventors, and LeRoy Singleton, outreach program manager, will explain why at NIA's Feb.
23, 2002 meeting. "The Commission on Economic Development promotes a more diversified and prosperous Nevada
economy through the operation of programs that stimulate and attract business development from outside the state
and business expansion within the state," according to the State Outreach Notebook 2001 published by the Ballistic
Missile Defense Organization of Arlington, Va. The national objectives of this 20 year-old program are to
• Stimulate technology and innovation
• Use small business to meet federal R & D needs
• Encourage participation by disadvantaged and minority persons in technological innovation
• Increase private sector commercialization derived from federal R & D programs. Agencies with money available
for invention development include the National Institutes of Health, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration,
the National Science Foundation, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Departments of Agriculture, Defense,
Energy, Transportation, Commerce, and Education. Join NIA on Feb. 23 to learn more about how you can take advantage
of this program to help you progress with your invention.
Let me hear from YOU!
The Nevada Inventor is your newsletter. Since I am not an inventor, I can only guess at what you want from this
publication. Please fill in the enclosed response card and suggest articles, topics, resources and other needs
you perceive. Then bring it to the Feb. 23 meeting,
mail it to me at 1230 Freddie Ct., Reno 89503,
or e-mail me at ccbenedict@775.net
Thank you, Connie Benedict
Measure twice; cut once
Never underestimate the power of a plan
Hard experience has convinced me that the single most important phase of any project - the one that must be
given the very most time and energy in a successful project-is planning.
Incredibly, people who would not think of building a house without blueprints, try to dive directly ibto almost
everything they do without writing out a clear plan to identify the results they are working toward, how they plan
to get there and how they will know when we have arrived. This principle should be applied to virtually every major
project we tackle, whether it's a newsletter or an invention or a business to produce either.
Where will it end?
Stephen Covey, in The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, admonishes us to "begin with the end
in mind," so begin by setting your primary goal and then break it down into smaller steps. Don't waste a lot
of time on formatting your presentation here. This stage is from you to yourself. Formatting can come later if
you find yourself applying for funding. Instead, write out your answers to questions like these:
Know your audience
1. Who is your primary audience? Who will be using your product? Think of where they might live, how much money
they make, what their education level is, what their interests are, and anything else that will give you adequate
information about this audience. If there is more than one audience, you will benefit by writing out answers to
these questions for each group.
2. Why should this audience want to buy your product? What perceived problem will it solve? Remember, people buy
something for their own reasons, not yours.
3. How will you develop your product? What is your timeline? How can you break this into small steps to avoid being
overwhelmed? Who will hold you accountable? (For most of us, having someone who will play watchdog, can be extremely
helpful in keeping our projects moving in a timely manor.) How will you be held accountable?
4. Whose help will you need to produce and protect your prototype? Where will you find it?
5. What is your budget for this part of your project?
6. Once your proposal is complete, how will you get it produced? Where? What will it cost? If you need to raise
money to produce it, where will you find that money?
Keep on track This list is by no means complete. When you have answered all these questions and project-specific
questions that only you can ask, start setting actively worded, measurable objectives to keep yourself motivated
and on track for success.
Something to think about Westfield MA--The New Year is well upon us. The Holiday Season is now behind us, The
friendly smiles, the strong handshakes, the warm hugs and the family get together are gone for another year. The
once a year greeting card to let people know you are still alive have been received. The "Can I help you with
that?", "How's the family?", "Keep smiling", and "Let me do that for you" are
gone for another 11 months for many. WHY? It should not be like that. It should be the Holiday Season all year
round. Friendliness, kindness, cheerfulness, love and communications should be with us always. This year, send
a greeting card to everyone on your holiday card list in June and September. Spend as much time with family members
as you can. Smile, shake hands, hug someone and wish other people well every day of the year. Be respectful, courteous
and patient to others. Treat people as you yourself would want to be treated. And above all, help a fellow inventor
. The Big Idea Hunt Manchester NH--The Big Idea Hunt: Toys and Kids' Products Search is a nationwide search for
new and innovative children's product ideas. Inventors of all ages are invited to present their ideas to a panel
of industry experts and qualify for an opportunity to earn cash awards and/ or product development contracts. Upcoming
Spring 2002 events include: Atlanta (March 2-3), St. Louis (April 6-7) and Baltimore (April 13-14). Virtual idea
showings via telephone conference call are also available. For more information about our invention search or other
idea submission opportunities, visit www.BigIdeaGroup.net or call 603-641-5955.
Thanks to Vince Chemist for forwarding these articles from Uiausabook@aol.com.
Follow-Up from January
These are the points brought up in our brainstorming session in January. Some might not make sense out of context,
but they could trigger additional ideas. Now it's time to look these over and determine some priorities for your
organization. • Monthly sponsors (EDAWN, Tech Alliance, Harbor Freight) • Bulk mailing • Insert sponsor's ads •
No ads • Personal approach, follow-up, networking (Members need to network and actively recruit new members) •
Income Builders International • Billboard • Built-in responses • Teaching tool • Newsletter and organization missions
• Resource directory • Make it clear that NIA isn't money-grubbing. Basic financial obligation is yearly dues •
Include don'ts for inventors • Roster of capabilities • Fax distribution; Can be done area-wide for $100 per month.
• Circulate to businesses and schools
Page done by Vince Chemist.
Created on April 31 2002
Updated on November 29, 2005