HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: davej@gmuvax2.gmu.edu (David F. Juraschek)
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
Subject: Re: Home Automation business.
Date: 11 Nov 92 14:58:27 GMT
Organization: George Mason University

In article <1992Nov5.105236.1@ulkyvx.louisville.edu> 
kpjone01@ulkyvx.louisville.edu writes:

>Has anyone ever given any thought to starting a home automation business?  
>I noticed that the x-10 products have become pretty good in the last 5 years.
>You can have a computer run all the electrical devices in the entire house,
>or business for a reasonable amount of money.  The interface for the computer
>is only $60 in the Crutchfield catalog.  Anyone have any thoughts? 

>Kevin

Yup!  About 6 months ago in one of those Home Business/Enterprise/Small
Business/Franchise Opportunity/Whatever magazines, I noted a new franchise
operation called Intellectricity (pretty clever) or some such.

From the picture in the ad, it looked like the guy had set up a snazzy X-10
demo arrangement in a briefcase that one could take into peoples homes to 
sell them on smart electronic stuff.

The idea is a good one, but you'll have difficulty coming up with such
a clever name.

-Dave
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
From: R1156C@waccvm.corp.mot.com (Michael Dow)
Subject: Anyone heard of 'At Home Professions'
Organization: Motorola
Date: 12 Nov 1992 06:59:43 MST

Has anyone out there heard of 'At Home Professions'?  They claim to provide
you, the client' with training and job placement assistance after completing
their course.

    The particular course in question is for 'Medical Transcription'.  My
wife is interested in pursuing this, but I wanted to get some infor off the
net first.

-Michael R. Dow

 R1156C@waccvm.corp.mot.com
From: morr@sequent.com (Kathy Morris)
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
Subject: Beef Jerky and the Japanese
Date: 11 Nov 92 16:39:49 GMT
Article-I.D.: sequent.1992Nov11.163949.19834
Organization: Sequent Computer Systems, Inc.


I was doing a research project dealing with exporting beef jerky to
Japan as a snack food.  After some initial investigation I learned of
the tremendous barriers into the country.  I have decided to promote
my beef jerky in gift boxes to the Japanese tourist in America looking
for gifts to take back to Japan.  I would appreciate any insight into
the following areas:~

Japanese feelings regarding beef.~
What they look for in a gift to take home.~
Are they looking for something symbolizing America?~
Is there a high demand for jerky in Japan?~
What segment of the Japanese tend to buy jerky?~
Should the labeling be in Japanese?~
If I stuck in a repeat mail order form are there government
restrictions or taxes for sending food products into the country?~
Would the Japanese like hot tasting jerky?~
Would the Japanes find the country-western cartoon characters on my
package amusing or maybe culturally offensive?~
Where might be some key places to target the Japanese tourist?~

Thank you for any help you can give.
From: strnlght@netcom.com (David Sternlight)
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
Subject: Re: *** FREE DIRECT MAIL ?!?!?!?!? ***
Date: 11 Nov 92 16:09:51 GMT
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services (408 241-9760 guest)


Jack Jeffries mentions a method for removing cancellations from postage
stamps and re-using them. He needs to consider whether saving 29 cents
is worth a term in Leavenworth if he's caught.

-- 
David Sternlight
(pgp 2.0 and ripem public keys available on request)
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
Subject: Re: Invention development, marketing, etc?
From: vlloyd@eis.calstate.edu (Vicki S. Lloyd)
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 1992 21:54:54 GMT
Organization: Calif State Univ/Electronic Information Services

Try contacting your local Small Business Administration office.  They may
be able to refer you to a lawyer who donates time to help entrepreneurs
evaluate the patentablity of inventions.  If nothing else, they can
probably point you toward some good publications or books to go as far as
possible by yourself.  Also, ask them about SBDCs in your area.  They are
the Small Business Development Centers (name might not be quite right, but
they offer a lot of FREE small business advice.)   Another govt sponsored
group is SCORE (Service Core of Retired Executives).... some of these guys
are really great.....others are a little "sleepy", so talk to more than one.

The SBA also offers an "Answer Desk" in Washington DC, voice mail phone info: 
(800) U-ASK-SBA  and they just implemented a BBS system with lots of good
info:  (800) 697-INFO.

Good Luck!
Vicki
From: rpc@wpi.WPI.EDU (Robert P Chauvin)
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
Subject: Video Games Sales/Rentals
Date: 12 Nov 1992 14:13:37 GMT
Organization: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: wpi.wpi.edu

I wanted to try to get some information from someone who is currently selling
and/or renting video games (Genesis, NES, SNES) to customers.  I was thinking
about doing this part time and would like to gather all the info I can get like
finding distributors, sales techniques, legal info, tax info etc. Any info you
can give me good or bad will be appreciated.
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
Subject: Re: Sales techniques
From: jmarold@netlink.cts.com (Jeff Marold)
Date: Mon, 09 Nov 92 21:55:39 PST
Organization: NetLink Online Communications, San Diego CA

picardo@alpha.ces.cwru.edu (Leslie Picardo) writes:

> 
> 
> 
>   Does anyone out there know of any books which describe sales techniques ?
>   A friend of mine explained to me  some techniques used by Xerox salesman 
>   to sell their products and I found it very fascinating. I'd like 
>   to get a hold of any good books on this subject.
> 
> 
> 
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------
>  Leslie Picardo
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------

"The One Minute Salesperson" by Larry Wilson is good . . . . . 

--                    
INTERNET:  jmarold@netlink.cts.com (Jeff Marold)
UUCP:   ...!ryptyde!netlink!jmarold
NetLink Online Communications * Public Access in San Diego, CA (619) 453-1115
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
From: ipser@solomon.technet.sg (Ed Ipser)
Subject: Re: Sales techniques
Organization: TECHNET, Singapore
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 1992 02:03:55 GMT

In article <1dm34cINNe8d@usenet.INS.CWRU.Edu> picardo@alpha.ces.cwru.edu (Leslie Picardo) writes:
>
>
>
>  Does anyone out there know of any books which describe sales techniques ?
>  A friend of mine explained to me  some techniques used by Xerox salesman 
>  to sell their products and I found it very fascinating. I'd like 

For some commonsense ideas, see:

  The Win-Win Negotiator, and
  Turn Your Customers Into Your Salesforce

both by Ross Reck.
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
From: alcuew@meaddata.com (Alcue Williams)
Subject: Info on Melaleuca, Inc.
Organization: Mead Data Central, Dayton OH
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 1992 20:39:21 GMT
Distribution: misc.entrepreneurs

Hello to all,

I have recently been approached by someone involved with Melaleuca, Inc.  It is a multi-level marketing organization similar in some respects to AMWAY.  Does anyone have any info, good or bad, on this company?


Thanks in Advance,

Alcue

 ____________________________________________________________________________
|                                                                            |
|          Alcue Williams III - Product Certification Engineering            | 
|          Mead Data Central                  alcuew@meaddata.com            | 
|          P.O. Box 933                     uunet!meaddata!alcuew            |
|          Dayton, OH 45401                   (513) 865-1252                 |  
|____________________________________________________________________________|
|                                                                            |
| "We trained hard,  but it seemed that every time we were beginning to form |
| up into teams, we would be reorganized.  I was to learn later in life that |
| we tend to meet any new situation by reorganizing;  and a wonderful method |
| it can be for creating the illusion of progress while producing confusion, |
| inefficiency, and demoralization."      -Petronius Arbiter, 210 BC         |
|____________________________________________________________________________|
From: cj137@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Jack Jeffries)
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
Subject: *** FREE DIRECT MAIL ?!?!?!?!? ***
Date: 11 Nov 1992 04:12:20 GMT
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio (USA)
NNTP-Posting-Host: slc4.ins.cwru.edu


	Hey, I think I found a way to save big $$$ in postage.
There is a newsletter called "FORBIDDEN KNOWLEDGE" which has an
upcomming article on HOW TO REMOVE CANCELLATIONS from POSTAGE
STAMPS!  I'll just re-use the one I get in the mail! :)
From: biow@cs.umd.edu (chris biow)
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
Subject: Re: **INTERESTING TRANSCRIPT ABOUT HONDA MOTOR COMPANY AND JAPANESE LCD CARTEL (PBS FRONTLINE)
Date: 12 Nov 92 19:32:56 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: U of Maryland, Dept. of Computer Science, Coll. Pk., MD 20742

It would be nice if Frontline had at least made an honest
attempt to contact the Japanese villains of their story
and to interview any of the (majority) of US economics 
professors who regard the "predatory Japanese threat to 
our economy" line as utter BS.

I don't have the facts on these cases to specfically 
refute Frontline's argument, but I can observe that it
is one sided and that US docu-magazines have a 
notorious reputation for producing bad, often fallacious
pieces, designed to arouse their viewers' ire and their
own Neilson ratings.

For once, I suppose this _is_ the newsgroup to answer
a largely political post (and program). The implication 
was that any US company trying to compete with the 
Japanese automatically had the deck stacked against 
them. Can any other netters give more specific 
responses or examples (on either side)?

(No, I'm not saying that Japanese companies never do 
fraudulent or abusive things. I am saying that their 
trade practices have at most a marginal deleterious effect 
on our economic well-being, which is grossly outweighed
by the benefits of our trade and co-investment.)
 
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
From: muhamk@microsoft.com (Muhammad Karim)
Subject: Advertising
Date: 07 Nov 92 00:50:55 GMT
Organization: Microsoft Corp.
Distribution: usa
Keywords: Address

I would appreciate if someone can help me out

If I want to look up the big companies advertising or marketing manager, which directory will be the best.  I have found "Standard Directory of Advertisers" burt it is too complicated to look it up.  Is there any other directory similar to this one.

Basically, I want to send a brochure to the advertising manager so that I can get the share of their advertising budget.

Thanks for the reply and I would appreciate if you can me me directly at
muhamk@microsoft.com

Thanks

Muhammad
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
From: "Gary A. Woodward" <p00140@psilink.com>
Subject: Computer aided  businesses
Organization: Performance Systems Int'l
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 1992 14:20:45 GMT
X-Mailer: PSILink (3.2)

	I have just made a discovery.  Everyone sees those window 
stickers and signs.  I have done some research and found the companys 
who make these vinyl cutters (nothing more that a plotter with a knife 
instead of apen).  One of the better software systems is vinylcad by 
American Small Business Computers @ 918.825.6539.  Plotter/cutters are 
sold by Houston instrument @ 512.835.0900. Ioline Corp @ 206.821.2140.
Roland Plotter Support 714.975.0560.  Western Graph tech @ 714.261.7568. 
A co called Gerber also makes one I don't have their #.  I have no 
vested interest, but am posting this to try to get less misc and more
entreprenuer going in this group.  I bought a roland Stika unit for $799.
which will cut a 2.5 X 16 inch vinyl strip for lettering and signs.  It 
also has its own internal scanner to cut custom artwork.

The machine has already paid for itself.  I use it to cut car stereo 
brand name stickers for the windows of kids' cars.

questions/comments?

GW
From: cliff@allen.com (Cliff Allen)
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
Subject: Re: Need help about investors
Date: 13 Nov 92 03:30:44 GMT
Organization: Allen Marketing Group - Raleigh, NC

dye@edison.llumc.edu (Leonard Dye) writes:

> I need to find out what kind of terms and percentages an investor or venture
> capitalist expects from a new start-up buisness. I imagine this mostly depend
> upon the amount of risk involved. Are they generally "silent partners" or do
> they usally want a say in how the buisness is ran? Is it better to try and
> sell stock to raise the capital needed?
> 

The two types of investors you mention -- private investors and venture 
capitalists -- have very different investment outlooks toward start-ups. 
We've seen private investors put up to around $50K each in new ventures, 
while professional venture capitalists generally want to invest no less 
than $1 million each.

While private investors can be patient while you build your business, VCs 
need a quicker return.  One of the rules-of-thumb used in VC-backed deals 
is the profit after 5 years needs to be 3 times the VC's investment.  In 
other words, for a $1 million investment the profit in 5 years needs to 
be $3 million.

In addition to receiving stock, expect your investor to require some 
number of seats on the board so they can monitor performance and exert 
some amount of control over direction.

Cliff
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
From: rb4572@thor.albany.edu (Whitesnake)
Subject: American Inventors Corp.
Originator: rb4572@thor.albany.edu
Organization: State University of New York at Albany
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 1992 14:26:51 GMT
X-Posted-From: thor.albany.edu
NNTP-Posting-Host: sol.ctr.columbia.edu


I'm considering submitting my invention idea to American Inventors Corp. for
a "free assessment," (they tell me if they think it's worth patenting) under
a promise of confidentiality and non-disclosure.  If you have dealt with this
company before, what did you think of it?  Thanks.
-- 
Ron Bangel  a.k.a.  \/\/hitesnake        Internet: rb4572@albany.bitnet
"I don't wanna play the waiting game     US Mail:  588 Madison Avenue 
 and drift away, leaving an illusion..."           Albany, NY  12208
                           - Def Leppard           (518) 436-1927
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
From: hutch@bellman.lanl.gov (John Hutchinson)
Subject: Re: Voicemail sales systems
Reply-To: hutch@bellman.lanl.gov
Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory
Date: Thu, 12 Nov 1992 18:38:52 GMT

A big THANK YOU to all those who responded to my request for info about
Voicemail automated order systems!  Upon investigation, the BigmOuth unit
from Talking Technology looks like just the unit I need and at a price I can
afford ($199 from Computer Direct) as well.  It's sure worth a try!

Cheers,
---

___________________________ John "HUTCH" Hutchinson _________________________
_________________ Fair Dinkum Technologies     Member - IAAD  _______________
________________ "No worries, mate... it's from Fair Dinkum!" _______________
____________ email: hutch@bellman.lanl.gov   GEnie: FAIR-DINKUM _____________


Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
From: rodb@slugo.corp.sgi.com (Rod Beckwith)
Subject: Re: Invention development, marketing, etc?
Organization: Silicon Graphics, Inc.
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 1992 16:34:16 GMT


Chris,


DON"T DO IT!!!!!!!!

You & I have the same delema. I have talked to a NON_PROFIT organization
who sells an instruction manuals on how to protect & sell/market your
products & ideas. I have not received the package yet, but am eagerly
awaiting. It is in pre-publication, so it's brand new. Meanwhile I have a
few books that are good sources of information, They can be had at the
referrence section of any decent library.Be patient, I have heard nothing
but BAD about those Invention submission companies.

"Inventing & Patenting Sourcebook" Pub: Gale Research Auth:Richard Levy


"Inventing, Creating & selling your ideas" Pub: TAB  Auth: Philip B. Knapp


"Patent it Yourself" Pub: ?  Auth: David Pressman

Hope this helps, I will also status everyone on the outcome of the
information that I have sent for.

Rod
-- 
Rod Beckwith     |$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 
Datacom I/S      |"The great obstacle of progress is not ignorance,
rodb@corp.sgi.com|but the illusion of knowledge."
                 |$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$


			

Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
From: rcollins@encore.com (Roger Collins)
Subject: Re: *** FREE DIRECT MAIL ?!?!?!?!? ***
Organization: Encore Computer Corporation
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 1992 18:45:55 GMT

cj137@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Jack Jeffries) writes:
>	Hey, I think I found a way to save big $$$ in postage.
>There is a newsletter called "FORBIDDEN KNOWLEDGE" which has an
>upcomming article on HOW TO REMOVE CANCELLATIONS from POSTAGE
>STAMPS!  I'll just re-use the one I get in the mail! :)

Jack, as long as you don't mind stealing, you might check out some good
books on cat burglary.  But I wouldn't talk about your ventures on the
net; this industry demands confidentiality.  Also, your biggest
competitor in the stealing business is government (they get to call it
taxing since they have guns and a majority consensus), and they are
cut-throat at protecting their monopoly.

	:) <--- for the sarcasm impaired
From: lruiz@gumbo (Luis A. Ruiz - res. assoc)
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
Subject: Looking for Info about Movie Markets
Date: 9 Nov 92 19:28:47 GMT
Article-I.D.: cs.1992Nov9.192847.1155
Organization: Louisiana State University
Nntp-Posting-Host-[nntpd-1108]: gumbo.age.lsu.edu



        Hello,

        The following information request has been made by a friend of mine who is trying to introduce alternative (not very comercial) movies into the Basque Country area (Northern Spain).

        He needs all the information you can provide him about movie markets, places where it is possible to contact with somebody in order to buy movies and documentaries rights and be able to show them in theatres; dates where it is more likely to contact, etc. For instance, in Spain, the International Cinema Festival of San Sebastian has a little market of this type. He is specially interested in USA markets, however he will appreciate information from all around the world.

        Please, either e-mail me to this address

                        lruiz@gumbo.age.lsu.edu

        or post mail directly to him to the following address:

                SEVE ATENCIA
                c/ TRAVESIA URIBITARTE, 2
                48001 - BILBAO
                SPAIN

All the information will be very welcome,
Thanks.

Luis
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
From: fisher@csoa1.enet.dec.com (Al Fisher)
Subject: alt ways to do voice on pc
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 1992 20:02:18 GMT
From: yuta@troi.cc.rochester.edu (Lao Ya)
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
Subject: opening a business
Keywords: advice sought (for founding a business)
Date: 12 Nov 92 15:15:03 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: University of Rochester (Rochester, NY)

Hi net: A group of graduate students (E.E.) here would like to turn a
new invention into business. Could anybody give a pointer as where to
get started? Any advice / info greatly appreciated.

Lao Ya / U o R
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
From: erno@mrcnext.cso.uiuc.edu (Ernest F.B. Pena)
Subject: Any FAQ files on assembling a business plan????
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Date: Sat, 14 Nov 1992 04:09:10 GMT


Does anyone know if a FAQ file for assembling a business plan exists? Could
someone post it or email me a copy?

erno pena
erno@uiuc.edu

--

E r n e s t o   F.   B.   P e n a      |     "Volite Magis,
................................      |      Facite Magis,
erno@uiuc.edu   NeXTmail accepted      |      Estote Magis."
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
From: david@gdstech.grumman.com (David Nettles)
Subject: ** SIMULATION PACKAGES **
Reply-To: david@gdstech.UUCP (David Nettles)
Organization: Grumman Data Systems-Woodbury
Date: Thu, 12 Nov 1992 16:56:26 GMT


I am looking for business simulation packages that simulate businesses
or financial markets for the purpose of teaching students about
business.

I am looking for software similar to the classic LEMONADE program that
used to be available for the Commodore-PET/C-64 computers and
MILLIONARE that used to be available for the C-64, IBM-PC, and Apple
computers during mid 80's.


Please respond via email.

Thanks in advance!

David E. Nettles
-- 
****************************************************************************
   David E. Nettles
   Internet: david@gdstech.grumman.com
   Grumman Data Systems
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
From: drw@euclid.mit.edu (Dale R. Worley)
Subject: Re: opening a business
Organization: MIT Dept. of Tetrapilotomy, Cambridge, MA, USA
Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 13 Nov 1992 22:58:15 GMT

In article <1992Nov12.151503.19806@galileo.cc.rochester.edu> yuta@troi.cc.rochester.edu (Lao Ya) writes:
   Hi net: A group of graduate students (E.E.) here would like to turn a
   new invention into business. Could anybody give a pointer as where to
   get started? Any advice / info greatly appreciated.

There are any number of books on the subject.  I'd say the most
important points are:

	- do market research to verify that the invention can support
	a business

	- get real managment talent, preferably managment that has
	successfully run technical start-ups

Dale
Xref: sparky misc.entrepreneurs:3219 misc.forsale.computers.d:276 comp.os.msdos.apps:5441
From: ywlee@dante.cs.uiuc.edu (Youngwhan Lee)
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs,misc.forsale.computers.d,comp.os.msdos.apps
Subject: Re: Inventory/Invoice system for DOS
Keywords: INVENTORY INVOICE
Date: 5 Nov 92 16:17:26 GMT
Article-I.D.: m.1992Nov5.161726.30683
Organization: University of Illinois, Dept. of Comp. Sci., Urbana, IL

In misc.entrepreneurs Mr. Maggio writes:

>Hi,

>does anyone know of a good, easy to use software package
>that can act as an Invoicing/Inventory Control system for a
>small business.  I am looking for shareware or regular 
>off-the-shelf software and can either run under DOS and/or Windows.

>ideally the software would be easily customizable, able to get
>up and running quickly, and have the ability to reduce product inventory
>counts as invoices are issued.

Dear Mr. Maggio,

I tried to send this mail a couple of times. You are not reachable from 
my site. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------

My company, Innosys Computing Inc. has just developed a software library 
tentatively named, "Business-Automation Supporting Environment" for DOS. 
We tried to handle most of the business matters for small businesses.
Some features of the library are;
	
	Inventory control
	Invoicing and automatic inventory updating
	Automatic order list generation
	Cash register control
	Customer information tracking
	Multi-level information protection
	Various business analysis reporting
	Barcode reading and generating
	Rental Service (we kinda targetted this for video rental for this)
	Reservation and special order tracking

We plan to market this software to consultants and consultant-
wanna-be's. We are currently doing a pilot implementation in a local 
small business. If you are interested in this software library, let 
me know. We have not set policy for the library yet but we are 
willing to disclose the source code with a little agreement 
provided.

This library includes more than ten thousand lines of codes.
We tried to make the modification of the software as easy as 
possible.

You can contact me at,

	Youngwhan Lee
	President
	Innosys Computing, Inc.
	2004 S. Wright St.
	Urbana, IL. 61801

	Voice: (217) 244-7144
	Fax: (217) 244-7757, 333-1058
	email: ywlee@uiuc.edu


youngwhan.


--
ywlee@uiuc.edu, ywlee@cs.uiuc.edu           | University of Illinois
2004 S. Wright St. Urbana, IL. 61801	    | Computer Science
Voice: (217) 244-7144, Fax: (217) 244-7757  |
Yes, I believe in science, but nothing else.| Innosys Computing
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs