NEW PHARMA THERAPIES
Sources: R. Winslow, WSJ 6-6-11, P. 1
Emerging ability of researchers to use
biomarkers to develop and exploit
new therapies for cancer and other diseases.
While it does not offer a ‘cure’,
it offers personalized routes for
treatment. 1
PATENT TROLLS AVOIDANCE
Source: S. Weinberg, WSJ 6-1-11
“Patent researcher turns tables on litigants“
Article One Partners advertises a product,
Litigation Avoidance, that aims to invalidate
poor quality patents that are held by
nonpracticing entities who seek to gain
from legal patent infringement.
Worth being aware of in high tech fields.
2
PETROCHEMICAL SUPPLY CHAIN
Source: S. Gold, WSJ 6-1-11, Exxon
fuels a chemicals drive,
ExxonMobil reported completing a
large raw petrochemical material project
in Singapore. It signals the continued
use of new supplies of petrochemicals and
positions for chemical engineers and
chemists.
On our return drive to the airport after a
wonderful PfLAGS workshop, Patrick
Gordon brought up the subject of the
importance of thinking deeply about critical
things.
We were talking about things in international
politics as examples where a decision is made
and all sorts of unintended consequences
arise. Could these have been surfaced before
the decision was made and better goals defined
which would avoid the consequences?
That is one rationale behind a series of blog
entries on ‘thinking about thinking.’
We have touched on this general theme in
this blog when, for example, we wrote about
negotiating competing offers to meet your family’s
needs, having a written offer letter in hand
and the order of replying to each company.
Let’s consider J. Jackson’s blog as a starting
point [referred to by A. Sklover in BLOGROLL).
She has pointed out that a large number of
people are, at least, unhappy at work and, at
worst, find it necessary to leave their place of
employment because the employment situation
lacks authenticity. Specifically, the company’s,
or a particular supervisor’s, values do not
match your personal values of what is important
to you.
Less thoughtful people will not have thought
through their values. They are surprised by
their unauthentic feelings at work.
So, when evaluating companies, they have
not considered the psychology, attitudes,
experiences, beliefs and values of the
organization… They focus on pay, starting date,
vacations, and what they would do when first
on the job. Now I am not advocating
buying an e-book. I am suggesting
that it is critical to know what is important
to you. Is it family, life balance, rewards,
challenge, independence, prestige, growth;
there are 15-20 critical qualities…
This will help clarify what you should look
for in potential employers.
The Josephson Center on Business Ethics does
a fine job in clarifying the real truth about
business value statements, their real values and
our personal values.
So, put some serious effort into establishing
what your values are at the beginning of your
job search. Get better at learning how to explore
the company’s values, through:
– published statements,
– current employee’s statements and beliefs
– company’s behaviors with customers and
competitors,
– company’s products and product recall
policies.