Meeting After Meeting - Baen, Random House, R.R. Bowker, Lawyers, Bankers

[Aaron Stanton]

The last few days have been so busy that I've barely had time to even glance at the forum, which is partly why you haven't seen many posts from me in the last few days.  Part of that busy has been technical - installing updated software and image uploaders to CanGoogleHearMe, formatting and installing hard drives on old systems that we're using in the office, that sort of thing.  Paul has been focusing on reestablishing our software repository for a fresh start in the development cycle.

But most of that busy this week has been meetings, either via phone or in person.  Probably the most interesting of these have been chatting with Random House and R.R. Bowker.  Random House you're probably familiar with - they're the largest English-language publisher in the world, as I understand it.  We sent them an e-mail introduction a few days ago, and we seem to have connected with them a bit - it's still early to know what might happen from that connection, but it certainly wasn't a cold shoulder.  That connection by itself could take this project and push it forward a very long ways, if it turns out to be to the advantages of both companies - which I honestly think it is.  I'll keep you informed on that topic as we know more, but I'm more than a little optimistic on that front.

Paul and I also spent about 20 minutes on the phone today with R.R. Bowker.  If you're familiar with the book industry, you probably know who they are - if you're not directly connected to the book industry, it's possible you've never heard of them.

R.R. Bowker is the company here in the U.S. that handles ISBN number meta informaiton, among other things.  If you've gone to a book store and asked them to order a book, it's likely they were consulting Bowker's system to find more information about it.  While they're not a publishing house, or a retailer, they're a cornerstone of the publishing industry, and they know everyone.  Well, maybe not everyone, but they're established in the publishing industry.  While they're only now starting on the possibilities of building a full-text database, they have connections with many, many publishers, and they're taken seriously.

BookLamp has had success catching the eye of publishers once we've gotten in front of the right people, but it's sometimes difficult to get in the door.  It's possible that Bowker's might be an interesting contact just because... well, they might know who to point you to.

Not only that, they seemed like just cool people to hang out with - interested in many of the same things we're interested in.

And then, we have a phone call with Baen Books tomorrow afternoon.  And immediately following today's conversation with Bowker, Paul and I got to sit down with Jacque, one of the most pleasant and knowledgeable attorneys I've ever met.  One of the big concerns of this project was knowing that - while we knew a lot about programming - we were weak in terms of legal knowledge.  I'm not as concerned about that, now.  I think we're set.  Jacque was referred to us by a friend of ours that's done exactly what we're trying to do - start a business, possibly through venture capital - and make it successful.  So, she speaks from experience.

We were also introduced to a banker that's famailiar with working with this sort of structure, and on Tuesday Paul and I went down to tour the WaterCooler, an incubator space in downtown Boise where our offices will be starting at the end of April.

In other words, it's been a busy week.  I feel like I don't want to talk anymore. 

Not for a bit, at least.  And sadly, turns out that - though I'm now free to watch Lost on Thursday nights - the show is not airing new episodes for a few more weeks.  How... ironic. 

Aaron

Also, if you're curious, I posted a picture of our current "office" on CanGoogleHearMe.com.

[Stephen Rollins]

Wow...  That's really some exciting stuff going on!  It's good to know you're starting to attract some interest.

[Jo Red]

Well, that's good to know. However, this is all money going out (attorney fees, renting out a small office).  No doubt   this shows your commitment to the project, it still does not prove you are getting anywhere though. I'd be more impressed if there was money coming in !

Cheers,
Jo

PS - Been there, done that also    I seeked advice from specialist I.T. solicitor though.

[Andy]

Well, that's good to know. However, this is all money going out (attorney fees, renting out a small office).  No doubt   this shows your commitment to the project, it still does not prove you are getting anywhere though. I'd be more impressed if there was money coming in !

Cheers,
Jo

PS - Been there, done that also    I seeked advice from specialist I.T. solicitor though.

What is your obsession with their finacnes, you sound like the projects mother "Make sure you don't spend too much" Nag Nag, leave that to them, they're not stupid

[Jo Red]

What is your obsession with their finacnes, you sound like the projects mother "Make sure you don't spend too much" Nag Nag, leave that to them, they're not stupid

Business without revenue is pointless. It's not about "making sure not to spend too much", more like "make sure at the end of the day you make a profit".  Anyway my point being CGHM team is still in the dream stage - snap out of it !  Time to face reality. Instead of answering emails or tweaking your blog (to collect more compliments?) , why not focus on refining your algorithm. Until now I haven't seen any real marketing material going out about Booklamp, or any firm business direction.  That's another thing VC's look for you know ... they not only evaluate the idea, but also the team who will make it happen because it's their money you are playing with.  They want a firm schedule when to expect some returns, and a firm Business/Marketing plan to convince them.  Getting an office and paying solicitors large sums of money, and seeing bankers who probably have nothing to do with marketing Booklamp should be of less priority now.  You really need a firm business plan because without it, you won't have a clue where to focus your resources to achieve your goal in the shortest possible time.

[Jo Red]

The last few days have been so busy that I've barely had time to even glance at the forum, which is partly why you haven't seen many posts from me in the last few days.  Part of that busy has been technical - installing updated software and image uploaders to CanGoogleHearMe, formatting and installing hard drives on old systems that we're using in the office, that sort of thing.  Paul has been focusing on reestablishing our software repository for a fresh start in the development cycle.

You forgot to mention what you had for lunch that day 

But most of that busy this week has been meetings, either via phone or in person.  Probably the most interesting of these have been chatting with Random House and R.R. Bowker.  Random House you're probably familiar with - they're the largest English-language publisher in the world, as I understand it.  We sent them an e-mail introduction a few days ago, and we seem to have connected with them a bit - it's still early to know what might happen from that connection, but it certainly wasn't a cold shoulder.  That connection by itself could take this project and push it forward a very long ways, if it turns out to be to the advantages of both companies - which I honestly think it is.  I'll keep you informed on that topic as we know more, but I'm more than a little optimistic on that front.

Good luck with it. Cross your fingers and toes.

Paul and I also spent about 20 minutes on the phone today with R.R. Bowker.  If you're familiar with the book industry, you probably know who they are - if you're not directly connected to the book industry, it's possible you've never heard of them.

R.R. Bowker is the company here in the U.S. that handles ISBN number meta informaiton, among other things.  If you've gone to a book store and asked them to order a book, it's likely they were consulting Bowker's system to find more information about it.  While they're not a publishing house, or a retailer, they're a cornerstone of the publishing industry, and they know everyone.  Well, maybe not everyone, but they're established in the publishing industry.  While they're only now starting on the possibilities of building a full-text database, they have connections with many, many publishers, and they're taken seriously.

That's good to know. They are a huge organization by sounds of things. That means they follow business processes to get things done. And you know how management says to you one thing, only to change their minds the following week ?  Unless the offer is in writing then really it all amounts to not much.

BookLamp has had success catching the eye of publishers once we've gotten in front of the right people, but it's sometimes difficult to get in the door.  It's possible that Bowker's might be an interesting contact just because... well, they might know who to point you to.

Not only that, they seemed like just cool people to hang out with - interested in many of the same things we're interested in.

And then, we have a phone call with Baen Books tomorrow afternoon.  And immediately following today's conversation with Bowker, Paul and I got to sit down with Jacque, one of the most pleasant and knowledgeable attorneys I've ever met.  One of the big concerns of this project was knowing that - while we knew a lot about programming - we were weak in terms of legal knowledge.  I'm not as concerned about that, now.  I think we're set.  Jacque was referred to us by a friend of ours that's done exactly what we're trying to do - start a business, possibly through venture capital - and make it successful.  So, she speaks from experience.

I bet Jacque told you something positive, something you both travelled all the way there to hear    You should seek a full time Business Mentor as they act like a coach to push you to your goals.
 

We were also introduced to a banker that's famailiar with working with this sort of structure, and on Tuesday Paul and I went down to tour the WaterCooler, an incubator space in downtown Boise where our offices will be starting at the end of April.

In other words, it's been a busy week.  I feel like I don't want to talk anymore. 

Not for a bit, at least.  And sadly, turns out that - though I'm now free to watch Lost on Thursday nights - the show is not airing new episodes for a few more weeks.  How... ironic. 

Aaron

Also, if you're curious, I posted a picture of our current "office" on CanGoogleHearMe.com.

That's interesting, you're gonna have proper offices.  I got a question though, who is funding this move ?  Out of your own pockets perhaps ?  Anyway it's your decision.  I really find CGHM decisions so interesting (not to mention entertaining).


Cheers,
Jo

[Todd Lenhart]

Well, that's good to know. However, this is all money going out (attorney fees, renting out a small office).  No doubt   this shows your commitment to the project, it still does not prove you are getting anywhere though. I'd be more impressed if there was money coming in !

Besides, think about all that they have done with what they do have. Working in evenings, going to google. If you have an idea, just go for it.