After four terrific years with Innovationedge helping large and small companies with IP strategy and innovation, I’ve made a big move from the small town of Appleton, Wisconsin to the world’s largest city, Shanghai (it is the world’s largest using the city proper definition: the population of the city within its official boundaries, excluding suburbs). I’ve accepted a posiiton as Head of Intellectual Property for Asia Pulp and Paper, a young company hungry to grow. It is currently the largest paper-related company in Asia outside of Japan with revenues around $20 billion, and will be growing into many interesting new product areas in the future. While many in the West assume that Chinese companies trample over Western IP, this company has experienced the pain of good inventions being stolen by Western companies, and is seeking to become more aggressive in building its own IP as they strengthen their approach to innovation. There is much to protect and much to create. It’s an exciting opportunity in a beautful and very enjoyable cty and nation. I’ve been here a couple of week now and really love it.
I will be sharing some of my experiences and perspectives here as I witness the aggressive, high-speed approach to innovation that is possible in Asia. We will also have man innovation fatigue factors to overcome along the way as we face tough competition, challenging regulations, and other barriers.
Meanwhile, if you have good IP skills or good experience in consumer products and innovation and wish to live in China for a while, send me a resume! Basic skills in Mandarin are a plus. Reach me at jeff underscore lindsay at app dot com dot cn.