Don't be afraid to complain of unfair treatment, even at the risk of being called a "kicker."
Remember that the faithful performance of your duties for the firm that trusts and depends upon you, is more important than the catering to anybody, especially if it has to be done at the expense of the firm you represent.
Don't expect "perfection" from people you are dealing with, as they have also a good many things to contend with, and when once you have O. K.'d the bills, pay for them as soon as possible if you want to maintain your credit and your self-respect.
Honesty and straight dealings will materially increase your chances of staying in the market, once you get there.
Cultivating a good name with the people you are dealing with, is better than "kowtowing" to "Rating Agencies," as well as being the cheapest and very best kind of advertising. Never misrepresent your financial condition when furnishing a statement to your bank, for you may do it once too often, and then you will wish "you hadn't." You will travel more easily and further by telling the truth.
[ CHAPTER 7
Divers Ways of Exploiting an Invention]
Having advanced his invention to the stage of having obtained a footing in the market, the inventor has reached the "Parting of the Ways," and now is the time for him to decide whether he is to sell his invention, or to keep it.
If he decides to sell, his likely buyers are those who are in that line of business, and who are generally willing to add to their established business some patented novelty in their own line, that will give them exclusive use, and special advertising facilities, thereby increasing their profits, and enhancing their prestige; or some capitalist on the alert for a profitable investment, and congenial occupation.
The decision of the inventor must depend upon the nature of the invention, its profitableness, his own financial resources, his health, his energies, temperament, and the likelihood of his invention being imitated, and his mechanical and financial ability to protect it.