Editor's Note: This is Part 1 of a two-part interview with Dr. F. Joseph Pompei, inventor of Audio Spotlight directional sound technology (picture, right) and founder of Holosonics Research Laboratory. Part 1 of this interview ran yesterday. For some background information about how directional sound technology works, click here.
CR4: I've read that you graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and used to work at Bose Corporation. What advice would you give to recent engineering graduates as they enter the job market?
FJP: After RPI, I got a Masters from Northwestern, and a Ph.D. from MIT. I find it hard to offer advice that applies to everyone, because so many people have different goals. I think the best advice I can offer is to find something you're good at, and that you care about and enjoy doing, rather than simply chasing the biggest paycheck you can. Ultimately you'll be far happier, and much more productive. Engineers are the main people responsible for the outstanding quality of life we and many others have - and there are a lot of important problems to work on. It's the most valuable job in the world. I would also recommend that people stay far away from hype; there's a lot of it these days.
CR4: The MIT Alumni Association web site reported that both you and your father, Frank Pompei, received PhDs on the same day. Tell us about your father's impact on your life.
FJP: It's been substantial, of course. I grew up watching him develop Exergen from a small team in our basement to the world leader in infrared thermometry. I worked on and off for Exergen over the years, and had a first-hand view of much of what it took to create a strong business. Like me, he bootstrapped his business without the benefit of outside investment. By example, he taught me the true meaning of value, what it means to be in business, and why the customer is absolutely, fundamentally, paramount in any business entity. It doesn't matter how many investors you have, or how much VC you get - unless you're bringing real value to real customers, your business is not worth a damn, and your business will be dead before long. They thought I was crazy for saying this in the 1999/2000 bubble days, but they learned quickly after.
CR4: What advice would you give CR4ers who have a good idea for a patent? What are some things they need to think about?
FJP: A patent, on its own, is a complete waste of time and money. The common dream of filing a patent and waiting for the royalty checks to come in is pure fantasy. The real wealth rightfully goes to the people creating real technology, and real value for real customers. A patent is merely a means of protection, and while important, it's never, ever a replacement for an actual business. That's where your focus always needs to be.
Editor's Note: CR4 would to thank frankd20 and Roger Pink for their contributions to this interview. Both are regular bloggers on CR4.
Steve Melito - The Y Files
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