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SEPTEMBER 2019
Attachments
Bonding Supplies
Brackets - Aesthetic
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Brackets - Metal
OT’S PRODUCT MANAGER How We Bring New Products to You!
Buccal Tubes
Burs & Discs
When I came to Ortho Technology back in 2006, I had no idea how far this job would take me. Having worked in advertising and print marketing in Memphis, I’d been brought on as a Graphic Designer in charge of making our products look great in all our marketing materials. I had to be familiar enough with all the devices and tools we offered to show off their features, but, as we evolved as a company, so did my role. In 2016 I became our team’s product manager. Thankfully, the decade spent with Ortho Technology more than prepared me to take the plunge. Three years down the road, I’m teaching our sales representatives and other team members about our latest products — quite the transition — and I couldn’t have done it alone. trends? Simple. You bring in as many perspectives as possible. Internally, this means holding monthly meetings with representatives from every department at Ortho Technology. This way we get feedback from a diverse range of experiences: sales representatives noting trends they’ve heard through daily customer phone contact and quality and regulatory experts ensuring our current and future products are meeting the highest standards, among many others. But we don’t stop at these internal product meetings. To ensure we’re truly delivering the best possible value to orthodontists, we have to ask them ourselves. When I first took on this position, Shawn Potter, our Commercial Director of Operations, provided crucial leadership. While his years of industry insight were invaluable, the best instruction I received came down to a single sentence: “Get in touch with local orthodontists.” This was the start of the Ortho Technology Advisory Council (OTAC). OTAC is made up of more than just local doctors. Orthodontists around the world have partnered with us to act as a sounding board for trends, ideas, and product modifications. This advisory board gives us an invaluable As a Product Manager, how do you keep an eye on hundreds of unique products, innovative ideas, and industry
Elastomeric Products
Fixed Appliances
Headgear Products
Impression Supplies
Instruments
Lab Supplies
Molar Bands
outside perspective on the ways we can bring even more value to every smile.
Organizers
Of course, we must consider one more angle — the patient. Here I have a unique insight, at least when it comes to one of our most popular products. I love the Lotus Plus DS Bracket System because nothing else on the market is like it, and because, well, I use them myself! I’ve been wearing these self-ligating brackets for about two years now, and I love the results. Seeking outside perspectives is great, but sometimes it helps to find your own reason to smile.
Orthodontic Anchorage
Patient Care
Photography
Want to join OTAC and give your perspective? Visit OrthoTechnology.com/otac to learn more!
Wire Products
–Anne Oliver
X-ray & Imaging
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Intellectual property is defined by Merriam-Webster as “property (such as an idea, invention, or process) that derives from the work of the mind or intellect.” As you can no doubt glean from this definition, intellectual property can be a lot of things, so it’s important to identify and protect you and your business’s intellectual property. Here are the main categories and protections for your company’s creations. Trade Secrets A trade secret is any useful piece of information that the public doesn’t know about and the owner has taken steps to protect. If you have taken the steps necessary to protect your own trade practices, you may have a case if you ever discover your trade secret has been leaked. Having your employees sign a nondisclosure agreement (NDA) is a great way to initially establish your unique business practices as trade secrets. Trademarks The name of your business, product, or service — anything a customer uses to identify a product — generally requires a trademark. This may include your company’s name, product name, etc. Think of the distinctive Nike “Swoosh” and the familiar ending sound of Dell’s commercials. To properly protect your trademark, file a trademark application to have it registered. How to Effectively Protect Your Intellectual Property INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AN
ANCHORAGE MADE EASY
Ortho Technology’s Exclusive Spider Screw System
As mentioned on the cover, our team at Ortho Technology is always looking to provide high quality, innovative products that make life easier on doctors and patients alike. Ortho Technology’s Spider Screw does exactly that. The Spider Screw may sound intimidating, but in reality, these temporary anchorage devices can provide you with incredible versatility during difficult procedures. Temporary anchorage devices (TADs) have seen more and more use in recent years as designs improve, and doctors recognize their distinct advantages. Compared to other anchoring solutions, like headgear, TADs are a far more elegant tool to secure predictable outcomes. Furthermore, the flexibility of miniscrews and similar TADs allow for highly precise corrections. The twice patented Spider Screw offers versatility to these invaluable tools, adding many features that make installation and treatment a breeze. Made from nickel-free Grade 5 titanium, Spider Screws are reliable. Their self-drilling design makes installation easier for doctors and patients alike while asymmetrical threads give the screws unparalleled stability. But it’s the orthodontic-specific improvements that make the Spider Screw really shine.
Invented by Giuliano Maino MD, DDS, the Spider Screw was created by orthodontists for orthodontists. The bracket-like head of each screw features two intersecting .022” slots to facilitate appliance placement. The under tie-wing can also function as an additional slot perfect for inserting wires or ligatures. Did we mention self-ligating models are available? The Spider Screw has a lot to offer patients as well. The small head size and simplified installation/removal go a long way toward improving patient comfort. Throw in the fact that these TADs can replace unsightly head gear and certain orthodontic surgeries, and these are bound to be a popular choice for those looking for a great smile.
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TAKE A BREAK
YOUR BUSINESS
Copyrights Most people seek protection under copyright law for a variety of things related to their product or business, like images, specific words on packaging, labeling, the actual product, and the business webpage. The best thing about copyright registration is that it’s inexpensive. Plus, the law allows you to demand attorney fees from those who infringe on your copyright. Patents Patents are a fantastic way to protect your designs, and companies have utilized patents to maintain their competitive advantage. A great example of this strategy is when Sony Pictures patented their animation style for “Spider-Man: Into the Spider Verse” which grossed over $375,502,565. There are two types of patents: one for utility (function) and one for design (aesthetic). To apply for a patent, register with the United States Patent Office. Regardless of the type of intellectual property you have, it’s important you identify what type it is and which type of protection is most appropriate. Even a small amount of intellectual property is worth protecting, so start the process now to safeguard it. GRATITUESDAY
What Are You Grateful For?
A Proud Tradition
As fall begins and the holidays creep closer, it’s natural to reflect on the people in your life and how grateful you are to them. At Ortho Technology, we recognize it can be hard to slow down and appreciate little acts of kindness during the hustle of everyday life, but it leads to a happier, more cohesive team. That’s why we started a little tradition around the office: GratiTuesday. The event started when Anne Oliver shared the idea with Shawn Potter, our Director of Commercial Operations. Anne was a part of a social media group that shared what they were grateful for every Tuesday, and naturally, Shawn wanted to bring this positive practice to our team. In fact, when he came to Ortho Technology in 2015, his first act was to instill an “attitude of gratitude” around the office, promising “I will appreciate your efforts and celebrate our successes with you. I will bring a positive attitude and willingness to learn to my new role as your site leader.” From Humble Beginnings
Since Shawn brought GratiTuesday to the team in April of this year, it’s become a hallmark of our company culture. Every Tuesday, so many appreciative words and emails are shared as we take the time to recognize the hard work each of our team
members do. This appreciation radiates into everything we do, helping us provide the friendly, thoughtful customer service we’re known for.
questioning or reminding. I could not ask for a better aide.” –Lisa Mannarino
July 2: “I am very grateful for our customers and the friendships we have built and nurtured over the years, and especially the opportunities we have had because of their willingness to choose us.” –Connie Zayas Aug. 6: “What a great GratiTuesday! One more big thank-you to Rob and Tessa for taking the time to come and brighten up our day with your amazing beignets! They were definitely amazing!” –Rosa Torres
Shout Outs
Here are just a few of the awesome messages of gratitude our team members have shared: June 4: “I am soooo grateful to Christian Galt. He does ALL he can to fulfill anything and everything asked of him without
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INSIDE Anne Oliver on Perspective PG1
Types of Intellectual Property
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The Best TAD on the Market
PG2
The Most Grateful Day of the Week
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An Excursion in the Pennine Alps
PG4
Tour Monte Rosa AN ALPINE EXCURSION
early fall, tourists and locals alike tour Monte Rosa to pay their respects to the peak and to be challenged by the cross-country trek over the mountain.
in advance to guarantee your bunk and a dinner of spaetzle or lasagna, depending on which country you’re in that night. Unless you’re traveling with an experienced mountaineer, a guide is recommended for touring Monte Rosa, even if you only plan to traverse a small section of the mountain. Weather can vary greatly and change quickly in this region, so you never know when you’ll encounter ice or snow, which can lower your visibility. Toward the top of the peak, you’ll even have an opportunity to cross a sprawling glacier, and having a guide will ensure you have the necessary equipment for a safe trip. On top of the spectacular views, you can expect a beautiful blend of cultures and an experience unlike any other on your tour of Monte Rosa. Plus, you may even get to see a few Swiss cows or mountain goats along the way!
The full tour of the mountain is a nine-day journey that starts in Switzerland and crosses
quickly over into Italy, winding its way through both countries before eventually returning trekkers to their starting point. The out-and-back path is the most
popular route, though there are other ways to approach it. However you go, you’ll encounter massive glaciers, rigorous 1,000-meter ascents and descents, and breathtaking views that are sure to make this journey memorable. For accommodations, opt for charming mountain huts to immerse yourself in the true Alpine experience. You can book them
Nestled between Italy and Switzerland, Monte Rosa is the second highest peak in the Alps, making it one of the best views in either country and one of the more physically demanding ascents in the mountain range. In the late summer and
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