Send comments and submissions to James Klein, Larta VOX Editor, at voxeditor@larta.org

SSTI, the State Science and Technology Institute, calls Larta University one of the "best programs in the country," having "helped hundreds of entrepreneurs, implemented innovative programs, and assisted client companies to raise hundreds-of-millions of dollars.

May 6: Protecting Trade Secrets from Employees and Contractors
Trade secrets are some of a company's most important assets, but unlike patents, they're often overlooked and not properly protected. Have you identified all of your company's trade secrets? Have you implemented the proper measures to protect your trade secrets? Many companies are not even aware that certain lists, techniques, formulas, processes and/or methods are considered trade secrets, which can be legally protected. In this session, we will teach you to identify your trade secrets, take appropriate practical and legal measures to protect those trade secrets, and discuss why doing so provides a competitive edge and adds value to your company's bottom line.
Location: Los Angeles

May 11: Successful Selling Skills and Tactics
This 3-hour boot camp helps participants learn how to use a defined sales process to sell successfully. In an interactive setting, you will create specific and customized scripts (or prompters) to assist in your selling process. We will focus on how to turn the prospect who is “not looking” into a buying customer. We will discuss how to uncover your buyer’s needs and how to qualify your buyer by using a defined sales process. In addition, we will touch on getting past the “gate keepers” and how to control sales costs (by using marketing collateral, demos, proposals, etc. as a way to stall the decision). By creating a repeatable sales process, you will be able to build a sales team who will follow a defined series of steps and sell your product successfully. Once the sales process is in place, you will be able to manage with accurate forecasts month after month.
Location: Los Angeles

Larta University's Course Schedule

Top Stories in Hot Technology Sectors

Biotechnology
Damaging Drug Study? Bury It (Wired)
The risks for children taking some antidepressants could outweigh the benefits, according to an analysis of data that pharmaceutical companies did not make widely available to the public or to researchers.
more Biotech news

Communications
For AT&T, Baby Bells, the real fight begins (CNet News)
AT&T has lost a key round in a bid to shave the cost of providing its long-distance service, and now the fight begins over the money it owes.
more Communications news

Consumer Electronics
Polishing Apple's Future (BusinessWeek)
Its latest results were great. But to keep up the momentum, Jobs & Co. must look beyond strong iPod sales to tackle key challenges.
more Consumer Electronics News

Internet
Senate Set to Take Up Internet-Access Tax Ban (Reuters)
The US Senate will attempt next week to break a stalemate on Internet access taxes after months of inaction on the legislation, Senate aides said.
more Internet news

Investments
Turnaround lifts fortunes of nation's venture firms (San Jose Mercury News)
Venture capital firms are making money for the first time in three years.
more Investment news

Media
AOL and Its Cable Sibling to Cross-Promote (Washington Post)
More than two years after the AOL-Time Warner merger, America Online Inc. and Time Warner Cable yesterday took a small first step toward promoting each other's high-speed Internet services.
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Security
US Moves Against Online Pirates (Wired)
Undercover investigations into Internet piracy identified more than 100 people in the United States and abroad involved in the theft of more than $50 million worth of music, movies and software, U.S. authorities said.
more Security news

Semiconductors
Infineon to Spend $1 Bln for More Capacity by 2005 (Reuters)
German chipmaker Infineon Technologies said it would spend $1 billion to double capacity for DRAM memory chips at a US factory by 2005, freeing up capacity at its Dresden plant for logic chips.
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Software
Open source on the move (CNet News)
Linux backers gather in San Diego to talk up how the open-source operating system can continue its gains on the desktop.
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This calendar lists events endorsed by Larta Institute.

April 26: National Hydrogen Financing Forum
Meet a competitively selected group of promising hydrogen companies seeking capital and strategic partnerships to accelerate their growth. Organized by the National Hydrogen Association (NHA) and the Center for Economic and Environmental Policy (CEEP). Larta VOX is offering attendees a $100 discount. When you register, please write "LARTA-VOX" in bold letters on the Credit Card Charge Form that appears when you click on the REGISTER NOW button and then the CREDIT CARD CHARGE FORM.

April 26-28: MEMS IV - ASME 4th Annual MEMS Technology Seminar
ASME Institute brings industry and academia together by providing continuing education courses in the fields of MEMS and nanotechnology. Two new courses have been added for 2004, and two 3-hour nanotechnology tutorials will be presented on Sunday, April 25th to introduce and familiarize attendees with nanotechnology and show its integration with MEMS.

April 26-28: Global Conference 2004
Milken Institute's 7th Annual Global Conference will be held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles. Each spring, this event brings together some of the most extraordinary people in the world – from business executives, institution investors and philanthropists to government leaders, academics and Nobel laureates – to discuss, debate and deliberate today’s crucial social, political and economic issues. Larta VOX is offering attendees a $1,000 discount: put in discount code LARTA2004GC when registering. Registration deadline is April 16, 2004.

April 26-29: Technology Connections: Funding, Strategies and Partnerships
The 2004 National SBIR/STTR Conference And Small Business Tech Expo (SBTE) will be held at the Hilton Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia. Sessions will focus on the full spectrum, from basic guidance on how to write winning proposals to managing your project. Registration fees go up after April 2nd. Pre-conference registration CLOSES Friday, April 9th. After this date, you will ONLY be able to register for the conference on-site in Atlanta.

April 27: Silicon Valley VC Showcase
FundingPost is doing its first VC showcase in California! 12 Venture Funds will be exhibiting their firms during a great cocktail party. Each Fund will have their own table setup for the sole purpose of meeting great new companies. This is one of four VC Showcases in four cities - others are DC, NY, and Boston.

April 27: The Investment Capital Conference: Sources of Capital for Emerging Growth and Middle Market Companies
The Los Angeles Venture Association's Investment Capital Conference (ICC) is a one-day event that brings together principals of emerging growth and middle market companies with the information and resources they need to raise investment capital.

April 27: Angel Investors--Who are they and why should you care?
JETRO 4th Tuesday Technology Exchange features DuWayne Peterson, Chairman and one of the Founders of the Pasadena Angels.

April 29: BioMed Expo 2004
This 4th annual biomedical exposition has a program of nationally recognized speakers representing venture capital, economic development, industry and academia, with diverse perspectives on the theme of "The Confluence of Science and Commercialization".

April 29: Telecom Industry in China: The Past, Present and Future
This month's Southern California Monte Jade Science & Technology Association forum examines China’s telecom industry, currently undergoing a period of exponential growth. The event features Dr. Wing P. Leung, Ph.D, former President of Gemstar Technology, which developed the interactive TV Guide systems, and current President of CNLink Networks, Inc., which provides Internet connectivity and IT services for many foreign companies in China.

May 4-5: Wireless Internet Data & Enterprise Applications
Wireless Internet for the Mobile Enterprise Consortium (WINMEC) is pleased to announce its 6th Wireless Internet - Data and Enterprise Applications conference. The main theme of this year's event is "Security". Topics include: RFID, 3G, Wi-Fi, and other current wireless technologies. Leading wireless experts from both industry and academia will provide a comprehensive overview of business, technology and research in the wireless space.

May 4-6: Biotech Israel
The 3rd National Biotechnology Week Conference and Exhibition will be held in Tel Aviv, Israel, providing a forum where scientists in the various biotechnology areas can meet with entrepreneurs, physicians, legal and patent advisors, as well as regulators and corporate executives.

May 6: Protecting Trade Secrets from Employees and Contractors
Trade secrets are some of a company's most important assets, but unlike patents, they're often overlooked and not properly protected. This Larta U session will teach you to identify your trade secrets, take appropriate practical and legal measures to protect those trade secrets, and discuss why doing so provides a competitive edge and adds value to your company's bottom line.

May 10: Economic Recovery: Entrepreneurs Lead the Way
Harvard Business School Association of Orange County host their 2004 Entrepreneurs Conference. The 20th Annual Entrepreneurs Conference
features keynote speakers Ted Waitt, Founder of Gateway; and Henry Juszkiewicz, CEO of Gibson Guitar. Hurry! Special discount expires April 30.

Larta Institute's Events Calendar