An unconventional approach has led to a locally written book rapidly achieving international acclaim on what could be considered a dry topic – Intellectual Property.
Kate Wilson with her book The Hidden Mechanics of IP
IP strategist Kate Wilson is well known for being evangelistic in spreading the word about intellectual property (IP). Highly conscious that IP accounts for over 90% of the value of a business, she is passionate about helping innovative businesses reach their potential – and has now taken that passion to a new level.
The book has already attracted international recognition, including endorsements from leading business figures and a foreword by Kevin Roberts, former global CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi. Its appeal lies in taking what could be a daunting subject and presenting it in a way that is practical, engaging and even entertaining.
At the heart of the book is Wilson’s “Three Cogs” framework: Competitive Intelligence, Competitive Edge and Collaboration. She argues that when these cogs work together, they drive the engine of a business, enabling growth and resilience. It is a model she has applied throughout her career with start-ups, corporates and exporters alike.
Wilson also wanted the book to be easy to read. Inspired by what she calls the “James Patterson school of writing,” the chapters are short, with practical takeaways at the end. Quirky quotes, anecdotes and images keep the pages turning, while reinforcing the message that IP is not just for lawyers or corporates – it is for anyone serious about building long-term business value.
Wilson counts herself lucky that she has been given permission to relay personal stories in the book from many of the New Zealand’s iconic organisations she worked with. One such story is called “Panic at the Fieldays” around an unexpected (and in retrospect funny) copyright infringement. Another is based on how a modest NZ company actively created and positioned its IP portfolio – leading to its purchase for an impressive nine figure sum!
These local stories are interspersed with international case studies of well-known multi-nationals recounting billion-dollar mistakes and successes.
About to be on university reading lists and already supplied to start-up cohorts, the book is striking a chord well beyond New Zealand. One international reviewer noted: “If I were a corporate IP counsel, I would buy a copy for my CEO, CFO, CMO and CIO. I’d see it as an investment repaid many times over.”
For Wilson, however, publishing the book is only the start. She is now developing talks and workshops around the Hidden Mechanics framework and is inviting more stories from businesses that illustrate the power of working IP. Her goal remains the same: to demystify intangible assets and help innovative companies realise their full potential.
- Kate Wilson is a registered patent attorney, educator and internationally recognised IP strategist. She is a former founding partner of James & Wells, holds degrees in physics and chemistry, and has extensive expertise in establishing and managing IP portfolios. An inductee into the NZ Women Entrepreneurs’ Hall of Fame, she is passionate about helping businesses leverage their intangible assets.
Kate Wilson
