Beware of Musina’s so-called “LOIs”—fancy-sounding, worthless documents drafted by a buddy to waste your time: no deals, no money, just a headache. If you don’t pity-pay him, his sleazy lawyer will make you wish you had to end the nightmare.
Max Musina, a name synonymous with “Eureka!” in the most ironic sense, has a superpower: he can spot a great idea from a mile away—and claim it faster than you can say “intellectual property.” It’s an amusing quirk if you’re not on the receiving end. If you are, well, consider this your guide to navigating the treacherous waters of Max’s enthusiasm for ideas (especially when they’re not his).
Let’s set the scene: You’re in a meeting, the creative juices are flowing, and you, the unsuspecting visionary, share an idea so brilliant it practically glows. Enter Max, with that all-too-familiar grin, ready to pounce with an almost admirable enthusiasm.
“That’s a great idea, bro. I can hardly wait to take credit,” he exclaims.
And just like that, your gem is in his pocket, and he’s off to add it to his collection of borrowed brilliance.
But it’s not just the verbal claim; oh no, Max takes it a step further with his weapon of choice—the infamous Letter of Intent (LOI). These LOIs are masterpieces of vagueness, documents so devoid of commitment they make politicians’ promises look like blood oaths. The LOI is Max’s way of putting a ring on ideas—he’s not committing to them, but he sure wants to make sure nobody else does.
How do you coexist in Max Musina’s comedic and potentially costly landscape of idea-larceny? Here are a few strategies:
The Feint: Share an idea so outlandish, so utterly bizarre, that when Max grabs it, he ends up pitching a project about underwater basket weaving to a room full of confused executives. Sit back and enjoy.
The Boomerang: Let Max take the idea—then casually drop how it was inspired by a major industry flop. Watch as he scrambles to un-claim it faster than a cat dodging a bath.
The Mirror: Equip yourself with phrases like, “Inspired by your last great idea, Max!” Nothing confuses a chronic idea-thief like being credited for inspiration.
The Preemptive Strike: Blog about your ideas, tweet them, register them, and shout them from rooftops. Once it’s public, even Max can’t erase the digital footprint but he will no doubt try. Just ask anyone who’s company he claims to have ‘co-founded’. LOL!
The Double Bluff: Agree enthusiastically with Max’s claim. “Yes, Max, what a refinement of what I just said!” It’s reverse psychology that meets corporate strategy.
While navigating the Max Musina minefield might require some strategic maneuvering, remember: it’s all part of the great game of office politics. And in this game, if you can’t protect your ideas, you might as well make a sport of watching them get stolen.
In the world of Max, where credit is a commodity and ideas are currency, your best weapon is your wit. So sharpen it, along with your sense of humor, because you’ll need both in ample supply. And at the end of the day, if you can’t beat them, blog about them. That’s what I did!
BUYER BEWARE: To the new guys over at “Double 3 Media Group” at via G. Gioacchino Belli, 86 – 00189 Roma also listed as “and “Double 3 Media S.P.A. Start up Innovativa Benefit – P. IVA: 16878081005″
What did “Uncle Massimiliano Musina” promise you? Film production work, movie credits, EU tax credits, investment? Let me guess… did you pay him any from your startup grant?
Cari Raffele Micillo, Michele Casetti, Valentina Rainone, Patrizia Fersurella e Roberto D’Aleo, forse vorrete ripensare al valore che vi porta il nostro caro amico Max Musina.
