In the early to mid-1900s, the ideal job situation led you to stay with one employer pretty much for your whole career. This was true whether you were a union worker, attorney, or even company executive. The (sexist labeled) "IBM Men" of the 1940s-1960s were...
Due largely to lobbying efforts by large technology companies, the US House of Representatives just passed a bill to make it harder for so-called patent "trolls" to sue technology companies for infringement. The bill sailed through with wide bi-partisan support. The White House has said...
Hiring employees for a new entrepreneurial venture is different than for a large company or small retail store. Why is this? Because at the beginning stages of a growing business things are frenzied! You can be successful and frenzied or struggling and frenzied – but...
Many intermediaries and consultants who assist companies in the going public process offer a "turnkey" solution that includes helping bring you the entire team necessary to complete the steps to a public trading stock. When interviewing potential advisors, ask whether they do recommend other professionals...
I spent yesterday in Washington attending the SEC's annual symposium on small business capital formation. Congress mandated about 25 years ago that the SEC hold this conference annually. There are panels in the AM and breakout groups in the afternoon that develop recommendations for the...
Led by Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI) and eight other sponsors (including one Democrat), this past Thursday the House Financial Services Committee unanimously approved HR 2274. The bill, known as the Small Business Mergers, Acquisitions, Sales, and Brokerage Simplification Act of 2013, was originally introduced back...
I have found that, while not absolutely critical, it can be very helpful in working with advisors who assist companies in going public if they have some knowledge and experience of the industry in which you operate. For certain members of the team you need...
Many entrepreneurs I know lament that their employees are not loyal to or respectful of them as boss. It is one thing to insist that workers firmly believe in the mission statement of the company to be motivated. It is another to demand loyalty, which I...
Social media giant Twitter starts trading following its IPO today. One hopes the lessons of the Facebook IPO debacle are learned. In fact Facebook is now trading $14 above its IPO price, after a very disappointing start. Plus Twitter is choosing a day following a...
Even after you have found the right partner to start your company with – whether it is a spouse or significant other, a family member, or a relative stranger with whom you share business aspirations – it is still important to get everything in writing...