Dear Entrepreneur, The attached January 2004 newsletter from The Company Corporation has some excellent articles regarding entrepreneurship, business structures, suggestions, advice and more. If you're thinking of incorporating your business in the United States, The Company Corporation http://www.incorporate.com can help. The Entrepreneurial Group's Links to Resources. The Entrepreneurial Group's broad mission is to mitigate the risks in a business venture by connecting entrepreneurs to resources. Whether through professional associations, angel investors, venture capital firms, incubators, accelerators, business brokers, government agencies, academic institutions, literature, professional service providers and more, start with these links within The Entrepreneurial Group: TEG Bookmarks Database. 1. Search the bookmarks index. 2. Add new bookmark entries of your own. http://teg.blogspot.com/#TEGBookmarks TEG Business Promotion. Promote your business through The Entrepreneurial Group. http://teg.blogspot.com/#TEGBusinessPromotion TEG Forum Calendar. 1. Learn about past and future TEG Forum Leaders and their services. 2. RSVP to attend a future monthly TEG Forum, an opportunity to learn from Forum Leaders, to network with others, and to help you and others achieve their business objectives. http://TEGForumCalendar.FreeURL.com TEG Freelists Unmoderated Email Discussion Group. 1. Subscribe and post to the TEG Freelists listserv. 2. Attachments not allowed. 3. No spam please. 4. This is a new service available to TEG. 5. Please use responsibly. //www.freelists.org/cgi-bin/webpage?webpage_id=teg TEG Message Board. Participate in threaded discussions. http://TEGTalk.FreeURL.com TEG News Web Log. Post news, announcements, etc. to The Entrepreneurial Group News Web Log. http://tegnews.blogspot.com/#Introduction Web Links. Links to various groups and business resources. http://WebLinks.FreeURL.com All of these resources and more are provided at no cost to you. There are many ways in which you may participate in the group. http://TEGGetInvolved.FreeURL.com TEG Forum Leaders Sought. The Entrepreneurial Group is seeking people to make presentations for one of five forum types hosted at its monthly meetings. http://TEGForumLeaderInvitation.FreeURL.com TEG Web Site. Please visit the group's web site at http://TEG.FreeURL.com and if there are others whom you think may be interested in joining The Entrepreneurial Group, please have them visit http://TEGJoin.FreeURL.com to join this group. Thank you for your interest and participation in The Entrepreneurial Group. Best Regards, Mark Bruemmer, CEO NetMotifs, Inc. Business Web Services Moderator of The Entrepreneurial Group "newsletter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <newsletter_corporate.com@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: From: "newsletter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" To: tegmarkb@xxxxxxxxx Subject: Incorporating Common Sense - It's Good to be King Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 16:29:57 +0000 January 14, 2004 "The increase in entrepreneurship in the U.S. is a small but positive step that appears to mirror our recovering economy. This report estimates that as many as 300 million people around the globe were trying to launch new firms in 2003 - that's more than the entire population of the United States. These significant numbers make it clear that entrepreneurship is an enduring human phenomenon - one that sparks innovation, creates jobs and contributes to more prosperous national economies." - Kauffman Foundation President and CEO Carl Schramm. --> General News --------------------------------- 1Venture Capital 101: Entrepreneur Courses Increase In what is seen as a significant development to place greater emphasis on entrepreneurship education across the nation, The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation has awarded $25 million to eight U.S. universities. USA Today, in this article, also reports on the shift in focus to the imparting of entrepreneurial knowledge, which represents a change from the traditional approach where universities primarily prepared students for opportunities in Fortune 500 Corporations. [Jim Hopkins, USA Today, January 2004] Back to top 22003 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor Finds Uptick in US Entrepreneurial Activity With the US economy on its way to a robust recovery, entrepreneurial activity showed a marked increase across the nation, rising to a high of 11.3 per cent of adults engaged in entrepreneurial activity in 2003 from 10.5 per cent recorded in 2002. The 5th Annual Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM), while disclosing a wide range of statistical data on worldwide entrepreneurship trends, also revealed that an overwhelming majority of funding through Venture Capital occurred in the US, when compared to other countries across the globe. [Kauffman Foundation, January 2004] Back to top Business Structures --------------------------------- 3Understanding the Stock Structure of Your Corporation Forming a corporation is one proven way in which to safeguard personal and family assets from the risks of business operations. All corporations, no matter what the size, have stock, and while understanding the legal nuances of stock ownership can appear daunting at times, a little careful planning and careful documentation can make the process of allocating and managing stock a relatively simple one. The author also notes that some states have more liberal regulations on business stock structure and ownership, which can have significant impacts on corporate taxes. [Karen Lange, Counselors to America's Small Business, Winter 2004] Back to top Small Business Tips --------------------------------- 4When It's Time to Cash In on Success Many entrepreneurs are challenged by the day-to-day operation of a business, and the financial challenges that may arise. In order to tap business equity without completely selling the company, many entrepreneurs instead work to obtain what is commonly known as ?shareholders liquidity.? In this article, BusinessWeek highlights the functionality benefits of this extremely beneficial tool that entrepreneurs can use, despite the demands and conditions that may be put forward by prospective private equity and venture-capital firms. [Karen E. Klein, BusinessWeek, December 2003] Back to top General News Venture Capital 101: Entrepreneur Courses Increase 2003 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor Finds Uptick in US Entrepreneurial Activity Business Structures Understanding the Stock Structure of Your Corporation Small Business Tips When It's Time to Cash In on Success Understanding Commercial Leases Why You Need a Mentor The Winning Elements of Business Proposals Ten Management Lessons From a Young Entrepreneur Opinion Small Business Staffers Want Retirement Funds It?s Good to be King Sometimes, Less Can Be a Whole Lot More Customers Really Appreciate Attention From an Owner Unique Challenges for European Entrepreneurs 5Understanding Commercial Leases Entrepreneurs are often faced with complex issues concerning commercial leasing when scouting for an ideal business location. In this article, Nolo.com underlines the significant benefits of having a greater awareness about commercial leasing and outlines the basic differences between commercial and residential leases. Additionally, the article includes a checklist that contains critical aspects related to commercial leasing including the period of lease, security deposits, and lease terms and conditions. [Nolo.com, December 2003] Back to top 6Why You Need a Mentor The decisive role that mentors play in shaping the success stories of entrepreneurs is a widely accepted fact. In this article, the author stresses the need for entrepreneurs to approach and seek guidance from mentors preferably from a similar industry, who might not only help them in assimilating practical knowledge, but also inspire them to view their businesses from a practical and realistic perspective. [Brian O?Rourke, Entrepreneur.com, December 2003] Back to top 7The Winning Elements of Business Proposals In responding to business requirements issued by large corporations and Government bodies, companies are often required to present formal business proposals. According to the author, entrepreneurs responding to proposal requests should ensure that they pay attention to five fundamental elements that comprise a standard business proposal, in order to create a response that would not just stand out for completeness and content, but also establish a lasting positive impression in the minds of the target audience. [Darrell Zahorsky, About.com, December 2003] Back to top 8Ten Management Lessons From a Young Entrepreneur While entrepreneurs continue to achieve spectacular success and command respect from all quarters of American society for their commitment and competitiveness, it is even more impressive when an entrepreneurial success story is associated with the achievements of a 22-year old entrepreneur. In this article, Entrepreneur.com presents the ten critical lessons that one young entrepreneur feels are essential and of practical relevance to any entrepreneur seeking to achieve success. [Sarah Pierce, Entrepreneur.com, December 2003] Back to top Opinion --------------------------------- 9Small Business Staffers Want Retirement Funds A recently concluded survey for the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies has revealed an overwhelming need felt among small business staffers for employee-funded retirement plans. In this article, the author points out that though a majority of respondents were unaware of major details regarding retirement programs, they showed a marked preference towards retirement funds in employer-matched 401(k)'s, in comparison to company-funded pension plans. [Richard Breeden, SmartMoney.com, November 2003] Back to top 10It?s Good to be King Owning a small business can often prove to be highly lucrative for entrepreneurs when compared to corporate professionals. Inc. com cites the outcome of studies undertaken by The Families and Work Institute, which indicate high levels of personal satisfaction and skill development among entrepreneurs. It also reveals that entrepreneurs often put 50 hours or more into core business work each week while trying to be creative and build up new capabilities at the same time. [Jess McCuan, Inc.com, December 2003] Back to top 11Sometimes, Less Can Be a Whole Lot More While the ?90?s witnessed dynamic business growth, current market conditions have transformed the business climate into a period of consolidation that calls for a radically different approach to business for entrepreneurs. BusinessWeek outlines several key issues that can help entrepreneurs maintain a strong competitive edge in the long run. They include sustaining market share, creating customer value, and innovation. [Karen E.Klein, BusinessWeek, November 2003] Back to top 12Customers Really Appreciate Attention From an Owner Small businesses looking to achieve increases in their bottom line often implement new plans or processes. However, a coherent plan of action prior to these implementations is often required. According to the author, familiarity with customers frequently represents the first logical step towards achieving business gains. However, research has shown that the key factor that would help many firms differentiate from other businesses is an emphasis on personal attention to the customer base. In many cases, contact from the owner him/herself often makes customers feel honored, and leads to a greater level of consumer loyalty. [Gladys Edmunds, USA Today, January 2004] Back to top 13Unique Challenges for European Entrepreneurs The challenges that European entrepreneurs commonly face, in comparison to their American counterparts, formed the major focus of debate during the recently concluded 2003 HBS European Business Conference, held at the Harvard Business School. According to the author, the reality of a fragmented market in Europe, the preference of buyers to scrutinize the track records and relationships of businesses, and the difficulties associated with obtaining funds from venture capitalists emphasize important differences between the American and European business fronts. [Sean Silverthorne, HBS Working Knowledge, December 2003] Back to top Have You Recently Moved? Change Your Address Online! Click Here to Send Us Your Change of Address Published by: The Company Corporation 2711 Centerville Road Suite 400 Wilmington, DE 19808 http://www.incorporate.com Editor: Lynn Hamilton Phone: 800.818.0204 Newsletter Feedback or to Change your E-mail address: feedback@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Privacy Statement You are receiving this newsletter because you are a customer of The Company Corporation®, or because you specifically requested it or similar information in the past. INCORPORATING COMMON SENSESM NEWSLETTER DISCLAIMER Incorporating Common SenseSM materials are designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with regard to the subject matter covered. A summary of articles that may be of interest to our clients, with the source, author and a hyperlink to the article are provided. 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