10
Robert Fulghum wrote ―All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergar- ten‖. I have decided that Mr. Fulghum left out one thing: Oh, the Places You’ll Go” by Dr. Seuss should be a book we all must reference during our adult lives. Never in my life did I think that I book, written for chil- dren, would be relative to the workplace and life in general. I had an ―Aha!‖ moment while reading this story to my nephew, and cannot stop talking about it to those around me. I‘m just sad that it took me until now to read this book. Each page I turned, I thought about a different time in my life that I was going through what the kid in the book went through. I have told friends about it and they have bought copies of it for themselves. It‘s really that good! Basically this book focuses on making decisions and what may happen when things do not go your way. It speaks of being the ―best of the best‖ and being lonely more times than not. It‘s inspirational, reiterating that you can do anything although sometimes you may be stuck wait- ing for things to happen. I would recommend reading this book, if you haven‘t already. Remember, all you really need to know you learned in kindergarten….and from Dr. Seuss! Letter From The Editor Special Points of Interest: Why Employees Leave Financing Your Busi- ness Marketing to Women Inside this issue: May 2010 Volume I, Issue VI Letter from the Editor 1 Technology 2 How To 3 Human Resources 4 Sales & Marketing 6 Legal/Finance 7 Comic Corner 10 ―On and on you will hike. And I know you‘ll hike far and face up to your problems whatever they are. You‘ll get mixed up, of course, as you already know. You‘ll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go. So be sure when you step. Step with care and great tact and remember that Life‘s a Great Balancing Act. Just never forget to be dexterous and deft. And never mix up your right foot from your left.‖ -excerpted from Oh, the Places You‘ll Go by Dr. Seuss

Vol I Iss Vi 2010 May

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Page 1: Vol I Iss Vi 2010 May

Robert Fulghum wrote ―All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergar-

ten‖. I have decided that Mr. Fulghum left out one thing: ―Oh, the Places

You’ll Go” by Dr. Seuss should be a book we all must reference during

our adult lives. Never in my life did I think that I book, written for chil-

dren, would be relative to the workplace and life in general. I had an ―Aha!‖ moment while

reading this story to my nephew, and cannot stop talking about it to those around me. I‘m

just sad that it took me until now to read this book.

Each page I turned, I thought about a different time in my life that I was going through what

the kid in the book went through. I have told friends about it and they have bought copies of

it for themselves. It‘s really that good!

Basically this book focuses on making decisions and what may happen when things do not go

your way. It speaks of being the ―best of the best‖ and being lonely more times than not. It‘s

inspirational, reiterating that you can do anything although sometimes you may be stuck wait-

ing for things to happen.

I would recommend reading this book, if you haven‘t already. Remember, all you really need

to know you learned in kindergarten….and from Dr. Seuss!

Letter From The Editor

Special Points of

Interest:

Why Employees

Leave

Financing Your Busi-

ness

Marketing to Women

Inside this issue:

May 2010 Volume I, Issue VI

Letter from the

Editor

1

Technology 2

How To 3

Human Resources 4

Sales & Marketing 6

Legal/Finance 7

Comic Corner 10

―On and on you will hike.

And I know you‘ll hike far

and face up to your problems

whatever they are.

You‘ll get mixed up, of course,

as you already know.

You‘ll get mixed up

with many strange birds as you go.

So be sure when you step.

Step with care and great tact

and remember that Life‘s a Great Balancing Act.

Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.

And never mix up your right foot from your left.‖

-excerpted from Oh, the Places You‘ll Go

by Dr. Seuss

Page 2: Vol I Iss Vi 2010 May

Page 2 Medium Business Alliance Volume I, Issue VI

Small businesses can learn three important tips from eco-

nomic and signage experts: to continue marketing and

advertising during the downturn, to rely on their digital

display to help them compete with larger businesses, and

to understand that a digital display is the most cost-

effective advertising medium for them.

1. Regardless of the state of the economy, consumers still

spend money on the products they want and need. Now

isn‘t the time to stop marketing:

―It is historically true in any industry, the easiest

time for a company to gain market share is dur-

ing downturns,‖ says Doug van Dorsten of ana-

lysts Thomas Weisel Partners.

2. A crucial component of gaining market share is a small

business‘s sign:

―The right place-based advertising will effectively

and economically permit the local shopkeeper to

successfully compete, even with the mass mer-

chandiser or big box retailer.‖

Many fledgling small businesses are totally de-

pendent on commercial signage for their custom-

ers or retail sales.

Without an on-premises sign, these businesses

cannot compete with larger chains and fran-

chises. Business signage is an integral and essen-

tial component of U.S. businesses‘ marketing and

advertising strategies, and by extension, of their

success.( U.S. Small Business Administration,

<http://www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/

index.html>)

Without ―a well-designed, placed and legible sign,

it appears that a sizeable segment of the mobile

and newcomer market will be lost to small busi-

ness.‖

3. A digital display is the most cost-effective advertising

medium for the smaller retailer.

―A sign is the most effective form of advertising a

Technology:

Marketing Your Company in a Downturn to Create an Upturn in Revenue

Daktronics designs and manufactures its digital displays in factories located in America‘s Midwest. Established in 1968 in a

tiny brick building in Brookings, South Dakota, today, the industry recognizes us as leaders in developing and bringing new

display technologies to the market. Our on-site LED displays help businesses across the U.S. and Canada to promote

goods and services in an affordable and effective way.

201 Daktronics Drive PO Box 5128, Brookings, SD 57006-5128

www.daktronics.com

Email: [email protected] Phone:1-888-325-7446

retailer can have, reaching by far the most people

for the least cost of any other medium," says Andy

Bertucci, executive director of the United States

Sign Council (USSC).

Large companies can afford a mix of TV commer-

cials, radio, newspaper and online ads.

Broad-based advertising such as newspaper, radio,

and TV aren‘t cost effective for small companies

because 85% of sales come from customers within

a 5-mile radius of smaller retailers. (Small Business

Association web site) A digital display can reach

this audience when they can turn in and buy.

National chains just need static signs with an easily-

recognized logo that attracts customers who al-

ready know what they sell and how much it will

cost.

Smaller businesses, on the other hand, must rely on

their digital display to attract those people who

live, commute, and work in the vicinity of the busi-

ness. (The Signage Foundation for Communication

Excellence, Inc., ―The Economic Context of On-

Premise Business Sings and How to Establish Value

in the Marketplace.‖)

Page 3: Vol I Iss Vi 2010 May

Page 3 Medium Business Alliance Volume I, Issue VI

There are many considerations when buying a new business

phone system and with so many brands to choose from it

can become a very daunting task.

This article will try to explain what to consider when pur-

chasing a new business phone system and in the process

hopefully save you some headaches and money as well.

First you have to know the current communication needs

for your company and how many lines and extensions

(telephones) you may need. Fax machines, credit card termi-

nals, and modems also have to be taken into consideration

as they will require the use of extensions.

Can the business phone system you are using be expanded

in the future to accomodate your needs? You might save

some money in the beginning but when your business phone

system has reached its maximum capacity for lines and ex-

tensions... then what?

You need to buy a whole new system and spend a great deal

of money in the process. And so the future growth of your company has to be considered as well. Your phone system

should to be able to grow as your business grows.

Some phone systems will let you expand as your company grows with the addition of cards that will supply more lines

and extensions or by the addition of an expansion unit similar to your main phone unit.

This in turn may save you money as the cost of adding more lines and extensions will be far cheaper than having to go

out and buy a whole new business phone system.

Another consideration down the road is whether your business phone system works with or is compatible with any of

the communication trends you may want to use such as voicemail, conferencing equipment, and headsets. Otherwise

again, you will have to go out and buy a whole new phone system again.

Most business phone systems will offer the same basic features such as intercom, speed dialing, caller ID, music on hold,

auto attendant etc. so it doesn't become too much of a factor.

What it really comes down to is whether your phone system can grow as your business grows and whether the brand

you are purchasing is compatible with or will offer any of the emerging communications technology that your business

may need in the future.

To conclude, do some research on the business phone system you may want to purchase and ask questions from the

dealer you are purchasing from. Choose your business phone system wisely and it will save you money and possible

headaches in the future.

How To: How To Buy A Business Phone System

Al Martinovic has 10 years experience in the telecom industry and operates a website that features business telephone

equipment at http://www.grandslamtel.com

Page 4: Vol I Iss Vi 2010 May

Page 4 Volume I, Issue VI Medium Business Alliance

One of the questions I‘m asked most often by employers of all

types, including those in different countries, is ―Why do em-

ployees leave?‖

Some research shows thirty or more reasons why they leave.

Here are ten of the most common reasons employees leave; I

haven‘t ranked them in order with the exception of the first

one, which is usually the single largest reason for leaving.

10 Common Reasons Employees Leave Employers

1. Poor relationship between the employee and their immedi-

ate boss. 2. A poor match between the employee and the job or the

employee and the organization.

3. Compensation not competitive.

4. No direct link between strong performance and increased rewards.

5. A lack of stimulating or meaningful work.

6. A lack of appreciation, recognition, and rewards.

7. Insufficient coaching and feedback.

8. The quality of the people the employee works with.

9. Lack of career advancement. 10. Insufficient alignment and communication about how the employee‘s work helps achieve organizational objectives,

and how the employee can be a greater success.

Reason #1: Poor relationship between the employee and their immediate boss

There‘s a cliché that says, ―People leave managers, not companies.‖ In many ways, it‘s very true.

And it‘s often because of the way their supervisor or manager communicates and works with them.

Their boss may frequently criticize them while withholding praise and appreciation for quality work; demean them in

front of others; pile on more work as a ―reward‖ for being productive; refuse reasonable requests for time off or other

matters; and act disagreeably.

Many employees became supervisors or managers after demonstrating a good work ethic and the ability to get the job

done, but they often lack essential people and communication skills.

What can you do?

a. Make employee retention part of their job descriptions and base at least 25% of their bonuses on employee

retention.

b. Provide training in how to give corrective feedback-and in how to praise and recognize employees.

c. Help them understand the high cost of employee turnover and how it affects their performance and department. d. Train them to conduct ―stay interviews‖ with their employees so they find out why they continue to work there,

Human Resources: Why Employees Leave Ross Blake, the Employee Retention Manager

The following article is Part 1 of a four-part series by Ross Blake. Each month he will focus on the most common reasons that employees leave

and what to do about it. Be sure to look for the continuation of the series each month.

Page 5: Vol I Iss Vi 2010 May

Page 5 Medium Business Alliance Volume I, Issue VI

what would entice them to leave, what they like most about their jobs, and other skills they want to

learn. e. Get employee input about how their supervisor works with them-and how they can improve how they work with

them. (Notice that we haven‘t used the terms ―good‖ or ―bad‖ or ―right‖ or ‗wrong‖ here-only what they do

well, and what would improve what they do. Your goal is to help develop supervisors and managers, not criticize

them).

f. Consider coaching for supervisors and managers who need it; my experience is that most can make improvements.

Reason #2: A poor match between the employee and the job or the employee and the organization

Many new hires start with a fair amount of enthusiasm when they begin a new job with a new employer. However, when

the new hire, the job, or the employer haven‘t been well-matched, many will leave while the employer incurs expensive

replacement costs.

How can you increase the number of successful new hire “fits?”

a. Use exit interviews, preferably by a third party who can promise confidentiality to find out why some employees

leave. b. Be certain job descriptions are accurate and up-to-date, and identify the skills and competencies the job requires, not

just the tasks. Be able to state what is required to be successful in the job. c. When you have qualified candidates, pay them to shadow a capable employee in the same job for one day, and then

get feedback from both of them. d. Ask the prospective employee to identify the needs and expectations they have of the job and the organization. Spell

out the needs and expectations the organization has of them, and then compare what both of you have written.

How close are you? e. Continue to review the needs and expectations you have of each other at least once a month during their first three

months.

The better job you do of informing prospective employees about the job, the organization, its culture, policies, proce-

dures, and match expectations up front, the more good matches you‘ll make.

Work to be certain you understand the key needs both new and existing employees have. For example, one call center

manager I know had a lactation room created in his company due to the number of new mothers in his department.

Experience has shown that measures like these which organizations don‘t have to do-but are wise for them to do- greatly

increase employee loyalty, effort, and retention.

~Next month will feature reasons 3-5 of why employees leave: Compensation not competitive, No direct link between strong performance and

increased rewards, and A lack of stimulating or meaningful work.

Ross Blake, the Employee Retention Manager, shows employers how to implement employee

retention strategies and greatly reduce turnover costs.

Free Special Report, ―Stop Losing $5,000 to $50,000 by Keeping Your Valuable Employees

Longer‖ at: http://www.EmployeeRetentionManager.com

Page 6: Vol I Iss Vi 2010 May

Page 6 Volume I, Issue VI Medium Business Alliance

As a business woman, you know firsthand that the women

in business market are lucrative because of the different

hats we wear in our business and personal lives. We are

CEOs of our own companies and households, mothers,

wives, consumers of personal products and services,

brides, caretakers of our aging parents, students, home

buyers, drivers, and more. But have you considered that

our businesses are shaped by the metropolitan areas we

live in?

The metro economy, job market, culture, business re-

sources and more affect our bottom lines and needs. De-

pending on our professions and place we live, it is either

feast or famine right now. The way that you marketed to

business women a few years ago requires a different ap-

proach now. The recession has changed the metropolitan

landscape globally by separating the weak from the strong

while shining a glaring spotlight on the business needs that

are not being met.

Business women in the Dallas / Austin area have different

needs from ones in Los Angeles or Toronto, Can-

ada. Women who analyze the women in business market

on a metro by metro scale will grab a BIGGER share of

the market by uncovering under-served niche audiences

and new needs brought about by the recession. Their

Sales and Marketing: Think Metropolitan When Marketing to the Women in

Business Market with a Pinch of Cross Marketing by Jerrilynn B. Thomas

Georgia businesswoman Jerrilynn B. Thomas is the founder of WomenPartner International. Jerrilynn‘s specialty is fa-

cilitating cross marketing partnerships between complementary business and professional women to help them increase

their client base while saving time and money on their marketing. Her services are very exclusive. She works with

women in select business 2 business fields and limits the number per state and international areas. Visit http://

WomenPartner.com to see if your business is a fit for her expertise.You can follow her on Twit-

ter @WomenPartner, LinkedIn, and on Facebook.

marketing message will produce even BIGGER results if

they engage in cross marketing partnerships with the busi-

ness and professional women who reside in the key met-

ropolitan areas they want to expand into.

Cross marketing at its essence is nothing more than join-

ing forces with compatible companies so that everyone

involved can more effectively capitalize on each others‘

existing client base. Corporate America was built using

cross marketing partnerships. Think sodas and movie

theaters, fashion and cosmetics, computers and software

companies, etc.

Instead of seeing every business person as a prospective

client, look at them as a prospective collaborator. Why

get one new client when you can get ten or more by ser-

vicing the client base of complementary compa-

nies? Prospective cross marketing partners are all around

you. They are your clients, LinkedIn connections and

group members, and even your Twitter contacts.

If you want to target business women in Metro Atlanta, a

company like Prescribe Me Insurance, LLC

(www.PrescribeMeInsurance.com) owned by Evelyn Jack-

son that offers health insurance plans for solopreneurs

and micro businesses would make an excellent cross mar-

keting partner. A+ Professional Resources, LLC

(www.aBizResource.com), a business office support com-

pany owned by Reverle Harris, is also a great b2b com-

pany.

Cross marketing etiquette is really straightforward. Do

unto others as you would have them do unto you. Don't

ask someone to give you access to their Rolo-

dex. Approach them with a concept that mutually bene-

fits both of your companies -- joint press release, special

newsletter, teleconference, etc. -- in which you can both

engage your clients. Commit to a one-time project to

test the waters.

Good Luck!

Page 7: Vol I Iss Vi 2010 May

Page 7 Medium Business Alliance Volume I, Issue VI

Many small business owners and entrepreneurs find that they must obtain fi-

nancing for their small businesses. Few banks are lending these days, however,

and that has led many business owners to search for alternative ways of getting

working capital. Business owners should always obtain legal advice for an ex-

perienced business finance attorney, however, as there are many ways a small

business can get into big trouble in no time at all.

What is Financing?

Financing for a small business can take many forms. ―Equity‖ financing includes

any transaction in which the investor (the party providing the cash to the busi-

ness) will obtain a permanent ownership stake in the business. If the business is

a corporation, an equity investment might involve a sale of the corporation‘s

stock, which might consist of common stock, preferred stock, or other inter-

ests that involve stock. If the business is organized as a limited liability com-

pany, an equity financing will involve the sale of ―membership interests‖ in the

company. While membership interests in a limited liability company are some-

times called ―units‖ or ―shares‖, they are the same thing.

―Debt‖ financing – in contrast with equity – is an investment where the investor provides cash and receives in return a

stream of future payments that will repay the original investment plus interest. Once the debt is repaid, it is retired and

the investor has no further claim against the company.

Debt and equity financings are different in ways that are important both to the business owner and the investor. In an equity transaction, the investor stands in the same position as other owners of the business: the investor will make

money only when the business begins to distribute cash, derived from earnings, to other owners of the company‘s equity. In a debt transaction, the investor stands ahead of the company‘s equity owners. The debt transaction documents will

often describe (or limit) the situations in which equity owners can withdraw earnings from the company prior to the com-

plete repayment of the debt. In many transactions, distributions to equity owners will be prohibited until the debt is re-

paid in full.

With debt, however, once the debt is repaid, the investment is over. The investor will never receive more than repay-

ment of the original investment plus interest.

With equity, the investment has the potential to grow in value to an amount far in excess of the original investment. Sophisticated investors may also consider ―hybrid‖ investments that contain both debt and equity components. One of

the more common of these hybrids is a ―convertible note.‖

A convertible note is a promissory note in which the business promises to repay the original amount of the note, plus

interest. The note can be ―converted,‖ however, upon various circumstances into a number of shares of stock in the

business (if it is a corporation) or a quantity of membership interests (if it is a limited liability company). For example, a

convertible note might be converted at the discretion of the investor or at the discretion of the company subject to the

occurrence of certain key events (such as sales exceeding a particular threshold, or the company raises more than some

threshold of new investment).

A hybrid vehicle like a convertible note gives the investor the security that comes from a debt investment (where the debt

investor would be repaid before equity investors in the event of the bankruptcy or liquidation of the business) but the

potential upside of an equity investment (where the investor could convert the note into equity if the business increased

in value).

Legal/Finance:

Financing Your Small Business: Tricks and Traps for the Unwary By Jonathan B. Wilson, corporate and business finance attorney, Taylor English Duma LLP

Page 8: Vol I Iss Vi 2010 May

Page 8 Volume I, Issue VI

There is a nearly limitless number of combinations of debt, equity and hybrid models that are possible.

Key Issues in any Financing

There is no comprehensive list of issues to consider in a financing transaction, but some key issues include the following:

Will the investment consist of debt, equity or a combination of debt and equity?

What are the financial terms of the investment? If the investment is made in equity, what voting rights will the investor have and how will those voting rights re-

late to those of other investors? Will the business be prohibited or limited in its ability to take certain actions (such as borrowing money or selling

equity) for as long as the investment is outstanding? Will the business be prohibited from taking certain ac-

tions without the consent of the investor? If the investment is made in debt, will it be guaranteed by the business owner? Will there be any collateral for

the debt? If the business fails to repay the debt when it is due, what rights or remedies will the investor have

against the business to recover the investment?

Complying with Securities Laws

Whether a small business investment is made as debt or equity, it is also important, both to the investor and to the busi-

ness, that the transaction be structured in compliance with federal and state securities laws. Securities law compliance is

complicated and many small business owners and entrepreneurs are not aware of how easily they can take on serious

liability for even a small mis-step in this area.

In general, both a debt investment (i.e. a loan) or an equity investment in a business are a form of ―security.‖ The issuance

of securities is regulated both by U.S. federal law as well as by state laws.

On the federal level, the key statute is the Securities Act of 1933 (often called the ―1933 Act‖). The 1933 Act provides, in

general, that it is illegal for any person to sell (or offer to sell) any security unless that security is either registered or ex-

empt from registration. The concept of ―registration‖ includes a number of methods of registration, but for most busi-

nesses it is sufficient to think of companies that are publicly-traded (meaning that their shares are available for purchase on

the NASDAQ, the NYSE or another national exchange). Publicly-traded securities, in general, have been registered with

the Securities and Exchange Commission (the ―SEC‖) and are subject to ongoing reporting requirements with the SEC.

Virtually all small businesses are not publicly-traded, which means that their shares (whether stock in the case of a corpo-

ration or membership interests in the case of a limited liability company) are not registered. To structure an investment

in a private company (i.e., one that is not publicly-traded) therefore requires that the securities being sold in the transac-

tion are exempt from registration.

The provisions of the 1933 Act and the SEC regulations that describe how unregistered securities are exempt from regis-

tration (and how transactions in unregistered securities may be exempt) are complicated. Business owners and investors

should not attempt to structure a transaction around these issues without the help of an experienced securities attorney. In addition, after the transaction considers the applicable exemptions under the 1933 Act for U.S. federal law purposes,

the attorney structuring the transaction must also consider applicable state laws.

After the stock market crash of 1929 (which was one of the historical reasons for Congress passing the 1933 Act) most

states also passed laws governing the sale of securities to residents of their states. One judge quipped that some of the

fraudulent securities being sold before the 1929 crash were not worth ―an acre of Kansas blue sky‖ and, as a result, these

Medium Business Alliance

“Whether a small business investment is made as debt or equity, it is

also important, both to the investor and to the business, that the

transaction be structured in compliance with federal and state

securities laws.”

Page 9: Vol I Iss Vi 2010 May

Page 9 Medium Business Alliance Volume I, Issue VI

state securities acts are often called ―blue sky laws.‖

Like the federal 1933 Act, most state blue sky laws also prohibit the sale or offer of any security unless the security is ei-

ther registered with the state or exempt from registration. The federal 1933 Act pre-empts state law with respect to

registered (i.e. publicly-traded) securities, but state blue sky laws are still important with respect to sales of unregistered

securities.

As with the 1933 Act, however, cutting a trail through the complex thicket of state blue sky laws is something that should

only be done by an experienced securities attorney.

Some small business owners may ask why it is important to focus on securities law compliance. After all, some may say,

entrepreneurs seem to be often involved in issuing stock options to investors and new employees.

While it is true that many small businesses ignore securities law compliance, and sometimes seem to get away with it, they

do so at their own peril. With the recent economic downturn, state securities regulators are aware of increased efforts

by small businesses to obtain financing and have begun cracking down. Both state and federal regulators are empowered

to issue ―cease and desist‖ orders to prevent a private company from selling unregistered securities that are not exempt.

In serious cases, regulators may also begin enforcement actions and can assess fines and penalties. In some states, criminal

violations of securities laws can carry the potential for incarceration.

More frequently, a business‘ failure to comply with securities laws will be used as a weapon by an unhappy investor if the

business fails or if the investor gets less than he or she hoped to get from the investment. An investor in a non-exempt,

unregistered security may sue to ―rescind‖ the transaction, aiming to get a return of the original investment. In some

cases parties involved with the unlawful transaction, including other owners of the business, can have personal liability to

refund an investment that was made in violation of the law.

Succeeding with Safety

The best course of action for any small business owner contemplating a financing is to consult with an experienced busi-

ness attorney. Even if the business owner has found an interested investor and the parties have agreed on the terms of

the transaction, an experienced attorney can often help prepare the transaction documents in a way that helps both side

understand the transaction better and ensures that the transactions complies with the law.

Jonathan B. Wilson is a business attorney with the Atlanta law firm of Taylor English Duma LLP

(www.taylorenglish.com). As a member of the Firm‘s Business Transactions, Corporate &

Taxation Group, his practice includes corporate securities, corporate finance and governance,

mergers and acquisitions and intellectual property. He has represented both Fortune 100, mid-

dle-market and start-up companies in transactional matters for more than 19 years.

Mr. Wilson has represented both large and small companies in outsourcing, patent licensing,

software licensing, distribution and strategic alliance agreements.

Mr. Wilson has written numerous articles as well as three books:

THE IN-HOUSE COUNSEL‘S ESSENTIAL TOOLKIT (American Bar Association, 2007) (contributor, Volume 3)

OUT OF BALANCE: PRESCRIPTIONS FOR REFORMING THE AMERICAN LITIGATION SYSTEM (iUniverse, 2005) INTERNET FORMS AND COMMENTARY: A PRACTITIONER‘S GUIDE TO E-COMMERCE CONTRACTS AND THE WORLD WIDE

WEB (co-author and co-editor) (American Bar Association, 2002) He publishes his personal blog at www.jonathanbwilson.com and often writes for the Manhattan Institute think tank at

www.pointoflaw.com. Mr. Wilson can be reached at [email protected] or by phone at 678-336-7185.

Page 10: Vol I Iss Vi 2010 May

Taylor English Duma LLP is a full-service business law firm that provides high quality legal services for optimal value. The

firm‘s attorneys practice in areas including Employment & Labor, Technology, Business Transactions, Corporate & Taxa-

tion, Litigation and Dispute Resolution and Real Estate, Development & Construction.

Taylor English Duma represents all types of clients—from Fortune 500 companies and start-ups to individuals. The firm

has grown from four attorneys in 2005 to over 75 attorneys today. For more information, visit www.taylorenglish.com.

Page 10

Partner Spotlight

Comic Corner

Murphy applied for an engineering position at an Irish firm based in Dublin. An American applied for the same job and

both applicants having the same qualifications were asked to take a test by the Department manager. Upon completion of

the test both men only missed one of the questions. The manager went to Murphy and said.

Manager: "Thank you for your interest, but we've decided to give the American the job"

Murphy: "And why would you be doing that? We both got nine questions correct. This being Ireland and me being Irish I

should get the job!"

Manager: "We have made our decisions not on the correct answers, but on the question you missed."

Murphy: "And just how would one incorrect answer be better than the other?"

Manager: "Simple, the American put down on question #5, "I don't know.", You put down "Neither do I."

The owner was interviewing a potential employee for a position in his company. He wanted to find out something about

his personality so he asked, "If you could have a conversation with someone, living or dead, who would it be?"

The interviewee quickly responded, "The living one."

Smith goes to see his supervisor in the front office.

"Boss," he says, "we're doing some heavy house-cleaning at home tomorrow, and my wife needs me to help with the attic

and the garage, moving and hauling stuff."

"We're short-handed, Smith," the boss replies. "I can't give you the day off."

"Thanks, boss," says Smith, "I knew I could count on you!"

www.mediumbusinessalliance.com

Contact us at [email protected]

THIS IS NOT INVESTMENT, TAX OR LEGAL ADVICE. Contact your financial advisor, accountant or attorney be-

fore making important decisions in any of these areas. Medium Business Alliance, L.L.C. Copyright © 2009. Medium Busi-

ness Alliance, L.L.C. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise

used, except with the prior written permission of Medium Business Alliance, L.L.C.

Medium Business Alliance Volume I, Issue VI