What is crowdfunding and what do you need to know about it for your business?

What is crowdfunding and what do you need to know about it for your business?



Following is an introduction and overview of the benefits and possible disadvantages to using crowdfunding to finance your enterprise.

The recent economic crisis has made the capital markets much stingier. This has given rise to a new tactic to raise capital for creative, philanthropic and entrepreneurial ventures: crowdfunding. Federal crowdfunding legislation signed into law in April 2012 and expected to be implemented in 2013 should mainstream this financing method in the United States.

Crowdfunding is a method of accumulating capital with relatively small-sized investments from a large pool of individuals. A website usually serves as the intermediary between investors and projects. As an alternative source of financing, crowdfunding is rapidly growing in prominence.  

This website offers an overview of crowdfunding with a focus on equity financing for small businesses. Keep in mind that, despite its promise, there are both advantages and drawbacks to crowdfunding for start-ups and emerging businesses.

AN INTRODUCTION TO CROWDFUNDING

Entrepreneurs can use crowdfunding to pitch an idea and solicit financing from anyone with internet access. At its most basic level, an entrepreneur simply uploads to a crowdfunding website a description of their idea or product, their business plan and the amount of capital they need. Sponsors also need to explain what funders will receive, either as a gift, repayment or equity stake, in the venture.

Prospective funders can visit crowdfunding websites to peruse listings. Depending on their motivation, from philanthropic to entrepreneurial, they choose projects to support. The amount of their support can range from a few dollars to the total solicited for the venture. Crowdfunding websites are designed to facilitate these transactions by holding funds in escrow then transferring them to the entrepreneur or returning them to the contributor if the project fails to go forward.

Crowdfunding first started to gain attention around 2005 as a means of utilizing the social networking potential of the internet to fund small creative/philanthropic projects such as films, books, music recordings, and charities. Since then, the use of crowdfunding to fund for-profit enterprises has taken off outside of the United States. Though the typical crowdfunded project remains small to modest in size, cumulatively crowdfunding has connected millions of investors with entrepreneurs to raised billions of dollars for small businesses.

There are three basic crowdfunding models based on incentives offers to investors.

    The charitable model seeks donations from contributors based on their charitable or philianthropic interests. Contributors receive no monetary reward, though small tokens of appreciation may be conveyed just as in traditional charitable ventures. Also, gifts may be tax deductible.
    The reward model offer contributors some kind of tangible benefit in return  for their contribution. Rewards may vary depending on the size of the contribution. Contributions may in fact be pre-purchases of products or creative works or public credit on a film or music album.
    The investment model allows for donations to be categorized as a loan or equity stake in a venture.  It is this model that the JOBS Act allows.

With the investment model, investors expect repayment of principal with interest or and ownership stake in the venture. Investment crowdfunding has the potential to reward investors with a financial return and thus involves the purchase and sale of securities. Consequently it falls within the enforcement jurisdiction of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The Benefits of an Employee Incentive Programs Using Prepaid Debit Cards

The Benefits of an Employee Incentive Programs Using Prepaid Debit Cards

Is a prepaid debit card worth a bird-in-the-hand? Would your employees prefer a frozen turkey for Thanksgiving? Is any incentive just as good as another?
Why bother?

Shop for incentives only when you know what you want to do:

    provide a “warm hug” to the under-appreciated
    encourage referrals or leads
    promote teamwork
    recognize quality and productivity
A warm hug?

Sizable companies have formal incentive programs to reward sales, safety, or operations. But, the occasional incentive is meant to reward and respect employees at odd, perhaps, unexpected moments. While the system may appear casual, it should meet some criteria, or it is a waste of money.

Set some clear criteria for performance and communicate them well. Reward the teams and workers who meet the goals with a prepaid debit card in amounts of $10 – $10,000. When you present the cards in person in front of other employees on the floor, in the office, or in group meetings, you give a hug. The hug is personal and warm, recognition as much as reward.
Leads and referrals?

Encourage employees to refer job candidates or customers. Or, use it in lieu of a new account rebate or sales promotion. Use a prepaid debit card customized with the company logo and/or slogan. The card is absolutely secure and replaceable if lost or stolen.
Teams or Individuals?

Honor individuals and teams. When the individual stands out, let him or her know it. If the team meets its goals, reward them all. Just be sure that the rules are carefully, clearly, and collectively drawn. As you build and implement the program, solicit employee input for their views on how it should or could work.

Today or tomorrow?

Prepaid debit cards make excellent holiday or seasonal presents. But, if left to that, they can become expected and, then, taken for granted. You can maximize the effect with an unexpected appearance where a senior manager’s handshake is valued almost as much as the debit card.
Favorites or fair?

The debit card should not be awarded to anyone who has not met the criteria – unless it is an across the company gift. It might not surprise anyone if the supervisors and managers receive larger amounts, but it will self-destruct if the award amount and the recipients appear to be random or favored employees.
Useful and convenient?

Prepaid debit cards can be used in the same way and in the same places as MasterCard and Visa. The employees do not need bank accounts or credit card accounts. The employees can buy the turkey of ham, or they can spend it on entertainment, dinner out, groceries, charitable gifts, or on anything they want – in stores or online.
Training and behavior?

Employers use the prepaid debit card idea to reward employees who complete training increments. It is a carrot rather than a stick to bring all employees to the same margin of training. But, the card can also reward changed behavior. Companies use the prepaid debit card to reward safety records, community volunteerism, ride-sharing, smoking cessation, and/or wellness programs.

The big picture!

It is the nature of human behavior to perform better when there is a visible tangential goal. Such goals are metrics that workers visualize outcomes. Easy to administer and multi-purpose incentive programs help communicate a sense of corporate purpose.

Best Small Business Ideas

Best Small Business Ideas

When first deciding on a small business, it can be overwhelming trying to figure out which are the best small business ideas for you. There are some things that you can do to help narrow your search significantly. If you follow these tips, you can save yourself a lot of time.

• Decide what things interest you most. The last thing you want is to be involved in a business that does not hold your interest. It is a recipe for failure. Make a list of all of the things that you are passionate about. What do you like to do? What kinds of hobbies do you have? Is there something that you've always wanted to do but never took the time to try it? Take your time putting this list together. It's okay if it even takes a few weeks. The time spent in honest reflection will be worth it.

• What do you want from your small business? Not all of the best small business ideas are for everyone. Take the time to set some realistic goals. Are you primarily interested in making a lot of money? Perhaps you want more time at home with your family. Do you feel a driving need to help others? The answers to these questions will help guide you in the direction you need to be considering for your new business.

• How much money do you have? Some small businesses require just a few hundred dollars to get started. Others can require tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. If you don't have a whole lot of money in the bank, can you get access to additional funds? Are there family members willing to help or will you need to look at investors or small business loans?

• Do you want to open a physical storefront or are you only interested in online businesses? As well, are franchises something you are willing to consider? Each of these small business ideas will require different pathways and different business structures along with different funding considerations.

• If you have trusted friends who have gone into business for themselves, chat with them about what they think are the best small business ideas. Advice from someone working in the trenches is invaluable. They can help point out any pitfalls to certain businesses and it is possible that they have a good grasp of the overall local business environment.

The best small business ideas are out there waiting for you. Follow these tips to narrow your search and you will be well on your way to owning the business of your dreams. If your short of mobile business ideas check out www.thebusinesshq.com, wheer you will find literally 100's.