What do you need to do to build your own video game or related business from scratch? Come learn about corporate formation, legal issues, finance and accounting, taxes, insurance, employees, contractors and intellectual property.
Austin Game Conference 2016 Presentation - How to Build a Great Game CompanyFrank Coppersmith
Join studio leaders in a workshop setting to learn the ins and outs of starting, growing and running a great business. Key topics include corporate formation (why, how), accounting (where’s the money?), taxes, employees and contractors (who are these people?), licensing, insurance (oops), contracts (we agreed to what?), real estate leasing and more. Walk away with a game plan to get started or with a new understanding of critical topics to help your business grow.
Buy-Sell Agreements for Investment Management Firms: An Ounce of Prevention i...Mercer Capital
If you are an owner of an investment management firm and have not reviewed your buy-sell agreement recently, you’re not alone. Buy-sell agreements are frequently the most forgotten corporate document in the file. No one thinks about buy-sell agreements until a triggering event, and then it becomes the only thing they think about. Partners are often surprised by the language in the contract they signed many years before, and too often a serious dispute breaks out between partners over what the words in the agreement mean, or were intended to mean. The purpose of this whitepaper is to equip ownership to understand the consequences of their buy-sell agreements before a controversy arises, and to make informed decisions about the drafting or re-drafting of the agreement that promote the financial health and sustainability of their firm.
Selling a Private Company: An Executive Guide to Help Prepare and Manage a Pr...Fenwick & West
In this presentation, Fenwick & West partner Kris Withrow highlights the process and negotiation strategies that drive value and the key steps and hot-button issues that ensure there are no skeletons in the business that could leave your team or counsel flat-footed.
A deposit is a pre-agreed instalment towards the purchase price in a sale contract.
The Courts have held that the 2 functions of a deposit are to be:
- an earnest commitment to bind the bargain, which means a deposit acts as an indication the Buyer is serious in carrying out the bargain; and
- a guarantee of due performance, that is security of the performance.
A deposit is usually paid at or upon shortly upon the buyer’s signing of the contract.
Usually, a deposit should be no more than 10% of the total purchase price, and commonly may be less. Note: there is no specific laws on that deposit percentage amount per se*.
The other practical, commercial and financial reasons for why a deposit is useful:
> Often the seller will incur not-insignificant fees and expenses (e.g. sale preparatory work and undergoing due diligence, applying to lessor for consent to assignment of lease etc), independent of whether the actual contract proceeds to settlement or completion. So may be also used to partially-compensate for some of those costs incurred If the buyer ultimately walks away”.
> Loss of potential, other sale opportunities during the express or implied exclusivity period during the conditions precedent of sale contract. This could be months or longer
> It's good to have the buyer show it has “skin in the game” by having such "hurt money" put upfront on & the table.
Tip: Even with the best of Confidentiality Deeds/NDAs , the deposit helps reinforce the value and proprietary nature of the seller’s business or entity.
> Not uncommonly, the Buyer entity may be newly-established . Therefore, if there is default or repudiation, even if they are subsequently pursued by the seller, the Buyer may not have any actual capitalisation to be realised against!
> Lastly, if a buyer or won’t (or can’t!?) put up even the deposit, then you should have serious concerns about their financial capacity to commit all the way through the transaction.
It is said that business partnerships are like marriage: easy to get into, messy to get out of. Typically, entrepreneurs require something only a partner can bring to the table, such as money, contacts or a skill set. Sometimes an entrepreneur needs the confidence that can only be provided by working with someone else. Often entrepreneurs spend more time interviewing and assessing the fit of an employee than a prospective partner and end up regretting getting into business with their partner.
Watch event video for more: http://www.marsdd.com/videos/?sort=&se=bestpractices
Austin Game Conference 2016 Presentation - How to Build a Great Game CompanyFrank Coppersmith
Join studio leaders in a workshop setting to learn the ins and outs of starting, growing and running a great business. Key topics include corporate formation (why, how), accounting (where’s the money?), taxes, employees and contractors (who are these people?), licensing, insurance (oops), contracts (we agreed to what?), real estate leasing and more. Walk away with a game plan to get started or with a new understanding of critical topics to help your business grow.
Buy-Sell Agreements for Investment Management Firms: An Ounce of Prevention i...Mercer Capital
If you are an owner of an investment management firm and have not reviewed your buy-sell agreement recently, you’re not alone. Buy-sell agreements are frequently the most forgotten corporate document in the file. No one thinks about buy-sell agreements until a triggering event, and then it becomes the only thing they think about. Partners are often surprised by the language in the contract they signed many years before, and too often a serious dispute breaks out between partners over what the words in the agreement mean, or were intended to mean. The purpose of this whitepaper is to equip ownership to understand the consequences of their buy-sell agreements before a controversy arises, and to make informed decisions about the drafting or re-drafting of the agreement that promote the financial health and sustainability of their firm.
Selling a Private Company: An Executive Guide to Help Prepare and Manage a Pr...Fenwick & West
In this presentation, Fenwick & West partner Kris Withrow highlights the process and negotiation strategies that drive value and the key steps and hot-button issues that ensure there are no skeletons in the business that could leave your team or counsel flat-footed.
A deposit is a pre-agreed instalment towards the purchase price in a sale contract.
The Courts have held that the 2 functions of a deposit are to be:
- an earnest commitment to bind the bargain, which means a deposit acts as an indication the Buyer is serious in carrying out the bargain; and
- a guarantee of due performance, that is security of the performance.
A deposit is usually paid at or upon shortly upon the buyer’s signing of the contract.
Usually, a deposit should be no more than 10% of the total purchase price, and commonly may be less. Note: there is no specific laws on that deposit percentage amount per se*.
The other practical, commercial and financial reasons for why a deposit is useful:
> Often the seller will incur not-insignificant fees and expenses (e.g. sale preparatory work and undergoing due diligence, applying to lessor for consent to assignment of lease etc), independent of whether the actual contract proceeds to settlement or completion. So may be also used to partially-compensate for some of those costs incurred If the buyer ultimately walks away”.
> Loss of potential, other sale opportunities during the express or implied exclusivity period during the conditions precedent of sale contract. This could be months or longer
> It's good to have the buyer show it has “skin in the game” by having such "hurt money" put upfront on & the table.
Tip: Even with the best of Confidentiality Deeds/NDAs , the deposit helps reinforce the value and proprietary nature of the seller’s business or entity.
> Not uncommonly, the Buyer entity may be newly-established . Therefore, if there is default or repudiation, even if they are subsequently pursued by the seller, the Buyer may not have any actual capitalisation to be realised against!
> Lastly, if a buyer or won’t (or can’t!?) put up even the deposit, then you should have serious concerns about their financial capacity to commit all the way through the transaction.
It is said that business partnerships are like marriage: easy to get into, messy to get out of. Typically, entrepreneurs require something only a partner can bring to the table, such as money, contacts or a skill set. Sometimes an entrepreneur needs the confidence that can only be provided by working with someone else. Often entrepreneurs spend more time interviewing and assessing the fit of an employee than a prospective partner and end up regretting getting into business with their partner.
Watch event video for more: http://www.marsdd.com/videos/?sort=&se=bestpractices
M&A Law: The Lawyer's Role; Recent Delaware DevelopmentsStephen Bainbridge
A two-hour presentation on the role of the lawyer in the M&A team, the place of legal due diligence in the overall buyer side's due diligence process, and a review of recent Delaware M&A legal developments. I'm available to give it to your law firm, company, or group.
Business Breakups (Series: Common Commercial Conflicts)Financial Poise
As any entrepreneur will attest, starting and operating a business comes with unique challenges. These challenges are a key reason that, by some estimates, half of the companies that are founded today will not exist four years from now. It can be argued that the effort and attention needed to find success precludes business owners from planning for failure. This webinar focuses on the realities of a failing business from the owners’ perspective. Join our panel of experts as they discuss the various considerations that should be given at the outset of start-up negotiations and through business breakup, including dispute negotiation and litigation.
To view the accompanying webinar, go to: https://www.financialpoise.com/financial-poise-webinars/business-breakups-2019/
Legal Considerations for Technology EntrepreneursFenwick & West
Fenwick partner Dan Dorosin reviews the legal issues tech entrepreneurs face along the road from idea to successful enterprise. Learn more about when a lawyer typically gets involved and why and the key steps in a startup’s corporate life cycle—including company formation, founding team considerations, equity allocation, founder equity arrangements and the financing process.
There are numerous pitfalls to launching a startup: losing intellectual property rights, overcomplicating the financing, failing to establish the ground rules with co-founders, and more. Fenwick partner Andy Albertson shares tips for planning and building a successful business in this presentation given at UW CoMotion. Topics include IP rights, employment contracts, formation best practices, initial capitalization issues, compliance with securities laws, retaining founders and key employees, and building a strong board.
Understand the various legal forms of a business and the opportunities and challenges associated with each form
http://frombootstobusiness.com/category/from-boots-to-business/business-legal-principles/
At our first public sector breakfast club of the New Year, we covered the following topics:
Collaboration / joint ventures - an overview of some key considerations including:
• formation: contractual or corporate? Choice of vehicle
• management: risk sharing, degree of integration and limitation of liability
• exit.
Overage clauses, including:
• common issues
• protection available.
https://www.brownejacobson.com/sectors-and-services/sectors/public-sector
There are a number of business incentives out there that companies don't know about and provisions that, unless you are looking specifically for them, may be overlooked. Jim Sacher, CPA in 60 minutes, identifies 12 great, and likely not-often-heard ideas that will help you save money, reduce taxes, and possibly unlock opportunities for new business growth.
Biz2Credit and Small Business Trends hosted a free webinar, Small Business 2015 Outlook, featuring money-saving tax advice from experts in accounting, finance and business incorporation.
The deal is complete, and the parties have finished the hard work. Or have they? Integration planning turns to execution as people, process, and technology are combined once the deal is legally closed. The buyer will need to consider the purchased business or assets from the standpoint of employees, IT, customers, suppliers, and a multitude of other areas. In addition, numerous post-closing legal issues may arise, including purchase price adjustments, breaches of representations and warranties, enforcement of key negative employment-related covenants and restrictive covenants, collection of pre-closing accounts receivable, and true-ups of final financials. This episode guides listeners through the process, timing, and issues which most commonly arise after the closing of deals.
To view the accompanying webinar, go to: https://www.financialpoise.com/financial-poise-webinars/post-closing-issues-integration-potential-buyer-seller-disputes-2021/
Startup War Stories: Tales from the Trenchesideatoipo
The speaker will highlight and discuss of a number of case stories which illustrate frequent missteps made by entrepreneurs and start ups. Topics will include when and how to document your deal, capitalization, raising funds and attracting investors, etc. The discussion will use real case stories to illustrate each topic in a meaningful and easy to understand manner. By understanding these common missteps, entrepreneurs and startups will be better able to more successfully navigate the pitfalls and traps that can keep their startup from getting off the ground.
Executive compensation continues its movement towards performance pay as the standard. Compensation structures and proxy disclosures are more and more complex. Investors and proxy advisors continue to increase influence on compensation issues. This webinar examines executive compensation, including equity-based compensation plans and executive employment and severance agreements. The importance of disclosure, alignment of risk, and metrics is also examined. Practical guidance on pay-for-performance and supplemental pay definitions is provided. The panelists discuss the effect of the Dodd-Frank Act on executive compensation, including SEC regulations. Exchange rules are compared to applicable federal law. Best practices regarding executive compensation committees and regulatory requirements for those committees are examined. Shareholder advisory groups promulgate executive compensation related advisory policies for their institutional shareholder clients annually and these policies are also discussed. Issues regarding board composition and leadership structure issues are discussed in relation to executive compensation.
To view the accompanying webinar, go to: https://www.financialpoise.com/financial-poise-webinars/executive-compensation-2021/
Current Trends in Leveraged Finance (Series: Leveraged Finance)Financial Poise
This webinar discusses some of the latest trends and developments in leveraged finance terms and practices and the extent to which some of these have gained market acceptance.
To view the accompanying webinar, go to: https://www.financialpoise.com/financial-poise-webinars/current-trends-in-leveraged-finance-2021/
Crash Course in Building Your Indie Game Studio | Quoc TranJessica Tams
Delivered at Casual Connect USA 2016. You’ve made a great game, now make a great game company! Join other indie studios in a workshop setting to learn the ins and outs of starting, growing and running a business. Key topics include corporate formation, accounting, taxes, employees and contractors, licensing, insurance, contracts, real estate leasing and more. Walk away with a game plan to get started or with a new understanding of critical topics.
M&A Law: The Lawyer's Role; Recent Delaware DevelopmentsStephen Bainbridge
A two-hour presentation on the role of the lawyer in the M&A team, the place of legal due diligence in the overall buyer side's due diligence process, and a review of recent Delaware M&A legal developments. I'm available to give it to your law firm, company, or group.
Business Breakups (Series: Common Commercial Conflicts)Financial Poise
As any entrepreneur will attest, starting and operating a business comes with unique challenges. These challenges are a key reason that, by some estimates, half of the companies that are founded today will not exist four years from now. It can be argued that the effort and attention needed to find success precludes business owners from planning for failure. This webinar focuses on the realities of a failing business from the owners’ perspective. Join our panel of experts as they discuss the various considerations that should be given at the outset of start-up negotiations and through business breakup, including dispute negotiation and litigation.
To view the accompanying webinar, go to: https://www.financialpoise.com/financial-poise-webinars/business-breakups-2019/
Legal Considerations for Technology EntrepreneursFenwick & West
Fenwick partner Dan Dorosin reviews the legal issues tech entrepreneurs face along the road from idea to successful enterprise. Learn more about when a lawyer typically gets involved and why and the key steps in a startup’s corporate life cycle—including company formation, founding team considerations, equity allocation, founder equity arrangements and the financing process.
There are numerous pitfalls to launching a startup: losing intellectual property rights, overcomplicating the financing, failing to establish the ground rules with co-founders, and more. Fenwick partner Andy Albertson shares tips for planning and building a successful business in this presentation given at UW CoMotion. Topics include IP rights, employment contracts, formation best practices, initial capitalization issues, compliance with securities laws, retaining founders and key employees, and building a strong board.
Understand the various legal forms of a business and the opportunities and challenges associated with each form
http://frombootstobusiness.com/category/from-boots-to-business/business-legal-principles/
At our first public sector breakfast club of the New Year, we covered the following topics:
Collaboration / joint ventures - an overview of some key considerations including:
• formation: contractual or corporate? Choice of vehicle
• management: risk sharing, degree of integration and limitation of liability
• exit.
Overage clauses, including:
• common issues
• protection available.
https://www.brownejacobson.com/sectors-and-services/sectors/public-sector
There are a number of business incentives out there that companies don't know about and provisions that, unless you are looking specifically for them, may be overlooked. Jim Sacher, CPA in 60 minutes, identifies 12 great, and likely not-often-heard ideas that will help you save money, reduce taxes, and possibly unlock opportunities for new business growth.
Biz2Credit and Small Business Trends hosted a free webinar, Small Business 2015 Outlook, featuring money-saving tax advice from experts in accounting, finance and business incorporation.
The deal is complete, and the parties have finished the hard work. Or have they? Integration planning turns to execution as people, process, and technology are combined once the deal is legally closed. The buyer will need to consider the purchased business or assets from the standpoint of employees, IT, customers, suppliers, and a multitude of other areas. In addition, numerous post-closing legal issues may arise, including purchase price adjustments, breaches of representations and warranties, enforcement of key negative employment-related covenants and restrictive covenants, collection of pre-closing accounts receivable, and true-ups of final financials. This episode guides listeners through the process, timing, and issues which most commonly arise after the closing of deals.
To view the accompanying webinar, go to: https://www.financialpoise.com/financial-poise-webinars/post-closing-issues-integration-potential-buyer-seller-disputes-2021/
Startup War Stories: Tales from the Trenchesideatoipo
The speaker will highlight and discuss of a number of case stories which illustrate frequent missteps made by entrepreneurs and start ups. Topics will include when and how to document your deal, capitalization, raising funds and attracting investors, etc. The discussion will use real case stories to illustrate each topic in a meaningful and easy to understand manner. By understanding these common missteps, entrepreneurs and startups will be better able to more successfully navigate the pitfalls and traps that can keep their startup from getting off the ground.
Executive compensation continues its movement towards performance pay as the standard. Compensation structures and proxy disclosures are more and more complex. Investors and proxy advisors continue to increase influence on compensation issues. This webinar examines executive compensation, including equity-based compensation plans and executive employment and severance agreements. The importance of disclosure, alignment of risk, and metrics is also examined. Practical guidance on pay-for-performance and supplemental pay definitions is provided. The panelists discuss the effect of the Dodd-Frank Act on executive compensation, including SEC regulations. Exchange rules are compared to applicable federal law. Best practices regarding executive compensation committees and regulatory requirements for those committees are examined. Shareholder advisory groups promulgate executive compensation related advisory policies for their institutional shareholder clients annually and these policies are also discussed. Issues regarding board composition and leadership structure issues are discussed in relation to executive compensation.
To view the accompanying webinar, go to: https://www.financialpoise.com/financial-poise-webinars/executive-compensation-2021/
Current Trends in Leveraged Finance (Series: Leveraged Finance)Financial Poise
This webinar discusses some of the latest trends and developments in leveraged finance terms and practices and the extent to which some of these have gained market acceptance.
To view the accompanying webinar, go to: https://www.financialpoise.com/financial-poise-webinars/current-trends-in-leveraged-finance-2021/
Crash Course in Building Your Indie Game Studio | Quoc TranJessica Tams
Delivered at Casual Connect USA 2016. You’ve made a great game, now make a great game company! Join other indie studios in a workshop setting to learn the ins and outs of starting, growing and running a business. Key topics include corporate formation, accounting, taxes, employees and contractors, licensing, insurance, contracts, real estate leasing and more. Walk away with a game plan to get started or with a new understanding of critical topics.
Key business activities you need to consider before starting up. Different types of company, opening a business bank account, how to name your business to name a few
From ITC Agent Conference 2016...
This session is designed for all agency principals, regardless of where they are in their professional life, as "optimizing agency value" is not just a selling thing. In this breakout, you will learn ways to improve your overall business, while increasing value and becoming better prepared for market challenges facing our industry today.
How to Prepare Your Startup for an M & A Exitideatoipo
You've labored for years on your startup and now it's time for an exit. Lack of sufficient preparation will lower the valuation of the company and may even kill your deal. San Francisco-based startup and venture capital attorney Jason Putnam Gordon of Polsinelli LLP will discuss how to properly prepare your startup for an M&A exit.
The program will cover the following:
Pre-M&A process
Parallel tracking additional capital raises
Overview of valuations and why you care
Liquidation waterfalls
Basic deal structures
Letters of Intent and Term Sheets
The diligence process
Negotiating the definitive agreements
The closing process
Post-closing issues
Common pitfalls and deal-killing mistakes
And much, much more!
One of the key challenges for many businesses is to ensure that their cash flow and credit management procedures are working effectively. From developing Terms of Trade and the protection of assets on the PPSA register, through to credit management and debt recovery, this presentation provides an overview of the key issues and how your business can address them.
Austin Game Devs is a community of creative thinkers and makers who are passionate about building great game companies. An affiliate of the International Game Developers Association, we produce monthly panels, speakers and workshops to empower game makers with the tools and techniques to take their vision to market. We provide a forum for industry veterans and community leaders to meet and share insights about the role the local $1B game industry plays in contributing to Austin's creative environment. We serve as the voice of thousands of game developers throughout Austin, representing their interests and ensuring their concerns are heard. Our 2016 goal is to showcase new voices in the Austin game development community, bringing fresh ideas to the fore.
Presented to members of the Austin chapter of the International Game Developers Association in December 2010. Key topics covered include business plans, choice of legal entity, contracts, finance, people, marketing, payroll, contractors, taxes, insurance, M&A and legal.
When and Why Game Developers Need Lawyers. Presented to Attendees of South b...Frank Coppersmith
2010 presentation to game developers at SXSW on when and why they need legal counsel. The goal was to make attendees better consumers of legal services by introducing them to major legal concepts. Topics addressed include key areas where legal counsel are essential: HR, M&A, licensing, funding, open source, EULA, TOS, transactions, contracts and IP. The presentation also covers how to find, evaluate and retain good legal counsel for the issue at hand.
Background to Investing in Video Games. Presented to the Austin Open Angel N...Frank Coppersmith
An August 2013 presentation to the members of the Texas Open Angel Network. Key topics include the history of video games, the Austin game industry, recent changes to technology and markets resulting in industry upheaval (social and mobile gaming), the opportunity present in video game investing and various investment considerations (such as passion for games, team, monetization strategy, live game management, big data, distribution and localization). Additional topics covered include gaming as a service, free to play video games, and the use of Kickstarter to support game development.
Austin as a Digital Media Nexus. Presentation to the Technology Advisors Gro...Frank Coppersmith
September 2013 presentation to Austin's Technology Advisors Group presenting the current state of the video game and related industries, both globally and in Austin, Texas. The presentation looks at the game industry's market size, key players (especially in Austin), the shift from console and desktop computing to mobile gaming, technical challenges and opportunities.
Video Games as Communication. Democratizing game development and reaching bi...Frank Coppersmith
In the same way that blogging has empowered millions of people worldwide to share their ideas and passion with the world (there are over 200MM blogs!), the rise of easy to use game development tools (GameSalad, Unity) is creating millions of potential game developers. At the same time, billions of new game players are being created via mobile phone gaming, often in markets ill served by the current game industry. Combined, the increase of developers and players create an incredibly opportunity for those with a message to reach millions of new listeners using engaging, sophisticated game play mechanics. The presentation explores how such an outcome may come about, and looks to specific examples where games were used to influence an election in India as well as for education and training.
Zombies!... And Games. See how zombies have infected our culture through the...Frank Coppersmith
Presentation to the 2011 Lone Star MENSA regional gathering in Austin, Texas on the depiction, meaning and use of zombies in video games and modern culture. The presentation examines how games depict zombies, typically either as horrific monsters (Left 4 Dead) or "cute" opponents. In either case, zombie games connect with us out of a sense of uncertainty (war, environment, society), a desire for freedom from societal restraint (guns, chainsaws), and the ability to work with others, often in familiar settings, to survive and escape.
The case study discusses the potential of drone delivery and the challenges that need to be addressed before it becomes widespread.
Key takeaways:
Drone delivery is in its early stages: Amazon's trial in the UK demonstrates the potential for faster deliveries, but it's still limited by regulations and technology.
Regulations are a major hurdle: Safety concerns around drone collisions with airplanes and people have led to restrictions on flight height and location.
Other challenges exist: Who will use drone delivery the most? Is it cost-effective compared to traditional delivery trucks?
Discussion questions:
Managerial challenges: Integrating drones requires planning for new infrastructure, training staff, and navigating regulations. There are also marketing and recruitment considerations specific to this technology.
External forces vary by country: Regulations, consumer acceptance, and infrastructure all differ between countries.
Demographics matter: Younger generations might be more receptive to drone delivery, while older populations might have concerns.
Stakeholders for Amazon: Customers, regulators, aviation authorities, and competitors are all stakeholders. Regulators likely hold the greatest influence as they determine the feasibility of drone delivery.
The Team Member and Guest Experience - Lead and Take Care of your restaurant team. They are the people closest to and delivering Hospitality to your paying Guests!
Make the call, and we can assist you.
408-784-7371
Foodservice Consulting + Design
Oprah Winfrey: A Leader in Media, Philanthropy, and Empowerment | CIO Women M...CIOWomenMagazine
This person is none other than Oprah Winfrey, a highly influential figure whose impact extends beyond television. This article will delve into the remarkable life and lasting legacy of Oprah. Her story serves as a reminder of the importance of perseverance, compassion, and firm determination.
Artificial intelligence (AI) offers new opportunities to radically reinvent the way we do business. This study explores how CEOs and top decision makers around the world are responding to the transformative potential of AI.
Senior Project and Engineering Leader Jim Smith.pdfJim Smith
I am a Project and Engineering Leader with extensive experience as a Business Operations Leader, Technical Project Manager, Engineering Manager and Operations Experience for Domestic and International companies such as Electrolux, Carrier, and Deutz. I have developed new products using Stage Gate development/MS Project/JIRA, for the pro-duction of Medical Equipment, Large Commercial Refrigeration Systems, Appliances, HVAC, and Diesel engines.
My experience includes:
Managed customized engineered refrigeration system projects with high voltage power panels from quote to ship, coordinating actions between electrical engineering, mechanical design and application engineering, purchasing, production, test, quality assurance and field installation. Managed projects $25k to $1M per project; 4-8 per month. (Hussmann refrigeration)
Successfully developed the $15-20M yearly corporate capital strategy for manufacturing, with the Executive Team and key stakeholders. Created project scope and specifications, business case, ROI, managed project plans with key personnel for nine consumer product manufacturing and distribution sites; to support the company’s strategic sales plan.
Over 15 years of experience managing and developing cost improvement projects with key Stakeholders, site Manufacturing Engineers, Mechanical Engineers, Maintenance, and facility support personnel to optimize pro-duction operations, safety, EHS, and new product development. (BioLab, Deutz, Caire)
Experience working as a Technical Manager developing new products with chemical engineers and packaging engineers to enhance and reduce the cost of retail products. I have led the activities of multiple engineering groups with diverse backgrounds.
Great experience managing the product development of products which utilize complex electrical controls, high voltage power panels, product testing, and commissioning.
Created project scope, business case, ROI for multiple capital projects to support electrotechnical assembly and CPG goods. Identified project cost, risk, success criteria, and performed equipment qualifications. (Carrier, Electrolux, Biolab, Price, Hussmann)
Created detailed projects plans using MS Project, Gant charts in excel, and updated new product development in Jira for stakeholders and project team members including critical path.
Great knowledge of ISO9001, NFPA, OSHA regulations.
User level knowledge of MRP/SAP, MS Project, Powerpoint, Visio, Mastercontrol, JIRA, Power BI and Tableau.
I appreciate your consideration, and look forward to discussing this role with you, and how I can lead your company’s growth and profitability. I can be contacted via LinkedIn via phone or E Mail.
Jim Smith
678-993-7195
jimsmith30024@gmail.com
3. Legal
• Legal structure
• Sole Proprietor
• Partnership
• Limited Liability Company
• Corporation
• Registered agent
• Notices from the state, creditors, others
• Trademarks
• File early, often
4. Financials
• First steps
• Separate personal expenses from business expenses
• Required if you are a corporation
• Good recordkeeping helps defend you during an audit
• Manage tax and business bills more efficiently
• Accounting
• All about what happened in the past
• How much revenue did I earn? Revenue Recognition
• Where did I spend my cash? Chart of Accounts
• Bookkeeping
• Cash v. accrual
5. Financials
• Finance (not Accounting)
• Looking into the future
• What’s my budget for 2017?
• What’s my return on investment for different kinds of marketing?
• How much money do I need to build my next game?
• If you know what’s going on day-to-day in your business, you can start
predicting
• How things look next month
• How things look next year
• Even if you don’t have historical data, having some estimates are critical
6. Financials – Example
• FTP Game Example
• FTP game on Android / iOS that will monetize via virtual goods
• Comparable game performance available from many sources
• Estimate revenue based on:
• Players
• Conversion to paying
• ARPPU
• Total Revenue
• Daily Ops
• Revenue & Expenses - this is your BUDGET
• Figure out your expected expenses:
• Cost per install (marketing)
• Art
• Music
• Engineering
• Design
• As each month passes, see how you are performing against expectations
• Make smart operational adjustments
8. Team - Employees
• Recruiting
• Job postings and interviews
• Plan for what you want to learn about the candidate
• Prepare for topics candidates care about
• Recruiting - legal
• It’s illegal to discriminate on the basis of:
• Race / Gender / Religion / Age / National Origin / Physical / Mental disability
• Don’t say you’re looking for a “young” person to join your staff
• Tax forms and taxes
• You will need to fill out tax forms for each new employee
• Pay taxes each payroll
• Employers and employees each must pay Social Security and Medicare tax - 7.65%
• Employers may also need to pay federal unemployment tax
• May need to pay 6% of the first $7000 in wages for each employee
9. Team - Employees
• Protect your business just in case
• Have employees sign an invention disclosure and assignment agreement
• Makes sure that when employees make content for your game, it belongs to you
• Non-competes are non-trivial to enforce but may be appropriate for key leadership personnel
• Enforcement of non-compete is tied with theft of trade secrets
• Payroll
• Making sure your employees get paid is the most important job in a small company
• Not making payroll is the classic event of collapse of a small business
• Use a professional service to make this as simple and automatic as possible
• Termination
• In most states - employment is at will
• Make sure departing employees get last paycheck ASAP
• Some states require you to give the last paycheck as they leave
• Cut off access to systems and remove company property
• Employees may have rights to COBRA
• Employees may also file for unemployment
11. Team - Contractors
• Contractors are not employees
• They work under a Contract or Consulting Agreement
• Paid for deliverables or hours worked
• Contractors pay all their own taxes
• W-9 form at start, file 1099 each tax year
• Contractors can’t be treated same as employees
• Otherwise, risk being reclassified by Dept. of Labor as employees
• Results in big tax consequences for you
• IRS Criteria for considering someone as employee
• Uses your tools, equipment, or materials instead of their own
• Receives on-the-job training
• Must follow hours you set
• Is told not just what must be done but how the work must be done
• Hires or supervises your workers
• Receives health insurance, sick pay, vacation pay
• Gets a regular paycheck
12. Corporate Insurance
• E&O
• Errors and omissions insurance
• Essential if you are doing work-for-hire
• Protects companies against claims made by clients for inadequate work or negligent actions
• Often covers court costs and settlements for amounts specified on insurance contract
• D&O
• You may add advisors or investors as company grows
• D&O is liability insurance payable to directors and officers of a company
• Covers losses or defense costs in the event of legal action brought for wrongful acts in their
capacity as directors and officers
• Intentionally illegal acts not covered
• Hired Auto
• In event of an accident, protects your company if employee has an accident
• Supplements the driver’s own auto liability coverage
• If an employee has a serious auto accident while on company business and their personal
insurance is not enough to cover, company be held responsible
• Non-owned Automobile Coverage
14. Contracts - Leases
• May make you seem like a “real business”
• Big risks
• Often for long periods
• Highly restrictive
• Contain pages of microprint
• Watch out for:
• Restrictions on ability to sublet space in case you need cash
• Early termination rights
• Amount of “free” improvements you get on signing and move in
• Whether landlord can bump you for another client
• Covenants that restrict what you can do
• E.g. Covering windows to keep out sunlight interfering with art development
17. Contracts - Contractor
• Non-disclosure agreement
• Non-disclosure obligations
• Definition of confidential information
• Return / destruction of confidential information
• No announcements
• Ownership of confidential information
• Consulting agreement
• Explanation of services to be provided
• When
• Compensation
• “Independent contractor relationship” - not an employee
• Confidential information
• Non-disclosure and non-use provisions
• Term and termination
• No conflicts of interest
• Non-solicitation
• Ownership assignment
20. Taxes - Impact of taxes
• Can make the difference between profit and loss
• Don’t pay unnecessary taxes - take your deductions
• Know if you are paying business taxes as an individual or paying business
taxes separately
• Penalties are potentially large for trivial infractions like filing late
• Federal and state rules apply BUT terminology is different
22. Taxes - Income
• Income tax
• All businesses must file annual income tax return
• Partnerships file an information return
• Depends on how business is organized
• Federal income tax is pay as you go
• Must pay the tax as you earn income during the year
• May need to pay estimated tax
• Estimated tax
• Must pay taxes on income
• May need to pay self-employment tax by making regular payments during the year
• Self-employment taxes
• When you have employees, you must cover their: SS and Medicare taxes, income tax
withholding, and Federal unemployment tax
• When you are reporting your own revenue for tax purposes, you can deduct the taxes that
your employer would otherwise pay
23. Taxes – Sales Tax
• Sales tax
• Certain platform providers cover sales tax, iOS
• You must pay the sales tax on revenue from other platforms, Android
• Only pay sales tax on sales in the same state as a major nexus
• Nexus - if your company has sufficient physical presence in a state
• Excise tax
• Must be paid if you do the following:
• Manufacture or sell certain products
• Operate certain kinds of businesses
• Use various kinds of equipment, facilities, or products
• Receive payment for certain services
• Likely only applies to game developers if you have real money wagering
25. Taxes - Deductions
• Home office deductions
• If you use part of your home for business, you may be able to deduct expenses
• Available for homeowners and renters
• Requirements
• Regular and exclusive use
• Principal place of business
• Based on percentage of home devoted to business use
• Travel
• Commuting expenses not deductible
• Side trips to customers or suppliers are deductible
• Only covers transportation expenses, not repairs
• Allowed deductions for food and lodging only if you are staying away from home (your
place of business) overnight
26. Taxes - Deductions
• Meals
• Regular meals not deductible
• Meals with customers are 50% deductible
• Only if business is discussed at meal
• Expense is not “lavish or extravagant”
• Must have a receipt and write who you took and why
• Tips are 50% deductible
• Meals while traveling away from home on business are 50% deductible