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Primary offering is a step usually taken by companies to raise the funds needed to carry out any expansion strategy. A lot of companies prefer this method of raising capital because it helps enhance the growth of business startups and young companies. At present, some established companies use this option but only if they are still a private business entity.

A primary offering is simply the initial sale of the stock of the company. Also known as an initial public offering or IPO, it is the first step of a private company becoming public and issuing shares of stock which may be purchased by investors. The transaction is usually done through underwriters called investment bankers. The company gives up ownership equity in their business and underwriters are responsible for selling them to the public.

For small businesses or startups, raising needed funds for business expansion or development of new products is always an issue. While it is true that they can always seek funding through commercial loans, such option may not always be viable because of some considerations.

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Jan 9, ’12 3:24 PM Author Stefan Töpfer Categories Business Checklists, Business Checklists, be eco-friendly Tags environment, green, small business tips, top 5 tips

The top 5 tips weekly post is always full of hints and tips for small, home & micro business owners.

1. Use energy efficient lighbulbs in your workplace and take advantage of natural light wherever possible.

2. Recycle any waste that is generated by your business. Try to also reduce your waste output wherever it is possible by cutting down on needless waste like paper cups.

3. Encourage teleworking within your business if it is possible to do so. Th

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Stock-index futures surged on Monday morning on the heels of the worst week in two months as traders cheered record retail sales during Thanksgiving weekend and reports that European leaders are moving closer to a solution to solve the continent’s debt crisis.

Today’s Markets

As of 9:00 a.m. ET, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures soared 274 points to 11,461, SP 500 futures jumped 34 points to 1,188 and Nasdaq 100 futures rallied 55 points to 2,203.

After falling more than 500 points, and close to 5%, last week, the blue chips are set for a powerful rebound on Monday.

Despite an unemployment rate that is stuck above the 9% and slow economic growth, American shoppers came out in force on Thanksgiving weekend — seen as the kickoff of the key holiday shopping season.

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Will your startup ambitions become a reality in 2012?

In a recent study 70% of Americans indicated they want to start their own business but many never take the leap because of lack of knowledge and direction.

Let’s face it, starting a business can be intimidating and risk of the unknown is one major hurdle that few are willing to deal with.

With a job there tends to be this perception of security and certainty. You show up for work, do your job, and get a paycheck.

But in today’s economy, job security is nonexistent, and more and more people are embracing the idea of owning their own businesses. Business ownership and being in control of one’s income is the assurance that people are looking for.

Unfortunately, for the people who do make the leap and start a business, a large majority fail within five years according to data from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

I bring this up because one of the major causes is lack of funding. While

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Walgreen Co. posted a lower quarterly profit as the largest U.S. drugstore chain’s margins were hurt by lower reimbursement rates for the prescriptions it fills, fewer flu shots and its spat with pharmacy benefits manager Express Scripts Inc.

Walgreen, which has more than 7,800 U.S. drugstores, reiterated that is does not plan to renew its contract with Express Scripts, which is set to expire Dec. 31, but Chief Executive Greg Wasson said the chain remains “open to any fair and competitive offer.”

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If the contract does expire, patients who fill Express Scripts prescriptions at Walgreens stores will have to go elsewhere, cutting into Walgreen’s sales.

Walgreen estimated that it will have 97 to 99 percent of last year’s prescription volume in fiscal 2012, assuming it does not resolve its impasse with Express Scripts.

Walgreen earned $554 million, or 63 cents per share, in the fiscal first quarter that ended on Nov. Read more…

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One of the biggest barriers to better business planning is the horribly mistaken and disappointedly common myth that develop a business plan takes months. That’s just wrong. And harmful, too, because it pushes away people who could use planning, but don’t because it takes too much effort. They think.

In the real world, where good managers include planning process in management, and use it to steer their companies, good business planning takes hours, not months. Here’s why:

1. Planning is about results, not documents.
2. The plan is what’s going to happen, and when, by whom, and how much; not a document. Form follows function.
3. A good annual SWOT meeting takes an hour or so.
4. Thinking about strategy is always and often. Writing it down in bullet points takes a few minutes a month.
5. Maintaining milestones, responsibilities, assignments, deadlines, metrics, and who does what is part of every manager’s job, is management, not plan development. It’s not

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