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Brian Cork and the Southeastern Emerging Companies Capital Conference

May 21, 2013 — Leave a comment

Southeastern Emerging Companies Capital Conference

A Continuation of the Southeastern Emerging Companies Series

Brian Patrick Cork will participate in a key panel discussing:

  • Making a company capital-friendly
  • Handling success and failure during the start-up phase
  • Presenting to angel investors

Program details: http://www.southeasternstartups.com

May 22, 2013
8:30 AM
Baker Donelson
Monarch Plaza, Suite 1600
3414 Peachtree Road NE
Atlanta, Georgia

8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Breakfast and Registration
9:00 a.m. Presentation begins

Baker Donelson invites you attend our Emerging Companies Capital Conference, the next in our series of regional emerging companies. This event brings together successful entrepreneurs, capital investors and strategic advisors for the benefit of the emerging company community.

Focus on Capital Connections

Emerging companies will be selected to attend this event by a review of their executive summaries. See format here. The selection will be done by a panel that includes angel investors. Of the emerging companies selected to attend this event, ten companies will be chosen to pitch their company to a panel of angel investors who will provide anonymous feedback. The best pitch will win 15 hours of legal services from Baker Donelson, valued at $5,000, and the opportunity to meet again with the angel investor panel.

In addition, attendees will be able to network with entrepreneurs, angel investors and others involved in the funding and capitalization of emerging companies.

See the complete event agenda here.

There is no cost to attend. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

To Register

  • Emerging Companies/Startups: Apply here for registration and the opportunity to pitch. Application deadline is May 8, 2013.
  • Investors: If you are an investor and have an interest please contact rsvp@bakerdonelson.com.

Lets be part of the Solution.

brian patrick cork

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On Target Earnings

May 20, 2013 — Leave a comment

Compensation is heating up and is on-pace with a greatly evident positive hiring trend.

I am working with the President of a recognizable logo to build part of his sales team.

A question around “OTE” came-up with a terrific candidate.

This is a reminder that hiring is heating-up at a significant pace. Here is why I state that…

Because the candidate in question is in sales, and high-end sales, at that, OTE almost always stands for “On-Target-Earnings“.

sales-marketingWhile the formula varies from company-to-company, the most common application is where employees have both a fixed and a variable component to their pay. It implies that if the individual hits all their targets (as established by leadership), they have a potential to earn a certain (floor or minimum) amount, which includes their base pay, commissions, bonuses, or other variable components to their total cash income.
It often includes a guarantee.

So… In the above referenced case, the candidates current package shows that he currently makes $325k in base salary and is on target for $125k in bonus and is looking to make sure that the quota and commission structure allows him to make that $325 if/ when he hits the target.

In the last four months I’ve seen equity appearing on offer letters as well. This practice had almost gone the way of the dinosaur.

Look for this to become very relevant in the inevitable key-employee retention battles. I’m warning you NOW.

Equity, in the form of options, guarantees, and accelerators (more on the latter, soon).

So, I’ll predict that high-end developers (coders, engineers, etc) will start to see equity become an option within the next six months. That would be the trend with delivery and execution following the aforementioned sales effort.

Let’s be part of the Solution.

brian patrick cork

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Playing with business puzzles might be the Problem

May 19, 2013 — Leave a comment

Most people that consult in some fashion in business describe, “the puzzle”.

But, what if we should switch the word puzzle with, mosaic?

Chuck Papageorgiou is one of those fellows that reaches hard to make a difference. There is an inner-fire that fuels the passion that is evidenced in the following video:

I asked Chuck the following question with a qualifier:

“That said, do you think its possible that you dilute your brand by referring to yourself as some form of “engineer”? That question coming from someone often called an “architect”.”

I’m reasonably certain that many folks look askance at people like Chuck (and me, to be sure). He does not fit into the typical scheme of things. However, if Chuck is like myself he understands you don’t need to appeal to, please everyone. You only need to find the best, and certainly the people or organizations that need us. Connecting with people in a meaningful way creates the mosaic with ripple effects that reduce the mystery of any puzzle.

Its rather like an elegant tapestry as well. We refine certain threads that create a vibrant and rich result that select few can value.

It’s all related in my head… I found myself recently engaged in some email correspondence with Kevin Abel:

“I’m not certain I’m proud of my birthright. So, its up to me to work on that.

Mine is the perspective of a soldier. I’ve seen how bad it really is outside of our borders. And, I see how many of my countrymen squander opportunities and largesse, mostly out of ignorance – which is crazy ironic. Thats balanced and validated by my business that has given me more and more insight into global efforts from startups to enterprise.

That’s the core of my own mission, helping people make better decisions. So, your cause today is relevant to my cause for yesterday and tomorrow.

Thanks for being part of the solution, and letting me help.”

Let’s be part of the Solution.

brian patrick cork

In Business Coaching, Client Stories, Entrepreneurs, Thought Leadership , , ,
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Only a Fool Believes This T-Mobile Story

May 16, 2013 — Leave a comment

Brian Patrick Cork: I called Evan Niu to bust his chops.

His article is silly.

The objective of T-Mobile was to allow customers to make payments over time. This meant many people that could not afford the other subsidy plans offered by AT&T, Verizon, etc an option to grab an iPhone. Any misleading language from T-Mobile would have to be interpreted as such. T-Mobile has simply made it easier for people to switch tot their network. And, for many it was.

By way of disclaimer, I use an unlocked Nexus 4 (although I may be switching to an HTC One) on AT&T.

“After years of waiting, T-Mobile ( ) finally got its hands on the iPhone earlier this year. The No. 4 carrier has made plenty of headlines this year with its “Un-carrier” push, trumpeting the end of subsidies on its…”.

Let’s be part of the Solution.

brian patrick cork

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Marissa Mayers Hires Relevant Talent

April 26, 2013 — 1 Comment

Brian Patrick Cork: I love Marissa Mayer‘s thinking and strategy around recruiting. I’m becoming a big fan of Mayer. She is clearly establishing herself as a thought leader  and is apparently all about finding great people and empowering their abilities regardless of age or gender. Read more below:

Has Marissa Mayer’s acquire-to-hire strategy for Yahoo paid off? |… - marketplace.org

“Since becoming Yahoo CEO last summer, Marissa Mayer has embarked on a takeover strategy: Buy companies to get their talent. As Yahoo reports earnings, we find out if it worked.”

This article caught my attention because it follows my own philosophy around people, and my views in terms of our collective ability to contribute by season-of-life. There is a satisfying push/pull and ebb-and-flow aspect to it all.

Mayer is also looking for entrepreneurs with raw abilities that can be groomed and honed into terrific assets that will then follow great traditions such as Google and create yet other generations of innovative leadership.

This is better than any university.

I’ll be fascinated to find out if there is a profile or process to all of this that is helping Mayer and her team identify traits and qualities that are valued above others.

nii codjoeAnd, it so happens that the above article finds itself karmically on the heels of an exchange I’ve recently had with the keen to contribute Nii Codjoe:

On Apr 19, 2013, at 7:26 AM, Nii Codjoe <nii@codjoe.com> wrote:

Hi Brian,

Just wanted to thank you again for meeting with me yesterday, and for lunch. I learned tons from you and Victor.

Here’s one takeaway: SME + ROI Argument = Relevance. And when you’re relevant, age is irrelevant.

Anyhow, would you be open to reconnecting again next Thursday or Friday?

My response:

Affirmative.

I do agree with you. Relevance trumps age. I can offer many examples from both extremes of the spectrum. We can toss in gender, as well. I feel that would even make for a fascinating exchange.

More later. It’s all really great.

Let’s be part of the Solution.

brian patrick cork

 

 

 

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