Variable-based compensation can be very motivating and rewarding for both an organization and its sales force, and can work for virtually any type of business in which there are transactions measured by units sold – including all matter of products and services in the retail, wholesale, business-to-business and institutional arenas alike. Simply put: the more sold, the greater the compensation. But there are some key factors to consider when developing a plan for variable-based compensation.

Business conflicts are inevitable, which means you need legal counsel to guide you through potential litigation. This article is a comprehensive review of alternative courses to litigation, including arbitration, mediation, and private judging.

When entrepreneurs sign up strategic partners, the primary focus often is on development and sales of products or services. For their protection, however, entrepreneurs also need to focus on crafting a proper legal framework in the event the partnership needs to be terminated.

Banks generally use several different criteria to determine if business owners are credit worthy. Read on for definitions of the five “C’s.” Determine your readiness for bank financing against the checklist.

The entrepreneur recounts how his firm went from being one of fifty tactical suppliers for a large firm to joining its exclusive club of strategic partners. The key: first understand these large firms' challenges and deliver solutions that would transform their businesses.

Startup, high-growth ventures usually operate with negative cash flow for several months, if not years. Bootstrapping is one way to extend existing cash. Here are a few ways to bootstrap your company and extend your cash runway.

Why bootstrap your company? Don’t raise funds from equity sources unless it’s absolutely necessary. Read on for more bootstrapping advice.

Article author Alex Welch founded the successful company Photobucket. He used conventional and unconventional bootstrapping strategies. He raised outside money only after getting his company off the ground.

Lunch for a board meeting: $68. Director stock options: 1,000 per meeting. Being saved by a director: Priceless.

A good board adds intelligence, contacts, and resources to an enterprise. Few decisions are as important to a company’s long-term success as the composition of its board of directors. How does a first-time CEO use their board to maximum effect?