Tag Archives: Investing in Business

Business Articles, Capital Allocation, Executive Management, Leveraged Finance, Structured Finance

CEO’s Asset Allocation & Finance

There are Different Capital allocation strategies for CEO’s. However this post will dive into the different ways and avenues CEO’s have for Allocating Capital and what Equity vs. Debt is used for when raising Capital for growth.

Imagine your a CEO and you growing your public company, but find that your really not prepared for the capital it takes to buy a larger company. What do you do? That is a hard question to ask. However I can go through the different options a CEO has when using finance to Buy a company. And what being smart with asset allocation looks like? And what are the different options a CEO has with Leveraged Finance? Let’s get started! Uncle John Malone the Founder of Liberty Media teaching about Structured Financing below.

Did you read my post on the Six types of Assets?

Capital Allocation Chessboard

There are really only five Capital Allocation moves on the chessboard as a Chief Executive. First you have the option of investing into Research and Development or the Operations of your company. The next option is for you as the CEO to Invest into and or Acquire Strategic Assets or Companies. Next you could Issue Shareholder Dividends with Cash from the Balance Sheet. Or if your Cash is beginning to pile up like Bill Ackman’s Company Pershing Square from buying all those incredible cash flowing businesses you as the CEO have the option to implement a Stock Repurchase plan. And the very last? Pay off Debt that is causing your balance sheet to be inefficient. These are your options.

  • Invest into Company Operations
  • Acquire Strategic Assets
  • Issue Shareholder Dividends
  • Repurchase Stock with Cash
  • Pay off Debt

Did you catch my post about Special Situations Investing?

The Problem Issuing Additional Shares Diluting Current Shareholders Shares

Issuing Additional Equity Shares as a Capital Raise is foolish and blatantly unfair in my opinion to Shareholders. Because this dilutes current shareholders equity shares. In other words shareholders holding shares who are not able to provide additional capital will have their shares diluted equaling a reduction in ownership. To me that’s a touchy subject. I don’t feel that is fair to shareholders.

So what are the options a CEO has for Financing? That is a loaded question. Because we have 2 Finance Topics that need more explained real fast.

  • Structured Finance

Structured Finance is a entire topic unto itself about Finance LAW. However for todays article or post we will keep it brief. Structured Finance Refers to financing options for Restructuring a company out of Bankruptcy. You have Structured Finance options such as?

First we can share Structured Finance. What is Structured finance is all about? Financing a Business using Securitization, Tranching, Credit Enhancements.

  • Leveraged Finance

Leveraged Finance on the other hand is all about the Following: CEO’s. Pay ATTENTION!

Leveraged Finance (LevFin) refers to the financing of highly levered, speculative-grade companies. Within the investment bank, the Leveraged Finance (“LevFin”) group works with corporations and private equity firms to raise debt capital by syndicating loans and underwriting bond offerings to be used in LBOs, M&A, debt refinancing and recapitalizations.

The funds raised are used primarily for: Leveraged Buy Outs of Companies, Mergers and Acquisitions, Recapitalizations, Refi Old-Debt. If your a Investment Banking Analyst or Finance Student the links will help you find more about these different options Advisors, Bankers and CEO’s use to Finance Business’s Acquisitions or Debt.

  1. Leveraged buyouts (LBOs): Financial sponsors need to raise debt to fund a leveraged buyout.
  2. Mergers & Acquisitions: Acquirers often borrow to pay acquisitions. When a lot of debt is needed, it falls under the leveraged finance umbrella.
  3. Recapitalizations: Companies borrow to pay dividends (“dividend recap”) or to buy back shares.
  4. Refinancing old debt: There is an old investment banking adage that says “the best thing about bonds is that they mature.” Once a company’s debt matures, the company will need to borrow again to pay for the old debt.

One last part that is not obvious but crucial for CEO’s to understand. There is another method of Financing a Companies Sub-Division that may not correlate well with the Holding Companies niche in the Market Space. A way to keep finance separate is through the use of Tracking Stocks. Please read the Image below for more detailed description of Tracking Stocks.

Did you know? “Tracking stocks will trade in the open market separately from the parent company’s stock.” I was introduced first by and was educated about the use of Tracking Stocks by none other the Cable Cowboy CEO of TCI and Founder of Liberty Media Mr. John Malone.

Conclusion for CEO Finance Options

I do hope you found value in today’s post about Financing Options for CEO’s and hope you will use this new information to make better informed decisions as Public Company and Private Company CEO’s running and navigating finance. There are so many topics that evolve around the Finance Capital Markets that it would be impossible to include all available information on one post on my blog. But I would like to leave you with a very valuable nugget of wisdom from Mr. Warren Buffett.

Warren Buffett the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway always buys and invests into companies that gush cash flow. In turn his Company Berkshire Hathaway is always stacking cash and using the Treasury Markets to store that cash flow for the Balance Sheet. You see Mr. Buffett is smart enough to never place his companies extra cash inside a Bank Account at a Bank. That would be extremely inefficient and he would not receive hardly any long term value placing money into these facilities. Mr. Buffett would actually lose money over time. So he uses the Treasury markets to gain a positive interest on the cash Berkshire holds.

I hope you found value and wisdom from the information provided today. Nothing in this post is Personal or Business Financial Advice. And should be construed as strictly entertainment and the options a CEO has when considering all options for Financing. I hope you will take a page from Mr. Buffett’s book and Mr. John Malone’s Book and use what I have provided to make better and more informed decisions using the complex Capital Markets. Often times? Financing Business basics and using unsexy practices are all it takes to outperform the market as a informed CEO. Thank you.

Godspeed

JS

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Business Articles

This is How Entrepreneurs Stay Safe When Investors Invest

If your a Entrepreneur you better believe you will be under the microscope financially when handling other People’s money. And this is how you stay safe and stay lawful in the process.

First you need to understand my tone when I am writing this Post. It’s serious fucking business. Admittedly I am known for not being a push over and being a little edgy at times. But someone must demand excellence from others. The Military was responsible for beating this into me. So if your sensibilities are chapped or offended? Maybe you should not read this article. And this article is NOT LEGAL ADVICE.

Many entrepreneurs do not stop to consider how their ignorance, and inflated ego is causing their own limited growth or certain failures. If you are pandering to the general public for social media likes. You are not fooling anyone. As a matter of fact you are alienating real business opportunities and real qualified investor opportunities.

Real business people in your community are always watching your every move. They know a fucking Fraud from a real struggling take no prisoners entrepreneur. There’s wealthy individuals, Investment Partners, and finance professionals in your community who are incredibly sophisticated financially. They know a real authentic Entrepreneur from a social media fraud.

Live by this advice. Be authentic, be incredibly generous and politely carry yourself with absolute class. Watch your movements and how you do business. Have some pride and help your community.

If your in the column of qualified or Accredited Investor from the SEC? And you would like to share your informed opinion with me how I am right or wrong in this Post? Im positive I would be open to it. Please Email me. 🙂

And if you have read previous posts from my Blog? It can not be stressed enough. How important recruiting a successful community leader and Mentor is! It’s so important you will be doing yourself a disservice if you do not recruit a mentor in your community.

Still most Entrepreneurs do not know what they are doing. So If you do not know what your doing? Recruit professionals who do know what they are doing. This post is meant to keep your professional reputation intact. And keep you safe from criminal investigations that may end with you locked up in a jail cell and labeled a fraud in the local Newspaper.

What you should not be doing?

The Following suggestion of mine, is what you should NOT be doing if your a Entrepreneur who is seeking fundraising for your new startup. If you want to be successful? The following strict bullet points are suggestions you should take to heart.

  • A. You should not be approaching wealthy community members with a idea that has no proof of concept.
  • B. You should not be selling yourself with the next FACEBOOK idea to the wealthy in your community.
  • C. You should not be accepting any checks or money from anyone in the community without a team of pro’s.

Under “NO CIRCUMSTANCES” do you ever fundraise in your community alone with just an idea. This will always end badly and if you ask me? Is tantamount to criminal fraud in the highest degree. You have no business taking money from anyone and managing funds in a business checking account if your a new fresh entrepreneur. Are we on the same page? GOOD!

If you are not humble and not reliant on Business Professionals? It’s likely you will end up on American Greed as a failed Entrepreneur and Criminal. So do everyone a favor. And do things the right way. And for “God’s Sakes…Don’t be a Instagram Playboy. That Screams Your A Fraud and Criminal. Your Welcome.”

What steps should you be taking as a Entrepreneur?

You should be interviewing Professionals in your community for the right “fit”!

Before we can advance, I need to drive home the importance of this step. This will provide you a few professionals you will need to recruit if you are starting a business. This formula will not fail you and using this formula will keep you safe legally. It will absolutely boost your community presence as someone to take seriously and will begin to create a positive buzz about your business venture. So please take my advice and use it. It pays massively overtime and will begin to make you a trusted community voice and leader.

The reason I lay this out here is because..Many people in your community will dismiss you as someone to take seriously. In todays environment of Bull Shit Social Media Posts and Online Con-Men and Con Women? If your not squared away with a team of Professionals. People will gossip about you. And will privately call you a Fraud and speak poorly about you. Until proven otherwise.

Read this article about a “Globe-Trotting Instagram Playboy Busted In $431 Million Credit Card Cyber Scam After FBI Raids His Dubai Mansion” “HushPuppi the Nigerian “FRAUD!”

This post is meant to give you the Entrepreneur real direction on how to fundraise and become a success. Their are literally so many criminals and frauds in the business entrepreneur environment and on social media. You will likely be judged as just another “CON MAN OR WOMAN” until people can clearly see your helping your community with a team of professionals in tow. So beware.

Recruit a Business Attorney

First step in your business entrepreneurship career is to interview and recruit general advisory legal counsel. Having a Business Attorney close to you will ensure two things. You stay out of legal hot water, and you will have an established advisor help you negotiate decisions in business. This alone will negate most of the problems you face in business. My personal Attorney is a Bad Ass. We have worked on a Inner City Mayoral Political Campaign in the past. He is Corporate Counsel and always available when I need him. And honestly speaking? Also available as a Team Mate when I visit and am invited to high class Cocktail Business Receptions with our City’s elite.

The benefits are 100% GOLD! Your counsel’s advice will help you along the journey. Keeping you safe from making stupid mistakes. And when it’s time to start accepting checks form Investors? He will know how to create Legal Documents to keep you safe from legal action or worse. Criminal Investigations.

Difficulty of this process?

Look everything has a downside. I am not saying call up your local Big Law Firm and try to recruit a $900 an hour corporate attorney you don’t already have a relationship with? Not what I am saying! Find a small Business Attorney in your City someone you already know who is a trusted Business Attorney or Someone you trust to introduce you to a Attorney. Telephone the Attorney and go to lunch. Be prepared and ask relevant questions. Look for the right fit for you. And establish a trust based Relationship moving forward. It’s too easy for you inexperienced name to be dragged through the MUDD by not having the right professionals around you. Capesche? Good!

Small Trusted Local Accounting Firm

Ok let’s say you have began your Entrepreneurial mission, you have been preparing the community for fundraising. Your next step is to begin searching and visiting small local “TRUSTED COMPETENT” Accounting Firms. Having a small trusted and competent accounting firm to handle all financial aspects of bookkeeping and payments is extremely vital and a cornerstone to your success as a Entrepreneur. If you will be handling any money from Investors? Your small accounting firm and your local general counsel need to be working with you and together. If you accept a investor check from anyone you need these 2 people at that table. Or at the bare minimum involved. A. Your General Counsel and Attorney and B. Your Local Competent and Trusted Accountants. I would also have the meeting at the Office of your Attorney or Accountant. This is my advice.

This will prevent you from having any problems moving forward. But if you want to play it safe and keep your reputation from being dragged through the mud? You must take this advice and use it. And for the record you should already have a business plan on the table before you accept a check from any investor. It’s just good business. Many entrepreneurs who do go the start up route? Do not understand that it’s foolhardy to sell a start up idea with no numbers or no proof of concept. If I were you? Don’t ever sell a Start up idea with just a piece of paper and a idea. Never approach investors with just a piece of paper and a idea.

YOU NEVER HANDLE FUNDS ALONE

Let’s say for instance your Business is on it’s way to being a start up. Since your startup business is it’s “OWN ENTITY”. The role of the Controllers? Controllers are the people inside the business with authority to approve or deny spending of funds for your business entity. You will need A. A Controller who’s integrity is professionally sound and someone that has previous experience. And B. You should in good conscience stay away from handling funds alone. Always have another signature and confirmation for spending funds or approvals. To play it safe? You should have at least 3 individuals who are responsible for the spending or denial of dispersing funds. And at any time 2 of these individuals should give permission for the business to spend any amounts of money over say….$500 dollars. This keeps you safe as a entrepreneur and will keep you legally out of trouble.

I would choose 2 Accountants as fellow Controllers of the Business checking account. This is the safe route. And will ensure your business is safe at the end of the day. I can not stress enough how important accountants are to your business. Because you will need to pay your Employees and need to file “TAXES”. So they are extremely important to your startup business.

Here is another reason I suggest having a trusted local Accounting Firm as partners in business? They will invite you to spend time with other Business owners. This begins to establish your trusted name in the business community. And if you ever need a referral to another business professional in your community? They are there to help.

In conclusion you likely are beginning to see how important it is to have professionals in your business career. If your going to be handling other peoples money in Business and as a Entrepreneur? It is mandatory you use this post as a rough blue print and direction you need to take to A. Stay Safe Legally from Criminal Probes, and B. Building your Professional Reputation as someone Trustworthy in your business community. Because all things considered to many Entrepreneurs I meet “HAVE NO CLUE HOW TO RUN A BUSINESS” or are “Financially Illiterate”. This will help start you on the right track and begin to help you move in the right direction as you stumble along as a Entrepreneur.

Thanks for Reading. Stay Tuned!

JS

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