Dual class shares refers to a company that has two different classes of shares: one sold to the public and another class which is tightly controlled by the founding families or insiders. Dual class shares are generally panned by the blogsphere since dual class shares tend to perform worse than their peers, controlling shareholders tend to run roughshod over the minority shareholders and, as we are seeing, the unwinding of dual class share structures can be a very painful and expensive process at the expense of the investing public.

Specifically, automotive parts company Magna International Inc. is attempting to unwind its dual class structure by converting the Class B shares held by the Stronach Family Trust into Class A voting shares; Class B shares represent approximately 0.6% of shares issued but control 66% of the votes. The terms are pretty generous to the Class B shareholders. The conversion is at a 1800% premium plus a $300 million cash payment.

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A number of Britons could soon be facing debt troubles as the nation may experience severe job losses due to the recent emergency Budget, it has been suggested.

According to the Guardian, the Treasury assessment of the planned spending cuts could result in 1.3 million individuals being forced out of work over the next five years.

The figures revealed the government is expecting between 500,000 and 600,000 jobs to be dispersed in the public sector and between 600,000 and 700,000 more in the private sector by 2015.

Public sector employees will feel the brunt of the 25 per cent inflation-adjusted reduction in Whitehall spending over the next five years, while employment in the private sector will be especially affected by government contract losses and lower public spending, the report added.

The Consumer Credit Counselling Service recently warned the VAT hikes announced in the Budget could be the final straw for those struggling with debt problems.

September 30^th is the end of the federal government’s fiscal calendar and if you sell anything to Uncle Sam, you’ll know that the busy year-end buying season is almost upon us.

Having worked for several years for a government IT solutions provider, I can attest to the fact that there is nothing quite like the company-wide buzz that federal year-end generates as sales teams knuckle down for long hours, intense bidding, and hopefully a winning share of these soon to disappear funds. Let’s just say that shares in Red Bull probably went through the roof each September!

With this year’s federal fiscal year-end approaching, what can you do now to ensure your small business is factored into consideration by government procurement officers and end users (those that actually use your product or service and influence buying decisions)?

No matter what you sell – from paper products to satellite-based tracking devices – here are some marketing tips for landing federal fiscal year-end business. 

1. Plan Ahead

Maximizing your federal year-end sales does not start at year-end. Building r

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Chase Offers Small Business Borrowers Incentives to Hire

Posted by: John Tozzi on June 30, 2010

This is new: A bank offering companies incentives to hire. Today JP Morgan Chase announced that small businesses that open new business lines of credit can reduce their interest rates by .5 percent for each new hire by the end of the year, up to a 1.5 percent discount on credit lines of up to $250,000. Customers with existing credit lines can get the discounted rates for hiring if they increase their lines by $10,000. Customers that open a business checking account can get another .5 percent discount. CEO Jamie Dimon unveiled the plan at the bank’s headquarters in New York last night.

Behind the move — besides favorable PR — is competition among banks to grab the best business customers from a diminished pool of creditworthy borrowers, says Sam Thacker of Business Finance Solutions, a former banker who now consults with small businesses. “The

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

1. Losing focus on your original business goals and starting to drift off from your intended track.

2. Underestimating the importance of sales and being unable to monetise your great ideas.

3. Not investing enough in technology that will improve your business and give you the best chance to succeed.

4. Thinking too small instead of thinking big and trying to reach a global audience.

5. Not having enough cash to cover expenses. You will need a minimum of 3 months income (preferably 6 months) in the bank.

If you have additional tips, please share them in the comments section.