First-loss capital or First-loss reserve is money invested with the highest risk of loss in a deal. It acts like a buffer, absorbing losses before impacting other investors.

The likelihood that, if desired by a business owner, that their business can grow rapidly in terms of KPI's such as market share, EBITDA, new customer acquisition cost, etc.

The history of employee ownership which includes some easily defined pivotal moments such as the passing of ERISA in 1974 thanks to Louis Kelso and Russell Long

The ability of a business to anticipate, prepare for, adapt to, and recover from disruptive events or conditions, in order to maintain or restore an acceptable level of functioning and performance.

A situation when an individual wants to sell his company for more money than the buyer is willing to pay

Cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies approved by their members.

A requirement of ESOP plans, this formula is proportionate to each participant's compensation, per capita, and points allocation based on compensation and service. Compensation needs to be defined for allocation purposes.

The idea of popular education (often described as "education for critical consciousness") as a teaching methodology came from a Brazilian educator and writer named Paulo Freire, who was writing in the context of literacy education for poor and politically disempowered people in his country

Any structural limitations inherent to being an EO company, e.g., an ESOP cannot pay more than fair market value when the company's stock is sold

Employee retention refers to how a company retains employees (talent) within itself whether by its reputation, mission, perks, professional development, or otherwise

Any unique EO company considerations in the appraising of company value, e.g., ensuring rigor that would satisfy regulators in an ESOP appraisal

The reduction of ownership percentage of existing shareholders in a company when new shares are issued by the company

The definition of the sales funnel (also known as a revenue funnel or sales process) refers to the buying process that companies lead customers through when purchasing products. The widest part of the funnel represents the phase when potential customers become aware of the product or service, and the funnel eventually narrows to represent the customer purchasing (and repurchasing) the product or service.

Operational efficiency is primarily a metric that measures the efficiency of profit earned as a function of operating costs.

Platform cooperatives are businesses that sell goods or services primarily through a website, mobile app, or protocol. They rely on democratic decision-making and shared platform ownership by workers and users.

A repurchase obligation forecast that begins by using your individual business information and actuarial data to generate a projection of the cash your company will need to satisfy ESOP distribution liabilities following the distribution timing, form, and method requirements articulated in your plan documents and policies

A merchant bank is a financial institution that conducts underwriting, loan services, financial advising, and fundraising services for large corporations and high-net-worth individuals (HNWI).

A low-profit limited liability company (L3C) is an enterprise with a profit goal that is subordinate to its charitable mission.

A US Government department whose mission is to uphold the rule of law, to keep the country safe, and to protect civil rights.

Types of transactions with an employee ownership plan which, if engaged in, would or could create some kind of legal liability, e.g., "self dealing" or other forms of conflict of interest.

The executive/leadership/management team following a business sale after which the previous owner(s) exit.

Holding companies come in many forms. ESOP Holding Companies, regular holding companies, etc

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Phantom stock is a deferred compensation plan that allows plan participants to benefit from a company's share price upside without actually receiving company shares

Case studies of companies who were previously EO and demutualized, sold to a strategic or financial buyer, or closed.

The ability of a company to draw and interest potential employees to join their organization.

Combining emotional intelligence with getting things done.

The sense of dissatisfaction that former owners typically feel post-transition, after selling their business to a third party

Figuring out the best path forward for your business.

Discount applied to the business valuation when only a minority interest in the business is being sold.