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People will be most creative when they feel motivated primarily by the interest, enjoyment, satisfaction, and challenge of the work itself--when they are driven by a deep involvement in their work and a passion for it. This note describes the ways in which creativity can be stimulated by this intrinsic motivation, and by certain forms of extrinsic motivation, such as rewards that signal competence or support future achievement. Managerial implications are discussed.

Discusses patents, licenses, and deal making in a start-up venture. The entrepreneur, Jeff Hawkins, holds a patent on Palm Print, a pattern recognition algorithm. After licensing Palm Print to his employer, he led three years of development of commercial products for the company. Focuses on Hawkins's efforts to start a new, noncompeting venture that requires cross-licenses for the Palm Print enhancements. The employer wants Hawkins to stay to develop the new products "in-house" and resists making an agreement.

Creativity, the production of new and useful ideas by individuals or teams, can appear in many forms and many functions within firms of all kinds--from entrepreneurial start-ups to well-established enterprises. This note describes the varieties of creativity in organizations, and dispels common myths about what creativity is. Proposes a method for recognizing creativity, outlines the necessary components for individual creativity, and introduces a model of how organizational influences can affect creativity. Critiques some common methods for enhancing creativity, and discusses how creativity can result in innovation.

This note provides the reader with typical clauses to be found in shareholders' agreements along with an explanation of the purpose of each clause.

Wherever you look in business, there's a new level of interest in entrepreneurship. As attention at corporations swings away from retrenchment and toward growth, more and more people are wondering why some companies are able to stimulate creativity and initiative among their employees more effectively than others. What do those organizations do to convert intriguing ideas into commercial ventures?

Offers the opportunity to examine two important challenges in starting a company: selecting partners and finding capital. Presents a candid view into the struggle of a young entrepreneur, Dan Stilton, and his two newly acquired partners, Scott Bettor and Henry Tellsworth, as they look for capital to launch their venture, Florida Air, a regional airline.

The president of a software development company was contemplating how to reward its investors. Since the company's inception 10 years previously, the company had not paid full dividends to shareholders. The president was anxious to provide some return for the investments made, but he was convinced that he could maximize shareholder return if he could position the company to take advantage of the tremendous industry growth. He also wonders how much capital he will need, and where to obtain it.

James and Serena Udderlie were preparing a loan application to the Confederation Bank of Canada. They were requesting a $160,000 term loan, in addition to an operating loan, for the potential opening of a Cow's ice cream and clothing franchise. They needed to develop proforma income statements and balance sheets for the store's first two years of operation. They also wondered what collateral, if any, they would be able to provide the bank to secure against a loan, and what other terms the bank might deem necessary.

Contains a description of the events surrounding the financing of Centex Telemanagement, Inc. by Sierra Ventures, a venture capital fund. The case is written from the perspective of the venture capitalists and is designed to teach students about the process of venture capital funding. A rewritten version of Centex Telemanagement, Inc., this series separates two decisions.

Contains a description of the events surrounding the financing of Centex Telemanagement, Inc. by Sierra Ventures, a venture capital fund. The case is written from the perspective of the venture capitalists and is designed to teach students about the process of venture capital funding.

Johnson-Grace is a cash-strapped start-up company negotiating a licensing agreement with America OnLine (AOL), a leading provider of on-line services in the United States. The Johnson-Grace technology would enable AOL to transmit visual images to its customers more quickly than existing technology. In addition to price, Johnson-Grace must consider whether to give AOL exclusivity and whether to encourage AOL to make an equity investment in their company.

Supplements the (A) case.

Chemfree has the rights to distribute a line of environmentally friendly pest control products in Canada and abroad. Under the leadership of the president and controlling shareholder, the firm has experienced significant growth since its formation a few years ago and is poised for even more rapid growth in the future. The firm requires a substantial amount of money to finance this growth as well as its seasonal funding needs. Four alternative means of financing are being considered including two venture capital firms and two corporations. All of the alternatives involve a dilution in the president's equity interest and he must choose which alternative is most appropriate.

Bob Reiss, a seasoned entrepreneur, "accidentally" started Valdawn in 1988 and in six years built the company into a $7 million marketer of "fun and fashion" watches. Valdawn, a "virtual" company, has very few employees or fixed assets and enjoys attractive profit margins and, Reiss believes, bright prospects for growth. Nevertheless, Reiss is wary of making the investment such growth would require and wonders whether he should scale back the business or sell his interest.

Supplements the (A) case.

Supplements the (A) case.

The purpose of this note is to introduce the reader to the topic of intellectual property in the mid 1990s. Key aspects discussed include an overview of the law of intellectual property, how intellectual property is valued and the enforcement of intellectual property rights.

This note addresses four key issues of interest to the potential franchisor: 1. assessing the viability of the franchise concept; 2. financing the franchisor and franchisee; 3. designing the franchise agreement; and 4. the legal implications of the franchise agreement.

Portrays the change process Oticon went through in moving from a bureaucratic, role-driven organization to a creativity-driven, flexible, informal one.

Describes the strategic and organizational challenges of turning a fledgling enterprise into a self-sustaining business. In contrast to traditional life-cycle models, the note argues that businesses evolve in idiosyncratic ways. Therefore the leaders of young businesses have to develop strategies while taking into account the whole situation (rather than a "stage of growth") and after consideration of a broad mix of options. Furthermore, success in attaining sustainability is as much a matter of execution as it is of picking the right growth strategy.