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A dormant company in the UK is defined as a company that has had no significant accounting transactions during its financial year. It is not sufficient that the company may not have traded if the company has had any accounting transactions at all with the exception of three specific transactions that are allowed.

Transactions regarded as allowable for the company to retain its dormant company status are the amount received by the company in respect of the first shares issued to the memorandum of association subscribers, the annual filing fee payable to companies house and fines and penalties issued by companies house for non filing of the annual return.

The term dormant company has legal significance quite separate to a company which might be described as a non trading company. The difference being that a non trading company may still have other financial transactions entered into its accounting records which even though not related t trading would disqualify that company as a dormant company and the special rules applicable to a dormant company.

A company may be in a dormant state for a number of reasons such as holding assets or documents or merely protecting a trading name or perhaps plans to start a business have otherwise been delayed.

There is no limit on how long a company can remain dormant however there are procedures which must be followed to avoid fines and keep the company on the companies house register. Every dormant company must retain at least two officers, a director and company secretary.

The directors are responsible for ensuring the dormant company submits the annual return, form 363, each year which contains details of the directors, company secretary, registered office and shareholders. The companies house filing fee of thirty pounds which is reduced to fifteen pounds if the web filing service is used to file the return online.

In addition the directors are also responsible for submitting to companies house a set of financial accounts each year. Failure to submit a set of accounts can result in companies house striking off the company from the company register and would also leave the directors open to penalty fines and a potential criminal prosecution.

If the dormant company is no longer required the directors can arrange for the company to be dissolved by one of two methods dependent upon whether the company has outstanding financial affairs. If the company has no liabilities then it may be able to apply to companies house for a voluntary striking off and dissolution. If the company has outstanding financial affairs then the voluntary liquidation procedures need to be followed.

The annual accounts a dormant company must submit to companies house each year consist of a balance sheet which also contains statutory notes in compliance with the companies act. For a private company the annual accounts must be delivered within 10 months of the financial year end, commonly called the accounting reference date and filed each year thereafter even if the company has never traded.

The accounts of a dormant company can be filed online.

The annual accounts of a private dormant company do not have to be audited if exemption is claimed and would normally consist of an abbreviated balance sheet with the statutory notes. The directors report and profit and loss account are not required. If there has been any accounting transactions that would have appeared in a profit and loss account then the company would be disqualified from being dormant except for the exemptions stated above.

Companies house provide a standard form for the submission of a dormant company accounts. While suitable for companies that have not traded this form may not be suitable for a company that has balance sheet entries from a previous years trading activities when a more detailed balance sheet would be required.

The model set of balance sheets that a dormant might adopt are available from the companies house website and contain the statutory statements that should accompany the annual accounts stating the entitlement to exemptions from detailed accounts and audit and include a statement from the directors that the accounts have been correctly prepared.

The balance sheet must be signed and dated by a director before submission. If the option to file online has not been taken then the annual accounts should be posted either to companies house at Cardiff if the company registered office is situated in England and Wales or to Edinburgh if the registered office is situated in Scotland.

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Initial public offering can be an excellent way for a corporation to raise a large amount of capital. In an initial public offering, a corporation’s shares are made available to the general public, thus providing a substantial influx of cash. The term applies only the first of such offerings, and any later offerings are referred to as secondary market offerings.

The benefits of an initial public offering are numerous. In addition to the financial gains, a company that decides to go public will also increase their public awareness and credibility.

Since public companies are more carefully and closely monitored than private companies, many investors feel that that they make for more stable investments. This increased demand is reflected in a higher overall valuation of the company. In addition, media outlets are generally more willing to cover public companies, so publicity generally increases.

Going public also increases the liquidity of company shares, further increasing the value of the company. At the initial public offering, a market is created for the company’s shares, allowing investors to trade freely. That freedom to sell as necessary lowers the risk involved in holding shares, thereby increasing value.

For a company that has difficulties attracting and retaining quality employees, going public can offer another form of compensation. While shares of a company can certainly be offered as compensation by private companies, they are even more valuable when they have the liquidity and stability that comes with going public. In addition to increasing morale, stock options help to align the incentives of employees to those of the company.

The owner of the business may enjoy similar benefits after going public. His or her shares immediately take on a liquid, easily calculated value. While there are restrictions on when those shares may be traded, the overall value of the owner’s percentage should increase after the initial public offering. In fact, many business owners decide to go public as an exit strategy. Once the company is public and shares can be sold, it becomes much easier to remove oneself from ownership.

For all the benefits of an initial public offering, the process is not without its drawbacks. Those who enjoy the autonomy of owning a private company may not enjoy having to answer to shareholders after going public. Instead of acting purely in the interest of the company’s long-term well-being, management may feel pressured to take actions to maximize immediate returns.

Lack of control doesn’t end with management decisions. The decision to go public can also leave a company vulnerable to hostile takeover if insiders don’t retain a sufficient percentage of outstanding shares. Although extremely rare to occur, for that reason, some companies choose to restrict the number of shares issued. While this is effective, it also limits the total capital raised. As an alternative, other corporations issue shares with voting restrictions. These restricted shares are valued less than unrestricted shares, so this scenario also raises a smaller amount of capital.

Even before the initial public offering is complete, it can have some negative effects on the corporation. The process of going public is both time-consuming and expensive, and can divert employees from day-to-day activities. It’s not unusual for underwriting fees and related expenses to cost 10-20% or more of the total funds generated by the offering.

After the initial public offering takes place, higher expenses continue in the form of increased reporting requirements. Taxes become more complicated, required disclosures increase, and the company becomes subject to a host of SEC requirements regarding activity of the company and its executives.

While an initial public offering isn’t right for every company, the decision to go public is certainly appropriate for many. If a corporation can shoulder the burdens of additional expenses and profit-driven stockholders, it’s certainly an option worth pursuing. The major influx of cash that going public can provide might be just what it takes to bring a company to the next level.

Joel Arberman is the Managing Member of Public Financial Services, LLC. We help private companies through the process of becoming publicly traded via an initial public offering or direct public offering. Learn more at www.PublicFinancial.com

Goals: A goal is a pre-determined result. Something you intend to achieve over the long term.

Priorities: A priority is a ranking. 1-2-3 and A-B-C, etc. of your daily tasks so the tasks related to your most important goals become your top priorities.

Our goals provide our direction. Until we have established our goals much of our activity is pointless. Without goals, we have no reason to organize, ourselves and our time because we are not going anywhere in particular. It then makes no difference how long anything takes. Every activity is of equal value.

But once we have identified our goals, we are able to judge the effectiveness of or time choices. Did our choices make real progress toward our goals, or were they distractions?

Goals and time are your keys to success. You achieve success as defined in your goals, through the medium of time. Nothing approaches the motivating power of setting demanding goals and then systematically measuring progress toward achieving them.

If you do not manage your time, you will never achieve your goals. But if you do not have goals, you do not need time, because you are not going anywhere. Top goal achievers are always top time managers.

Goals.Goal setting is a common denominator of effective individuals and organizations. Weekly goal setting will help ensure that you devote time to your first things, your important things.

Weekly goals contribute to the achievement of your personal mission. To help you identify your weekly goals, ask yourself: What is the most important thing I could do in each role this week to have the greatest positive impact?

Weekly goals are not typical to dos or daily action items, but represent activities such as relationship building, planning, preparation, personal development, and personal renewal. They are important, but not necessarily urgent.

Goethe is quoted as saying: Things that matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least!

Characteristics of Effective Goals. Effective goals share the following seven characteristics:

I. Owned by those affected
Goals which are defined by those who are effective are much more likely to be carried out with enthusiasm and commitment. People have a better understanding of a goal when they have participated in its development. They are also far more motivated to carry it out.

When people in organizations together develop goals consistent with their mutual success, they have taken the first step toward highly effective time management. They have created a standard for evaluating whether or not their is activities make sense in whether or not their use of time makes sense.

II. Demanding
Goals that are not demanding are barely goals at all. Nothing is more motivating than setting demanding goals that reflect your values and then figuring out how to achieve them systematically.

III. Achievable
Goals must be feasible enough for you to achieve them. If you set goals that are so unrealistic you have no hope of attaining them, you set yourself up for frustration and failure. However, if you have an impossible dream that you really want, do not abandon it. Break it up into smaller, more realistic, attainable goals and begin achieving them, one at a time.

IV. Measurable

Your goals must be measurable so you can judge your progress so you know when you have succeeded. Measuring progress is also an excellent motivator and enables you to correct your course when necessary.

V. Given Deadlines
Goals need deadlines. Otherwise, they will be shifted aside to whatever seems pressing at the moment.

VI. Written
Goals should be written so they are not be forgotten. One person said Out of sight, out of mind. Another reminded us that The palest ink is better than the best memory.

VII. Flexible
Goals must be flexible enough to accommodate changing conditions.

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STAMFORD, Conn. and LOS ANGELES — Building on its growth ambitions in the Western region of the U.S., GE Real Estate (NYSE:GE) announced the completion of its acquisition of Arden Realty, Inc. (NYSE:ARI) , the largest publicly-traded office landlord in Southern California. The purchase price of approximately $4.8 billion includes the assumption and refinancing of $1.6 billion of Arden’s outstanding debt. In connection with this transaction, Trizec Properties, Inc. (NYSE:TRZ) acquired 13 Arden properties for approximately $1.6 billion. The remainder of the Arden portfolio will stay intact and continue to operate as Arden Realty.

The GE and Arden leadership will leverage Arden’s premier presence and strong relationships in the region to quickly implement a strategic asset plan to expand further into its core markets. GE will also use the Arden platform to grow significantly in other California markets, Washington and Arizona.

One member of GE and four members of the Arden leadership teams have been appointed to oversee Arden:

– Joaquin de Monet, Managing Director at GE Real Estate, has been named President and CEO of Arden Realty.

– Robert Peddicord, formerly Executive Vice President, Leasing and Operations at Arden Realty, assumes the role of Chief Operating Officer.

– Andres Gavinet, formerly First Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer, has been named Chief Financial Officer.

– Howard Stern and David Swartz remain Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer and Senior Vice President and General Counsel, respectively.

“We invest where there are excellent opportunities for growth, both in asset value and portfolio size. This transaction significantly expands our footprint in a market that we think is one of the strongest markets in the U.S.,” commented Joe Parsons, President, North American Equity at GE Real Estate. “We will continue to assess opportunities to acquire quality assets in Southern California, and look forward to Joaquin and Robert’s leadership to help us expand Arden’s presence in the Western region.”

“GE and Arden are a dynamic force in one of the country’s most robust markets,” added Peddicord. “GE’s solid financial backing and global resources combined with Arden’s local market expertise and outstanding performance record will greatly enhance Arden’s ability to grow in the Western region of the U.S.”

The portion purchased by Trizec Properties includes 13 properties comprising approximately 4 million square feet.

Tim Callahan, Trizec’s president and chief executive officer commented, “Through this transaction, we have acquired a large, high-quality portfolio that is well located in markets that we believe have strong economies, positive employment trends and growing rental rates.” Mr. Callahan added, “We’re pleased to have partnered with GE in the execution of this transaction.”

Merrill Lynch acted as the financial advisor to GE Real Estate, and King & Spalding LLP provided legal advice. Lehman Brothers Inc., Wachovia Securities, and Secured Capital LLC served as financial advisors to Arden in this transaction. Wachovia Securities and Houlihan Lokey Howard and Zukin also rendered fairness opinions to Arden’s Board of Directors. Latham & Watkins LLP and Venable LLP provided legal counsel to the Company. Hogan & Hartson LLP provided legal counsel to Trizec.

About GE Real Estate: GE Real Estate is a world leader in real estate capital. Formed in 1972, the business has more than $35 billion in core assets with 34 offices located throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia/New Zealand. GE Real Estate, backed by its parent company’s AAA rating, offers a broad range of financing, equity and servicing solutions including: intermediate and long-term mortgage financing, restructuring and acquisition capital, niche equity investment/joint ventures, capital markets securitization and placements, and assert management. As one of the fastest growing units within GE Commercial Finance, Real Estate has experienced annual growth of more than 10% for the last ten consecutive years.

GE Commercial Finance offers businesses an extensive array of financial services and products worldwide. With approximately $217 billion in assets and an expertise in the mid-market, GE Commercial Finance provides loans, operating leases, financing programs and innovative structured capital to help customers grow. GE Commercial Finance is a wholly owned subsidiary of the General Electric Company (NYSE:GE) , a diversified services, technology and manufacturing company with operations worldwide.

About Arden Realty Inc.: Arden Realty, Inc. is one of the largest office landlords in Southern California. After the close of the transaction with GE Real Estate, Arden will have 14.8 million square feet comprised of 103 properties and 175 buildings from Ventura to San Diego counties. Arden is also a nationally recognized leader in energy conservation and efficiency. For three consecutive years the Environmental Protection Agency cited Arden as the “Commercial Real Estate Owner of the Year” for its innovative energy initiatives and for owning the most energy efficient buildings in a single portfolio in the nation.

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One always wants to have a good reputation in the business one is in. You do everything to build your name and establish it as a company of choice for consumers to buy quality products and efficient services at. You focus your marketing efforts towards creating an image and evoking a certain feeling when your company name and logo is seen or heard by your customers.

You have done all you can - you have chosen a company name, a logo, a catchy phrase, a jingle, and everything else under your corporate branding drive. You have ensured good quality products, prompt sales transaction, and efficient customer service - you provided your consumer with the ultimate buying experience and an excellent customer satisfaction.

What more can you do to include in your corporate branding strategy? Is there still something else you can do? How about an Internet strategy in corporate branding?

Internet Strategy In Corporate Branding - The Online Approach

Get An Online Presence - First and foremost in your Internet strategy in corporate branding is choosing website name. If your business name is still available in the Internet - meaning nobody is using it - then you can take this for your own with a fee. If no longer available, choose one that fits your company best - be creative on getting a website name. It should be short and simple so that it can easily be remembered.

Get Hosting Services - The next step would include getting a hosting service for your websites. These companies offer their web servers for you to host your name, your website and your web pages.

Get Informative and Valuable Content - This is a critical Internet strategy in corporate branding. Having an informative content on your website, with regards to the products you sell and on the industry you are in, will give your website visitors the idea and the feeling that you know what you are doing, and that you are an authority in your field. Good website content makes your customers or potential customers want to visit your site again and again to learn about recent developments and any new information you will give out.

Promote Your Website - One can do this by submitting to search engines - some with a fee while some are free. There are also methods as banner exchange, paid ads on high traffic websites and many more. Find one which you think offers the right service for your moneys worth.

Provide the Appropriate Look and Interactive Experience - Aside from website content, this is another important strategy in Internet branding - as this is a way of getting your customers or visitors hooked to your site. If you have a professionally designed website which incorporates forums, discussion boards, blogs, etc. - you will get the interactivity people are looking for.

Have a Full E-commerce Functionality and Efficient Customer Service - If you should also decide to sell your products online, you would need to get your website a full e-commerce functionality. It should be able to safely & securely accept and process credit cards transactions. Also, you should be able to deliver on time the products bought, and be able to provide efficient customer service to any issues or inquiries your customers will make.

Internet Strategy In Corporate Branding - Your Cyber Arm

An Internet strategy in corporate branding would be a good way to ride the waves of cyberspace technology. An online presence would be a good addition to getting your business message out - and establishing your company name as one to contend with in your industry.

For more articles and information or to view a selection of business advertising articles and information and business opportunities articles and information visit Articles.net.au - Your source for free Articles, Information and Website Content.

Gift giving does not only exist between friends and relatives. It is also inherent amongst companies and corporations. The purpose is the same although for the latter it is made with another intention that might be explained on the business aspect on it. Corporate gifts are used as a tool to show hospitality, appreciation, or gratefulness for business colleagues, employees and clients who made part with the company. Corporate gifts are used either to foster better relationship within the company or used as initial effort to aim business contact with another.

On choosing a corporate executive gift

In choosing the corporate gift, it will all depend on who are going to receive the items. Furthermore, the gifts you are going to give should also be based on what accomplishment they must do. For example, corporate gifts may be given to employees to accomplish better work environment and encourage them to be more productive in the days to come. Moreover, it can be carried on to build business relationships to another company.

If the gift giving is made during the company’s event, items that will best commemorate the said event are the perfect presents. Add personal touch into the items by imprinting the name of the event and your employees and guests who attended the event are going to remember the affair for the longest time.

When the gift giving is intended for internal employees of the company (typically made on an annual holiday event held by the company), there are various corporate gifts that you can choose from the market. You can choose something personal that may be of use for the employees (whether for their own desks on the office or for their households). Imprinting the name of the company is optional for this occasion.

For business colleagues, there are choices of corporate executive gifts that will suit their positions in the business world. Corporate executive gifts are best given to a business colleague whether within the same company or from another company and corporation. This time, choosing the item should be done meticulously. It is also a must that the name of your company is embossed/debossed, engraved, or imprinted on the corporate gift item.

Leaving the name printed in any procedure to the items will give them the best tool to have the best recollection of your company. Imprinting, embossing, or engraving the name completely and strongly-adhered to will help them even remember you for as long as they are using the item. In addition, personalizing the items is a good way to promote your company’s services and products, albeit in an indirect way.

What are the ideal gifts for executive persons?

Because the persons who are going to receive corporate executive gifts are those who are mostly busy with their schedules, it is best to choose items that will help them with their business activities. Hence, bags of all sorts, office items, key chains, luggage tags, wine carrier bag, notebooks, or any corporate leather gifts are the best choice.

You can also consider giving them executive card, executive toy, crystal globe, glass globe, leather writing pad, bookend, shaker and martini set, glass magnifier, desk set, desk clock, wine decanter, recognition gifts, among others. There are endless items you can choose from, just make sure they are made of the finest materials that will last for a lifetime.

If you could extend your resourcefulness, find something that speaks of uniqueness. Depending on how much you are going to spend on the corporate executive gifts, you can find the most effective tool of making you remembered and be known in the industry.

Ronald Piper is an online researcher who publishes new information on specialized topics. He provides daily, relevant information and updated content on your favorite interests. To view more articles related to this particular subject, please visit his website at:ronaldpiper.com