Venture Capital; James Crowe; Learning; Incentives; 4/7/08 - PHOTOS & Events

468_ This is a Story Only James Crowe Could Tell - Level 3
Phil Weiser, Professor of Law, Associate Dean for Research & Executive Director of Silicon Flatirons Center, introduces James Crowe, CEO and President of Level 3 Communications (since it’s founding). Phil went on to say, “He is a unique individual in the Internet world. Before that he was also the founder and CEO of MFS Communications, one of the leaders in building fiber networks. James Crowe is really a unique part of our communications world here.” Larry Nelson and Phil ask James a number of probing questions in this 'Profile of a Leader' series for the Communications Technology Professionals (CTP) Channel. Looking at the changes we have all been through, James said,"Yes, things have changed a bit. I think it’s gone from speculative, way out thinking to an everyday part of most people’s lives. We take it for granted that we can obtain almost any kind of information we choose over our broadband connections. It certainly has changed the way we work, the way we entertain ourselves. We’re watching real time as it changes how we govern ourselves – politics is changing. Because fundamentally for 100 years we had a communication system that extended our ears, that’s the telephone system. Now we’re right along, building a communications system that’s extending our eyes. Ninety-nine percent of the information we collect comes through our eyes." Then Phil and Larry brought up values and ethics. Listen to the answers in his own words.
Related Links: Communications Technology Professionals || CTP Channel || Level 3 Communications || Silicon Flatirons || Keywords: James Crowe, Level 3 Communications, Phil Weiser, Communications Technology Professionals, CTP, Silicon Flatirons, Cable - Bytes: 24704212 - 4/7/08

422_ Effective Use of Equity Incentives - Challenges and Choices
Compensation and Effective use of Equity Incentives were discussed in detail with Mark Weakley, Partner, Holme Roberts & Owen, Boulder with Irene Gallagher, Partner, Holme Roberts & Owen, Denver. There are three main compensation forms: 1.) Stock Options [most familiar to employees] 2.) Then we’ve got Restricted Stock which can either be bonuses or require payment from the employee; 3.) This category gives us more flexibility in how we structure the actual measure of the incentive – and that would be in the ‘Phantom Stock’ or stock appreciation rights. Issues will vary with Common Law Employees, Contract employees, and Independent Contractors. Mark and Irene are often asked, “How can the state or the IRS know if the person is an independent contractor or not? We have an agreement, the employee signed it, isn’t that good enough?” Clearly this is not good enough. The time comes when you no longer need the employee. Without thought the employee files for unemployment insurance and that’s how the state finds out about them. “Backdoor Discovery”. Now the state can come in and look at all of your employees, reclassify them and you could be looking at back wages, potentially overtime, penalties and interest – it can really stack up. That “Backdoor Discovery” is a sure fire way to get multiple agencies on your coattails. You not only have the state level revenue agency and the department of labor, you also have the federal level because the Social Security Administration is going to want their cut of what you should have been paying in the payroll taxes all along. Then there's 409A...listen now.
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Related Links:  Holme Roberts & Owen || It's the Law || U.S. Commercial Service || Entrepreneurs || Keywords: Mark Weakley, Irene Gallagher, Equity Incentives, Stock, Holme Roberts & Owen, 409A, HRO, Entrepreneurs