Top 5 mistakes made in shareholder agreements

Top 5 mistakes made in shareholder agreements

Top 5 mistakes made in shareholder agreements

March 13, 2023

Shareholder agreements are fundamental to a business’s health. Like a vital organ in the body, the significance of one of these agreements is often only felt when something goes wrong, and the inner workings of the business need to be brought to light and called into question. 

Operating a business without a sound shareholder agreement means you’re always walking on thin ice. It can be tempting, if the business is family-owned or your shareholders are close friends, to circumvent the shareholder agreement – or, alternatively, to rush through it and give it only the barest, broadest of details. 

Common mistakes in shareholder agreements

Even if nothing goes wrong and relationships remain strong, the risk is ever-present. With that in mind, here are the five most common mistakes made when drawing up shareholder agreements. 

Using a template

A quick fix to a document that would usually take up hours of time, multiple conversations, and, in many cases, disagreements until a general consensus is found? Yes, please.

No thanks. Templates are designed to be as broad and unspecific as possible, or they wouldn’t prove ‘useful’ to 99% of the people who use them. As with DIY wills, shareholder templates appeal to people who don’t want to be bogged down in the thought process – who want to rush out the formalities and move on. 

But there are some things that can’t be ‘rushed out’, and no quick fix to drawing up a shareholder agreement is worth the time it takes to complete. You’ll need to collaborate with your corporate solicitor to ensure every salient point is acknowledged. 

Not formalizing it

It’s all well and good to sit around a table with your shareholders and agree about how the business should be run, and what rights and obligations shareholders should have, but that means nothing if you fail to write it down.

Verbal agreements may work in some instances, but there is very little room for them in business – not if you want to secure the business’s future. Formalize every agreement, or they won’t count as agreements in the future.

Not considering the long-term

In the beginning, it’s easy to fixate on the early days of a new business. The bigger picture feels too big to really take in, and narrowing your focus on its fledgling stage is the best way to combat a sense of vertigo.

But the shareholder agreement is a document that should see you through many years of evolution and development. If it’s written up according to that narrowed focus, there’s a good chance it won’t be so useful or beneficial to the business a few years from now. Your solicitor will be best placed to help you to address the long-term

Failing to account for the death of a shareholder

It’s not nice to think about, but the unexpected death of a shareholder can have a major impact on the business. Will the shares pass onto a member of their family, or will you make provisions in the agreement to ensure that their rights can be bought out by other shareholders? 

Not having one

Ultimately, the biggest mistake you could make is overlooking the importance of a shareholder agreement. No relationship is strong or longstanding enough to weather the storms that businesses can – and often will – pass through; that strength can be found in your written agreement.

Conclusion

Even though it might seem like another thing to do, a company’s legal issues should be resolved as soon as possible, because it often happens that external factors affect the company’s operations and lead to unwanted consequences. 

We hope that here we have explained well the top common mistakes that happen in shareholder agreements and that you will be careful about what to look out for in the future.

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Difference between VPNs for businesses and consumers

Difference between VPNs for businesses and consumers

Difference between VPNs for businesses and consumers

March 08, 2023

Many web users are familiar with VPN (Virtual Private Network) software and some of its perks. The primary goal of these tools is to change your location, encrypt your web traffic, and bypass geographical restrictions. In short, you have digital privacy and data protection against various online threats.

Naturally, online businesses can benefit from VPN services as well. However, there are some critical differences between VPNs for businesses and consumers. In this article, we’ll cover the common differences and outline the main perks of virtual private networks.

Common VPN service features

You’re likely only familiar with consumer VPNs like NordVPN if you’ve never encountered one at work or school. These services have different features than business-oriented services. But first, let’s overview what common features these services have.

Encryption

Encryption is arguably the most defining feature of any VPN service. It masks your online activities and makes them unreadable to unwelcome outsiders. However, not all encryption is created equal. The most secure VPNs utilize the substantial AES-256 standard to make your activities virtually uncrackable.

True location masking

VPN services redirect your web connection through remote servers. This process hides your actual whereabouts and makes it appear that you’re connecting from wherever the server is. Naturally, your initial IP address is also hidden.

DNS leak protection

A good provider will also mask your DNS requests and prevent leaking issues.

VPN kill switch

You should enable this feature if you want your internet connection to shut down whenever the VPN connection is disabled. This prevents accidental location exposure should the virtual private network encounter issues while establishing a connection.

Fast tunneling protocols

A VPN’s tunneling protocol determines upload and download speeds plus the overall security of the VPN tunnel.

Protection against intrusions

Enabling a VPN makes your connection secure against outside intrusions from malicious hackers. You’ll be utterly immune to DDoS (Distributed Denial-of-service) or man-in-the-middle attacks, data theft, surveillance, and online censorship.

Apps for desktop and mobile devices

A high-quality product should be easy to use regardless of your technical aptitude. The most user-friendly approach is offering fully-featured dedicated apps that are understandable and convenient to install.
These features are present in practically every worthwhile VPN service to ensure airtight security. However, a virtual private network isn’t your only tool for complete cybersecurity.

Business-specific features

Generally speaking, online businesses’ VPN services must be flexible to fit any company’s needs. This is typically done by granting IT administrators a control panel for customizing the organization’s security policy. Besides that, here’s what else you should expect from a worthwhile VPN for your company.

Centralized settings

Your company’s IT team will need an all-in-one control panel for setting up all the necessary security features. Unsurprisingly, administrators will likely use the same dashboard to keep track of user activity. 

Account management

It should be convenient to add new users, remove old ones, and configure their permissions.

Static IP address

Using a static IP address is the best way to ensure easy access to shared company resources and prevent unauthorized connections. However, global companies will benefit from a worldwide server fleet to provide excellent connectivity to employees worldwide.

2FA

Two-factor authentication is an essential component of protecting user accounts and preventing breaches.

Biometric authentication

Some organizations may implement biometric authentication (face recognition, fingerprint scanning) as an additional security measure. Naturally, whether you require all these security features depends on your company’s threat model and potential attackers.

Consumer-specific features

Now for a glance at what consumer-centered VPNs usually include. Unsurprisingly, many of these perks are absent from business-oriented options because they’re unrelated to company security. 

Unlocking geographically-restricted content

The most popular VPN use case is changing your location to access region-exclusive or business movies and TV shows on popular streaming services like Netflix.

Apps for home entertainment devices

Customers may want to take advantage of the previously-mentioned perk on various devices like TVs or gaming consoles. 

Router configuration

The best way to secure your home network is to install the VPN directly on your router. 

Tools for bypassing censorship

 A VPN is a perfect way to bypass mass online censorship and avoid surveillance in authoritarian countries.

Antivirus capabilities

Security-focused VPNs can replace your antivirus software and cover its responsibilities, i.e., scan your device and prevent virus-infected files from entering your system.

Personal password management

Nowadays, it’s paramount to use strong and unique passwords on your numerous web accounts. A password manager makes it easy to do so without hindering convenience.

Data breach monitoring

Typically, you won’t be notified when a data breach occurs that affects you. Meanwhile, a well-equipped VPN service can keep an eye out for you and tell you what to do if you’re a data leak victim.

Of course, this is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg regarding the boons you may find with regular VPN services. Many providers appeal to varying types of users and offer specialized packages for fulfilling their needs. 

Conclusion

The main goal of VPN services is to enforce security guidelines and prevent intrusions from malicious threats. They do so through multiple features and allow administrators to customize the finer details. 

Contrarily, consumer VPNs usually focus on digital anonymity, removal of geographical restrictions, and protection against cyber threats. Plus, they offer easy-to-use apps to appeal to as many people as possible.  Ultimately, your protection needs will guide your purchase decisions. Just don’t mix up business and consumer products when making a final decision. 

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9 ways to grow eCommerce business successfully in 2025

9 ways to grow eCommerce business successfully in 2025

9 ways to grow eCommerce business successfully in 2025

March 02, 2023

9 ways to grow eCommerce business and become huge within years

Imagine being able to retire within the next decade because your e-commerce site is so successful. While you’re lying on the beach, professional business accountants will be letting you know how much you’re making.

Most of the business owners are starting an eCommerce business aiming to become able to earn some passive income. But, you’ve got to find ways to grow eCommerce business first and one of the key thing is to figure out your pricing, especially when it comes to B2B eCommerce pricing, choosing the right pricing strategy is crucial, as it involves complex negotiations and long-term relationships.

Proven and test ways to grow eCommerce business 

Huge business growth doesn’t happen overnight, but if you invest in your ecommerce store and focus on certain techniques that work, you can grow your eCommerce business faster than expected. Let’s discuss the 9 most efficient ways further.

Start selling on Amazon

Amazon will keep selling products no matter what’s going on in the world. It’s worth using Amazon FBA to list your products on their website. In some countries, everyone who wants to buy a product uses their search engine.

Will you be able to keep selling products on your own website? Sure, but it’s okay to sell them in more than one place. Most customers who buy your products on Amazon will never stumble across your website unless you’re a big brand. However, it’s crucial to calculate the break-even point for each sales channel. You can identify the best wholesale distribution plan by comparing the expenses and revenues of selling products on your website vs sites like Amazon.

Think about the metaverse

Everyone will have stores inside the metaverse in the future. Customers will be able to walk around looking at what’s on your digital shelves. It’s worth getting in early before the competition gets too strong.

Entrepreneurs who get into new inventions early become extremely rich. Look at all those original Instagram and Tik Tok users. Unfortunately, you’ll probably need to learn how to code unless you hire a developer.

Expanding product line

When you see photos of multiple container ships waiting to dock, it doesn’t give you lots of confidence to order more products from China. During Covid, businesses have tried to avoid expanding their product line.

We know everything is up in the air, but one of the ways to grow eCommerce business is to start offering new products. That way you’ll be able to sneak ahead of your competitors. If you’re worried about ordering stuff from overseas, see what’s available at home.

Free returns + deliveries

One of the reasons why people love Amazon is the free shipping. Customers must spend a certain amount of money, which they likely would have spent anyway. Amazon then gets its products to them as fast as possible.

If you offer free delivery, customers will be more inclined to buy from you. Free returns are even more important. When someone can return a faulty product for free, they’ll be less likely to leave a bad review.

New social media platforms

Tik Tok has become a great platform for business growth thanks to users being stuck at home. We saw the same kind of growth with platforms like Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram. It’s hard to succeed on them now due to tough competition.

If you wait a while, a new social app will grow exponentially. You must be ready to strike when it does, which means you should have accounts set up. Study new apps closely, and you’ll be able to tell which ones have the most potential.

Use data analysis and personalization

Using data analysis and personalization is important for the growth of e-commerce. It helps businesses better understand their customers and what they like, allowing them to offer products and services that match those preferences. This not only makes shopping more enjoyable for customers but also keeps them coming back. Outsourcing Python development services can be a great way to set up effective data analysis and personalization systems since Python has tools that make handling data easier, ultimately boosting your e-commerce business. In summary, integrating data analysis and personalization through Python development services can be a game-changer for e-commerce.

Email autoresponder copy

Email autoresponders are great because they almost run themselves. You just need to spend time preloading the emails in the first place. Autoresponder technology has advanced quite a lot in the last decade.

Sadly, companies are still not taking advantage of the technology. The biggest mistake businesses make is sending the same emails to every customer. You need to start sending emails to people based on what they open/click on.

Popular brand ambassadors

It feels like everyone is on social media these days, but that’s great news for eCommerce business owners. Influencers with a few hundred thousand followers will find it difficult to get brand deals because there is so much competition. Here’s where you can come in.

One of the ways to grow eCommerce business is by reaching out to anyone you think might promote your products. Some will be happy to recommend you to their followers for a good price. Once you’ve worked with a few dozen people, your customers should be through the roof.

Becoming part of the family

Persuading someone to buy your products is a good achievement, but getting them to come back multiple times is life-changing. It’s good if you have products customers love, but you should also build a community around your brand.

If you sold fitness supplements, you could build a community around weight lifting. Add a forum onto your website so they have somewhere to go. People will generate buzz around your products even when you’re not there.

Better quality products

When you’re starting out, it’s okay to sell less-than-perfect products. You might not be able to afford the best product designers or get your inventory manufactured at the best factories. Look into doing things differently now.

Maybe it’s time to spend a little extra on product development. It will hurt in the short term because it’s never nice to spend money, but in the long term you’ll be on your way to owning the best brand in the industry. While it may seem challenging at first, exploring ways to improve your products can set you apart in the long run. For instance, you could consider personalized shipping boxes with a logo to elevate your brand’s image and customer experience. Similarly, brands can use their commitment to biodegradable packaging as a part of their marketing and storytelling. Sharing the brand’s efforts to reduce its environmental impact through packaging can resonate with customers and build a positive brand narrative.

Conclusion

Don’t sit around copying what all your competitors are doing. It’s okay to use your competitors’ good ideas, but you must use your initiative to test out new ones. Therefore, use these ways to grow eCommerce business to build the fundamentals of your growth strategy, but don’t forget to implement your brand voice and personalize it along the way.

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5 affiliate marketing trends to watch out for in 2025

5 affiliate marketing trends to watch out for in 2025

5 affiliate marketing trends to watch out for in 2025

March 01, 2023

It seems there are new marketing trends every quarter, and it can be hard for businesses to adapt their marketing strategies accordingly. Affiliate marketing has become increasingly popular in the last few years as it can generate better leads with a word-of-mouth marketing tactic. 

In 2023, 8 out of 10 brands had an affiliate marketing program for their potential customers. Companies of various sizes and operating in different industries understand the benefits of having affiliates promote their products or services because they can build trust and convince customers to complete a purchase.

You have to keep in mind that affiliate marketing is constantly changing, and you need to keep up with the trends to achieve the best results. From apps like Honeygain to makeup brands like Morphe, many companies welcome affiliates to boost their brands in new ways. 

Here are some of the affiliate marketing trends that you should consider implementing!

Top 5 affiliate marketing trends you should pay attention to

We’ve created a list of the top five affiliate marketing trends to watch out for as we go into 2025. Check it out below and make sure to implement some of them into your marketing strategy.

The rise of content marketing

The rise of content marketing has been a game-changer for businesses of all sizes. Brands produce different types of content for various social media platforms, and each type of content requires different approaches from the marketing team. It’s an excellent way to reach target audiences in record time effectively!

Content marketing reaches people in various ways — through broadcast television or radio commercials, digital ads, social media channels, written articles, eBooks, and more. It depends on your business and which channels your target audience uses the most. 

Additionally, promoting your affiliate marketing program with unique content is an excellent idea. Segment a group you wish to target, produce a high-quality infographic on why being your brand’s affiliate is beneficial, and publish it so people can join it! 

More focus on mobile traffic

As technology advances, it is becoming increasingly important for businesses to focus on mobile traffic more and more. People are taking their phones everywhere, and it’s a great opportunity to adjust your strategy to accommodate more mobile users. 

One example of a great app integration across different platforms is Honeygain. It’s a passive income app that pays users for sharing their unused Internet bandwidth. The company offers different installers based on your device for easy access to its services. Users can make $3 for sharing 10GB of traffic and refer a friend for more money. Honeygain’s referral program is an affiliate marketing program suited for recommending the app to close friends. All you have to do is copy your referral link and share it with others so they can join. The copy and paste function is adapted to desktop and mobile users, offering easy navigation for Honeygain users. 

Another way to boost your earnings is by turning on JumpTask mode which offers a 10% bonus as long as you transfer your payout to your crypto wallet. Once again, Honeygain offers impressive cross-channel integration, making it easy for mobile users to navigate the app on their phones.

The power of social media influencers

Social media influencers have become increasingly powerful in recent years, and their impact can be seen in various industries. From fitness to financial gurus, people with a large following on social media make a lot of money from affiliate marketing programs. Whether it’s a link to a new gym wear set or a discount on financial consultation sessions, influencers make commissions as affiliates and brand ambassadors.

In addition, many people now turn to influencers for ideas on how to style themselves or what products they should buy over others. Influencers can sway a customer’s opinion and even change people’s buying habits. That’s why companies collaborate with influencers to drive more sales or build brand awareness. It’s clear that social media influencers have a strong influence today and positively impact customers, companies, and consumer behavior.

Personalization and retargeting

Does your business need more engagement? You should consider personalizing your affiliate marketing program to fit the profile of your target audience. Identify their age, location, hobbies, and other attributes that can impact their decision to become your affiliate or finish a purchase. Then tailor your messages to give them the benefits of becoming your customer and watch your sales skyrocket.

Whether it’s designing marketing campaigns that target individuals based on their preferences or creating content tailored to match each user, personalization helps companies build relationships with their customers in a more meaningful way. You should track user patterns and create experiences that your customers will enjoy. 

A funny TikTok or an engaging email can solve a problem, and a person is more likely to trust your brand and your affiliates! Through personalization and retargeting, businesses can engage with their customers on a deeper level and better understand how they interact with different products and services.

Increased use of video content

With platforms like TikTok or Instagram Reels becoming the go-to social media platforms, video content is an important part of your marketing strategy. It offers a vivid visual experience that speaks more to us as viewers than static images or words on a page. List the benefits of joining your affiliate marketing program with a trending sound, and watch how the algorithm picks it up!

You can reach hundreds of thousands worldwide with short videos, so make sure to include top-notch messages in your videos. It’s always a good idea to highlight your company’s strengths and unique attributes! By branching out with your content, you can build reliable connections with your audience and make them your customers through affiliate links.

Conclusion

With so many options and possibilities, companies should focus on creating cohesive content strategies that connect all these components into one powerful package. It’s not all about short videos on TikTok that will bring you many viewers. Your marketing strategy should include different approaches to boost sales and make the user experience as efficient as possible.

Businesses that get creative and take advantage of all that new technology offers will surely benefit from the possibilities that come with affiliate marketing trends in 2023.

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Exploring the different types of direct lender payday loans

Exploring the different types of direct lender payday loans

Exploring the different types of direct lender payday loans

February 27, 2023

Payday loans, easy to access, convenient, without too many requirements, and straight to your bank account within hours only. What else can you ask for?

Direct lender payday loans have never been more diversified. They come with numerous benefits, and they’re extremely attractive, so more and more lenders offer this type of loan.

Obviously, each deal is different, and there are lots of things to take into consideration before committing. From interest rates and fees to the type of loan you require and how much you can borrow, these things will make the difference between a good deal and a disastrous one.

In theory, a payday loan is a short-term loan that can be repaid the next time you get a paycheck, in less than a month. However, direct lender payday loans can be classified based on their features too.

5 popular types of direct lender payday loans

Let’s take a look at the most popular types of payday loans are, and what can you get out of them. 

Bad credit loans

Many payday loans are actually bad credit loans, but this isn’t a general rule. A bad credit loan is specifically aimed at those with poor credit scores. This is one of the first considerations among most direct lenders.

They’ll need to know your financial history and how responsible you are when it comes to finances. The score is influenced by previous defaults or late-paid bills.

With these thoughts in mind, bad credit payday loans won’t necessarily consider your score. And if they do, it won’t affect the approval decision. The only thing your credit score could affect would be the interest rate. In other words, the higher your score is, the better your deal will be. 

Emergency loans

Many payday loans can be considered emergency loans. When you can no longer wait until your next paycheck, a payday loan becomes the best option. You’ll usually get money straight to your bank account within a couple of days. On the other hand, emergency loans are aimed at those whose urgency can no longer wait.

Whether you need the money today or tomorrow, depends on when you complete the application. Do it in the morning, and you’ll get money to your account within a few hours only.

Ensure you have all the documentation, as missing stuff can delay the application. You’ll usually need identification, proof of address, and perhaps a payslip showing your income. Get everything ready, spend a few minutes to complete the application, and get the money before the end of the day, simple as that. 

Online payday loans

Most payday loans can be requested online these days, but you may also need to reach out to some direct lenders in person in order to get them. In some cases, you may have to apply by post. Doing it by post will take days to get accepted while seeing a direct lender in person can get the money in your account straight away.

Online payday loans are issued online. They’re extremely convenient because you can apply them from your computer or smartphone. Everything is done online, from the application to the finding disbursement.

The convenience associated with online loans is exactly what made them so common these days. This is also the reason wherefore so many direct lenders offer the online alternative. They know customers prefer it.

Applying for an online payday loan is a bit risky, so you need to ensure you rely on a reputable direct lender. 

Same-day loans

Same-day loans are similar to emergency loans. Of course, it depends on when you apply. Some lenders offer a 24/7 service, but many of them don’t.

Do your application later in the afternoon or evening, and you may not get any money until the next day.

Even if you do it in the morning, you won’t necessarily get the money within an hour or two. But if it’s advertised to be a same-day loan, you’ll get it by the end of the day. 

Installment payday loans

Payday loans are usually single-payment loans, but in order to attract more customers, some direct lenders also offer installment payday loans. Installments and agreements vary widely from one lender to another.

For example, you could get an installment payday loan with weekly repayments. You can also get a payday loan that extends over more than just a few months. It doesn’t necessarily follow the main principles of a payday loan, but it’s advertised like that to draw attention.

Usually, you’ll save on the interest rate if you pay everything in one go within the first month. The more months you spread it over, the more money you’ll pay in the long run.

Conclusion

Direct lender payday loans follow some basic principles, but they come with different items, depending on the client’s needs. Generally speaking, more convenience means higher interest rates, so stick to the loan that you actually need only.

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