At the beer garden

At the beer garden (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Ok, well, it’s that time again… time to recap the week. But, I took an unexpected week off last week so I need to catch up. Here’s the best from the last TWO weeks!

Small Business

As folks look to form businesses, you have to ask yourself questions about what kind of structure makes sense for your business. I love the title of this article, it’s worth a read (by the way, the answer is “No.”) Will a Corporation or Limited Liability Company Protect You from Yourself? http://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/will-a-corporation-or-limited-liability-55959/?utm_source=jds&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=bizlaw

We always talk about intellectual property and social media here. It’s a growing area and no one really knows how some things are going to shake out. AND it’s growing faster than things CAN shake out in some cases. Here’s a new one re: copyright. What’s the impact of Pinterest on your copyrights? Let It Slide: Copyright Infringement On Pinterest http://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/let-it-slide-copyright-infringement-on-04280/?utm_source=jds&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=bizlaw

Crowdfunding is another issue where things are taking off much faster than the legal framework can adapt. Here’s a good article on some points to consider before you jump in. How To Make Sure Your Crowdfunding Dreams Don’t Turn Into An Investor Relations Nightmare http://techcrunch.com/2012/08/05/how-to-make-sure-your-crowdfunding-dreams-dont-turn-into-an-investor-relations-nightmare/

Here’s another Nina Kaufman item. Great little video about Terms & Conditions on your website. Think you only need to worry about that if you sell online? You’re wrong. Tune in. 3 Reasons Why Your Website Should Include Terms and Conditions http://www.entrepreneur.com/video/223931

While we’re touting Nina, here’s another of her videos on an oft-overlooked subject. Who is your partner? Do you know who you’re getting into business with? You better! Sometimes it’s easier to get divorced from a spouse than to disengage from a business partner. How to Know If a Business Partner is Right for You. http://www.entrepreneur.com/video/224127 also, be sure to follow Nina Kaufman at @ninakaufman on twitter.

This article sounds like it’s directed at big business, but the principles apply to every innovator (as a small business owner, that’s you!) and it’s worth a read. The Planning Fallacy and the Innovator’s Dilemma http://blogs.hbr.org/anthony/2012/08/the_planning_fallacy_and_the_i.html?awid=7946997658421232138-3271

Beer Business

In Oklahoma, they’ve formed a brewing cooperative. It’s a different legal structure that has advantages and disadvantages of its own. Looks like it’s working out for them right now. Oklahoma City brewing cooperative aims to grow beer culture. http://newsok.com/oklahoma-city-brewing-cooperative-aims-to-grow-beer-culture/article/3697637#ixzz22glEIQ8g

One of my favorite subjects: North Carolina Beer! Here’s a guide for you out-of-towners. No place like foam: Your guide to cool microbreweries in North Carolina http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/vs-travel-north-carolina-microbreweries-20120730,0,1960437.story

Still on NC… Boulevard Brewing jumps on the bandwagon with distribution. Many breweries are leap-frogging over other surrounding states to get into the NC market. Boulevard Brewing Company Entering Georgia and North Carolina in 2012 http://www.brewbound.com/news/boulevard-brewing-company-entering-georgia-and-north-carolina-in-2012

More on NC! Oskar Blues to start production in Brevard in December http://www.blueridgenow.com/article/20120805/ARTICLES/120809916

On the other end of the spectrum, how would you like to be labeled with “only” and “first” when it’s something the rest of the country doesn’t see as a big deal? Beer from here: Alabama’s only brewpub opens at Heroes in Weaver http://www.annistonstar.com/view/full_story/19718633/article-Beer-from-here–Alabama%E2%80%99s-f%E2%80%8Airst-brewpub-opens-at-Heroes-in-Weaver?instance=home_lifestyle (by the way, Good for them!)

Here’s a question I come back to again and again: If you’re a brewer/brewery, how do you balance between what you like to brew/drink and what sells the best? Here’s one take from Magic Hat (the article is mostly about Angel City Brewing, but scroll down). Under wing of new owners, Angel City Brewing begins again http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-angel-city-20120803,0,3552857.story

Nice little article out of Columbus OH on how beer gardens are changing the “bar” experience. Even at public venues.Gemütlichkeit! Beer gardens fare well http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/08/05/beer-gardens-fare-well.html

Good discussion of how the Beer Business reflects (or is reflected by?) the global economy. The State Of The Beer Industry Perfectly Reflects The Global Economy http://www.businessinsider.com/beer-a-reflection-of-the-world-economy-2012-7

Unless you’ve been living under a beer-deprived rock for the last few years, you know that collaboration projects are on the rise. They’re a great way to build the beer culture, share ideas, and create new and exciting beers. What makes a good collaboration (on a business/legal level)? Best Practices for Successful Collaboration http://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/best-practices-for-successful-collaborat-97122/?utm_source=jds&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=bizlaw

This may be the year for mega-deals in the beer business. By August, the total amount changing hands is over $35 billion (that’s with a “B”). In deals, brewers hop to it. http://www.jg.net/article/20120805/BIZ/308059961/1031/BIZ

Despite the consolidation in some markets/segments, in the US, we’ve hit a 125 year high in total number of breweries. Woot! BREWERS ASSOCIATION REPORTS 2012 MID-YEAR GROWTH FOR U.S. CRAFT BREWERS http://www.brewersassociation.org/pages/media/press-releases/show?title=brewers-association-reports-2012-mid-year-growth-for-u-s-craft-brewers

Just for fun

Being a Trekkie (and I still use Trekkie, not the new-fangled “Trekker,” I’m old-school like that), I though this was an interesting infographic. The Science of Star Trek http://cheezburger.com/6493989888 or http://i.imgur.com/PAfaT.jpg

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