** Do the readers of my business plan need to sign a non-disclosure agreement?

A non-disclosure agreement (NDA) can send up red flags to your intended audience. A seasoned banker or venture capitalist is bound by client confidentiality and may find a NDA insulting. Secondly, if the business needs to protect its ideas and concept at this stage of the game than there may not be any barriers to entry for others to enter the market. A simple confidentiality clause at the front of the plan should suffice. In some cases, such as setting up a strategic alliance a non-disclosure may be necessary. If in doubt, consult with a lawyer.

** Is a limited partnership any different?

From a tax standpoint, partnerships serve as great investment vehicles. However, investors are oftentimes very leery of investing in a general partnership, as every general partner can be held responsible for 100 percent of the debts and liabilities of the partnership. To address the issue, most states recognize another entity that is called a limited partnership. Generally, a limited partner’s potential exposure is designed to be limited to the extent of that partner’s investment. For example, if a partner invests $10,000 in a business venture organized as a limited partnership, his or her potential liability would be limited to that $10,000 investment rather than allowing creditors to go after the rest of the limited partner’s personal assets.

The tradeoff is that limited partners must take a passive role in the operation of the business in order to maintain such a status. In many regards, a limited partner would be comparable to a shareholder in a corporation.

Order fulfillment, or delivery of goods, is a part of commerce operation once an order is received. Fulfillment refers to those providing the storing of customers’ materials until they request delivery to themselves or to a third party. Vendors also provide fulfillment service of requests received form a customer by mail, phone, fax or any other electronic means, better known as “pick and pack.”

Choosing the right fulfillment solutions provider for your business is a decision not to be taken lightly. The company that you decide upon should, hopefully, be an improvement over your own ability to provide high quality services in a reliable and efficient manner while also maintaining your bottom line. Finding a business partner that meets or beats all of these requirements is not an easy thing to do. Nor should it be. Good help is hard to find, but it shouldn’t keep you from making a profit. Finding the right fulfillment center with a sound distribution network, at an affordable price, will no doubt ensure that your company has a unique competitive advantage over the other guys in your industry.

So how do you find the right fulfillment company for you? Before answering this, it is imperative that you have a sound understanding of your company’s own talents and deficiencies from a logistical standpoint. When you know what your organization is not, then the answer to what you are looking for from a potential partner in fulfillment distribution should suddenly become clear. This new business associate must be able to satisfy not only your needs, but more importantly, they have to be willing and able to step in and provide these services to your customers with the same passion for quality that your company has worked hard to become known for.

Your business partners and customers have come to expect efficient quality at an affordable price. In order to make certain these valued relationships are not compromised, please remember that you need to do your homework first. There are plenty of “decent” fulfillment houses out there to find. Finding a “great” fit for your company can be done if you are simply willing to put in the necessary time and effort.

American Fulfillment is a Connecticut based international company with over 60 years of proven performance in fulfillment, lead management, inventory management, distribution and mailing services. As an extension of your marketing, sales and general communications efforts, they bring to every assignment the enthusiasm, dedication, reliability and timely service that is essential for a successful program and a long term relationship.

Their experienced professionals understand that attention to detail and exceptional communications are the key ingredients to providing an outstanding level of service. All work will be completed to your satisfaction – ensuring the highest standards of workmanship, confidentiality and control. You will find their pricing structure competitive and their “cost-conscious” project suggestions insightful. Let them help you hit your targets.