Better Than Money: Build Your Fortune Using Stock Options and Other Equity Incentives--in Up and Down Markets [Paperback]

David E. Gumpert (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 24, 2000

Thanks to stock options, an individual's decision to take one job over another can mean the difference between hundreds of thousands, or even millions of dollars in just a few years. Better Than Money cuts through the technical lingo to put employees in the driver's seat to spot winning situations and negotiate the best stock option package. Readers learn the four best times in a company's life to obtain stock options, how to counter the five "tricks" employers use to reduce option grants, the ten most important questions to ask before accepting any option package, and seven steps to negotiate the best option deal. Also included is a sample stock option offer letter, a glossary of terms, and a list of Web sites to help in evaluating a job offer that includes stock options.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"'Better Than Money' is an unusual business book in that it is at once engaging, breezy, provocative, and useful." -- Julian Lange, Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship, Babson College, Wellesley, MA

"...a thorough, down-to-earth new book...It will answer questions you haven’t even thought of." -- Fortune Magazine, Ask Annie Career Advice, August 14, 2000

"...this groundbreaking, five-star guide is the year's freshest book in the career guide lineup." -- Joyce Lain Kennedy, Los Angeles Times Syndicate, Careers Now column

About the Author

David E. Gumpert is a successful entrepreneur and author, who has handed out and received stock options. He has learned from the trenches the nuances of the process, and he shares his lessons in Better Than Money.

As an entrepreneur, he co-founded NetMarquee Inc., an online direct marketing agency, in 1995. It was acquired by Circle.com (CIRC, NASDAQ)in late 1999, and David is currently a Circle.com vice president. As NetMarquee's president and chairman, he helped formulate the company's stock option program, which eventually led to all employees sharing in the proceeds from the company's sale to Circle.com.

As an author, David has written or co-authored six books on small business, entrepreneurship and marketing communications. His book, How to Really Create a Successful Business Plan (Inc. Publishing), has sold more than 100,000 copies. One of his first books, Business Plans That Win $$$: Lessons from the MIT Enterprise Forum (Harper-Collins) co-authored with Stanley Rich, remains a classic more than 15 years after its original publication.

David was previously a senior editor of Inc. magazine, an associate editor of The Harvard Business Review, and a staff reporter for The Wall Street Journal.

Product Details

• Paperback: 188 pages
• Publisher: Lauson Publishing, Inc. (May 24, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0970118120
• ISBN-13: 978-0970118127
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #900,157 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential Career Book, June 15, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Better Than Money: Build Your Fortune Using Stock Options and Other Equity Incentives--in Up and Down Markets (Paperback)

Stock options have always been a big mystery to me. This book helped me understand what employers are talking about with stock options. I found tons of "insider" tips and real-life examples that I will put to use right away. In particular, I found the "secrets" of negotiating for stock options-- especially the tricks companies use to reduce stock options grants--to be especially eye-opening. I also learned how to think of myself as an investor and not just an employee--something I had never done before.

I've been able to adjust my own opportunites to negotiate for options. In addition, I found the book fun to read. The writing is fresh, clear, and the concepts easy to understand, even for a novice like me. I also found the glossary of terms and Internet resources to be very helpful tools. I highly recommend this book for job seekers and those who really want to know how to negotiate for all they're worth.

3 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must-read for job changers, June 21, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Better Than Money: Build Your Fortune Using Stock Options and Other Equity Incentives--in Up and Down Markets (Paperback)

This book was great! A headhunter caught me off gaurd with a great opportunity, but I had to make a decision faster than I was comfortable with. I got myself smart in about 2 days, and was able to negotiate a much better compensation package. I'd recommend it to anyone in a negotiation-situation.