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cosmoray
Cosmoray Construction
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Posted - 2009.01.24 23:23:00 -
[1]
I have been thinking about a new business idea and whether it would be possible.
The idea is to set up a corporation for industrialists and especially designed at newer players wishing to get into construction. Anyone would be able to join.
The corp. would have no taxes but would have a monthly membership fee of 20M ISK, payable in advance.
The membership would give access to corporation BPOÆs that would be locked down, but everyone had access to. This would allow newer players to get into manufacturing instead of purchasing expensive IPOÆs
Investment and Returns
Shares would be created in the corporation, and sold to investors with a twist. The corporation does NOT want starting capital. It wants BPOÆs (probably T1).
Any investor providing BPOÆs to the corporation would receive shares equal to the value of the BPOÆs. For ease of calculation NPC prices would be used. A shell company would be set up to handle shares and dividends.
At the end of each month all the monthly membership fees would be paid out in dividends.
Security
The main membership corporation would have 3 directors (shareholders) who lockdown the BPOÆs. This way no-one can run off with them. To unlock BPOÆs would require a vote and 2 of the directors would have to vote yes.
I would be a director/shareholder in the main corp., and I would also like 2 others to be primary directors.
Ideally the more BPOÆs the corp. gets the more attractive it is to potential members. Any BPOÆs are good.
If there are multiple BPOÆs several offices would be set up near major trade and mission hubs.
I would also like to drop the corp. into a research alliance, to provide that alliance more potential customers and also to provide security against wardecs.
Comments
I would probably inject about 2B in BPOÆs into the corporation including some BC and BS BPOÆs, along with smaller ship and ammo BPOÆs
I have no idea if this type of IPO is possible.
What I would like is feedback: Is the idea possible? Would people be interested in joining a corporation with fees as opposed to taxes? Would people be interested in joining a corporation with access to100Æs of BPOÆs, which they can use? What type of BPOÆs would people be willing to inject (T1)? Restrict to ship/ship module/ammo? Who would like to invest in such a scheme?
Very interested in hearing from new players who want to get more into manufacturing, and also from potential investors on what type of BPOÆs they may invest with.
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cosmoray
Cosmoray Construction
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Posted - 2009.01.24 23:33:00 -
[2]
Originally by: Dr Slurm What you describe isn't really a cooperative by definition, it's more of a leasing service.
If you would like to discuss specifics of a cooperative I am very knowledgeable and experienced with the worker varieties. I've worked at one (RL) for the past 5 years and have been on its Board of Directors.
OK it has more of a leasing service model. The idea is two fold:
1. To provide players with access to a large pool of BPO's 2. Provide the investors with a return.
Comments/suggestions/criticisms actively welcomed |
cosmoray
Cosmoray Construction
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Posted - 2009.01.24 23:59:00 -
[3]
This whole idea obviously needs a lot of work, and I am in no rush to start it immediately.
My timetable is before expansion.
The idea would be to have multiple offices, near mission and trade hubs. Maybe ammo and some ships near the important mission hubs. A large concentration of BPO's near Jita nd other hubs.
I would ideally like to try the corporation for 3-6 months from launch. If it is clear it is not working then all BPO's would be returned to oweners. No loss of investment.
After working out the plan properly I could see the corporation selecting sites for offices and what BPO's are needed and a list generated, and then allowing people to invest.
Kazzac I will give you a shout in game (going out for the evening now though), and also be happy to make you on of the 3 (maybe 5) directors. Maybe Shar and/or a couple of others also.
Feedback, feedback, feedback.
I would really like to know what players thinking about paying fees thoughts are
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cosmoray
Cosmoray Construction
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Posted - 2009.01.25 02:29:00 -
[4]
Another option would be to have a few offices near each location.
Separate wallet divisions could be auctioned or fees agreed for thier use. Newer players might just want access to T1 frigates and ammo, or more experienced players might want several BS BPO's.
The use of individual wallet divisions may sort the problem of theft out.
It wouldn't be difficult to have 5 offices in a system (say close to Motsu) with 30-40 wallet division with varying amounts of BPO's in.
I envision this project as social and the chance to make use of under utilized BPO's
I will try and play with the corp mechanics to find out the exact theft issue.
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cosmoray
Cosmoray Construction
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Posted - 2009.01.25 04:31:00 -
[5]
I don't particularly like the idea of copies, for two reasons.
1. we require POS's and that has fixed costs and maintenance per month 2. Directors have to do all the work
The idea is that if set up CORRECTLY, it is maintenance free. The directors only need to ensure that dues are collected, and the dividends distributed.
Also if a player was to purchase copies it would cost more than the membership fees per month.
I would really like a system where both groups benefit. BPO owners earn capital on under used BPO's and manufacturers get to make stuff without the large capital costs of purchasing the prints.
I would really like to hear back from some newer players if the idea is viable, and if anyone would be interested in the service. |
cosmoray
Cosmoray Construction
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Posted - 2009.01.25 16:01:00 -
[6]
I have been playing with the roles and there are some significant problems:
1. cancellation, I was able to do it easily 2. potential theft, when minerals sit in the corp hangar while job is set up 3. Output to hangar needs director involvement
I think the above make it very difficult to complete.
The only way I see to guarantee security is to give a corp hangar division to one person. This creates the problem of what BPO's go in there.
The only way I could see that working is players bid on a package of BPO or BPO's per month. I was thinking 5% of NPC value of BPO upto max 50M per BPO. This would make it an actual lease program. Again problem is that if someone is leasing a Raven print at 50M ISK per month, its only profitable with lots of runs which require Billions in minerals. Hardly a starter person.
Next issue is return. I would want only well researched BPO's to make it appealing, but how to value a return. 50M ISK for a well research BS BPO or 20M for a BPC. Is that good for the owner or not?
Due to the theft/cancellation issue reducing realistic access this is going to be a very difficult thing to do.
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cosmoray
Cosmoray Construction
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Posted - 2009.01.27 22:41:00 -
[7]
Update
I have really struggled to set up a good mechanism that provides security, keeps directors workload to a minimum, and offers a wide choice to potential members.
detail:
1. Using the corp hangar allows another person to cancel jobs 2. Allows theft when goods are put into hangar before job is started
To avoid theft corp jobs and roles can be set up to avoid any issues. To finish construction the directors have to complete the job. This means that the directors might not be in station, complete as quickly as member would like and more importantly a lot of work.
The only way round the whole security issue seems to be setting up individual hangars for each member. This means that the members would have to bid on BPO packages that could be set up for them and in a fixed location. This reduces choice.
I suppose once a package of BPO's is bid on, players could 'lease' their BPO's to the program and earn the bid minus a small handling fee?
Again this will require a large amount of work by the directors.
Still playing around with some ideas, but at the moment it is in the 'too difficult box' |
cosmoray
Cosmoray Construction
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Posted - 2009.01.28 02:53:00 -
[8]
A wish list for this project.
1. Only people who start jobs can cancel them (or have a role for this defined in corp) 2. Output and input be from personal hangar.
If those two wishes/needs were met then the business would be great. A corp member could have access to a huge amount of BPO's in total security.
I think the idea will have to be shelved for know, unless someone comes up with a workaround that doesn't require large amounts of admin.
One thing that does interest me is the large amounts of well researched BPO's that are out there gathering dust.
When new manufacturing IPO's come up, I would recommend to CEO's that you would accept assets for shares in a corp (even better if locked down). You want to start a manufacturing business then take a 50/20 BPO for a direct investment in the corp instead of cash. This would be a huge time saver if you have to research prints.
For example, it would have been advantageous for someone like Atima to take BPO's for shares directly, and the print holders get to monetize an asset sitting on the shelf. |
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