Small Business Encyclopedia
Letter: E
E-Commerce
Business done on and through the web
E-Mail Marketing
Marketing via e-mail, usually through the use of sales letters or customer newsletters
Economic Development Agency
An agency whose goal is to help develop and support economic growth within a specified city, region or state by providing necessary resources and assistance
Employee Handbook
A document that includes information that employees may need to refer to frequently in order to meet the terms and conditions of their employment
Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs)
A trust set up by a company to allot some of its stock to its employees over time. Used as an employee incentive, the plan often provides tax benefits to the company.
Employer Identification Number (EIN)
A 9-digit number obtained by a business with paid employees from the IRS. If you're a sole proprietorship, your EIN is your social security number.
Employment Contract
An agreement entered into between an employer and an employee at the time the employee is hired that outlines the exact nature of their business relationship, specifically what compensation the employee will receive in exchange for specific work performed
Entrepreneur
One who starts or assumes control of a business or other independent enterprise, often employing innovation and more than an ordinary degree of risk.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC
The federal government agency mandated to monitor compliance with and enforce Title VII of the Civil Rights of 1964 and other federal civil rights laws
Equipment Leasing
Obtaining the use of machinery, vehicles or other equipment on a rental basis. This avoids the need to invest capital in equipment. Ownership rests in the hands of the financial institution or leasing company, while the business has the actual use of it.
Equity Financing
A method of financing in which a company issues shares of its stock and receives money in return. Depending on how you raise equity capital, you may relinquish anywhere from 25 to 75 percent of the business.
Executive Recruitment
The act of using a personnel firm to locate potential candidates to fill open senior-level management or other critical positions in your company
Executive Suites
Shared offices with services provided by a management firm
Executive Summary
A nontechnical summary statement at the beginning of a business plan that's designed to encapsulate your reason for writing the plan
Exit Interview
The formal conversation that takes place between an employee and an HR or other manager to determine the reason(s) the employee is leaving
Exit Strategy
The planned exit of an owner from their business
Expense Report
A report that tracks expenses incurred during the course of performing necessary job functions. Examples include charges for gas, meals, parking or lodging.
Export-Import Bank
An independent bank established by Congress that finances or insures foreign purchases of U.S. goods for customers unable or unwilling to accept credit risk.
Exporting
The selling of goods and services produced in one country in another country
