By Richard Koffler, CEO, Koffler Ventures
Executive Director, Software Council of Southern California
It takes a truly unique event to bring together for a gala celebration the leaders and visionaries of Southern California's vibrant and dynamic software and information technology industry. And this is precisely what the Software Industry Awards celebration does: recognize the best companies and the brightest people during an evening of great networking, excellent food,
and fun.

I invite you to join me and the rest of the Software Council of Southern California for the ninth annual Software Industry Awards celebration at the historic Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles on February 5, 2003.

The awards' categories are Software CEO of the Year, Software Entrepreneur of the Year, Software Developer of the Year, Software Company of the Year, and Software Services Company of the Year. Please submit your nominations ASAP at Here.

The 2003 Software Industry Awards are generously sponsored by KPMG, neoBrands, O'Melveny & Myers, Silicon Valley Bank, and socalTECH.com.

Elections
By Sue Plummer Taylor, CEO, Meritage Concepts
Just when you thought you had seen your last election ad of the year, the Software Council Board of Directors election is set to begin. But there are no negative ads or dirt to scoop in this election. After taking recommendations from the membership and individual members expressing interest, this year's nominating committee has selected an impressive slate of candidates for the open seats of this 2003 Board of Directors election. More...

Refocus for Marketing Success: How Software Companies Can Increase Results in a Down Economy
By Jennifer Beever, CMC, New Incite Marketing Analysis and Design
When the economy boomed in the late nineties, many software companies strayed from their business focus as they chased opportunities to bring in additional revenue. Companies were expanding rapidly into new markets with new products, and many rushed to create alliances with other technology companies. When the economy took a downturn, these companies had to pare down and eliminate their less profitable markets and product lines. In doing so, they have had to re-evaluate and refocus their business strategy in order to survive in the down market. The good news is that reevaluation and refocusing is critical to successful marketing. This article describes six key aspects of a successful marketing program for software companies. More...

What to do before Buying an HRIS
By Greg Howard, Marketing Communications Manager, TriNet
A powerful return on your initial investment or a money pit-your purchase of a Human Resource Information System will quickly become one or the other. What's the best way to approach this complicated business decision? Do a little research, conduct a little due diligence, and get a whole lot of buy-in from your company's executives.

The decision to buy an HRIS itself should be relatively easy. You're probably researching options if you find yourself needing the "Three C"s: compliance, cost, and control. More...

Changes in Stock-Based Compensation Accounting: What Technology Companies Need to Know
By Dean Samsvick, managing partner, KPMG Orange County
Technology companies have traditionally been among the most prolific users of stock options as compensation or incentives for attracting talent. This was particularly true during the mid to late 1990's, when seemingly never-ending stock price increases made stock options a highly sought after form of compensation. Today, however, the use of stock options has received a much higher level of scrutiny - especially the past few months. More...

Legal Developments in Click-Wrap Licenses Raise Concern for Software Developers and Web Site Operators
By, Clara Martin and David Oshinsky, Shaw Pittman LLP
Here we go again. Thanks to a recent appellate court decision, the enforceability of shrinkwrap licenses-and of their electronic and online counterparts, so-called "click-wrap" and "browse-wrap" licenses-is being questioned.

The cause for the recent frenzy? Specht v. Netscape Communications Corp. A Second Circuit appeals court decided this case in October 2002, upholding a lower court's refusal to enforce an arbitration clause. The clause in question had been included in a license agreement for a Netscape "plug-in" application (called "SmartDownload"), which worked with Netscape's Communicator web browser. More...

If you are a SCSC member, we need you to share your business experiences. Please contribute articles on relevant management, finance/funding, sales and marketing as well as organization development issues that drive software and Internet companies. Send your ideas and inspiration to scribe@scsc.org

The Software Council of Southern California facilitates the success of our region's information technology companies by providing a
wide-ranging, center-of-excellence forum for forming invaluable
professional connections and exchanging no-nonsense, practical
information. Our community consists of executives and managers from the region's diverse information technology industry: information technology vendors, distributors and resellers; Internet-based businesses; software services; custom software developers; consultants; universities; investors; and vendors and service providers that support the information technology industry.

Software Council of Southern California
2461 W. 208th, Suite 202
Torrance, CA 90501

Phone: (310) 328-0043
Fax: (310) 224-1993

www.scsc.org

To Subscribe to the SCSC Mailing List Click Here
To Unsubscribe Click Here and type unsubscribe in the subject header