As corporate competition for talent escalates in a tightening labor market, employee ownership has gained wide attention as a means of attracting and retaining top personnel. The Foundation for Enterprise Development is a nonprofit organization devoted to assisting entrepreneurs and managers in implementing equity compensation and employee ownership. Its Web site is a good first stop if you're looking into improving workforce motivation and corporate performance.
The Foundation says that studies have found employee equity to be a proven catalyst for enhancing the value of everyone's ownership stake. With that in mind, this site provides a "Resource Library" with articles, case studies, and links to research and surveys. In the "Bookstore" section, books on the subject are available for sale. Check out the online magazine, Leading Companies E-Zine, for news on employee-ownership plan issues that impact companies. The section "All about employee ownership" contains helpful explanations of all types of available plans, and the Foundation offers a service called "Virtual Interactive Consultant." It provides a customized introductory consultation from an expert about employee ownership and its benefits to your company. There's also a calendar of programs, conferences, and other events of interest, plus links to international organizations and resources, entrepreneur centers, professional associations, and relevant online media.