While it is understandable why some companies, such as Facebook, may choose to go public at this stage of their growth, IPO process itself is expensive and time consuming, and can turn a company beyond recognition. Lackluster debut facebook, in May 2012, only strengthened the long-standing concerns that the IPO, is primarily used for the enrichment of a select few in the community of investment banking services, as well as their most valuable customers, often at the expense of the companies that banks pay to use the public . This article discusses the reasons for IPO, how they work in practice, what companies can expect to receive from the public, and, not least, the risks that they may face while doing so. It also examines the current state of the IPO market and the possibility of another dot-com added. "Hide
by Miguel Cantillo, Nicholas Corbishley Source: IESE-Insight Magazine 8 pages. Publication Date: June 15, 2012. Prod. #: IIR076-PDF-ENG