Showing posts with label finance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label finance. Show all posts

Friday, April 10, 2009

Financial Ratios

Financial ratios are a valuable and easy way to interpret the numbers found in statements. It can help to answer critical questions such as whether the business is carrying excess debt or inventory, whether customers are paying according to terms, whether the operating expenses are too high and whether the company assets are being used properly to generate income.

When computing financial relationships, a good indication of the company's financial strengths and weaknesses becomes clear. Examining these ratios over time provides some insight as to how effectively the business is being operated.

Click here to read more...

Online Request for SBDC Counseling




Sunday, April 5, 2009

Monitoring Business Cash Flow: Business Self-Audit Process & Financial Business Records

Understanding your company's cash flow is essential to staying in business. To keep on top of things, consider audits. No, auditing isn't just something unpleasant that the IRS does. Many successful businesses conduct self-audits as a means of monitoring their financial status.

Auditing on a weekly basis can provide a company with the foresight to avoid potential problems that could be detrimental to a company's financial fitness. The process gives a financial administrator valuable knowledge to plan the company's payment and collection schedule. Knowing which accounts need to be paid in full and which can be paid off in stages can help stretch a diminished cash reserve.

Click here to read more...

Online Request for SBDC Counseling


Saturday, April 4, 2009

Ethics in Business: Values that Start with You

The business owner who starts off his or her business at the dining room table in the evenings and grows it into a multi-staff business is faced with a number of challenges. One of those challenges is the transference of values and ethics from the business owner to the staff.

Outsiders who have never started their own business might naively assume that this transference is very easy and happens naturally. Unfortunately, that is not the case. It is not easy to create a top-down ethical environment. However, a top- down approach is exactly what is needed.

Click here to read more...

Online Request for SBDC Counseling


Thursday, April 2, 2009

10 Ways to Save Money on Credit Card Processing

by

10. Don’t Lease Equipment – Own It Instead
If your budget at all allows it, don’t lease a credit card terminal but buy it instead. Generally, credit card terminals are not expensive to purchase outright. Popular terminals can cost a merchant roughly $350-$550 depending on your needs. To lease a terminal will cost you roughly around $25 per month, which over a three year contract could end up costing you close to $900! Think about it; your company is going to be accepting credit and debit cards for as long as you are in business. In the long run, it is significantly cheaper to purchase a terminal.

Click here to read more...

Online Request for SBDC Counseling




Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Cut Small Business Expenses! Business Cost Savings Ideas

For a small business, any reduction in expenses is always welcome and could result in increasing your profits.

Following are five tips that will help you reduce your business costs and make your business leaner and meaner.

Click here to read more...

Online Request for SBDC Counseling



Government Assistance for Small Businesses

You may be starting a new business or have been running one for years. In either case, the result is the same – times are tight and you need money. And money, especially in the midst of financial turmoil, is never easy to come by. But there is hope.

The SBA has been specifically appointed by the United States Government to help small business owners to stand on their own two feet financially, and they’ve been doing it for decades.

Click here to read more...

Online Request for SBDC Counseling


Small Business Debt Loans: When Not to Search for Outside Loans

Given below are some reasons why you should not search for an outside loan. A loan requires certain minimum requirements that need to be fulfilled before you can become eligible for one.

Look over the points mentioned below and do not apply for an outside loan until you have acted on all of them.

Click here to read more...

Online Request for SBDC Counseling



Cash Flow Secrets that Can Benefit Your Small Business

Given below are some cash flow secrets that can benefit your small business:

Customers Are King - But Only if They Pay You

You should keep an eye on all your outstanding debts and bills. You should immediately prepare and send your invoices once your customers receive your products and services.

Click here to read more...

Online Request for SBDC Counseling

Types of Business Loans: Apply for One & Get a Financial Boost

A business loan is an amount of money given to the owner of a small business with clearly defined terms of payments, interest and a time line for repayment.

How Business Loans Help

Business loans are useful for small business owners in many ways. As a small business owner, you often need funds for many things. This can be money to start your business, for ongoing working capital, to buy things for the office or for purchasing office space.

Click here to read more...

Online Request for SBDC Counseling



Preparing for a Loan Meeting to Get a Business Loan

It is not uncommon for a small business to get a business loan at some point. Some small business use the loan for startup and others use loans during times of expansion or financial crisis.

Regardless of where or who you intend to get your loan from, there are a few things that can help lock in your chances for your loan approval.

Being prepared for a loan meeting will help you increase your chances of getting to the ‘Yes’.

Click here to read more...

Online Request for SBDC Counseling


How to Get a Small Business Loan in Today’s Economy

Getting a business loan in today’s economic climate might seem like an impossible task. The truth is that while credit guidelines are tightening, there are still options for finding the funding that you need.

Below are some places you can learn how to get a small business loan.

Click here to read more...

Online Request for SBDC Counseling



Financing Needs? Solutions that meet your business needs!

It's a fact of life; your company needs capital to conduct business. Of course the best way to obtain it is through sales. Sometimes, however, you need other, more immediate sources. Different sources may be appropriate for different stages of growth. Start-ups often rely on family members, friends, or local associates. As you grow, you may need to turn to alternate sources such as Venture Capital. Once you have achieved a financial track record, you can turn to other sources such as Asset Based Lending or Commercial Loans.

Click here to read more...

Online Request for SBDC Counseling




Commercial Receivables Insurance & Small Business Receivable Risks

An Effective Management Tool for Improved and Lower Cost Access to Business Capital and Better Receivables Control

Success through Risk Management

Every business owner seeks to minimize the financial risks inherent in his business operations and available profit opportunities. Every business capital source in fact will not only review your company for the degree of management success in this area, but in some cases will absolutely require it as a condition of financing. Examples abound - key-man life insurance, liability and comprehensive type coverages for all hard assets, equipment, autos, and fixtures, surety and bonding for key employees, and life insurance to the extent of any mortgage indebtedness.

Click here to read more...

Online Request for SBDC Counseling



SBIC Financing: SBIC Funds through Small Business Investment Companies

According to the National Association of Small Business Investment Companies, SBICs have disbursed over $9 billion to over 65,000 small businesses in the U.S. Thousands of profitable business owners can relate how much they have benefited from financing made available to them through SBICs. What follows is a brief explanation of SBICs and how to make contact with SBICs in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia areas.

Click here to read more...

Online Request for SBDC Counseling




Venture Capital 101: Raising Venture Capital Guide

Why should I raise Venture Capital?

Most companies seek to raise venture capital to support or stimulate economic growth. Other companies raise venture funding to establish credibility or to access resource networks which their venture capital partners have developed through years of experience. A seasoned venture partner often becomes a valuable confidant, advisor and sounding board for an otherwise lonely chief executive or founder.

Click here to read more...

Online Request for SBDC Counseling



Small Business Investors: Making a Golden Connection

To Start a Business, You Will Need Capital

Starting a small business takes more than just having a great idea. Depending on your idea and the area where you plan to start your business operations, you will probably need money (capital) so that your idea can take shape.

Click here to read more...

Online Request for SBDC Counseling



Money Doesn’t Grow on Trees: Small Business Funding Options

In this article, we are going to take a look at small business funding options where you can look and hopefully find the cash you need to start up and to grow.

A Word About Risk and Reward

No matter which funding option, or combination of options, you choose, it is important to understand the concept of risk and reward.

Click here to read more...

Online Request for SBDC Counseling



Cash or Accrual Accounting - Which is Better for Your Small Business?

Many small business owners prefer to pass on the expense of an accountant by keeping track of their billing and receiving themselves, and all will do so using cash or accrual methods of accounting, or maybe both.

In this article we will explain a little bit about cash vs. accrual accounting, including positive and negative sides of both.

Click here to read more...

Online Request for SBDC Counseling




How to Get a Business Loan with Bad Credit

This is genuinely bad news for people with bad credit who are seeking business loans. There are companies out there that claim to help business owners with bad credit, get credit lines of up to $250,000.

It sounds too good to be true for a reason.

The fact is that if you bad personal credit, you are severely limited when it comes to finding funding for your business. However, there are some steps that you can take.

Click here to read more...

Online Request for SBDC Counseling