Trade Finance

This is funding provided against stock purchases, signed contracts and orders whereby the funder will prepay a certain percentage of the value

Pension fund

It may be possible to use your pension funds for a loan back to the business

Business Relationship Funding

This is another source of funds that can be overlooked. It may be possible to introduce potential alliances to add value to both parties. It may produce an ultimate exit route in the medium to long term.

• Joint Ventures: Requires a legal agreement embodying the deal and another company
• Partnerships: Two companies collaborate with possible funding.
• Joint working relationships: These are an informal partnership which may be more project specific where the parties can share resources.
• Agencies: These can be geographical or product specific and generally incorporates a payment for the right to the agency.
• Distributors: Very like
  Extra - Ordinary Prospecting - Make the Gate Keeper Your Ally
  There has been a misconception with a lot of business and salespeople about the importance of the receptionist, secretary, and administrator. A lot of the time they are your 1st contact at a company. Even if it is a workshop, and it is the apprentice, they may be the bosses son or daughter. This person (although a lot of the time is the junior of the company) holds the keys to the important contacts in the company. Not just that, they also can tell you quickly with the right questions, whether or not your product or service will be suitable. Yes you need to talk to the decision maker, however it is of high importance you get as much preparatory information about the company before hand.Make them your Ally The worst thing you can do is get on the wrong side of this person. They can make your life a misery. If they are the junior, then they are probably bossed around by everyone and may feel not appreciated. You can brighten that person's day up with some interesting conversation. NCR's founder, John H. Patterson, in 1884 as
  Finance for business can be obtained through a number of different sources.

  Let's review some of those channels to help you decide what's right for your business needs:

  Grants

  There are over 930 different EU and UK grants and loans available from over 100 issuing bodies. This is the cheapest form of finance and an important part of the funding package that companies and individuals need. We can help you find your way through this maze.

  Technology

  • Micro Projects: 50% of eligible costs up to ?20,000
  • Research project: For a technical and feasibility study of an innovative idea for new technology 60% of costs up to a grant of ?75,000.
  • Development project: For development up to pre production 35% of costs up to a grant of ?200,000
  • Developing an innovative idea: valuable for small companies and individuals at the start of a technical project: 75% of costs of hiring a mentor and consultants.

  Export

  To start exporting or moving into new markets grants of 50% of costs up to ?20,000 each.

  Training and Education

  Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, Achieving Best Practice in Your Business, Investors in People

  Modern Apprenticeships

  New Deal for various grants.

  Environment

  BOC Foundation for the Environment: 25% to 50% of Project cost, typically ?20,000 to ?100,000

  Clean up Fund: Emission reducing equipment up to 75% of cost

  Community Chest Fund: Up to ?25,000 for projects near active SITA sites

  High Impact Fund: ?150,000+ for larger projects near SITA sites

  Assisted Areas

  Regional assistance grants of between 10 and 35% for capital expenditure in less favoured areas of the UK.

  Loans

  Loans are an excellent source of finance if you have suitable security to borrow against or a reliable earnings stream. This needs to be planned and presented well to obtain funds.

  Credit cards

  Provides up to 56 days free credit if you play the game!

  Overdraft

  Banks are surprisingly supportive when presented with a well thought through plan and competent management.

  Bank Loans

  Lenders tend to look for a good business plan and security. Typically the loan is approved by a centralised back office function rather than the person you meet. Terms and rates depend upon the risk. Repayments can be very flexible to meet your specific needs.

  Mortgages

  These can include flexible repayment terms to meet your business needs. This can even be incorporated into your overdraft finance so that you have one flexible account for both personal/ business mortgages and overdraft

  Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme

  Up to two years trading: Up to ?100,000

  Over two years trading: Up to ?250,000

  However these are difficult to obtain and are a loan of last resort.

  Export Guarantee Scheme

  This is government backed insurance against appropriate export documentation.

  Mezzanine

  This is a halfway house between loan and equity. It can be an innovative way of raising funds for the more established business. Mostly for expansion capital.

  Equity

  This is not as easy as the papers would have you know. Only 1% of business plans received by Venture Capital Funds are successful. However, a good business proposition consisting of a strong demand for the product or service, management track record and a sound financial plan will enhance the chance of success.

  Business Angels

  These are high net worth individuals who are successful businessmen looking for investment opportunities. They can provide both time expertise and money. Typical investment size is ?25,000 to ?250,000 but can go as high as ?2m for the right opportunity. Exit within 3-5 years.

  Venture Capital

  These are investment funds seeking high rates of return. However typically investments are over a million pounds. Some funds are targeted at lower amounts depending upon the sector and region. These funds are looking for exponential capital growth over 3-5 years.

  Asset backed finance

  This can cover machinery, sales invoices even sales orders. It can be a very flexible source of finance to the growing business

  Leasing

  This will cover your capital expenditure and spread the cost over a three to five year period. It is particularly useful if you do not have taxable profits to maximise your capital allowances.

  Sale and leaseback of a property you own is another good source of funds.

  Factoring

  Factoring offers a sales ledger administration and debt collection service. Up to 95% of an approved sales invoice is paid within 48 hours, quicker if required. Credit protection is also available to protect against a bad debt. The Factor will own and place a first charge over the book debts and they might also take other charges, depending upon the strength of the financial information.

  Invoice discounting

  Invoice Discounting can be Confidential or Disclosed; it depends upon the strength of the financial information. The service is the same as Factoring, except that the sales ledger administration and the debt collection is the responsibility of the client and not the Factor. Pre payment of the approved sales invoice is still up to 95% and the factor will still have a first charge on the book debt and therefore own the debt. This service can also have credit protection cover. All sales invoices need to be for a business to business debt, and some proof of delivery is generally required.

  Trade Finance

  This is funding provided against stock purchases, signed contracts and orders whereby the funder will prepay a certain percentage of the value

  Pension fund

  It may be possible to use your pension funds for a loan back to the business

  Business Relationship Funding

  This is another source of funds that can be overlooked. It may be possible to introduce potential alliances to add value to both parties. It may produce an ultimate exit route in the medium to long term.

  • Joint Ventures: Requires a legal agreement embodying the deal and another company
  • Partnerships: Two companies collaborate with possible funding.
  • Joint working relationships: These are an informal partnership which may be more project specific where the parties can share resources.
  • Agencies: These can be geographical or product specific and generally incorporates a payment for the right to the agency.
  • Distributors: Very like
    Ideas For New Products And Inventions
    How many new products and inventions can you dream up with in thirty minutes? At least a few if you know the techniques of innovation and creative problem solving. The following are thirty minute's worth, with some notes at how they were arrived at.New Products and Inventions From OldA fast way to invent new things is to start with existing concepts and find new applications. With the concept of inflatable things, the first thing that comes to my mind is inflatable shelters for emergency situations, such as after earthquakes or hurricanes. Such shelters could be transported easily, and erected quickly with a simple air pump. A basic large tent design, but with inflatable ribs instead of poles might work.We can always find new products and inventions for babies. Inflatable cribs or playpens come to mind. Deflated, they could be folded up and stored almost anywhere. A simple design for a playpen might be a plastic floor with a simple wall that surrounds it and is attached to it. Think of air mattresses f
    BOC Foundation for the Environment: 25% to 50% of Project cost, typically ?20,000 to ?100,000

    Clean up Fund: Emission reducing equipment up to 75% of cost

    Community Chest Fund: Up to ?25,000 for projects near active SITA sites

    High Impact Fund: ?150,000+ for larger projects near SITA sites

    Assisted Areas

    Regional assistance grants of between 10 and 35% for capital expenditure in less favoured areas of the UK.

    Loans

    Loans are an excellent source of finance if you have suitable security to borrow against or a reliable earnings stream. This needs to be planned and presented well to obtain funds.

    Credit cards

    Provides up to 56 days free credit if you play the game!

    Overdraft

    Banks are surprisingly supportive when presented with a well thought through plan and competent management.

    Bank Loans

    Lenders tend to look for a good business plan and security. Typically the loan is approved by a centralised back office function rather than the person you meet. Terms and rates depend upon the risk. Repayments can be very flexible to meet your specific needs.

    Mortgages

    These can include flexible repayment terms to meet your business needs. This can even be incorporated into your overdraft finance so that you have one flexible account for both personal/ business mortgages and overdraft

    Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme

    Up to two years trading: Up to ?100,000

    Over two years trading: Up to ?250,000

    However these are difficult to obtain and are a loan of last resort.

    Export Guarantee Scheme

    This is government backed insurance against appropriate export documentation.

    Mezzanine

    This is a halfway house between loan and equity. It can be an innovative way of raising funds for the more established business. Mostly for expansion capital.

    Equity

    This is not as easy as the papers would have you know. Only 1% of business plans received by Venture Capital Funds are successful. However, a good business proposition consisting of a strong demand for the product or service, management track record and a sound financial plan will enhance the chance of success.

    Business Angels

    These are high net worth individuals who are successful businessmen looking for investment opportunities. They can provide both time expertise and money. Typical investment size is ?25,000 to ?250,000 but can go as high as ?2m for the right opportunity. Exit within 3-5 years.

    Venture Capital

    These are investment funds seeking high rates of return. However typically investments are over a million pounds. Some funds are targeted at lower amounts depending upon the sector and region. These funds are looking for exponential capital growth over 3-5 years.

    Asset backed finance

    This can cover machinery, sales invoices even sales orders. It can be a very flexible source of finance to the growing business

    Leasing

    This will cover your capital expenditure and spread the cost over a three to five year period. It is particularly useful if you do not have taxable profits to maximise your capital allowances.

    Sale and leaseback of a property you own is another good source of funds.

    Factoring

    Factoring offers a sales ledger administration and debt collection service. Up to 95% of an approved sales invoice is paid within 48 hours, quicker if required. Credit protection is also available to protect against a bad debt. The Factor will own and place a first charge over the book debts and they might also take other charges, depending upon the strength of the financial information.

    Invoice discounting

    Invoice Discounting can be Confidential or Disclosed; it depends upon the strength of the financial information. The service is the same as Factoring, except that the sales ledger administration and the debt collection is the responsibility of the client and not the Factor. Pre payment of the approved sales invoice is still up to 95% and the factor will still have a first charge on the book debt and therefore own the debt. This service can also have credit protection cover. All sales invoices need to be for a business to business debt, and some proof of delivery is generally required.

    Trade Finance

    This is funding provided against stock purchases, signed contracts and orders whereby the funder will prepay a certain percentage of the value

    Pension fund

    It may be possible to use your pension funds for a loan back to the business

    Business Relationship Funding

    This is another source of funds that can be overlooked. It may be possible to introduce potential alliances to add value to both parties. It may produce an ultimate exit route in the medium to long term.

    • Joint Ventures: Requires a legal agreement embodying the deal and another company
    • Partnerships: Two companies collaborate with possible funding.
    • Joint working relationships: These are an informal partnership which may be more project specific where the parties can share resources.
    • Agencies: These can be geographical or product specific and generally incorporates a payment for the right to the agency.
    • Distributors: Very like
      Do Small Business Grants Even Exist?
      The idea of obtaining a small business grant, for many small business owners, is great. After all, unlike a loan, grants are funds that don't have to be repaid. Many of us have heard various sources proclaiming to have the secret to obtaining small business grants and they may very well have a legitimate listing of grantors (organizations or individuals that award funds to others for a specific purpose). But if you don't know the real deal about small business grants you may be wasting your time and your money.The idea of obtaining a small business grant, for many small business owners, is great. After all, unlike a loan, grants are funds that don't have to be repaid. Many of us have heard various sources proclaiming to have the secret to obtaining small business grants and they may very well have a legitimate listing of grantors (organizations or individuals that award funds to others for a specific purpose). But if you don't know the real deal about small business grants you may be wasting your time and you
      our overdraft finance so that you have one flexible account for both personal/ business mortgages and overdraft

      Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme

      Up to two years trading: Up to ?100,000

      Over two years trading: Up to ?250,000

      However these are difficult to obtain and are a loan of last resort.

      Export Guarantee Scheme

      This is government backed insurance against appropriate export documentation.

      Mezzanine

      This is a halfway house between loan and equity. It can be an innovative way of raising funds for the more established business. Mostly for expansion capital.

      Equity

      This is not as easy as the papers would have you know. Only 1% of business plans received by Venture Capital Funds are successful. However, a good business proposition consisting of a strong demand for the product or service, management track record and a sound financial plan will enhance the chance of success.

      Business Angels

      These are high net worth individuals who are successful businessmen looking for investment opportunities. They can provide both time expertise and money. Typical investment size is ?25,000 to ?250,000 but can go as high as ?2m for the right opportunity. Exit within 3-5 years.

      Venture Capital

      These are investment funds seeking high rates of return. However typically investments are over a million pounds. Some funds are targeted at lower amounts depending upon the sector and region. These funds are looking for exponential capital growth over 3-5 years.

      Asset backed finance

      This can cover machinery, sales invoices even sales orders. It can be a very flexible source of finance to the growing business

      Leasing

      This will cover your capital expenditure and spread the cost over a three to five year period. It is particularly useful if you do not have taxable profits to maximise your capital allowances.

      Sale and leaseback of a property you own is another good source of funds.

      Factoring

      Factoring offers a sales ledger administration and debt collection service. Up to 95% of an approved sales invoice is paid within 48 hours, quicker if required. Credit protection is also available to protect against a bad debt. The Factor will own and place a first charge over the book debts and they might also take other charges, depending upon the strength of the financial information.

      Invoice discounting

      Invoice Discounting can be Confidential or Disclosed; it depends upon the strength of the financial information. The service is the same as Factoring, except that the sales ledger administration and the debt collection is the responsibility of the client and not the Factor. Pre payment of the approved sales invoice is still up to 95% and the factor will still have a first charge on the book debt and therefore own the debt. This service can also have credit protection cover. All sales invoices need to be for a business to business debt, and some proof of delivery is generally required.

      Trade Finance

      This is funding provided against stock purchases, signed contracts and orders whereby the funder will prepay a certain percentage of the value

      Pension fund

      It may be possible to use your pension funds for a loan back to the business

      Business Relationship Funding

      This is another source of funds that can be overlooked. It may be possible to introduce potential alliances to add value to both parties. It may produce an ultimate exit route in the medium to long term.

      • Joint Ventures: Requires a legal agreement embodying the deal and another company
      • Partnerships: Two companies collaborate with possible funding.
      • Joint working relationships: These are an informal partnership which may be more project specific where the parties can share resources.
      • Agencies: These can be geographical or product specific and generally incorporates a payment for the right to the agency.
      • Distributors: Very like
        Face Reality - Forced Career Change Will Happen During Your Working Life
        Most of us enter the world of work as employed and soon start to wish that we could change career or be our own boss.It is probably true that after a while a large percentage start dreaming they could work from home or start a home based business, few actually do something about it. They continue dreamingThese days this is in explicable because it is possible to change career no matter what your age or profession. There is now less continuity in employment so adaptability and being forced the make a career or job change could face anyone at any time. You are certain to know someone who has faced such a dilema.With the advent of the computer and associated equipment more and more people are changing career, deserting the corporate world and joining those of us who have successfully started our own businesses working from home and who continue to reap the benefits of being our own boss.The technical advances of recent years have made owning and working in your own business not only possible but also prac
        ally investments are over a million pounds. Some funds are targeted at lower amounts depending upon the sector and region. These funds are looking for exponential capital growth over 3-5 years.

        Asset backed finance

        This can cover machinery, sales invoices even sales orders. It can be a very flexible source of finance to the growing business

        Leasing

        This will cover your capital expenditure and spread the cost over a three to five year period. It is particularly useful if you do not have taxable profits to maximise your capital allowances.

        Sale and leaseback of a property you own is another good source of funds.

        Factoring

        Factoring offers a sales ledger administration and debt collection service. Up to 95% of an approved sales invoice is paid within 48 hours, quicker if required. Credit protection is also available to protect against a bad debt. The Factor will own and place a first charge over the book debts and they might also take other charges, depending upon the strength of the financial information.

        Invoice discounting

        Invoice Discounting can be Confidential or Disclosed; it depends upon the strength of the financial information. The service is the same as Factoring, except that the sales ledger administration and the debt collection is the responsibility of the client and not the Factor. Pre payment of the approved sales invoice is still up to 95% and the factor will still have a first charge on the book debt and therefore own the debt. This service can also have credit protection cover. All sales invoices need to be for a business to business debt, and some proof of delivery is generally required.

        Trade Finance

        This is funding provided against stock purchases, signed contracts and orders whereby the funder will prepay a certain percentage of the value

        Pension fund

        It may be possible to use your pension funds for a loan back to the business

        Business Relationship Funding

        This is another source of funds that can be overlooked. It may be possible to introduce potential alliances to add value to both parties. It may produce an ultimate exit route in the medium to long term.

        • Joint Ventures: Requires a legal agreement embodying the deal and another company
        • Partnerships: Two companies collaborate with possible funding.
        • Joint working relationships: These are an informal partnership which may be more project specific where the parties can share resources.
        • Agencies: These can be geographical or product specific and generally incorporates a payment for the right to the agency.
        • Distributors: Very like
          IT Marketing: Direct Mail Tips
          Regardless of whether you're doing a letter, a flyer mailer, a big oversized postcard, or a standard-sized postcard, make sure that your headline hits them right between the eyes. Your message must do the same thing. In this article, you'll learn that you have to know what's causing your potential clients pain. You have to know what their deepest desires are. And you can only address these if you are targeting your mailing.IT Marketing: Keep it Benefits-FocusedIf you can talk to their niche, and give it a strong benefits focus, you will be more successful in this IT marketing effort. So you can say, “Learn how our computer consulting company saves dental offices $10,000 a year in saved expenses.” And of course, if you're mailing this to other dental office managers, they're going to be extremely interested in hearing the rest of your story. To do that, they're going to have to take some kind of action because you won't be able to tell the whole thing in your postcard.Maybe they're going to request a free tap
          of the approved sales invoice is still up to 95% and the factor will still have a first charge on the book debt and therefore own the debt. This service can also have credit protection cover. All sales invoices need to be for a business to business debt, and some proof of delivery is generally required.

          Trade Finance

          This is funding provided against stock purchases, signed contracts and orders whereby the funder will prepay a certain percentage of the value

          Pension fund

          It may be possible to use your pension funds for a loan back to the business

          Business Relationship Funding

          This is another source of funds that can be overlooked. It may be possible to introduce potential alliances to add value to both parties. It may produce an ultimate exit route in the medium to long term.

          • Joint Ventures: Requires a legal agreement embodying the deal and another company
          • Partnerships: Two companies collaborate with possible funding.
          • Joint working relationships: These are an informal partnership which may be more project specific where the parties can share resources.
          • Agencies: These can be geographical or product specific and generally incorporates a payment for the right to the agency.
          • Distributors: Very like an agency but may not necessarily involve up front payment.
          • Alliances: These do not require a separate company and can be embodied by a legal agreement to work together.
          • Trade investors: Otherwise known as Corporate Partnering. This can be a good way to involve a much larger company in the business with a view to possible trade sale further down the line.
          • Associates: This can be a loose arrangement with no fundamental commitments either way, rather like a preferred supplier.
          • Equity Swop: Two companies exchange shares to a similar value to develop both businesses.
          • Franchises: This can allow the business to grow without further direct investment.
          • Licensing: This involves licensing a product or service to enable others to sell it. This requires you to own the intellectual property.