After determining the level of working capital, a firm has to decide how it is to be financed. The need for financing arises mainly because the investment in working capital/current assets – that is, raw materials, work/stock-in-process, finished goods and receivables – typically fluctuates during the year.
Although long-term loans partly finance current assets and provide the margin money for working capital, such assets/working capital is virtually exclusively supported by short-term sources. When talking about small business loans, it is necessary to understand the term “trade credit”.
Trade credit refers to the credit extended by the supplier of goods and services in the normal course of transaction/business of the firm. According to trade practices, cash is not paid immediately for purchases but after an agreed period of time. Thus, trade credit represents a source of finance for credit purchases. There are no legal instruments or acknowledgements of debt, which are granted on an open account basis.
A variant of accounts payable is bills/notes payable. Unlike the open account nature of accounts payable, bills/notes payable represent documentary evidence of credit purchases and a formal acknowledgement of obligation to pay for credit purchases on a maturity date, failing which legal action for recovery will follow. A notable feature of bills/notes payable is that they can be rediscounted and the seller does not necessarily have to hold it until maturity to receive payment.
However, it creates a legally enforceable obligation on the buyer of goods to pay on maturity whereas the accounts payable have more flexible payment obligations. Although most trade credit is on open account as accounts payable, the suppliers of goods do not extend credit indiscriminately. Their decision as well as the quantum is based on a consideration of factors such as earnings record over a period of time, liquidity position of the firm and past record of payment.
Nov 22 2010
Small Business Loans
Nov 18 2010
Fast Small Business Loans
Fast loans offer a solution to urgent cash requirements, with a minimal amount of documentation. Small business loans are available for businesses that operate at within a limited budget and require cash to expand or start a new venture. Fast small business loans are specially designed to make the required cash amount available to businesses, as fast as possible.
Most of the conventional loans provided by the traditional banks require the businesses to explain the need for the cash advance. They generally also demand the business document, supporting their claims and the plan of investment. These measures are in addition to the usual proof of identity, income and bank statements.
Fast small business loans are a preferred option for small business owners, as they have no long-term obligation and no fixed payment schedule. The repayment period for the loan amount is usually for six months. This type of funding also saves the business from the strain of long-term traditional bank loans. The repayment amount is not fixed and varies according to future sale volumes. The lending companies take a promised percentage of the credit card volume, generated through the swipes made by customers. The businesses make payments according to the increase or decrease in their sales volume.
Fast small business loans are provided on the basis of certain criteria, such as the number of years in business and average gross income of the most recent quarter or financial year. After the requirements are met, the funds are deposited into the business account, within ten days.
In the case of traditional loans, for additional funding, the businesses have to go through the whole application procedure again. The fast small business loans provide extra funding, after receiving a phone call from the borrower. This saves them from reapplying and the time involved.
Oct 07 2010
Resource Guide For Small Business Start Up Venture Capital
Small Business Resource Guide. The “How to Where to Guide” for all small business on advice, money, financing, public funding, grants, capital seed, venture capital, networking, product development, research, education, management and start up business plans. Get small business loans and start up capital. US Government and local contacts for Cleveland and Akron Ohio.
Consortium of African-American Organizations Minority businesses, research, education. Information about starting or running a restaurant. Industrial Incubator – Management services, capital, seed, incubator, operations. Bio Enterprise – Business Plans, validation, assess, strategy, capital, seed, venture capital, research, incubator, advice. bio tech. Advice, public funding, manufacturing, operations, product development, info, intellectual, tech. network. Information about structuring a business plan sample plans. Services Offered Advice: Help with big picture management decisions such as how to make or price a product. Assess: Assessment or your business Concept. Management Help to develop managers. Plan Help writing a business plan.
Strategy Thinking or rethinking your business concept works. Validation Making Sure your business concept works. Capital Help Finding debt or equity to capitalize your business. Grants Help finding grants (which you don’t have to repay).Micro Loans and help for very small or start-up business. Public Funding Leading programs tat gets some or all of their money from the Government. Seed Early stage money for business being developed. Venture Capital Investor equity that comes later in a company’s development. Biotech – Biotech or bioscience business help. Incubator Buildings that offer, rent, utilities and technical help to small businesses. Marketing for your future. View Guide
Sep 10 2010
Small Business Grants For Women and Minority Businesses
Did you know that there are grant programs specifically for women and minority owned businesses? Even if you just have a business idea, you can receive free money from the government and other organizations that focus on helping women and minorities succeed.
The best part about these programs is that this is free money that you never have to pay back, and small business grants are some of the largest grant checks being sent out. Millions of Americans are claiming checks for as much as $200,000 for their business. While that amount of money is tougher to receive, it is not uncommon to get a check for $50,000 or more.
Once obtained, you can use these funds any way you like as long as it is within the limits of the grant term. It may be used to buy new computer and office equipment, furniture, to rent office space, or to help develop prototypes of your product or invention.
Unlike small business loans, if your venture fails you still don’t have to pay back the money. The government knows it’s taking a risk but must move forward with helping minorities and women succeed in the business world.
Many of the government grants that are available can be received over and over again. In other words, once approved, you can expect to obtain these funds year after year. Imagine getting a check in the mail for $20,000 every year just because you asked for it.
To claim some of these funds, just look over the hundreds of grant programs that are offering free money today. Select the ones that you qualify for and ask for the money by submitting an application. You could receive a check or have the funds directly deposited to your account in as little as 7 days.
Sep 03 2010
Small Business Grant Money For All
This article will take about how to find and obtain small business grant money. As growing niche in this country, owners of small businesses are increasing their efforts in applying and obtaining these loans. The reason for this trend is that people realize they need the federal government to help them out, thus, keeping their businesses afloat and to fulfill the “American Dream.”
In fact, the primary reason that most businesses fail within a few years, is due to the lack of capital vested or available in the business. By these small business owners apply for and receiving these grants, they will get a new lease of life.
Yes, my friends, the grant money to keep your small business up and running is out there – waiting for you to find and grab it! Of course, this easier said than done and you do not know where to look. If you do not know where to look, try Internet search engines, such as Yahoo, Google and AskJeeves. These search engines will guide you to the right places to find and apply for grant money.
Once you have found the grant(s) that you are looking for, apply for them, complete all the necessary info and submit them to the appropriate agency or agencies. Also, make sure that you do qualify for these grants since your application(s) will be rejected, if you do not meet the grant program’s requirements. Reading and not reading the fine print can mean the difference in whether you will receive a grant or no.
Moreover, the grant application process gives you the chance to outline your goals and needs for the company, including on how it will be operated. All of this must be included in the grant proposal, for it to be a success!
Also, for all small business loans that are funded by the federal government, the criteria for the acceptance of these grants does vary, from agency to agency. That is why you should read and review the application(s) carefully before submitting them, to ensure their accuracy. Remember, obtaining these grants takes a long time to be granted and to receive, so patience is the key.
In short, small business grants are not easy to come by and if you can find another source of capital to keep your business afloat, during the grant process, it is best to do so. But if you do receive a small business grant, make it last for as long as possible, since you another one is not guaranteed to come your way.
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