13 Dec 10 Start Up Business Finance
For executing a project, implementing a scheme, or for undertaking an operation, there is a general need for finances to start and endeavor and to further develop it. Finances are the roots of every business activity. Every business decision, whether it relates to production, personnel or marketing, will have a financial implication. The final criterion for the selection of any alternative course is its financial viability.
The study of all the monetary operations of a business is generally termed business finance. Every business requires financing to carry out its activities. The business needs funds for acquiring assets, purchasing raw materials or merchandise, paying the workers, the suppliers and for meeting various other obligations. This requires planning, raising, controlling and administering of funds. All these activities can be termed start up business finance.
In simple terms, business finance refers to the management of money and monetary claims within an individual business firm. Corporations, the commonly used word for joint stock companies, are the major form of business organizations. The financial operations are more complex and require more attention.
A business concern makes use of many resources like men, money, machine, materials, methods, markets, etc. Exercising proper management of resources used is necessary to attain the objective of getting maximum benefit. So management of money or finance is imperative. Besides, the resources, money or finance is the most important, since it influences all other resources. So management of finances assumes as much significance as does an enterprise.
All information related to economic, commercial and industrial activities are termed financial information. It includes information at both micro and macro levels like population, employment, inflation, money supply, foreign trade, stock market details and performance of individual business units.
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24 Nov 10 Business Finance with Equity Finance
It has been said that nearly 61% of businesses are launched with either private capital or capital that is invested into their business by family and friends but investment doesn’t have to stop with merely just your family and friends, which is why equity finance exists.
Equity finance is cash that is invested into your business in return for a share of your business. These investments of cash never have to be repaid and don’t have interest attached to them. Equity finance is true risk capital as there is no guarantee that the investor will get their money back at all and these investments are not tied to assets that can be removed from your business should it fail.
The way in which investors get a profit from their investment is the fact they have a share in your business. This share means that investors either get money that is generated either through a sale of the shares once the company has grown or through dividends, a discretionary payout to shareholders if the business does well.
There are several types of equity finance such as business angels and venture capitalists. Each type of equity finance varies in the amount of money that is available for investment and the process of completing the deal.
If your business can support a growth rate of a least 20% you are more likely to be able to get equity finance. If you can’t generate a growth rate of at least 20% in your business then you are unlikely to be able to gain equity finance. It is the idea of control and the prospect of higher returns if your business is successful that attracts people to invest in your business
Sadly however many people are still highly reluctant to seek the help of equity finance as they see the idea of it as ‘relinquishing control’ of their business. Many small businesses are especially reluctant if their business is growing fast. As a business owner you should ask yourself the following questions below making any decisions about choosing to use equity finance:
o Are you prepared to give up a share of your business as well as some of its control?
o Are you and your management team confident in the business and the products and services that are on offer?
o Does your business have a unique selling point?
o Do you have drive to grow your business?
o What industry experience and knowledge does your management team have?
You should also consider the following when it comes to obtaining equity finance:
o How much funding do you need?
o How much control are you hoping to retain?
o How long do you need your funds for?
20 Oct 10 Bank Finance Needed to Support Your Business – 11 Points to Consider
Most requests for bank finance are turned down not because clients are a poor credit risk but because they have approached their bank ill-prepared. Get ahead by communicating the right information the first time.
CASHFLOW Provide data that shows you understand and can manage your working capital (debtors, creditors and stock) and that the cash in your business is sufficient to cover the bank’s interest (as well as other key costs such as tax, dividends and replacement capital). “Cash is king” and even profitable businesses can fail if cash is not managed. Understand your cash movements and you may even need to borrow less.
OUTLOOK Present forecasts which communicate the amount required, payback period, risk and return to the bank. Figures should be more sophisticated than forecast sales and profit and should ideally show the relationship between profits, your balance sheet and cash flows. Sensitivity analysis is important to help the bank understand when they risk non-repayment. Forecasts should always be based upon the most up to date actual data.
MARKETS Explain your market. Focus 20% of your efforts explaining what has happened and 80% on what you expect to happen and why. Do not worry, top economists sometimes get this wrong too. The point is you need to show the bank you have thought about it, considered the likely outcomes and that you have a clear action plan.
MIX AND QUALITY OF CLIENTS Detail clients by name/industry/region/contract length. The strength of your clients and their ability to pay = the strength of your business. Building your business around one client is high business risk.
UPDATE Give the bank up to date management information especially if annual accounts are dated. Information should be produced at least quarterly, split into division/region and include profit, balance sheet and cash flow breakdowns. Management information should be used to update forecast/budget data and any differences should be explained.
NEED FOR LIQUIDITY Show the bank that your business is liquid and can survive. Tell them how quickly you get your hands on the cash and know your debt maturities, credit terms and what cash is tied up in assets. Think beyond a simple current assets/current liabilities ratio and consider your ideal liquidity position. Remember too much liquidity means assets could be generating a higher return elsewhere.
INCOME Know your financial definitions. Are you talking about gross profit, operating profit, net profit or EBITDA (earnings before interest tax, depreciation and amortisation)? All are common in the financial analysis of businesses. Also ensure you can discuss the seasonality and cyclicality of your industry.
COMPETITION Tell the bank how you have you performed in comparison to your competitors? Be prepared to discuss your competitors’ strengths and weaknesses. This provides confidence that you are a proactive management team that really understand the business.
ACTIVITIES Break your business down by activity/division and tell the bank which activities are performing well and which are a cash drain and why. Explain how divisions complement or overlap each other and the strategy for each. Be ready with forecasts if necessary.
