Working capital is one of the most difficult financial concepts to understand for the small-business owner. In fact, the term means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. By definition, working capital is the amount by which current assets exceed current liabilities. A useful tool for...
First and foremost, a successful sales process ensures that benefits are highly visible to visitors, preferably within the first fold of the home page, and strategically guides them with explicit "Do this next" directions. So if a person would like to increase the value of a single visitor to the...
To compete successfully online, today's firms must maximize their web presence. This means leveraging one's Web site, integrating online and offline marketing efforts, and communicating effectively online. In a few simple steps, the authors' will unravel the mysteries of effective online marketing and help one get the best returns from...
E-mail marketing is an affordable, effective way to convert interested prospects into customers and develop valuable relationships with existing customer base. And it can be very profitable. But if one does not follow a few basic rules, the e-mail promotions could actually wind up costing him money- or worse. Send...
You don't have to wait for the next trade show to keep your shelves stocked with the latest and greatest. There are numerous benefits to incorporating merchandise marts into your product sourcing. Their permanence gives you a great deal of flexibility in scheduling your sourcing trips. And many marts don't...
There are two common non-bankruptcy alternatives for a financially distressed business. The first is an out-of-court workout, which, if successful, would allow the business to continue to operate without court supervision. The second is an assignment for benefit of creditors, which is a vehicle for liquidating the business outside of...
When you're in business for yourself, time is as precious a commodity as money. This paper explores some ways you can get more sales productivity out of the time you have to invest in your business. Everyone knows you can make twice the income by working twice the number of...
So you want to start a wholesale distributorship. Whether you're currently a white-collar professional, a manager worried about being downsized, or bored with your current job, this may be the right business for you. Much like the merchant traders of the 18th century, you'll be trading goods for profit. And...
These individual Venture Capital VC investors seem like they're from heaven, but be prepared to give up a chunk of your company for funding. Working with angel investors means acquiring venture capital from individual investors. These individuals look for companies that exhibit high-growth prospects, have a synergy with their own...
This paper explains you how to start internet business. The web is both a new distribution channel and a new way of doing business. Don't miss either part of that statement. Think of the web only as a new channel - a different way of putting products and services in...
Venture Capital VC funding isn't always easy to obtain and you'll have to give up equity, but when you're a high-growth company with high-financing needs, it can be your best bet. In many cases, your mail will be well off the mark, and your letter will be weeded out by...
Not sure which holidays to offer employees off? Or how much sick time to give? Or what the government requires? This paper will help to solve these questions. Providing your employees with paid holidays and vacations is a very basic benefit that isn't too costly to businesses. After all, payroll...
Unsurprisingly, the Do Not Call Registry isn't going away. For consumers, it's worked like a dream. Log on to a website, enter your number, and there's no more unsolicited telemarketing calls waking you up from a nap or interrupting your dinner. For business owners who can no longer call people...
This template explains few questions which determine whether you're a good candidate for institutional Venture Capital VC funding: are you a technology company?; can you be a market leader?; will it be cheap to make this company?; is there a clear distribution channel?; can this product be distributed without significant...
Not all state programs are known for their loan processing efficiency, but in general, they can offer significant benefits to entrepreneurs seeking cash to grow, including lower rates, flexible conditions and access to sizable sums. Often, they enable banks to take on riskier loans for entrepreneurs who might not otherwise...
One all-too-common business planning pitfall is not planning for quick growth. This paper explains the story of one company got into trouble and then got out again. This is a true story, although the names and places have been changed. Everything ended up OK, but there was a lot of...
Create a unique selling proposition to make sure your ads and other marketing materials stand out from the competitions. What you have to impress on prospective customers is the added value they can expect when they establish a relationship with you. It may be a single specific feature so unique...
Venture capital is cleaning up its act. Long berated for investing only in high-tech industries such as software and biotech, Venture Capital VC firms across the country are quietly lining up behind companies with environmentally friendly products and technologies. So-called "Green" or "Clean" technologies like water purification, solar energy, biodiesel...
With our personal lives busier than ever, offering flexible work options to your employees could be the best way to keep the good ones around. Though still very dedicated to their jobs, a certain percentage of the workforce was trying to adapt to the combined needs of a demanding professional...
Normally, a venture capital firm might try to keep its portfolio balanced with each company type taking up about one-third of the portfolio. But since few years back, the glut of investments into early-stage companies had many Venture Capital VC portfolios looking something like this: 60 percent, 30 percent and...
