Tuesday, March 26, 2013

How To Shrink Your Small Business Debt

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Operating and running a small business can be extremely tricky.  You do not have quite the financing capabilities that a major organization will possess and debt is an inevitable part of business because of this.  Getting your small business into too much debt is something that can effectively destroy a business.  But, by shrinking your small businesses debt, you can continue to see your company grow.
Set up a budget and stick with it
One way to shrink your small business debt is by setting up a budget.  If you don’t already have one at your business, get one NOW.  A budget is a great way to track individual resources for running the company and allocate the right resources and finances for that area.  Do not operate your business by simply winging it because that will harm your tremendously.  Have a set budget for certain areas and do not spend money on insignificant things that the company doesn’t need.
Check and improve your credit rating
Next, check your credit rating and do everything you can to improve it.  A bad credit rating means that you are not going to get the best loans possible.  People with bad credit ratings usually become harmed even more when they take out loans because of the terrible interest rates on people with bad credit ratings.  Operating a small business, loans are not about if more so than when and when you do need to obtain a loan to finance a certain aspect, you don’t want to be worse off after the loan than before the loan. 
Save extra money and pay off debts
Last, save extra money and pay off debts.  It may seem obvious but many people like to spend the extra money on things the company doesn’t need.  Save that money and pay off your liabilities.  This will help the company more in the long run. 
Shrinking your small business debt is going to be key to your company’s continued success. 

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

How to Manage Your Debt More Effectively

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As the economy continues to change, experiencing ups and downs constantly, it is important to stay ahead of your company’s debt so that it doesn’t end up harming you down the line.  Managing debt is the single most important aspect for a company to stay in business because without proper debt management, there will be no company for long. 
One of the best ways to properly manage your debt effectively is to review your interest rates on your loans.  If your current loan interest rate is significantly higher than a typical loan for your business size and credit rating and history, consider refinancing it to lower your monthly payments and possibly even lowering your interest rate.  It is extremely important that your credit history is solid for this to work.  By having a solid credit history, you are going to be more likely to see a fair interest rate because it shows that you and your company are great at handling your finances.
Next, take a look around at your company.  Is there any waste?  Is there equipment or a whole area in our building that we are not using?  One good way to manage debt is to sell or rent out things that the company doesn’t need or use.  If you have a machine sitting around catching dust, consider selling it to help pay off some of the company’s debt.  If you have a whole second floor in your building that you are not using, consider renting it out to bring in more money for the company.
Managing debt smartly and effectively is the name of the business game.  If you are unable to handle your finances properly and make payments on time, you will not have a business for long.  Be smart with your money and pay off liabilities as soon as possible.  You will be glad you did.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

How to Make YOUR Debt work for YOU

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With most businesses, it is impossible to never have any form of debt.  Too often debt is associated with a company not doing well but often this is not the case.  Many companies will use debt in a way that is beneficial to a company and the company’s future prosperity.  There are many ways for you to make your debt work in your favor; it is simply all about how you use that debt.
First, one good way to make your debt work for you is if you need to obtain a loan.  The best thing you can do is do some solid research and find the loan with the best interest rate and repayment plan for you.  To make this debt truly work for you though is to use this money and invest into something that will make your company more money than the interest rate will take away from you.  Do not use this debt to pay off short term liabilities because all the loan will do is add another liability to your books.  Use this debt solely for something that will show a good return for the company.
Next, another way to make debt work for you is to use the debt to help the company grow.  During the course of business, you may have less money than needed to fulfill an order that will benefit the company greatly.  If you do not have enough money to fund an order, this can cause unhappy customers and that is simply unacceptable.  By using debt to finance a project, you can ensure that the company will record a profit and you will have a satisfied customer. 
You will not hear it often, but debt can be good.  As long as you use the debt smart and effectively, it can become a great tool for your company to help continue to grow and prosper.

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Top Three Ways To Finance Your Company

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With any business, financing is the main way you stay in business.  No company ever will tell you they got to where they are today if it wasn’t for some sort of financing.  There are many different ways for a company to finance themselves and begin the great journey of starting your own business.  Here are a few ways for your company to become financed and continue to grow. 
Family and Friends
First, a great starting place for a small business to get some start up financing is through family and friends.  Many small businesses start from loans from people close by.  Where do you think Bill Gates would be today if he didn’t have some sort of financing for Microsoft?  Be careful though when financing from friends because this can put a strain on a relationship if you are unable to repay the loan they offered you. 
Investors
Next, another idea to financing your small business is through investors.  While finding investors can be difficult, they can also be extremely helpful for your company.  Many investors will give you money for a portion of the company if they believe in it enough, and other investors will loan you money and expect to be paid back over a period of time.  It is extremely important to keep these investors happy as you may need to use them again in the future.  Along with financial help, investors can also help you by giving you professional advice for the company and how to help it continue to grow. 
Bank Loans
Last, a final way to finance a company is through bank loans.  While these may not be ideal, they are sometimes necessary to get a company off the ground and on their feet.  Keep up to date on payments so that your credit rating doesn’t get any blemishes on it.  Research loan options first and find the most competitive one you can.
Financing your small business is something you are going to need to do so use these tips and go get your company started!