Month: August 2012

How to get a loan for small business?

Moneylenders of every ilk are looking for a way to get the most amount of profit out of their investment with the least amount of risk. This works to a scale, which is why if you are deemed as a good risk (i.e. good credit rating, regular long-term income) then you get better rates, where as is you are a bad risk (i.e. bad credit rating, poor money management) then you will be charged higher interest rates.

This is the reason why most Bad Credit Quick Loans are so expensive for such short periods of time. It is also the reason that people with good credit are always getting letters through the post about having a loan or charge account.

A small business is a fairly large risk in the eyes of a lender. Especially if it is so small that the owner is requesting Debit Card Loans. A lender is looking for a business loan that is preferably for an established business that has a good income and good track record. If the business were a start up concern, then a lender would prefer an established and branded franchise, run by a person with a proven track record in the field, in a prime location with a decent marketing and business plan. All of this would make lending the money a little less risky, so the lender would probably consent.

This means that if you are looking to borrow money for a small business and do not want to jump to Bad Credit Quick Loans, then try to make yourself and your business concern less of a lending risk. One of the best ways to sway the lender is to put in a substantial amount of money yourself. For example if you were looking to improve the cookers in your kitchens to ones that use less energy, then apply to a lender. Show them how your purchase will fit into your business plan and show them facts upon how these improvements will benefit your business and its profitability. You will then stand a good chance if you can show that your current disposable/liquid income is three times higher than the monthly repayment needed. You can then improve your case further by putting a lot of money into the project yourself. If for example you were to put 75% of the costs into the project, then you would greatly improve your case. If you put nothing into the kitty, then the lender may assume that you are cash-poor and possibly lying about your income.

Obviously, if you are going to claim that you are going to put a certain amount of money into a purchase and you are asking for the rest of the money via a small business loan, then you will need to prove how much the purchase costs, and prove that you have the money to put down.

If you do get stuck for a loan, then try Debit Card Loans and overdrafts. They are often cheaper than other varieties of loans and could solve your small business problems in one foul swoop.

About the Author: Anna Mathews  has taken many Bad Credit Quick Loans and Debit Card Loans and now knows all there is to know about how they work in the financial world.

The Importance of Data Confidentiality for Small Businesses

The second a business obtains a piece of confidential information is the moment security measures must be put into place to protect the business and the people the information pertains to. A business doesn’t have to be a government contractor to think about ensuring the privacy of documents and personally identifying information.

Ideally, every piece of information about a customer, client, business partner or employee should be kept confidential, but this is not always possible to do. Some examples of information that should be secured are:

  • Names
  • Telephone numbers
  • Email addresses
  • Physical addresses
  • Blueprints
  • Patent designs
  • Research
  • Financial details

While it is often overlooked in this digital age, physical data needs to be secured too. For instance, if running an architecture business and a project is to be kept under wraps for whichever reason the client has, especially in the case of government and military facility plans, blueprints and design plans should be kept under lock and key with limited access.

Image by Salvatore Vuono

The secretary and the cleaning staff shouldn’t need to be privy to the details of where escape routes in the latest military research facility are located. File folders, contact information, billing information and everything else that isn’t public information should be kept in lockable cabinets or rooms.

Though it is harped upon, not everyone practices the safest digital security. Antivirus programs and software firewalls are, of course, helpful. However, they are not the only security points that need to be addressed. For example, a company that engages in researching highly-infectious viruses should keep data pertaining to the research on a company intranet that doesn’t have outside access to the Internet to protect it from potentially harmful leaks. Furthermore, not everyone needs access to certain files and computer networks.

Some small businesses may feel that it’s far too much work to be bothered with physically and digitally securing information. They may feel that they’re too small for anyone to notice or bother with. As far as the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is concerned, a company could have one client and still be under breach of the Data Protection Act (DPA).

If a small business is caught with a breach concerning confidential information, the ICO has potentially unlimited fining power. The highest fine they’ve ever issued came in June 2012. It was issued to the NHS in the amount of £325,000 GBP. Fines are calculated based on whether a breach is the first one, how big an impact it may have or has already had and a number of other factors. Because the fines, except in special instances, do not have caps, a small business would benefit from ensuring the security of customer data.

About the Author: Andrew Morrell has been involved in the confidential paper shredding services for several years and believes in the importance of business security and managing data. He currently works for Russell Richardson.

Don’t Believe the Hype – The Disadvantages of Digital Signs

Exterior and interior signage have changed throughout the years. New technology allows them to be produced more quickly and in different shapes and sizes. New materials allow signage to be created heavier or lighter than before to help them better adhere to their location, and some signs are even made from eco-friendly materials.

Signage can now also contain lighting or be created in a digital fashion instead of traditional print. Many companies are using digital signage because it allows them to constantly change out the message without needing to recreate it.

But just because digital signage is new does not mean that it’s better than traditional signage methods. In fact, there are a few disadvantages to using digital signage.

Chanel digital signage - Ginza building
Image by na0905 / Flickr

They’re expensive.

The use of digital signage is more costly than traditional methods. This is because digital signage requires technology and not standard printing like traditional methods. In order to create a digital sign, you will need to purchase a screen, the software used to generate the content, the technology needed to hook it up and the staff needed to manage the campaign. Plus, digital signage needs a certain level of protection to keep it safe from harsh weather conditions, which is another added expense.

They’re still new.

Digital signs are still the new kid on the block, which means that they will still have kinks that need to be addressed. It’s also likely that as technology evolves, newer digital technologies will be created that will be better and cheaper than the previous technology. Before long, this “new” technology that you spent a fortune on will no longer be as cool or functional as the models created in the future.

They require experience.

Though some digital signage platforms are easier to use than others, it still requires knowledge of the software or technologies needed in order to make the signage work. Even if the software is easy to use, it will require a good amount of use before you have a true handle on how the technology is used. You may end up putting the wrong content in, sending it to the wrong place or making it go live at the wrong time, which can be damaging to your marketing efforts.

They’re harder to replace.

If your traditional sign were to tear, all you would need to do is have another sign printed and adhered, which though frustrating, is a pretty simple task. When your digital signage breaks, it requires more work to fix. There’s technology and electrical involved, which may mean that you need to have multiple professionals come out and fix it. If the damage was severe, you could be without your signage for an extended period of time until it does become fixed, which leaves you with an expensive repair and without a marketing campaign.

They’re chosen without much thought.

Some people make the mistake of investing in digital signage simply because it’s new, but they don’t have a clear purpose as to why they’re marketing this way or the goal of the marketing effort. When you have a marketing tactic without a purpose in mind, it will not be much help to your business.

Though digital signage can be a fun new addition to your marketing strategy, you need to determine if it’s really as valuable as you think it is. It’s possible that you’re just attracted to the fact that it’s something new, and before you make a rash decision, you need to make sure you weigh both the pros and cons.

About the Author: M.P Brown is an avid reader always on the lookout for information that will help him undestand marketing and advertising trends. M.P helps to add insight to the designers creating signs from Icon ID.

Rule the Outdoor Advertising Scene with Your Banner Printing Campaign

Banner printing is one of the oldest forms of outdoor advertising and it remains an effective and reliable option for all types of businesses. Banners are simple and inexpensive to produce and hang or place. In the old days, banners are made by painting large pieces of cloth. Modern outdoor signage are now produced using materials like polyvinyl chloride (PVC), the third most widely-manufactured plastic.

Outdoor banner ad, Japanese Village Plaza at Little Tokyo near downtown Los Angeles, California
Image by Sam Howzit / Flickr

Computer-generated designs and large automated printers make production a breeze. Vinyl is ideal for outdoor applications due to its durability, as it can withstand all types of weather conditions and last for more than three years. Banners also require little or no maintenance and can be easily folded and stored when not in use.

Advertising Made Easy by Banner Printing

Banners help you attract all types of clients or customers. The basic purpose of hanging a banner is to mark the location of your business. You can also hang your banners away from your premises where they can attract drivers or pedestrians who do not regularly pass by your office or shop. But of course you can design your banners in such a way that they will be able to target specific demographics while enhancing the reputation of your company.

If your company is offering consumer goods and need to announce a sale or other special promotions, printing a banner is more likely help you generate sales compared to putting up a newspaper advertisement, buying radio spots, or direct mail, which are only good for a limited period of time. Banners can be used for as long as you want. You have the option of choosing the artwork, colors, designs, fonts, images, and other details. After you have approved the proofs, you can expect your banners to be delivered in less than a week.  Many printing companies also offer discounts if you order banners in bulk, which helps you increase your savings.

A banner is a hardworking ad, promoting your products or services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, whether your office or store is open or closed since they do not need any electricity or power source. As drivers and pedestrians see your signage more and more as they pass by, they will become more familiar with your business and eventually pay a visit to your office or store. You can also use banners for outdoor personal events like beach parties and reunions. The signage will help relatives who are coming from out of town to find the party.

About the Author: I’m Kaycee Mabborang, I write for Arete Digital Imaging http://www.aretedi.com  a leading large format printing company that provides vehicle wraps, architectural wraps, and banner printing services. I have been producing top quality content at a very quick pace since 2007.

How does international banking work?

International banking or offshore banking is often a plausible solution for small business owners. By definition, offshore banking is banking done in a foreign country. Typically, the country offers favorable tax regulation; it even considered as a tax haven.

With those being said, there are some typical reasons for small business owners to use international banking services:

1. Your small business wants to secure hard-earned profits

You work hard to bring in healthy profits; it’s time for you to secure them, especially when your small business resides in a region with uncertain local economic situation.

2. You are dealing with overseas clients and partners

With an offshore banking account, you can access your money worldwide, making it an ideal solution for you to do business – wherever you are.

3. You want to explore opportunities to plan your small business finance better

Offshore banks allow you to have an account in multiple currencies. With those, you can avoid exchange rate fluctuation. What’s more, you can access your account from anywhere in the world, making it easy for you to secure opportunities easily.

How things work

The concept behind offshore banking is not that complicated, really. Let’s say that offshore banking is a set of products launched by a bank to cater those who have needs to do banking in other countries.

Offshore banking products can consist of offshore savings, offshore investments, forex services, International current account, and more. Typically, offshore banking supports online banking, so you can do transactions over an Internet connection.

International banks are typically for a company doing business internationally and wealthy people. But it’s good to know that there are banks catering to a wider group of people, enabling them to enjoy the benefits of international banking.

International banking: Pros and cons

International banking is certainly not the “ultimate” kind of banking. Just like any other banking products, International banking has its own set of benefits and drawbacks.

Pros

  • Offers competitive interest rates
  • Your account is less impacted by local interest rate fluctuations
  • Easy to access – internationally
  • Can accommodate you with multiple currencies option for better currency exchange rates
  • More financial planning and wealth building options via offshore investment, tax planning, and more.

Cons

  • Due to the issues of international banks (often exposed to money laundering, tax evasion and other illegal financial activities), the government will keep an eye on your account activity – closely.
  • You can still lose money, as the foreign currencies also fluctuate like domestic currency does.
  • Due to the location restrictions, physical access is not as easy as domestic accounts.
  • It’s often available for businesses and individuals with higher incomes.

Should I open an international banking account?

The answer is rather cliche – it all depends on your situation. If you are doing business internationally, opening an offshore banking account might be a good decision. Whichever decision you make, be sure you do your homework in choosing the right offshore banks. You don’t want to be involved with banks related to illegal activities!