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Do you remember the lyrics to the Peggy Lee song – Is That All There Is? Investors will often shake their heads in amazement after meeting a financial planner who talks about “diversifying” and “not putting all your eggs in one basket.” Great concepts, but what about something beyond stocks, bonds, and mutual funds?

Well, as the announcer says at the end of those TV commercials: But wait, there’s more!

Did you know that nearly $4.2 trillion in IRA and retirement account assets can be invested in much more than the run-of-the-mill investment options offered at Big Box investment companies?

Since IRAs were first introduced in the 1970s, investors have been allowed to invest in a variety of stock market alternatives, including unlisted assets such as real estate, notes, and loans, private capital and tax liens. But not many financial advisers and even fewer investors are fully aware of the options.

Legendary investor Warren Buffett uses a simple rule of thumb for success: Invest in what you know and understand. Diversification offers protection against risk. And what better way to diversify than to own something you have experience in, like real estate or a business?

You may find greater portfolio diversification and ROI that might be better geared to meet your individual goals when you consider investing in what you know from experience.

Any IRA, including Traditional IRAs, SEPs, Roth IRAs, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, and just 401(k)s, can use a portion of the IRA funds to purchase shares in these various stock market alternatives. Essentially, an investor determines the amount and source of funds, transfers them to an independent third-party custodian for holding, and then instructs the custodian to release funds to purchase an investment in one or more alternatives. The custodian also owns all income to the investor from the investment.

The “rules of the road” can be complex but not impossible to navigate with proper guidance. Basically, an investor, spouse, direct descendant or trustee is a “prohibited person” and cannot “deal for himself” or make personal use of the property. With few exceptions, a “prohibited person” may not work or earn income from an IRA investment.

What can an investor do? Combine multiple IRA accounts of many people along with personal funds to buy properties as co-tenants, for example.

It’s easier to list things that a self-directed IRA can’t use as potential investments. These include 1.) collectibles, 2.) life insurance contracts, and 3.) shares in a Subchapter “S” corporation. Most everything else is fair game.

If structured correctly, the self-directed IRA can act as a lender to help facilitate a real estate transaction. Self-directed IRAs can invest as a member of an LLC or as a shareholder in a C corporation or even as a limited partner. This is a way to add a level of asset protection to an investment.

Harnessing the power of a self-directed IRA can offer an investor a whole new way to invest and get their retirement dreams back on track.

WHAT IS A STATUS BARRIER? The status barrier can be defined as the form of communication that is so complex in the workplace that it prevents the exchange of ideas or thoughts in physical, language and status forms.

Causes of status barriers in organizations

1. Formal operating rules and company policies: Most organizations will socialize a set of rules related to carefully selecting the use of message types, media, and modes of communication. Employees often circumvent these rules by simply avoiding sending any messages. In addition, formal company policies strictly simplify communication between employees and describe in detail how employees will communicate with each other without changing their status levels in the organization. For example, if the company policy is that all communication must be in writing, even for a small message, the medium used must be in writing. This leads to a delay in the transmission of the message and therefore delayed decision making.

2. Positions of status in the organization: in any organization, members are subdivided into different categories according to their role in the organization. The superiors are located in the upper steps of the organization chart and the subordinates are those who occupy the lower levels. Consequently, the communication between them will be formal. Formal communication can often become a barrier to effective communication in organizations.

3. Organizational facilities: To promote effective communication, many organizations provide facilities such as telephone, stationery, translation software, etc. If these facilities are adequately available, then communication can become timely, accurate, and on demand. Otherwise, the communication may face numerous obstacles and become ineffective.

4. Complex structure: Many organizations still have many levels of management that will have a major impact on the effectiveness of various message exchanges. The large amount of handling will certainly delay the transmission of many messages and the content of the messages might even change before reaching the intended recipient.

6 WAYS TO OVERCOME STATUS BARRIERS IN ORGANIZATIONS

The following 7 tips or ways can be used to overcome STATUS barriers in organizations:

1. USE SIMPLE LANGUAGE: Simple, clear words should be used when communicating. The use of ambiguous words and jargon should be avoided. It also helps to overcome status barriers in communication.

2. CLOSE PERCEPTION DIFFERENCES: Business organizations need to make sure they hire the right people for the job. It is the responsibility of the interviewer to ensure that the interviewee is proficient in written and spoken language. Proper training should be given to the employees.

3. ACTIVE LISTENING: Always listen attentively and attentively. Active listening means listening with the proper understanding of the message being heard. The speaker must make sure by asking whether or not his message is understood by the receiver in the same terms as the speaker intended.

4. AVOID INFORMATION OVERLOAD: Managers must know how to prioritize their work. Never overload yourself with work. Managers need to spend quality time with their subordinates and also need to actively listen to their problems and provide feedback.

5. REDUCE AND ELIMINATE NOISE LEVELS: The main communication barrier is noise, which must be overcome as a priority. Therefore, it is essential to identify the source of the noise and then eliminate that source.

6. EMOTIONAL STATE: During communication, one must make effective use of body language. You should not show your emotions while communicating as the receiver may misinterpret the message being delivered.

How will COVID-19 affect holiday shopping?

COVID-19 is a global crisis that has affected economies, supply chains and retailers around the world. Your customers’ buying decisions this fall/winter may look completely different than they did last year.

As marketers, we have had to change our strategies in the face of COVID-19.

Those tried and true marketing tactics that worked for us before may not work anymore. Regardless of the type of small business you have, it’s crucial to realize that as the retail landscape has changed, your holiday marketing plan must, too.

Take a look at these recent Think with Google stats:

• 56% of Canadian shoppers say the pandemic will affect how they shop for the holidays this year. Nearly 65% ​​of those who plan to shop this season said they will shop online more than in previous seasons.

• 73% say they will look for gift ideas online rather than in-store.

So, as we head into the 2020 holiday shopping season, here are 3 ways to ensure your small business stands out from the competition and effectively reaches your target audience.

1. Embrace communication.

Communication is always important, and even more so when customers may have health and safety concerns related to shopping in person.

Contactless shopping and curbside pickup are already incredibly popular, so expect them to continue through the holidays and beyond.

As part of your holiday marketing plan, think about how you can share these kinds of perks with your customers, whether it’s on a blog or by adding keywords like “curbside pickup” to your social media posts and paid ads.

Before you share your seasonal messages with people, make sure your inventory is up to date. Many shoppers will search online for products or services with the keywords “available near me” before checking out.

You don’t want someone to drive to your store because they saw a cool toy on your website or loved an outfit they saw was “available near me,” only to drive up to find that it’s actually not in stock. .

I’m sure there are many other examples of how COVID-19 will affect holiday shopping.

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READ: How to Create an Email Marketing Campaign Your Audience Will Love

An email newsletter campaign can be an essential part of your marketing plan, and not just around the holidays.

Consistently sending out newsletters to your followers gives you the ability to develop a “Know, Like and Trust” relationship with them that will dramatically increase your brand visibility and market reach.

However, many business owners and entrepreneurs pass up this golden opportunity to build relationships and increase sales. You are one of them?

I share some reasons why your small business should create an email marketing campaign and offer tips to help you increase open rates.

Read more on our website.

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2. Think local and light shopping.

While the purchase lockdown boosted Amazon revenue by 40%, many consumers have been trying to shop locally as much as possible. According to BDC research, 97% of Canadian consumers choose to buy local to support the local economy.

It’s not just about promoting local products or services to your target audience. It’s all about telling the story of your brand, whether you’ve been serving customers in the same small town for 40 years or you’re a new business supporting seasonal charitable initiatives.

Become a part of your community and ensure that what you sell locally provides real value to your customers. People want to support local businesses this season, but that doesn’t mean they’ll sacrifice quality or convenience.

During the 2020 holiday shopping season, think “light” too. Most Canadians will be home in December, rather than traveling to see family or go on vacation. Consider what that means for gift-giving:

• Consumers are likely looking for small gifts to send to loved ones they can’t see in person.

• People will be receptive to free or discounted shipping offers.

• Gift certificates and gift cards might be the most popular gifts of 2020.

Is there a way to target your audience with light and local products this year?

3. Adjust your bids.

I talked earlier about the move to lighter gifts, but what about the gifts themselves?

With so many families homebound this year, people who have previously bought things like vacations, event tickets, or formal clothes/shoes as gifts will need other ideas.

Think about how you can reach your target audience with gift replacements that don’t make sense in today’s climate.

For example:

• An entrepreneur in the hospitality industry could offer an “experience in a box” for customers who are unable to travel at the moment.

• A clothing retailer could focus more on casual-chic clothing that people can wear inside or outside the home, rather than high heels and party dresses.

• A sporting goods retailer could highlight solo sports like skiing and swimming in newsletter campaigns, to encourage people who maintain social distancing to get out into nature.

How can you adjust your offers to give your customers something unique and timely for the 2020 holiday shopping season?

I always like to say that with great challenges come great opportunities. While we’ll have to wait and see exactly how COVID-19 affects holiday shopping, we know that the better prepared we as small business owners are, the better!

I hope this Holiday Marketing Guide for Businesses helps you have a successful season!

For the success of your business,

Suzanne

When you sell cars for a living, one of the most common terms you’ll hear is closing the deal. Sometimes a successful car salesman or sales manager can be called a strong salesperson or a good salesperson, which means they are skilled at closing the deal with the customer. If you’re determined to make a lot of money, you’ll need to improve your car closing skills. Below you will find the car sales closing methods and techniques from which most other techniques have evolved or are variations of these car closings.

Whether you’re new to the auto business or have been selling for years, knowing these auto sales closing techniques will help you like the back of your hand. The better you know them, the more you will use them and the better you will become.

Closing Car Sales – Show Me The Money

1. Suppose you are buying: This is by far one of my favorite methods of closing car sales. When you assume the sale is a closed deal, you naturally act and speak in a way that not only leads to the completion of the sale, but the customer will pick up on your words and actions and follow suit. When you go through the steps toward the sale, assuming they are going to buy a car at the end of the process, the customer will either buy the car or object. If they object to you, move on to overcoming their objections.

2. Ask them to buy: This may sound simple, but you’d be surprised how often new salespeople or less experienced car salespeople continue to talk about the vehicle without even asking for the sale. However, you have to remember that it doesn’t stop asking after once or twice. Usually, when you use this auto closing technique, the first thing out of your customers’ mouths is an objection. Great, that means you’re moving forward, see the quibbles below.

3. Create emergency: If you’re in the car business, you know how important it is to sell cars NOW because we all know about “Be Backs”. The car buyer tends to say we’re just looking or in no rush, but it’s his job to sell them NOW. Sometimes, in order to achieve his goal, he needs to create a sense of urgency in his client to make his car closing attempts work. He wants them to believe that they will miss out on something if they don’t buy now. An example could be the end of a sale or the availability of the specific because they are interested in buying. A note of caution here: a little goes a long way, and when you overdo the urgency combined with closing the sale, you can come off as pushy or a high-pressure salesperson.

4. Make it easy for them to say yes: Listen to what they want, and then make their wants and needs part of your auto closing statements. Use your statements to close the deal. For example: You said you wanted a red car with a sunroof and a down payment of less than $400, right? o You said you needed a car that gets 30 mpg, seats five, has remote entry, and $5000 to trade in, right? Are you getting the idea now? You make it easy for them to buy a car when you’ve met their needs and wants and use their words to prove it.

5. Go for the gold – Objections: This is where the money is, it’s in your client’s objections. When it comes to closing a car sale, it’s always about objections. It’s the customer’s way of saying: I’m still not convinced, I need more information, or You didn’t create enough value for your product, your dealer, and yourself. It’s not that they don’t want to buy the car; it means you have work to do before they buy the car. Work through your objections one at a time like a checklist, and then close the car sale.

The car salesman will often use several of these car sales closing methods or a combination of the many other techniques designed to sell a car. It all comes down to closing the sale with your customer and you have to be willing to buy the car because no matter what techniques you use to sell to the customer, he has to make the final decision to buy the car.

Turnkey affiliate websites are pre-made websites that you can use to generate income online. They come fully functional and require very little time and effort to install and maintain. For many online entrepreneurs, out-of-the-box websites represent one of the best solutions for starting a profitable and rewarding online affiliate business. The way these websites work is this: they allow you to insert your Affiliate ID and Analytics and then generate a new page that you can use, based on the information you entered. You can get, for example, a product review website where you can insert your affiliate information. Best of all, you can be up and running with your new website in seconds!

The pros and cons

Perhaps the biggest advantage of using turnkey affiliate websites is that they are very quick to set up. Generating a new website with your affiliate information is so easy that even a complete “crippled” technician can do it! You also receive a unique URL that leads to your website with very little effort on your part. What this means is that you get a complete, professional-looking website without having to code it in HTML or hire someone else to do it for you. As you know, the services of a professional web designer are not cheap, so you will also be able to save some money this way.

One downside that turnkey affiliate websites have is that since they are so easy to build, they are open to a large number of online entrepreneurs. This means that you may lose some business because there are too many websites similar to yours. Another downside is that turnkey affiliate websites don’t give you much control; For example, you don’t have much control over the products you will be promoting, the images, the layout, or the color scheme, among others.

One could argue that if you expect these drawbacks from the start, can they still be considered drawbacks? Those who can’t or don’t have the time to create promotional websites, for example, can greatly benefit from using turnkey affiliate websites. Although they do not allow much customization, they are highly optimized to produce good results.

To conclude, these websites are a good way for entrepreneurs to start an online business. Not only do they make it easy to make sales, but they also don’t require any kind of experience or technical knowledge to execute them.

Many startups sacrifice the quality of their website design and branding for affordable web design that is a bit generic and a bit 1999. Others pay too much for a poorly designed website that doesn’t really reflect their personality. Some make the mistake of asking a friend or family member to do it for free! This is probably the worst result! One of the best options available is to find a website designer who makes customizable website templates. It’s not a bad sign if your design price is listed on the website, especially for website template options.

When it comes to websites, timing is everything.
The number one complaint from clients of web designers is the time it takes to get to initial. Having a friend design her website is a mistake many business owners make, even if it’s a friend at a web design company. Your friend may mean well, but anything for a ‘buddy’ or on ‘buddy rates’ tends to take a backseat. They won’t be able to complete your website within the timeframe you need. Bigger projects will pop up, holidays, while you miss out on potential new sales because the site is down. While having a friend design your website will save you money in the short term, in the end, you’ll miss out on critical sales opportunities. A customizable website template is 70% complete so you can be up and running quickly.

Web Design Usability
There was a time when website designers were paid to make necessary changes after the new design went live. In other words, the websites were built without content management systems. Unfortunately, there are still web designers who create websites without a CMS, who hold the websites hostage and require the client to pay for any small changes once the website is live. Today, many affordable services allow the site owner to update the site as needed, using turnkey solutions. So if you’re looking for an affordable web design solution, make sure you’re not just looking for website templates; look for a website that comes with a CMS as well.

With websites, you get what you pay for…sometimes
In the past, design services lacked quality and had an institutional feel. The time has changed! With advances in the software programs used to complete website design, some website packages include the same customer experience, creativity, quality, and functionality as their higher-priced counterparts.
Your website makes the first impression on your customer and your launch date reminds you of the start of your business. Don’t put the fate of your business in the hands of a friend who is a hobbyist web designer or spend all your investment capital on a flashy web design agency. There are plenty of great web designer and affordable web design options in between these extremes, which are suitable for small, medium, and even large businesses.

123 Online NZ is dedicated to making websites and web design easy for our clients. Our website design process is as easy as 123, getting your website online in three easy steps, saving time and money. Take the first step and let the web designers at 123 Online do the rest.

Resources: http://www.123online.co.nz/

Web 2.0 audio conferencing is your anchor; web conference your color

The term “web conferencing” is confusing. Most tech people know what it means, but the average user doesn’t. Users generally understand “conferences,” but the adjective “web” is confusing because the “web” is a complex and ever-changing subject. It has become even more confusing with the advent of the telephone over the Internet, also called “Voice over Internet Protocol” or “VoIP.” Adding to this confusion are today’s good luck “free conference calling” offers, which may lead one to believe that the technology is so simple it can be given away. This couldn’t be further from the truth, now and for the foreseeable future.

Conferencing through routers vs. wires

Historically, all of our communication tools worked independently and were linked in dedicated networks. Very slowly, this autonomy began to change. We started sending fax messages over voice phone lines and then we started interconnecting websites. Those technologies used the traditional telephone networks that connected the telephones with wires. Eventually, a different way of switching these signals arose, one that used “data packets” and “routers.” In theory, this network technology allowed any type of data (fax, voice, files) to be transmitted over the same network. Several communication technologies are slowly migrating to this packet approach, opening up many new possibilities for devices connecting to the network.

Convergence is the coming together of previously unconnected technologies

Phones can now take over web functions and vice versa. Data files can include voice, fax, video, and images in the same transmission. This is sometimes called “convergence.”

Web 2.0 audio conferencing brings together the best of phone and data

Web 2.0 conference calling describes a new generation of these converged technologies associated specifically with audio conferencing. In this brave new technology world, audio conferencing presents unique technical challenges that only a few companies have addressed to date. Whereas a phone call is predictable because two devices connect and two people talk, a conference call can have 3 people or 300 people on the same call. The technical challenges between 3 and 300 are formidable; it is exponentially easier to connect 3 people than 300. For example, 300 people have 300 different endpoint devices, 300 different network connections, and 300 different participants. These 300 people expect to dial a number and for the system to work just as if they were calling their neighbors: the same clarity, the same quality and the same reliability.

Web 2.0 audio conferencing differs from traditional audio conferencing by enabling numerous “crossover” capabilities such as web call monitoring and control, real-time call history and web billing, managing multiple PINs and multiple accounts from mobile phones, and starting group calls instantly, to name just a few.

Compare the technologies for an audio conference and a web conference

Now let’s compare Web 2.0 conference calls to a 300-person “web conference.” An audio conference keeps 300 phone devices in sync, and a “web conference” keeps 300 web pages looking at the same thing, but the differences between a phone conference and a web conference are striking. A conference call needs to be “in sync” or, in other words, everyone needs to hear the same thing at the same time. A web conference, by contrast, works to keep 300 views of the host’s presentation in fairly close synchronization. Full synchronization in a web conference is impossible when you consider that one participant may be on a slow dial-up connection and another may be sitting on a high-speed broadband connection.

Audio conferences need real-time voice synchronization; Web conferencing powers synchronized computer screens

Most web conferencing providers try voice connections over the Internet to stream voice and video simultaneously, but timing issues associated with those 300 web connections cause the voice portion to not work. The fact is that web conferencing providers use separate audio conferencing providers, even if that is not obvious to the customer. The demands for real-time synchronization of voice vs. The less critical need for such real-time synchronization when driving web page views of a presentation makes web conferencing and Web 2.0 audio conferencing very different, but related challenges.

Both technologies support “conferencing,” but the underlying technology needs and expertise are apples and oranges. When users pick up the phone, they expect a dial tone. When users go to the web, reliability is unpredictable. You never know when your local IT department or Internet Service Provider might decide to take the network offline for an update! When a user joins a conference call, they expect real-time synchronization as if they were all in the same room. When a user joins a web conference, the time it takes to get to a particular presentation slide is not as critical as hearing what the presenter is saying and being able to respond in real time.

Web 2.0 conference calling unites voice and data without forcing participants to face a computer for each conference

We are visual creatures, so web conferencing is here to stay. That being said, many, perhaps even most phone conversations don’t need to include what is sometimes called a “death by PowerPoint” presentation. Web 2.0 audio conferencing bridges the gap between traditional audio conferencing and web conferencing for most applications. Bring the best of the web to audio conferences without burdening each conference with the need to view something online, or forcing a participant to sit in front of a video camera without moving for fear that other participants will think they’re not there. paying close attention. the presenter buzzes (!)

Web 2.0 freedom vs. Mandatory operator support and “free conference calls” for good luck.

Audio conferencing, done right, should work as easily as picking up the phone. That’s where the differences end! Connecting a 300-person audio conference and making sure everyone hears the same thing in high quality requires specialized technologies run by people who know what they’re doing. Web 2.0 audio conferencing frees the user from the need to call an operator on every call. It also improves the user experience far beyond the limited feature set of the past. It takes much of the technical knowledge, automates it, and puts it in the hands of the user. Web designers do not have this knowledge. Software developers who build good web pages don’t have this knowledge either; neither do web conferencing providers and “free conference call” providers. Web 2.0 audio conferencing providers, by contrast, have programmed this phone knowledge into their offerings.

anchor vs color commentator

Think of the two technologies in this way. Web 2.0 audio conferencing is your sportscaster and web conferencing is your color commentator. Users will need both as convergence continues to bring the worlds of telephony and data closer together, but of the two, Web 2.0 audio conferencing will be their number one “must have” communications tool.

For more information, google “Web 2.0 Audio Conferencing.”

Copyright 2011. Leader Phone and Michael McKibben. All rights reserved.

For savvy shoppers, shopping online is a doddle. However, beginners can end up making serious mistakes when ordering online. Some things are so important that we can’t afford to buy the version, size, or type. One of those things is his glasses. If you take the time to do your homework, you can buy the right item. Here are some tips that can help you choose the right glasses online. Keep reading to know more.

1. Get your prescription

Before placing your order, be sure to get an eye exam and a prescription. To get an accurate prescription, it’s important to have a comprehensive eye exam. Ideally, your prescription should include pupillary distance as well. This measurement is important for the correct alignment of your glasses.

2. Choose an online retailer

If you want to find the best option, we suggest you compare different online retailers. Also, reading reviews on Yelp and Google can also help. It is important to note that if the provider does not accept your insurance, all you need to do is submit the invoice for reimbursement. However, this may take some additional time, but you can get maximum coverage.

3. Check the return policy

Although most online shoppers are satisfied with their purchase, some of them may need to return the product for some reason. Therefore, it is important that you read the fine print on the package. This will help you take the correct action if the product is faulty and you can return the item to the supplier.

4. Go for the perfect frame

You’d better come up with a checklist based on style, color, design, and other factors. Other factors you can consider in choosing the right frame include your face shape and your favorite frames.

5. Consider your budget

You must have a fixed budget for your purchase. You may want to write down the maximum amount you can spend on your glasses. On most retailer websites, you can categorize frames and glasses by different elements, such as price or frame.

6. Choose your Lenses

As soon as you have found the correct frame, your next step should be to enter your prescription as well as the papillary distance. This is important if you want to get the correct lenses.

Additional features

You’re better off opting for upgrades or extras like photochromic, blue-light blocking, or anti-scratch coated lenses. These lenses tend to darken if exposed to bright sunlight.

7. Place your Order

Once you’ve selected the correct frame, provided your prescription information, and included any information for lens or coating upgrades, you should go ahead and place your order.

Lastly, it’s a good idea to look for coupons online for discounts on select items. Also, some retailers offer a discount if customers pay with a certain credit card. Therefore, you need to check if you can get a discount on your desired item.

You don’t need to look any further than the motorcycle community to discover behind the leather and armor, it’s the best-in-class curriculum for leadership development. Ironically, while leadership experts have dissected Fortune 500 corporations to understand why they succeed, a community rooted in counterculture breeds leaders with the same qualities that organizations around the world seek.

While it’s true that cyclists love to get out on the open road and ride their bikes, the preparation, skills and experiences that allow that to happen safely also create leaders. Like any community, the individuals within it represent a variety of interests, perspectives, and preferences. What they share, beyond the physical and cognitive skills needed to operate their machines, are the following leadership skills and attributes:

• independence. Riding a motorcycle is a solitary activity. When we’re riding, it’s us and our motorcycle. We need to be in tune and comfortable with who we are. Even when we travel in a group, we are alone with our thoughts, our fears and our beliefs. When we ride, only we make the decisions about how our motorcycle rides and where it’s going. As we successfully meet progressive challenges, the successes are ours to claim.
• Change management. A walk is always an adventure to some extent. Things happen when we are out there. It starts to rain, there is gravel around a corner, someone cuts us off, a detour throws off our carefully planned route, our GPS stops working. The list is endless, and when we’re driving down the highway in a five hundred-plus-pound machine, things can develop quickly. We have to have our wits about us at all times. We learn to be prepared for the unexpected and to make quick decisions.
• Risk management. Although non-cyclists seem compelled to recount horror stories and gruesome details of people who have been killed or maimed, cyclists are already aware of the risks. We accept them and prepare for them. By overcoming initial fears, often exacerbated by exaggerated and unfounded tales, we reap incredible rewards. Nobody knows what’s around the next corner. We have learned to assess the effects of weather, speed, road conditions, travel distances, and fatigue, and to respond accordingly.
• Confidence. Cyclists have the courage to be who they are and not give in to stereotypes or be held back by being told they are too short, too weak, or too feminine, or they will never learn. Those whose first experiences are in midlife have had more time to accumulate fears that they need to overcome. But when they overcome any self-erected obstacles, the joy they experience is much greater.
• sense of community. We all seek kindred spirits. Most new riders are in awe of the instant bond and the camaraderie and compassion between the riders. There is a common bond from which we not only draw strength as individuals, but also gather that strength to increase the cohesion of the community as a whole. Motorcyclists tend to contribute extraordinary amounts of time and effort to charitable causes, caring for those less fortunate, and giving back to the community.

The next time you see a motorcyclist, look beyond their gear and consider what they’ve had to accomplish to become who they are. Regardless of the personal or professional choices they have made, they share the above qualities. And who knows? You may just be looking at a community leader, CEO, Member of Parliament, or the wife of the Prime Minister!

There are several potential financing options available to cash-strapped companies that need a healthy dose of working capital. A bank loan or line of credit is often the first option homeowners think of, and for businesses that qualify, this may be the best option.

In today’s uncertain business, economic and regulatory environment, qualifying for a bank loan can be difficult, especially for businesses just starting out and those that have experienced some type of financial hardship. Sometimes business owners who don’t qualify for a bank loan decide that seeking venture capital or bringing in equity investors are other viable options.

But are they really? While bringing venture capital and so-called “angel” investors into your business has some potential benefits, there are drawbacks as well. Unfortunately, homeowners sometimes don’t think about these drawbacks until the ink has dried on a deal with a venture capitalist or angel investor, and it’s too late to back out of the deal.

Different types of financing

One problem with bringing in equity investors to help provide a working capital boost is that working capital and equity are really two different types of financing.

Working capital, or money used to pay for business expenses incurred during the period of time until cash from sales (or accounts receivable) is collected, is short-term in nature, so it must be be financed through a short-term financing tool. The capital, however, must generally be used to finance rapid growth, business expansion, acquisitions, or the purchase of long-term assets, which are defined as assets that pay for themselves over more than a 12-month business cycle.

But the biggest downside to bringing equity investors into your business is a potential loss of control. When you sell equity (or shares) in your business to venture capitalists or angels, you’re giving up a percentage of ownership of your business, and you may do so at an inopportune time. With this dilution of ownership more often than not comes a loss of control over some or all of the major business decisions that need to be made.

Sometimes owners are tempted to sell shares due to the fact that there is little (if any) out-of-pocket expense. Unlike debt financing, you generally don’t pay interest with equity financing. The equity investor earns his return through the ownership interest acquired in his business. But the long-term “cost” of selling stock is always much higher than the short-term cost of debt, both in terms of the cost of actual cash and soft costs such as loss of control and management of your company and the potential future. value of the property shares being sold.

Alternative financing solutions

But what if your business needs working capital and doesn’t qualify for a bank loan or line of credit? Alternative financing solutions are usually adequate to inject working capital into companies that find themselves in this situation. Three of the most common types of alternative financing used by these types of companies are:

1. Full Service Factoring – Companies sell outstanding accounts receivable on an ongoing basis to a commercial finance (or factoring) company at a discount. The factoring company then manages the account receivable until it is paid. Factoring is a well-established and accepted method of temporary alternative financing that is especially suitable for fast-growing companies and those with concentrations of customers.

2. Financing of Accounts Receivable (A/R) – Accounts receivable financing is an ideal solution for businesses that are not yet bankable but have a stable financial condition and a more diverse customer base. Here, the company provides details about all accounts receivable and pledges those assets as collateral. Proceeds from those accounts receivable are sent to a safe deposit box while the finance company calculates a loan basis to determine how much the company can borrow. When the borrower needs money, he makes an advance request and the finance company advances the money using a percentage of the accounts receivable.

3. Asset Based Lending (ABL) – This is a line of credit secured by all of a business’s assets, which may include accounts receivable, equipment, and inventory. Unlike factoring, the company continues to manage and collect its own accounts receivable and submits collateral reports on an ongoing basis to the finance company, which will periodically review and audit the reports.

In addition to providing working capital and allowing owners to maintain control of the business, alternative financing can also provide other benefits:

• It’s easy to determine the exact cost of financing and get a raise.
• Professional collateral management may be included depending on the type of facility and the lender.
• Real-time online interactive reports are often available.
• It can provide the company with access to more capital.
• It is flexible: financing comes and goes according to the needs of the company.

It is important to note that there are some circumstances in which equity is a viable and attractive financing solution. This is especially true in cases of business expansion and acquisition and new product launches: these are capital needs that are generally not well suited to debt financing. However, equity capital is often not the right financing solution to solve a working capital problem or help close a cash flow gap.

a precious commodity

Remember that corporate wealth is a precious asset that should only be considered in the right circumstances and at the right time. When seeking equity financing, this should ideally be done at a time when the company has good growth prospects and a significant cash need for this growth. Ideally, majority ownership (and therefore outright control) should remain in the hands of the company’s founders.

Alternative financing solutions such as factoring, A/R financing, and ABL can provide the working capital that propels many cash-strapped businesses that do not qualify for the need for bank financing, without diluting ownership and possibly relinquishing ownership. control of the business at an inopportune time for the owner. As long as these businesses become bankable later, it’s often an easy transition to a traditional bank line of credit. Your banker can refer you to a commercial finance company that can offer you the right type of alternative financing solution for your unique situation.

taking the time to understand everybody The different financing options available for your business, and the pros and cons of each, is the best way to ensure you choose the best option for your business. Using alternative financing can help your business grow without diluting your ownership. After all, it’s your business, shouldn’t you keep as much as possible?