In today's business environment, many businesses need to fine-tune the process of getting paid on invoices, in order to improve their cash on hand. Improving cash flow can be an ongoing challenge for businesses of all sizes, and it is an issue that must be addressed to ensure the long-term viability of the business.
Once company managers realize that their receivables have become a problem, they will frequently seek an effective strategy for dealing with the problem. When faced with cash flow problems, many managers will decide to seek out financing to help the business survive a rough patch. But, for the company in a cash crunch, banks are often the wrong place to turn for help. For the business manager in the know, receivable-financing companies may be best able to help the business improve its cash flow, by offering effective management of outstanding invoices. Receivable factoring is a financial service that can efficiently help companies get their cash flow under control.
When a business needs to collect money on past-due accounts, the standard process involves tracking down the customer and making attempts to receive payment. Even if the business is well established, this process can be tedious and difficult to manage. In many cases, a customer will have let the debt carry too far, and then a credit-reporting agency will need to be contacted or a third-party collection agency must be employed in order to track down and collect payment from the customer. In other instances, a business simply designates a department to handle all outstanding receivables that inevitably lead to a bad debts expense. The bad debts expense is only generated if a debt continues to go uncollected.
Accounts receivable loans can benefit a company in part, because it can provide a consistent system that enables steady access to cash for the seller. Finding an effective way to create a faster cash-turnaround will help the business improve its own payables. Consistent billing and reliable accounts receivable can help strengthen the relationship between the business and the customer. This also increases the efficiency of billing for all parties involved, because payments can be made quickly before debt is accumulated.
If a business has accumulated a large amount of unpaid invoices, they can make use of the value of these transactions in order to obtain immediate funding – although most receivable financing companies will not buy any invoice more than 90 days old. Loans against receivables are actually different from a standard loan, since the business is backed by its own accounts.
Factoring of accounts receivable is a relatively simple process and is an easy way to improve cash flow for a business. The process is designed to make use of the value of the outstanding bills that have yet to be paid by customers. This is done by using the outstanding invoices as collateral. The factoring company can send the seller's business up to 90% of the value of the outstanding invoices in cash. These proceeds can be used to help to meet payroll deadlines, pay any bills, or to provide extra funds for current projects.
For many small businesses, these relatively simple payroll deadlines or bills can go unpaid, because of outstanding debts that are owed to them. With the assistance of a service such as accounts receivable factoring, many small business owners can pay their own bills on time and pay the employees that keep the business up and running.
Once the customer has paid the debt in full, the factoring agency will deduct their transaction fee, and they will pay the remaining amount to the seller.
Many different types of industries frequently use receivables factoring to assist in correcting financial problems. Staffing agencies, service providers, distributors, trucking companies, and manufacturers frequently make use of factoring loans and all qualify for a receivable financing. A factoring company can help to reduce and even eliminate the erratic tendencies of a company's cash flow.
When a company does not need to worry about collections or other account receivable follow-ups, they can focus on other departments within their business, such as the important items like sales and marketing. In addition, the receivables factoring company will not evaluate a business in the same format as a regular financial institution, lender, or bank. The standard measure for the factoring service is the value of the business' customers. Receivable factoring rates are subject to other conditions including the industry and the available history of customers.
A factoring company can take the necessary steps and required action to obtain payments on every single invoice, and they are able to provide funding to their customers immediately. Businesses typically make use of receivable factoring services for working capital needs, purchases, or paying a supplier. Small businesses, in particular, can find great value in factoring services, since the small business does not have the extensive resources and assets necessary to chase after all of their accounts. In addition, under funded businesses are more at risk for bad debts, since they do not have professional credit analysis available to them. Finding the correct factoring service can take some time, but reviewing past performance and industry examples can help a manager to make an effective decision.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Time Management Tips for Home Business Owners
Running a business at home requires quite a bit of discipline, organization, and time management. Many business owners have quite a bit of factors to consider when scheduling their day.
The biggest conflict that many people have while starting a new home business is family. They have to make time for their wives, husbands, and children. Not only that, but then there are grandmas and grandpas who want to see their kids, birthday celebrations, and weekend trips to take. Making time for a home business can see overwhelming at times. If you are a business owner with a large family, you can empathize. However, you can plan your schedule accordingly.
Some people think that if they have a schedule it takes away from their freedom, which is why they started the business in the first place. Although you are supposed to be able to enjoy the freedom and flexibility of working at home, you may need to try to make yourself a schedule you can stick with at least most of the time. It does not mean that you have no control of your schedule if you do this. You still will work when you want to but you will be able to decide when you should work.
If you set a certain time of the day in which to do your work and stick to it you will still have just as much time as you would if you were working a full time job. In fact, you may even have more time on your hands because you may not always have to work long hours every day.
If you are a night person, you may want to do a majority of your business work at night, and then contact your customers when you need to during the day. If you are a day person, you may want to set your primary work hours for during the day. Other options would be to work your business while your kids are at school, if you have kids.
If you absolutely cannot handle being told you should set a daily schedule, then you may at least want to make a list of the business projects that you think you could realistically get done in one day. Then, whether you complete those projects in the morning that day or at night that day is up to you. The point is at least you have written the tasks down, and that you will get to them.
When you make up your schedule with client appointments, dates with your spouse, kids’ sporting events you also should try not to overdo it. When you plan your day you may want to leave room for delays and emergencies. This will help reduce the amount of frustration you feel. For example, if you leave a half hour before you have to be somewhere instead of fifteen minutes before you have to leave somewhere you will not be as frustrated about the never ending red light.
Proper time management will also help you avoid having extra work to do on the weekends. Your friends, associates, family, and children are important. However, your financial well being is important as well. Therefore, manage your time wisely. You cannot afford to waste another minute.
If you need further help with time management, you may want to find books written by professionals regarding this matter. You can learn how to keep a calendar, when to say no to someone, and other tips to help you organize your day.
Part of time management is also staying organized. If you keep your desk clean, set up a computer file system, and alphabetize any paper records you can find them easily later on. You would be amazed how much time people waste looking for an important paper, or their car keys even. All this time could be spent completing projects or watching a movie with your child. You don’t have this time to waste any more.
Those who want to make the most of their time can put all their belongings in a designated space. Those who need help learning how to be more organized can read books and articles on organization to help them. Please visit often for further time management and organization tips.
The biggest conflict that many people have while starting a new home business is family. They have to make time for their wives, husbands, and children. Not only that, but then there are grandmas and grandpas who want to see their kids, birthday celebrations, and weekend trips to take. Making time for a home business can see overwhelming at times. If you are a business owner with a large family, you can empathize. However, you can plan your schedule accordingly.
Some people think that if they have a schedule it takes away from their freedom, which is why they started the business in the first place. Although you are supposed to be able to enjoy the freedom and flexibility of working at home, you may need to try to make yourself a schedule you can stick with at least most of the time. It does not mean that you have no control of your schedule if you do this. You still will work when you want to but you will be able to decide when you should work.
If you set a certain time of the day in which to do your work and stick to it you will still have just as much time as you would if you were working a full time job. In fact, you may even have more time on your hands because you may not always have to work long hours every day.
If you are a night person, you may want to do a majority of your business work at night, and then contact your customers when you need to during the day. If you are a day person, you may want to set your primary work hours for during the day. Other options would be to work your business while your kids are at school, if you have kids.
If you absolutely cannot handle being told you should set a daily schedule, then you may at least want to make a list of the business projects that you think you could realistically get done in one day. Then, whether you complete those projects in the morning that day or at night that day is up to you. The point is at least you have written the tasks down, and that you will get to them.
When you make up your schedule with client appointments, dates with your spouse, kids’ sporting events you also should try not to overdo it. When you plan your day you may want to leave room for delays and emergencies. This will help reduce the amount of frustration you feel. For example, if you leave a half hour before you have to be somewhere instead of fifteen minutes before you have to leave somewhere you will not be as frustrated about the never ending red light.
Proper time management will also help you avoid having extra work to do on the weekends. Your friends, associates, family, and children are important. However, your financial well being is important as well. Therefore, manage your time wisely. You cannot afford to waste another minute.
If you need further help with time management, you may want to find books written by professionals regarding this matter. You can learn how to keep a calendar, when to say no to someone, and other tips to help you organize your day.
Part of time management is also staying organized. If you keep your desk clean, set up a computer file system, and alphabetize any paper records you can find them easily later on. You would be amazed how much time people waste looking for an important paper, or their car keys even. All this time could be spent completing projects or watching a movie with your child. You don’t have this time to waste any more.
Those who want to make the most of their time can put all their belongings in a designated space. Those who need help learning how to be more organized can read books and articles on organization to help them. Please visit often for further time management and organization tips.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
A Glimpse into the Open Book Management Style in Business
Management styles have changed significantly since the “Booming '80s”. They've even changed enough in just the last eight to ten years and open book management is perhaps an anecdote to these older management styles. This style of management can greatly improve morale among employees and bring back the passion and vision they once felt towards the company.
You see, when employees don't or can't know what is going on behind the scenes, they can sometimes feel frustrated and alienated from their work. With the advent of the Internet and lightning fast electronic communication, it is becoming harder and harder for employees to grasp what is needed or wanted from their employers. Employers are trying to communicate their needs faster and hoping the employee can fill in the gaps themselves, when just the opposite is needed, more communication and information. Millions of business owners and corporations are having this same problem.
What exactly is open book management? It is the concept of being completely open with all employees about the company for which they are working. Each employee is encouraged to review the company’s books and participate in financial planning and business strategies. It's a process that involves each employee as an integral part of the business, almost as an equal business partner in the enterprise. It is also a management style that benefits those who wish to learn the business end of the details and is great on the job training in business. A lot of female-based organizations have been doing this for years. This could be because open book management style is a natural inclination in this gender and involves actually building relationships with fellow employees. However, lately it knows no boundaries.
It was mentioned earlier that this style of management greatly improves employee morale. It has been shown that this type of management makes employees more willing to help each other even if it involves something they are not usually assigned to do. It increases the mentality of we are all in this together so let's get the job done. It has also been shown to reduce the numbers of employees who call in sick, because it holds the employees more accountable. All this can greatly benefit the corporation overall by increasing the profits through harder working, more accountable employees who are willing to do whatever it takes to get it done.
Because of many new things in the workplace this open management technique is actually very useful in today's business world. Individual employees are more likely to be making their own decisions regarding matters because of the faster pace of office environments these days. Computers make work more efficient and therefore more can get done by each individual employee, having open book management helps each employee know exactly what is going on overall and assist them in making the most efficient use of their time.
Another phenomena that has occurred is less managers in businesses now than there used to be. With fewer managers and less time to divide over more tasks, individual employees must make split second decisions and do not always have time to consult with a manager. Open book management style helps the employee have more confidence in any decision he or she may make. Building relationships within the company can help immensely when it comes to profitability. With strong internal relationships it is easier and more likely a business will be able to build quality and strong relationships with its customers. Open book management encourages this type of relationship building.
Here are a few tips on making this management style work the best for you and your company. First of all remember to have real conversations with employees, build relationships, not the typical boss giving the employee a speech. Second be prepared for miscommunication, it can still happen to the best of us. If you are prepared than it is easier to get back on track and find solutions. Third ask questions, lots of them, ask ones that you don't know the answer to. It will make the employee feel more valuable when he or she is able to help you. Employee boards are also a great idea.
Strategic communication is a good idea also; managers need to be willing to take responsibility for 60% of the conversations. Lastly empower your employees, make sure they feel responsible for part of the company whether it fails or succeeds, accountability and some authority will make each employee feel valued and therefore work harder to reach the common goal. In the end open book management can definitely improve the overall quality of the business. By making everyone feel equally involved, each employee can take pride in the success of the business. When they feel pride their passion will increase and the possibilities are endless.
You see, when employees don't or can't know what is going on behind the scenes, they can sometimes feel frustrated and alienated from their work. With the advent of the Internet and lightning fast electronic communication, it is becoming harder and harder for employees to grasp what is needed or wanted from their employers. Employers are trying to communicate their needs faster and hoping the employee can fill in the gaps themselves, when just the opposite is needed, more communication and information. Millions of business owners and corporations are having this same problem.
What exactly is open book management? It is the concept of being completely open with all employees about the company for which they are working. Each employee is encouraged to review the company’s books and participate in financial planning and business strategies. It's a process that involves each employee as an integral part of the business, almost as an equal business partner in the enterprise. It is also a management style that benefits those who wish to learn the business end of the details and is great on the job training in business. A lot of female-based organizations have been doing this for years. This could be because open book management style is a natural inclination in this gender and involves actually building relationships with fellow employees. However, lately it knows no boundaries.
It was mentioned earlier that this style of management greatly improves employee morale. It has been shown that this type of management makes employees more willing to help each other even if it involves something they are not usually assigned to do. It increases the mentality of we are all in this together so let's get the job done. It has also been shown to reduce the numbers of employees who call in sick, because it holds the employees more accountable. All this can greatly benefit the corporation overall by increasing the profits through harder working, more accountable employees who are willing to do whatever it takes to get it done.
Because of many new things in the workplace this open management technique is actually very useful in today's business world. Individual employees are more likely to be making their own decisions regarding matters because of the faster pace of office environments these days. Computers make work more efficient and therefore more can get done by each individual employee, having open book management helps each employee know exactly what is going on overall and assist them in making the most efficient use of their time.
Another phenomena that has occurred is less managers in businesses now than there used to be. With fewer managers and less time to divide over more tasks, individual employees must make split second decisions and do not always have time to consult with a manager. Open book management style helps the employee have more confidence in any decision he or she may make. Building relationships within the company can help immensely when it comes to profitability. With strong internal relationships it is easier and more likely a business will be able to build quality and strong relationships with its customers. Open book management encourages this type of relationship building.
Here are a few tips on making this management style work the best for you and your company. First of all remember to have real conversations with employees, build relationships, not the typical boss giving the employee a speech. Second be prepared for miscommunication, it can still happen to the best of us. If you are prepared than it is easier to get back on track and find solutions. Third ask questions, lots of them, ask ones that you don't know the answer to. It will make the employee feel more valuable when he or she is able to help you. Employee boards are also a great idea.
Strategic communication is a good idea also; managers need to be willing to take responsibility for 60% of the conversations. Lastly empower your employees, make sure they feel responsible for part of the company whether it fails or succeeds, accountability and some authority will make each employee feel valued and therefore work harder to reach the common goal. In the end open book management can definitely improve the overall quality of the business. By making everyone feel equally involved, each employee can take pride in the success of the business. When they feel pride their passion will increase and the possibilities are endless.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Tips For Getting Finance After Bankruptcy
Unless you are willing to pay terribly high interest rates, you should try to raise your credit score as much as possible. The lower your credit score, the higher the risk for the lender to grant you a loan and the higher the risk, the higher the rate. This is unavoidable, of course there are special situations that may have caused your financial breakdown, but there are no means to avoid this and lenders can’t take subjective facts into consideration when it comes to fixing the interest rate.
Repairing your credit
Repairing your credit may take some time, but here is the way to start. Open a savings account and start making regular deposits. You don’t need to deposit large amounts, but the fact that you have an income that lets you put away an amount of money regularly will soon be recorded to your credit history and will highly contribute to raising your credit score and improving your credit history. This is just the first step but as a first step, the most important one.
Credit Cards
Once you’ve a reasonable amount of money in your savings account, use it to apply for a secured credit card. Secured Credit Cards are just like regular credit cards only that you can only borrow the money that you’ve previously transferred to an account. There is no risk for the card issuer so you’ll be able to get it even if your bankruptcy is close in time and your credit is not that good.
After using your secured credit card for a while you can apply (if you haven’t been offered one yet by that time) for an unsecured credit card. Your credit score improvement will most surely let you get approved without hassles. Make sure you use the card wisely, make small purchases pay the credit card balance always in full if possible, and never miss a payment nor make late payments.
Using your credit card wisely will help you skyrocket your credit score. Now is the time to start requesting small personal loans. Asking for small loan amounts will guarantee that you’ll get approved. Your regular monthly payments will do the rest, your credit score will soon reach a status where you’ll be able to request personal loans at very reasonable interest rates.
Final Steps
At this time you should have reached a good credit tag and you’ll be able to obtain any financial product that you need. Refinancing your home loan would be the next wise step to continue improving your credit score. Or you could request a home equity loan. Either of them will prove to future lenders that you are able to commit to repaying higher amount loans and that you’ve finally put behind your bankruptcy.
Repairing your credit
Repairing your credit may take some time, but here is the way to start. Open a savings account and start making regular deposits. You don’t need to deposit large amounts, but the fact that you have an income that lets you put away an amount of money regularly will soon be recorded to your credit history and will highly contribute to raising your credit score and improving your credit history. This is just the first step but as a first step, the most important one.
Credit Cards
Once you’ve a reasonable amount of money in your savings account, use it to apply for a secured credit card. Secured Credit Cards are just like regular credit cards only that you can only borrow the money that you’ve previously transferred to an account. There is no risk for the card issuer so you’ll be able to get it even if your bankruptcy is close in time and your credit is not that good.
After using your secured credit card for a while you can apply (if you haven’t been offered one yet by that time) for an unsecured credit card. Your credit score improvement will most surely let you get approved without hassles. Make sure you use the card wisely, make small purchases pay the credit card balance always in full if possible, and never miss a payment nor make late payments.
Using your credit card wisely will help you skyrocket your credit score. Now is the time to start requesting small personal loans. Asking for small loan amounts will guarantee that you’ll get approved. Your regular monthly payments will do the rest, your credit score will soon reach a status where you’ll be able to request personal loans at very reasonable interest rates.
Final Steps
At this time you should have reached a good credit tag and you’ll be able to obtain any financial product that you need. Refinancing your home loan would be the next wise step to continue improving your credit score. Or you could request a home equity loan. Either of them will prove to future lenders that you are able to commit to repaying higher amount loans and that you’ve finally put behind your bankruptcy.
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