Post about "Management"

Alternative Sources of Business Growth Finance: There Is More Than One Way to Fund Growth

Talk to any business owner or read the business section of any newspaper and you’re likely to come across stories of struggles to access sufficient finance to grow or maintain their business. But we are beginning to witness a change in how business owners access finance with many now actively seeking out alternative sources.A survey carried out by the UK’s Forum of Private Business found that 26% of businesses were hunting out alternative financial products, with 21% seeking them outside of the traditional main High Street lenders. In fact, in another survey undertaken by the Federation of Small Businesses, it was discovered that only 35% of respondents used a traditional overdraft facility in 2011.So, if banks are continually reluctant to lend to all but the lowest risk businesses, how can the remainder of the UK’s business population finance growth? Here are some of the increasingly popular alternative sources of finance to investigate.Better Management of Working CapitalThis may appear to be an odd source of finance but very often businesses are sitting on undiscovered cash reserves which can be used to finance growth. A report issued by Deloitte in 2011 revealed that the UK’s largest businesses were sitting on £60 billion of unproductive working capital. Inefficiencies in how working capital (debtors, stock and creditors) is handled can unnecessarily tie up your cash. Cash can be unlocked and released back in to the system thereby allowing self-financed growth plans by taking a close look at credit procedures, how credit terms are granted and how outstanding payments are chased.Ensuring that stock is kept at an optimum level via better inventory management is another area where cash can be released to support and finance growth. Take a good look at your inventory management process and identify areas where cash is trapped.Good management of working capital is not just about better control of debtors and stock, it is also about maximising the terms given by creditors. Are you too eager to maintain a first class relationship with your suppliers by paying well before the due date? You can positively impact your cash position by taking full advantage of terms offered by your suppliers. Have you fully leveraged your position by seeking an extensive of terms from say 30 days to 45 days?Being more efficient in how working capital is managed can release sufficient funds to self-finance growth plans.Personal ResourcesWith traditional avenues of funding being more difficult to access business owners are now looking to their personal resources to fund growth. Whether it be drawing on cash savings, using personal credit cards or taking additional mortgages on residential properties, such sources are an instant solution. A survey by the Federation of Small Businesses found that 33% of respondents had utilised their savings to fund growth. As well as being more immediately accessible using personal resources is often a cheaper source of finance.Family and FriendsSometimes referred to as the three F’s – family, friends and fools – this can appear to be a less stressful way of raising finance. In some ways it can but it can also be a journey fraught with danger. Tapping into their personal network business owners source finance by either seeking a loan and offering to pay an interest rate higher than that on offer on a High Street savings account, or offering a slice of equity in the business in return for investment.Raising finance in this way can be relatively easy because the request and fulfilment is very much based on personal trust. Typically a Business Plan would be presented highlighting both the investment opportunity and the risks but at the end of the day success is down to the depth of the relationship and level of trust.The danger in raising funds this way is that the nature of the relationship will change from that of a personal nature to a business transaction. Failure to regularly pay as per agreed terms, or even total failure to pay, can irreparably damage the relationship so tread with care.Asset FinanceThe Asset Finance industry is based on the concept of either preserving cash or speeding up access to it. Asset finance, which consists of invoice discounting, factoring and funding of asset purchases, has been available as a source of finance for many years, yet it’s only now gaining more recognition. Figures released by the Asset Based Finance Association, a trade association representing the industry, show that to the third quarter of 2011 the amount financed by the Association’s members increased by 9% compared to the same period in the previous year. Whilst the increase may not seem significant it is against the backdrop of a fall in traditional bank lending.In a world where ‘cash is king’ asset financiers help preserve cash by financing the purchase of assets such as vehicles, machinery and equipment. Because the financier is looking to the underlying asset as security there is usually no requirement for additional collateral. According to the Asset Finance and Leasing Association one in three UK businesses that have external finance now utilise asset finance.Asset financiers can help speed up the flow of cash within a business by allowing quicker access to cash tied up in the debtor book. An invoice discounting and factoring facility gives businesses the ability to immediately access up to 80% of an invoice instead of waiting for the agreed credit terms to run their course. Such finance facilities will speed up the velocity of cash within the business thereby allowing the business to fund a high rate of growth.New players such as Market Invoice are entering the market to allow businesses to raise finance against selected invoices. Tapping into high net worth individuals and funds Market Invoice acts as an auction house with funders ‘bidding’ to advance against certain invoices.Crowfunding and Peer-to-PeerA relatively new phenomenon is the concept of raising finance by tapping into the power of the crowd. The historically low rates of interest payable on savings have led to depositors seeking out new ways to increase their returns. With business owners struggling to raise the funding they need it’s only natural that a market would be created to bring these two parties together.CrowdCube entered the market in 2010 to match private investors seeking to be Dragons with those businesses looking to raise capital. Once a business passes the initial review stage their proposal is posted on the site and potential investors indicate the level of investment they wish to make with the minimum amount being as low as £10.Businesses looking for a more traditional loan should consider Funding Circle. Established in 2010 Funding Circle also matches individual investors looking for a better return with those businesses seeking additional finance. Businesses can apply for funding between £5,000 and £250,000 for a period of 1, 3 or 5 years. As a minimum the business has to have submitted two years Accounts with Companies House and be assessed in order to arrive at a risk rating which guides potential investors.As the crowd sourcing concept matures we are likely to see more players enter this market to capitalise on the need for better investor returns and easier access to business finance.There is More Than One Way to Fund GrowthAccessing finance to fund growth plans does not have to be difficult if you are prepared to seek out alternative providers. Funding growth is now no longer the exclusive preserve of the traditional High Street bank and it’s now down to business owners to seek out the alternative routes.

3 Factors to Consider When Picking a Side Hustle

A side hustle is an essential part of building wealth and creating the means to do more with the limited time we have. Many people have never even considered having a source of income outside of their day jobs.

But wouldn’t it be great to rid yourself of the financial pressures you face? Not having to worry about the end of the month and what your bank balance is?

Starting with a side hustle is now easier than ever, but it might be worth considering these 3 factors before you jump straight in.

Time
You need to make sure whatever side hustle you decide to embark upon is suitable for your time commitments. Some side hustles require much more time than others. Blogging for example is extremely time consuming. Although it may be one of the most profitable side gigs it might not be suitable for your lifestyle.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t find a hustle that does suite your needs. There are countless ways to make extra income, you just need to explore your options and pick what you are able to commit to. Here are just some examples of side hustles that do not require a great deal of your precious time:

User testing
eBay Flipping
Rent out Car
Rent out House
Complete tasks on TaskRabbit
Online Surveys
Recommended article: 29 Awesome Side Hustle Ideas To Make Extra Money

Skill
Obviously the more skill a side hustle requires, the more profitable it will likely be. Now, this doesn’t mean you can’t develop and learn the skills needed to do any side hustle you want. It just means it may take more time before you jump in and start making money.

But this is something that you should carefully consider.

Investing in education is the best way to significantly increase your earnings. And this is where many people fall short. You see, it’s so easy to think $500 or $1000 is a massive outlay and not worth it.

But you will be able to develop and learn the skills required to perform a side hustle that could make this initial investment back and more. And that is the key to investing in yourself and your ability to earn more money in the future.

Passion
Do you need to passionate about your side hustle selection?

Well, the truth is, it helps.

And it helps a lot.

There are so many things you could do to earn more money outside of you main source of income. Bu the chances are you have hobbies and interest. And this could actually give you a leg up over the competition.

Take for example a music teacher. They work at a school doing 40 hours a week for standard teachers pay. This is great, but the teacher wants to improve their life and make more money.

Now they could consider starting a blog or running Facebook ads. Both are great side hustles and would do the job perfectly.

But if the music teacher considers their skills then an ideal side hustle is right under their nose. Giving music lessons on the side means they can charge a decent price because they are already qualified and they can get started right away.

This won’t be the case for everyone, and if you don’t have any obvious skills that you can monetise, don’t worry. Remember, skills are transferable and the side hustle options are many.

But having a passion is a great way to start side hustling the right way – and it means you can make even more money.