We have all heard the stories about golf and business, and how business golf can be the difference between success and failure for many business owners.We have all seen the successful business people on the golf course during the day, and wondered whether it is their success in business that puts them on the course, or their time on the course that contributes to their success!However, you probably also wonder just how much of those sayings and statistics are fact, and how much is an urban legend. The good news is, thanks to some very clever people at the Stanford Research Institute in the USA, it is now possible to put a real financial value to the game of golf.So How Much is Business Golf Worth?According to the researchers at Stanford (one of the most prominent colleges in the US), during 2005, golf contributed an astronomical $195 billion to the US economy, both directly and indirectly.That is made up of contributions from the golf industry itself, as well as salaries, wages and other indirect earnings related to golf. It does not, however, measure just how much business is done on the course, but it is a very good indicator of just how pivotal golf is to the US business economy!The Spin OffSince the astronomical figure that the researchers have come up with is only for earnings directly related to the golf industry, and since those figures are already over five years old, it is easy to see that the value of business golf is probably much, much higher than that!In fact, if every dollar spent on golf in the US leads to just a one dollar return (and that’s unlikely, given the size of the deals that go down on golf courses every day) then businesses in the US are doing business to the tune of nearly $200 billion on the course every year!Business Golf Is an InvestmentWhen you look at figures like this, it is easy to see that business golf is not simply something that gets you out of the office. It is a strategic, carefully planned investment in your business, and your company’s potential profits.If you approach business golf in that way, then it can be one of the most valuable marketing tools in your business arsenal. Simply asking yourself, before every invitation or game, what the return on your investment will be, in terms of networking, relationship building and potential deals, should be enough to determine whether each game is worth your time.Whatever your feeling about business golf, it’s very hard to deny that in the world’s largest economy, nearly $200 billion dollars is generated every year by the golf industry. It is entirely likely that many times that is generated every year by deals that come about as a result of business golf.It is clear, however, that business golf is here to stay, and that by making the most of the opportunities it presents, you too can boost your business, and your profits, and become a part of that huge, global money-spinning machine!
How to Get the Very Best From Your Payday Loan, and the Pitfalls You Should Avoid
We all know what it’s like to run out of money before pay day. If you do not have savings, or someone who can help you out with a little cash, running short of money can be really stressful, and a difficult situation to cope with. Daily expenses to get to work, money for the kids, or unexpected bills can crop up at any time, and if there’s no cash what should you do?For some people, a Payday loan can provide a solution to their temporary cash shortage.Here are some tips to help you get the best from a Payday loan, and a few words of advice on some pitfalls to avoid.If you decide to take out a Payday loan, spend some time researching to find the best lender. They should have a good reputation as a fair lender and have all the necessary licences. Don’t be tempted to borrow from a lender that is not properly registered, this can be dangerous, as your rights may not be fully protected. If you are unsure, you can check if the lender is licenced and registered to operate as a private lender who is offering Payday loans.Consider your monthly wage and your regular expenses when you are calculating how much you can afford to borrow. Remember that the loan is repaid in full on your next payday, so only borrow what you know you can afford. If you make sure you will not be short of cash the following month, you’ll find Payday loans are much easier to use, and helpful to you.Payday loans are short term forms of credit, so do not use them to deal with long term debts or low income problems. It is never advisable to borrow money to pay existing debts. This can lead to a debt spiral that can be extremely difficult to resolve. Payday loans are best used purely as a solution to a very short term need for a small amount of cash. As long as you know you can afford to repay it, and you only borrow what you can afford, you will have no problems.Only work with a trusted lender. Unfortunately, there are still dishonest lenders around, although the authorities are gradually stamping them out. The best advice is to be cautious. This decision affects your money and your financial future, so only deal with a company you feel comfortable with. Ask around for recommendations, and check online for genuine feedback about a lender. It won’t take long to find bad reviews if the company is not reputable. Using a fair lender who treats customers with courtesy and respect, and who will make the entire process of applying, and borrowing money, much easier, and stress free.Over 2 million people use Payday loans successfully every year and this figure is increasing. There is no doubt that used wisely. Payday loans can be a useful way to access money quickly. Bad lenders, unfair lending practices, and a lack of understanding about these loans, have all contributed to giving them a great deal of bad press. However,the truth is, they are formal credit agreements, have been around for many years, and when operated by reputable lenders, they are perfectly reasonable ways to access emergency money.If you are considering a Payday loan to help you until you are next paid, take some time to find the right lender for you, and then make sure they answer all your questions. Your application will not take long to process, and it will be stress free if you follow our simple tips.
Business Loans In Canada: Financing Solutions Via Alternative Finance & Traditional Funding
Business loans and finance for a business just may have gotten good again? The pursuit of credit and funding of cash flow solutions for your business often seems like an eternal challenge, even in the best of times, let alone any industry or economic crisis. Let’s dig in.
Since the 2008 financial crisis there’s been a lot of change in finance options from lenders for corporate loans. Canadian business owners and financial managers have excess from everything from peer-to-peer company loans, varied alternative finance solutions, as well of course as the traditional financing offered by Canadian chartered banks.
Those online business loans referenced above are popular and arose out of the merchant cash advance programs in the United States. Loans are based on a percentage of your annual sales, typically in the 15-20% range. The loans are certainly expensive but are viewed as easy to obtain by many small businesses, including retailers who sell on a cash or credit card basis.
Depending on your firm’s circumstances and your ability to truly understand the different choices available to firms searching for SME COMMERCIAL FINANCE options. Those small to medium sized companies ( the definition of ‘ small business ‘ certainly varies as to what is small – often defined as businesses with less than 500 employees! )
How then do we create our road map for external financing techniques and solutions? A simpler way to look at it is to categorize these different financing options under:
Debt / Loans
Asset Based Financing
Alternative Hybrid type solutions
Many top experts maintain that the alternative financing solutions currently available to your firm, in fact are on par with Canadian chartered bank financing when it comes to a full spectrum of funding. The alternative lender is typically a private commercial finance company with a niche in one of the various asset finance areas
If there is one significant trend that’s ‘ sticking ‘it’s Asset Based Finance. The ability of firms to obtain funding via assets such as accounts receivable, inventory and fixed assets with no major emphasis on balance sheet structure and profits and cash flow ( those three elements drive bank financing approval in no small measure ) is the key to success in ABL ( Asset Based Lending ).
Factoring, aka ‘ Receivable Finance ‘ is the other huge driver in trade finance in Canada. In some cases, it’s the only way for firms to be able to sell and finance clients in other geographies/countries.
The rise of ‘ online finance ‘ also can’t be diminished. Whether it’s accessing ‘ crowdfunding’ or sourcing working capital term loans, the technological pace continues at what seems a feverish pace. One only has to read a business daily such as the Globe & Mail or Financial Post to understand the challenge of small business accessing business capital.
Business owners/financial mgrs often find their company at a ‘ turning point ‘ in their history – that time when financing is needed or opportunities and risks can’t be taken. While putting or getting new equity in the business is often impossible, the reality is that the majority of businesses with SME commercial finance needs aren’t, shall we say, ‘ suited’ to this type of funding and capital raising. Business loan interest rates vary with non-traditional financing but offer more flexibility and ease of access to capital.
We’re also the first to remind clients that they should not forget govt solutions in business capital. Two of the best programs are the GovernmentSmall Business Loan Canada (maximum availability = $ 1,000,000.00) as well as the SR&ED program which allows business owners to recapture R&D capital costs. Sred credits can also be financed once they are filed.
Those latter two finance alternatives are often very well suited to business start up loans. We should not forget that asset finance, often called ‘ ABL ‘ by those Bay Street guys, can even be used as a loan to buy a business.
If you’re looking to get the right balance of liquidity and risk coupled with the flexibility to grow your business seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor with a track record of business finance success who can assist you with your funding needs.