Canadian Business Financing - 7 Park Avenue Financial: June 2019

Sunday, June 30, 2019

Caution - Danger Ahead ! Information Technology Finance And Computer Leasing : I T Technology Financing Tips

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FINANCING & COMPUTER FINANCE SOLUTIONS - SOLVING THE I T CONUNDRUM OF.. COST!

It's probably just us, but we think there’s no aspect of equipment financing in Canada where one small piece of info could cost you, or make you thousands of dollars. Let's cover off some
I T Financing (IT = Information technology) basics. All of a sudden that cautionary road sign up ahead wont be as much of a concern.

Although the actual benefits and economics of any lease should always be considered it just seems more of a need when we are talking about IT finance for your infrastructure, computer, and even telecom needs. The challenge is actually pretty basic, matching a financial solution to those fast paced (and expensive) technology needs.

So know what you will face, what decisions you need to make now, and during and at the end of your lease financing is, well, critical!

The reality of tech financing is you have to be pretty sharp and well informed in several key areas - just knowing those areas is important. They include documentation, structure, as well as your rights and obligations in certain lease arrangements.

Hardware makes up probably the majority of dollars in computer leasing transactions. Whether it be telecom, server, pc, laptop, notebook, tablets, or even ' cloud ' type solutions that’s where the buck seem to be. Canadian business owners can finance hardware separately through 1 of the 2 lease vehicles available, or your transaction can be combined with soft costs such as application software, installation, etc.

Where hardware financing gets somewhat tricky and challenging is when it comes down to operating leases, residual values, disposition of equipment at end of term, etc.

The majority of Canadian business has financed larger computer leasing and it finance technology projects via operating leases. However, the next several years major changes in international accounting rules might well render a lot of the benefits of operating leases less effective, so it’s critical to stay on top of this development in accounting.

Although larger more sophisticated Canadian businesses have been utilizing software financing for years many smaller and medium sized businesses sometimes aren’t even aware soft costs such as software can be financed and bundled into your IT finance transactions. A good tip here is to ensure you understand how the cost of software is priced and blended into your entire transaction. It is most often amortized in full and sometimes attracts higher rates.

Medium sized and larger corporations are encouraged to take advantage of a Master Lease arrangement. A one time negotiation of terms, rights and obligations is going to save you time and dollars in the years ahead, along with the ease of simply adding on additional schedules of assets to be financed when you need them.

A common misstep in computer leasing is the failure of Canadian business to separate the financing from the manufacturer of the equipment, especially when it comes to warranties, service, and the right to use. So be careful in addressing issues separate, with the right party.

The largest benefits and the most risk in IT finance come from what happens during at end the end of a technology leasing transaction. Investigate and understand thoroughly your rights to terminate, upgrade, or renew at the end of the term. If you have entered into a capital ' lease to own' type scenario monitor your purchase options at the end of term.

Is there anything more ' mission critical ' than technology, computers, and telecom assets in Canadian business? Debatable, but doubtful don’t you think? Speak to a Canadian business financing advisor for your IT finance needs. All of a sudden that ‘Danger Ahead’ becomes manageable.

7 Park Avenue Financial :
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8

Direct Line = 416 319 5769

Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com

Business financing for Canadian Firms , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing , Equipment Leasing , franchise finance and Cdn. Tax Credit Finance . Founded 2004 - Completed in excess of 100 Million $ of financing for Canadian corporations .

' Canadian Business Financing With The Intelligent Use Of Experience '

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Stan has had a successful career with some of the world’s largest and most successful corporations.
Prior to founding 7 Park Avenue Financial in 2004 his employers over the last 25 years were, ASHLAND OIL, ( 1977-1980) DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION, ( 1980-1990) ) CABLE & WIRELESS PLC,( 1991 -1993) ) AND HEWLETT PACKARD ( 1994-2004 ) He is an expert in Canadian Business Financing.

Stan has over 40 years of business and finance executive experience. He has been recognized as a credit/financial executive for three of the largest technology companies in the world; Hewlett-Packard, Digital Equipment and Cable & Wireless. Stan has had in depth, hands on experience in assessing and evaluating thousands of companies that are seeking financing and expansion. He has been instrumental in helping many companies progress through every phase of financing, mergers & acquisitions, sales and marketing and human resources. Stan has worked with startups and public corporations and has many times established the financial wherewithal of organizations before approving millions of dollars of financing facilities and instruments on behalf of his employers.

Stan Prokop

Friday, June 28, 2019

Don’t Let Your Company Collapse For Lack Of Cash Flow Financing . Canadian AR Finance For Receivables

INFORMATION ON ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE FACTORING FINANCE

AR Finance, i.e. cash flow financing has the ability to save your company when it fact your firm is faced with survival challenges. Let's examine when a receivables strategy works, and what you need to do to facilitate a financing that makes sense. In essence, ' how it works' and ' why '.

Canadian business owners and finance managers that face challenges of raising cash for their firm can utilize an A/R finance strategy, which is in effect the sale and monetization of your receivables to generate working capital. Our comments are focused on your firm being potentially in ' survival ' mode, but of course they apply to daily operations and growth, or even 'hyper growth ' which is a double edge sword.

If you do in fact require an A/R cash flow strategy are you in fact eligible? Let's examine some key requirements around getting a proper facility in place. We say ' proper' because in our opinion there are certain receivables finance structures that certainly aren't optimal for your company.

Getting back to those qualifications! As a general rule only commercial, i.e. ' Business to Business' a/r is eligible for financing . (While there are financing mechanisms for consumer A/R in Canada - securitization / merchant advance etc. ) invoice financing in Canada general pertains to commercial business receivables.

And by the way, your clients can be in Canada, in the U.S. or foreign - cash flow A/R financing has the ability to capture and fund all of these!

Naturally your firm also has to be selling on credit, as a cash sale environment just does not work!

Size more or less counts when in comes to your ability to set up a proper receivables facility. Although very small facilities can be set up a good rule of thumb is that monthly A/R in the 100k+ range is a recommended size. And by the way, there is NO upper limit on the size of your facility in Canada, as facilities exist for tens of millions of dollars if that is in fact required.

The issue of ‘concentration’ of comes up. As a rule of thumb it’s preferable to have your A/R base spread over a number of clients, with no one client becoming a huge part of your overall sales. That issue is certainly able to be resolved if in fact that's the case with your firm, but widespread A/R clients is in fact the preferred business model.

While in almost all cases Canadian business financing vehicles work best with established companies we do point out to clients that a start up firm can in fact set up a proper facility and benefit in the same manner.

While very small invoice transactions can be financed typically larger invoice amounts lend themselves best to this method of finance.

So those are some of the points that define your eligibility for a cash flow financing facility. To originate a facility you must be able to produce aged receivable reports, financial statements, and basic info around your business model.

Our recommended facility is confidential AR FINANCE, which allows you to bill and collect your own receivables. Generally this type of facility has a higher level of due diligence involved, but your firms reaps all the benefits of cash flow financing and remains in full control of all aspects of the day to day routine.

Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor
who can assist you in setting a proper facility that puts you in full survival, and hopefully growth mode for future sales and profits.

7 Park Avenue Financial :
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8

Direct Line = 416 319 5769

Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com

' Canadian Business Financing With The Intelligent Use Of Experience '

Wednesday, June 26, 2019

Don’t Gamble On Franchise Funding Success . Finance Your Franchising Opportunity Properly!

Franchise Funding in Canada - Financing Your Franchise Purchase

Franchise funding in Canada . At times does it seem like you have to take a real gamble on the franchising opportunity just to complete a transaction properly? And then finance it? Is there a better way? We think there is, and here's why, and how!

We're the first to admit making that franchise purchase decision is a huge leap of faith for many existing and would be entrepreneurs. Not only is it appropriate and important to align yourself with the proper franchisor, the challenge then becomes assembling what we could call a small ' team ' of advisors and mentors. So who is on that team - typically it’s a key contact at your franchisor, your accountant or franchise lawyer, and a financing advisor of some type - it might be your banker, it might not be.

So if you have a team in place is there still a gamble and risk here? To some degree yes, as the question still hangs over your opportunity, namely ‘How does franchise financing work and can I convince a lender of some sorts to approve my transaction?”

If there is any good news in the cloud of doubt we seem to be casting (we’re not trying to be negative!) here it’s simply that a franchising opportunity is viewed as a positive business model in today’s Canadian lending landscape.

Getting the right terms and conditions and utilizing the best finance program for franchises is key. So what then makes franchise funding and getting your acquisition in place a ' gamble ' sometimes? One thing is the quality of your team - the advice and direction you get from your franchisor, your finance partner, your specialized franchising lawyer etc are worth a million dollars... or close to it!

When it comes to financing you absolutely must be working with a lender of financing advisor who is both positive, and yes, experienced! in franchise finance. The reality is that there are always naysayers in any crowd, so if you get the old line ' we like you and your idea but we just think it's too risky ' you are absolutely going to have to replace some of our aforementioned team mates!

Who are the preferred lenders in franchise funding in Canada. You might be surprised to know it’s the federal government! Under the auspices of the CSBF program thousands of franchises are financed in Canada every year. Is it an automatic approval? Hardly - but you can eliminate a lot of the gamble we have been talking about by simply focusing on a crisp presentation.

That includes a solid business plan , cash flow, ( Cash repays loans by the way !) and the ability to position yourself as having an appropriate level of business or industry experience within the sector you are entering into with your franchisor .

While we identified your franchisor as part of your team we would quickly hasten to say that you’re really gambling on success if you are relying on the franchisor to help you with financing in a direct manner. 99.999% of the time they don't and won't.

That is why the CSBF program we mentioned is so popular. It’s a largely guaranteed government loan that still gives you tremendous financing flexibility. Other sources of financing include specialized franchise lenders and commercial finance and leasing firms who can assist in closing your transaction successfully.

Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you in removing the ' gambling ' aspect of successful franchise funding in Canada.

7 Park Avenue Financial :
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8

Direct Line = 416 319 5769

Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com

' Canadian Business Financing With The Intelligent Use Of Experience '

Sunday, June 23, 2019

Does Your Canadian Company Have A Serious Asset Finance Loan Or Leasing Strategy ? You Need One!

An Asset Finance Leasing and Loan Strategy ? Most Canadian business owners and financial managers realize they can either purchase fixed assets out of equity, or finance those same assets on a long term lease.

Business owners need to focus heavily on the use of the asset. Any company that acquires assets has either a long term view of the asset or a short term view. Lease financing is an excellent method of financing long term assets.
From the company perspective a long term lease on the asset - typically 3-5 years, and sometimes longer, is simply a method of purchasing the equipment via a ' loan '. The company simply decides on which asset or assets they wish to acquire, and then negotiates a price with the vendor or manufacturer. Typically the company is either dealing with the vendor/mfr. or the captive finance firm related to that manufacturer.

Business owners are barraged with claims that ' leasing provides 100% financing ' or that it ' conserves capital '. More sophisticated business owners and financial executives know that long term leasing is in fact a solid mechanism for tax avoidance. Some people maintain that if corporate taxes disappeared long term leasing would disappear!

When a firm arranges leasing it of course uses the equipment, and makes fixed payments on that equipment. Business owners focus more often than not on ' using equipment ', not owning equipment. The user can though structure leases allowing them to purchase the equipment at end of term.

If a customer does not wish to acquire assets over a long length of time, and if those assets have a shorter useful economic life than a firm should consider an ' operating lease '. The company has the right to cancel the lease at the end of term, return the asset, etc. In long term asset financing the transaction cannot be cancelled.
If a firm utilized a purchase strategy for long term assets then the funds for those purchases come from equity shareholders. The company uses the asset, and it owns the asset. Many customers have a philosophy of ' pride of ownership ' and have long term histories of acquiring assets under a purchase strategy. If the company is properly funded this is of course an entirely viable option.

We would point out further that if the financial markets were ' perfect ' ( they are not!) the advantages of leasing would diminish. In that case the company would not have to consider legal costs, brokerage costs, and other miscellaneous fees. Leasing matters because there are no perfect markets - advantages gained by the lessee are at the expense of the lessor, and each company has a unique credit and risk profile.

In summary, each company has a unique financial structure and acquisition philosophy around financing and asset acquisition. Owners and managers must consider the optimal financing strategy for long term assets that best suits overall corporate needs.
Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor on your asset finance and lease strategy .

7 Park Avenue Financial :
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8

Direct Line = 416 319 5769

Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com

' Canadian Business Financing With The Intelligent Use Of Experience '

Friday, June 21, 2019

Canadian Commercial Business Bank Financing - What’s Right ( And Wrong ) With Your Banking Strategy

INFORMATION ON BUSINESS BANKING SOLUTIONS IN CANADA

Canadian business owners and financial managers assess their commercial business banking and financing needs at different times in their company's life.

As in many other facets of business it's a little difficult to develop a solution and fix a problem if you don't understand the fundamental problem.

The need to grow your business and be profitable usually drives a bank financing need. A growing business consumes, and needs more cash, if only for the fact that you’re building up receivables and inventories.

In Canada business operating lines of credit are offered by our chartered banks. These facilities finance your A/R and inventory via specific margin calculations.

Most Canadian firms that have this type of credit facility submit monthly financials and aged receivables, which in turn create a new borrowing base under which you can draw funds. Companies that are having challenges ( i.e. they are in special loans ) or who are in breach of covenants may in fact be required to submit almost daily cash flow and receivable reports .

Although the basic arithmetic around bank financing and commercial banking is simple in reality there are a lot of other factors that might end up affecting your bank facility.

What are some of these? In the continuum of time certain industries fall in and out of favor. No better example of this is offered up than the auto industry. Other factors that you as a business owner might not like that affect your bank financing are issues such as your profits ( or lack thereof!) , they quality of business and outside collateral, and your banks insistence on personal guarantees.

Bank financing works best under the following condition - your company is expanding, but at a reasonable rate. One of the greatest ironies of Canadian business financing is that a hyper growth business, even if its generating profits, is often viewed as financing challenged by a Chartered bank.

Business banking utilizes a very basic concept that is often misunderstood by the Canadian business owner. That's simply the fact that with a commercial bank line of credit you're drawing on assets of your growing business to pay older items. But wow, when your business ceases to grow, or profit your ability to draw cash flow out of your A/R and inventory business line of credit stops. But you still have operating and fixed term payment obligations and it now becomes difficult to pay suppliers.

Companies that have a solid handle on cash flow needs and their historical working capital inflows and outflows are in the best position to manage their firms and access bank financing.

Time and time again we meet with clients that tell a very similar story - business grew, expansion plans were put in place, fixed and operating costs grew, and .. you guessed it .. sales started flattening or going down. The result - a recipe for financial disaster!

The ability to manage your cash flow, or, alternatively, slow down your business is key. Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor for commercial bank financing that makes sense from where your firm is now.

7 Park Avenue Financial :
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8

Direct Line = 416 319 5769

Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com

' Canadian Business Financing With The Intelligent Use Of Experience '

Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Do Your Competitors Use A Customer Finance Vendor Program To Beat You At The Sales Game?

Thinking about a customer finance vendor program ? We know for sure that many Canadian business owners and financial managers recognize that their competition sometimes wins the sales battle, without even beating you at actual pricing / cost.
How do they do that? If you had the ability to get to the bottom of the matter you just might find that your lost client was offered a financing solution by your competitor for a sale you should have made!

Thousands of firms in Canada increase sales and are able to motivate their clients to purchase by the effective use of a vendor finance program.
Can we think of two reasons why you wouldn’t want to do that directly? We sure can - first of all you probably don’t have access to unlimited cash, and secondly, there are some serious revenue recognition programs when financing is offered by the seller.

So if that’s the case, what’s the solution? There's a great one, and it’s simply to set up an effective customer finance program that allows you to control the sale and program in partnership with a firm that will provide you with the capital and tools to offer such a benefit to clients.
It's important though to understand the benefits, and in some cases the limitations of the program. Simply speaking, you need to know how and why to offer a financial solution for your client. To coin a phrase we came across over 30 years ago from a trusted mentor, you want to be in a position to ' Remove the Obstacle to Innovation ' when a client considers your product and service combo.

In many cases you want to be in a position to close the sale more quickly - in effect shortening your sales cycle. The financial solution offered to your customer keeps interest in your offering high, and at the same time allows you to get one step up on a competitor who isn’t in fact able to offer the financing.

When you partner with the right firm or individual to offer such a program its essentially at no cost to yourself, other than your time commitment in promoting and putting together the program.

And by the way, you or your sales for don't have to be ' financial pros’ - your partner firm or individual is fully prepared to step in an consult with your customer on the basic elements of such an offering; they of course are things such as term of lease required, monthly payment, possible ownership at end of term, credit approval, etc.

By investing some time in such a program you can have different... let us call them ' flavors' within your offering. They might include shorter term rentals, the proverbial ' don't pay a cent event ', below market interest rates that could be subsidized by your firm in order to increase sales, or allowing customers to pick and choose their own monthly payments by providing them with a rate chart - with of course your firms name at the top . In effect your customer finance vendor program has allowed you to be a total solution vendor.

Speak to a Canadian business financing advisor to find out how you can beat your competitors through the use of a financial option.

7 Park Avenue Financial :
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8

Direct Line = 416 319 5769

Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com

' Canadian Business Financing With The Intelligent Use Of Experience '

Monday, June 17, 2019

Considered A Canadian Business Advisor For Specialized Access To Financing Funds And Lenders In Canada?

Information on Business Financing Advisory Services In Canada

Yes, of course it’s ultimately up to you but have you considered a
Canadian business financing advisor for your specialized access to funds, financing and traditional and alternative lenders in Canada?

As we said it’s you the Canadian business owner or financial manager that has to both recognize the need for and make the call when it comes to your company financial needs. Whether your firm is in some type of financial distress, or if you have the double edged sword challenge of growing sales (how do you finance them).

The fundamental concept of business finance ( and unfortunately many don’t know or recognize this ) is that as you grow your sales you must invest more in business assets such as inventory, receivables, and even equipment under your fixed assets category on your balance sheet.

In a perfect world (guess what, it's not) you want to be able to be in a position to generate and have access to financing almost ' spontaneously ', as you grow. And we forgot to mention that that higher investment in A/R, inventory, etc also leads to higher obligations when it comes to payables from suppliers, wages, and government super priority payments such as HST, employee source deductions, etc.

Yes, actual profits (when collected, by the way!) provide additional financing for your firm, but ultimately you will need access to lenders and financing sources to compliment your business finance needs.

When you consider assistance outside of your firm, such as a business advisor it might even be at a time when serious challenges have set in. Those challenges may be diverse, such as suppliers freezing credit, or your institutional lender such as a Canadian chartered bank being in a position to tighten, suspend or freeze your credit access.

Canadian business financing advisor can assist you in getting back the confidence of suppliers and lenders at a time when you need it most. That comes by providing solutions, both traditional and alternative, to the current problem.

We all know the expression ' you can't see the forest from the trees ' and most business owners / managers would admit they are sometimes to close to the problem, or, alternatively don’t have the expertise and access to outside financing sources. In essence you have just received access to corrective financing actions, at a time when you need it most!

So how in fact does a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor ' fix ' things? One way is to focus on the balance sheet and increase cash flow monetization when it comes to sales to inventory and sales to A/R ratios. This can be accomplished through working capital facilities that are non bank in nature, asset based lines of credit, monetizing your tax credit, securitizing receivables, and in some cases bringing a new chartered bank on board that is comfortable with your management and long term success.

So, need that specialized access to traditional and alternative funding sources. Who you gonna call ?!

7 Park Avenue Financial :
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8

Direct Line = 416 319 5769

Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com

' Canadian Business Financing With The Intelligent Use Of Experience '