Our blog highlights Canadian Business Financing solutions via receivable finance , equipment finance, working capital financing, asset based lending, business acquisition financing,franchise finance, and tax credit monetization via SRED and Film Tax Credits. Our goal is to educate and assist Canadian businesses with their financing needs. You Are Looking For Canadian Business Financing! Welcome to 7 Park Avenue Financial Call Now ! - Direct Line - 416 319 5769
WELCOME !
In 2004 I founded 7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL. At that time I had spent all my working life, at that time - Over 30 years in Commercial credit and lending and Canadian business financing. I believe the commercial lending landscape has drastically changed in Canada. I believe a void exists for business owners and finance managers for companies, large and small who want service, creativity, and alternatives.
Every day we strive to consistently deliver business financing that you feel meets the needs of your business. If you believe as we do that financing solutions and alternatives exist for your firm we want to talk to you. Our purpose is simple: we want to deliver the best business finance solutions for your company.
Monday, July 3, 2017
Financial Strategies For Troubled Firms
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There are strategies that troubled companies can use to save themselves from dire straits and regain their former financial success. These same sort of strategies are valuable for business owners and financial executives to understand how their firms can avoid financial turbulence and failure.
We must first realize that business failure or bankruptcy never happens overnight. Normally there is a gradual trend of financial deterioration that is sometimes exacerbated by industry troubles. No doubt in the current 2009-2010 environment the auto industry is a poster child for a troubled industry, as an example.
Naturally firms that are on the very precipice of failure or bankruptcy do not have many options or time left. It has to fix itself, or sink. No business owners or entrepreneurs want to face bankruptcy, liquidation, and other creditor issues.
Do financially failing firms survive because of a revival in products or their services, or have they in fact executed on improved financial management. This is a challenging questions, because the very financial problems that beset a firm hinder it in getting new sales, acquiring inventory, and regaining supplier credibility.
Also, lets be realistic, banks and other finance companies do not throw themselves at failing firms with financial offers of loans, lines of credit, etc. In fact what usually happens is that the company is forced to pledge some or all assets at much higher rates, sometimes simply accentuating the financial problems that were already there.
So what are the financial strategies that a firm can undertake to avoid financial failure when it has been losing sales, not generating profits, and generally traveling down a potential death spiral?
There are three or four solid strategies that can save the firm. The first is ' assets '. The second is liabilities and debt, and the third we will simply call ' Maneuverability'.
Strategy 1:
Assets have value. They can be sold, re financed,, or pledged to secure new financing. This type of strategy works best when it works for all parties, the company and the lender, or the company and another firm. However lets be clear that this is somewhat of a one shot strategy. It either must work or it doesn't. Asset maneuvers have 3 stages of success: assets can be used to get a new loan, assets can be sold, or they can, in somewhat of a worst case scenario, be liquidated.
Strategy 2:
On the other side of assets on the balance sheet is debt and equity. Debt can be structured properly to ensure the lender gets a reasonable reward, and the company is able to both repay and survive. There are too many types of debt to consider for the purposes of this article - suffice to say that creativity in debt is somewhat unlimited. A firm could issue debt, as an example, and repay only when the company is earning profits again.This would normally entail higher rates, but again, as we have stated, the transaction has to make sense both for customer and lender. A solid alternative solution is to simply re - structure existing debt at new rates and amortizations.
Alternatively to debt a company with promise can bring in new equity or ownership. This is somewhat more risk for all as dilution of ownership is usually significant when a company is failing and bring in new equity capital.
Strategy 3: A firm sometimes has to look to the outside for help. Since the owners and managers are often too close to the problem it is somewhat of a classic case of not seeing the forest for the trees. Outside consultants and industry experts can often bring a solution to the table. They have insights that management simply did not possess. These strategies include developing new sales and product strategies, bring in new management, or considering a strategic merger.
In summary, anyone who has worked through several business cycles over a number of years knows that companies can in fact be saved. Some go on to be the new super stars of their respective industry. The company must clearly uncover what the problem is, and then adapt strategies, financial or otherwise, to fix those problems
Stan Prokop is the owner of 7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL, a Canadian firm which originates business financing and business bank and operating credit financing for Canadian firms. The firm is an expert of cash flow and working capital needs for their clients.
http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com
7 Park Avenue FinancialSouth Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8
Direct Line = 416 319 5769
Office = 905 829 2653
Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com
' 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
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Stan_Prokop/432698
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3503535
Saturday, July 1, 2017
Recognizing and Understanding the Cash Flow Gap
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Fundamentally it seems easy - make or deliver your product and service, collect the money, and start over. Simple, right?
Well, not really, as most business owners quickly recognize. What many business owners and managers fail to recognize is what we will call the ' working capital gap '. Simply speaking it's the amount of time that it takes for a company to produce, sell, and collect on that product or service. During that period inventories and receivables and bank accounts fluctuate greatly, and deficits and surpluses are potentially significant.
Is that a bad thing.? Definitely not. Does it indicate that a company is weak or failing? Most definitely not! Strong business managers can in fact prepare to cover those temporary deficits - if they don't however the firms creditors can withdraw from support, leading to a potential failure.
Let's understand the cash flow cycle a bit more in detail. We will assume a company is in fact producing goods, although many service companies have the same challenge but in a somewhat different manner, given there is not inventory or product per se.
Back to the cash flow cycle then - the company buys raw materials and supplies. Payables are created and inventories mount. Product is produced and sales are made on credit, most normally ' 30 day terms '. (Of course most business owners quickly realize that terms are 30 days but no one pays in 30 days!).
Finally though the receivable is collected and the cycle repeats itself. However the number of days that all of this takes to transpire is of course most commonly known as the ' cash flow gap ', in our working capital cycle.
In a perfect world the company finances it's receivables with the bank, as the cash flow cycle repeats itself over and over again.But if a company relaxes its payment terms, or gives formal extended terms to customers, the time factor is significantly augmented. Companies that have strong financing in place can of course increase sales and profits by offering extended terms to their customers. They can also increase their own profits by using the cash flow financing from their bank to take supplier discounts and negotiate better pricing on materials.
Banks and finance companies are critical in this entire process. If the customer can obtain the right working capital and cash flow financing a proper balance can be achieved in sales, profits, and asset turnaround.
However if a firm cannot properly finance the working capital assets the firm experiences serious financial challenges.
In summary, business owners need to understand the ebbs and flows of the cash flow cycle as it relates specifically to their business and industry. Banks and other private finance firms are critical to the working capital cycle. Customers must have the support of the bank with respect to proper credit lines. The bank of course needs to be convinced that the customer understands it's cash flow gap, and can manage properly through the working capital cycle. If a firm cannot achieve proper bank support re their working capital requirements other alternatives will need to be assessed.
7 Park Avenue Financial :
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8
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 .
7 Park Avenue Financial
Direct Line = 416 319 5769
Office = 905 829 2653
Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com
' 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
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Stan_Prokop/432698
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3497948
Friday, June 30, 2017
Sale Leaseback Solution? Understanding Lease Back Financing
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You Should Be Using This Leasing Tool – It’s Called ‘ Sale Leaseback Financing ‘ !
OVERVIEW – Information on the sale leaseback solution used by companies to generate additional cash without selling assets. This leasing tool generates funding without selling owned assets . Business owners and financial mgrs should investigate lease back 101!
Sale leaseback financing is an often underutilized part of the Canadian Equipment and Lease Financing industry. Many business owners and financial managers in Canadian firms may not yet be aware of the wide popularity and increasing use of this type of alternative financing facility.
For various economic and financial reporting considerations this finance strategy continues to be scrutinized as a financial option for Canadian business. Let's dig in.
The overall sale leaseback strategy has been around for a very long time, and, as noted, continues to gain in popularity. The primary reasons for its increasing usage are the ability of business owners to enhance their profits to a certain degree, as well as, even more importantly, to generate additional cash flow for the business. That is the key benefit of the latter would appear to be the most obvious benefit.
Business people continually look for 'creative 'solutions to financial and cash flow challenges. Who wouldn't want that? Luckily these days more and more alternative solutions to cash flow needs are around.
The basic strategy? Its simple .Your firm has equipment that has been fully paid for and is currently unencumbered collateral. Your interests are simply, you wish to take advantage of the equity in the equipment, but at the same time you wish to continue to use the asset.
Naturally the asset base of consideration for such strategies involves a broad number of industries and an even broader number of assets. More often than not need is very basic - how can you leverage assets to bring more cash into the firm? In certain cases, if a transaction is managed properly you can enhance you overall financial statement ratios.
So, ask our clients, how does it work? You 'sell 'the equipment back to finance or leasing company. Under the umbrella of equipment financing and lease documentation your firm 'leases' the asset back 'from the finance firm.
There are of course some key accounting issues that Canadian business owners and financial managers have to take into consideration. Based on the value of the transaction your firm may have to book either a gain or loss on the transaction.
What are some of the other motivations for considering such a strategy? We can broadly group them into a couple of categories - i.e. Cash flow, accounting and tax, and balance sheet and income statement enhancement.
If your firm structures the transaction as a true operating lease when you enter into the sale leaseback you have somewhat m magically taken debt off your balance sheet and improved many of your key operating and loan covenants .
Payments create a monthly expense and this amount more often than not is less than the deprecation taken on the asset, so, via the magic of accounting your firm has created additional earnings! In cases where you do in fact have a 'gain' on the sale leaseback those also of course add to the profits of your firm. We love those accountants, right?!
In summary, Canadian business owners and financial managers should investigate the strategy of a sale leaseback of assets, in the current economic environment such a strategy can enhance your firms overall liquidity and profitability. That's a good thing.
Seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian Business Financing advisor.
7 Park Avenue Financial :
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8
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 .
7 Park Avenue FinancialSouth Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8
Direct Line = 416 319 5769
Office = 905 829 2653
Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com
' 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
Thursday, June 29, 2017
SR&ED Finance Loans Ensure Your Cash Flow Refund Arrives…Immediately !
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Grab Some Popcorn ! Showing You Why Sr&ED ( aka cash today ) Financing Makes R&D capital investment ‘ efficient ‘ !
OVERVIEW – Information on sr&ed financing loans in Canada. The Sr&ed finance solution accelerates the cash flow recovery of your r&d capital investment
SRED Financing allows immediate cash flow and working capital advantage of our SR&ED tax credit claim. This program is, bar none the best tax incentive program in Canada. Other than being taxable as income the refund you receive from the government is a non repayable grant. Could it get any better? Let's dig in!
Looking for some irony? Top experts tell us that 70% of companies in Canada that are eligible for the program do not even apply, let alone receive their funds!! It clearly is a source of untapped cash flow and working capital for your Canadian business that should be maximized to the hilt.
The other 30% of Canadian firms who use the program utilize it around their efforts to develop new products and services, building prototypes, and solving technological challenges.
So your Canadian controlled private company utilizes and files Sred filings. Did you know your claim can be financing immediately after you file it, literally the same day.
Specialists that work as 'SR&ED consultants are experts in preparing your claim and in Canada your sred claim can be prepared at typical accounting costs or on contingency fee basis with no risk to your firm.
The expertise of your consultant is critical as Ottawa is getting more ' stringent ‘. For the record over 24,000 firms, some of whom might be your competitors, filed last year. Total refunds: 3.5 Billion dollars! The lesson learned? Ensure you're eligible for SRED, and start your process early.
However most Canadian business owners and their Sred consultants do not know that your claim can be financing, either during the preparation of your claim, (yes, before your file, if you qualify!) or immediately on filing of your claim.
Generally with this type of financing you receive immediately approximately 70% of the value of your claim. The other 30% still comes back you of course, but it’s simply a bit of a buffer to cover financing costs and any risk that a portion of the claim will be disallowed or clawed back .
The SR ED financing process? Simple - not complicated. Complete a basic business financing application, ensuring proper back up is in place and valid. That includes info on your company, the Sr Ed claim itself, your previous Sr Ed claims if you have filed previously etc.
The reality is that SR ED financing can be completed within 2-3 weeks of starting the process. The beauty of this type of financing is that no payments are made on the sred loan. In effect you can say that you have factored or discounted the Sr Ed claim. Refunds are for any purpose: reduction of payables, investments in new equipment, additional staff, etc. Bottom line = any general worthwhile corporate purpose.
Know your SRED loan financing options. Seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can help you fund your sr&ed.
7 Park Avenue Financial :
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 .
7 Park Avenue Financial
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8
Direct Line = 416 319 5769
Office = 905 829 2653
Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com
' 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
Tuesday, June 27, 2017
Computer Financing & Leasing in Canada : How Much Do You Really Know?
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Looking To Eliminate Computer / Tech and Software Financing Anxiety For Your Business – Here’s How !
OVERVIEW – Information on how computer leasing and financing strategies in can benefit your technology acquisitions and how to finance properly with operating or capital lease options, as well as project financing and software finance options
Computer leasing has many companies not fully understanding all the benefits that come for financing your technology, telecom and software needs. Let's dig in.
We're discussing the acquisition and financing of computers and technology in a couple segments of your business. . The proper term for this type of financing is ' Technology lifecycle management '. That's what the pros call it - our customers keep it a bit simpler: ' Should I buy or lease my firm’s new computers and software and related products and services? ' !
Two old adages related to leasing still ring true when it comes to the technological aspect. That is that business should finance something that depreciates, and companies should buy something that appreciates in value.
Most business owners and consumers as well know very well that computers depreciate in value. Systems we paid thousands of dollars for years ago are now hundreds of dollars. Walk into any ' big box ' retailer and see the dramatic moves in technology.
Business owners who finance technology demonstrate a higher level of cost effectiveness. The company wants to reap the benefits of the technology over the useful life of the asset, and, importantly, more evenly match the cash outflows with the benefits.
Leasing and financing your technology allows you to stay ahead of the technology curve; that is to say you are always using the latest technology as it relates to your firms needs. Also you're minimizing cash outflows as they relate to the spending you incur on computers, software, etc.
Businesses that lease and finance their technology needs are often working better within their capital budgets. Bottom line: You can buy more and buy smarter!
Many companies that are larger in size have balance sheet issues and ROA ('return on assets ‘) issues that are compelling. They must stay within bank credit covenants and are measure often on their ability to generate income on the total level of assets being deployed in the company.
Lease financing allows those firms to address both of those issues. Companies can choose to employ an ' operating lease ' structure for their technology financing. This is more prevalent in larger firms, but works almost equally as well in small organizations.
Operating leases are ' off balance sheet '. The firm adopts the stance of using technology, not owning technology. The lessor/lender owns the equipment, and has a stake in the residual value of the technology. The main benefit for the company is that the debt associated with the technology acquisition is not directly held on the balance sheet. This optimizes debt levels and profitability ratios.
At the end of those operating leases, which are usually 36 months long, the customer has the option of:
1. Returning the equipment
2. Buying the equipment (not likely though)
3. Negotiating an extension of the financing for continued use of the computers, technology, etc.
Companies that have recently acquired computers and technology can in fact negotiate a' sale leaseback ' on those same assets. This financing strategy brings cash back into the company , as the firm has employed a leasing and financing strategy building on our above noted them - using technology, not owning technology .
So, our benefit summary to date is:
* The company can stay ahead of the technology curve
* Computer leasing and financing has significant balance sheet and income statement benefits
* The firm has flexibility with respect to buying new product, returning existing technology, and generating cash flow for purchases already made
Many of the benefits we have discussed relate to leasing in general. However, technology and lease financing are very perfectly suited to the business financing strategy of leasing
Working capital saved on computer leasing and equipment leasing in general allows a company to use that capital to grow revenues. Depending on which types of leases are utilized there are also tax benefits associated to leasing.
With the current focus on the environment customers can work with their vendor to return unused equipment at the end of the lease for proper ' green' disposition. Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can provide you with the best strategies on computer leasing and financing.
7 Park Avenue Financial :
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 .
7 Park Avenue Financial
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8
Direct Line = 416 319 5769
Office = 905 829 2653
Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com
' 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
Why Does My Lender Need a Business Plan?
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Many business owners or budding entrepreneurs are taken aback when their lender asks ( or insists ) on a business plan. Why do lenders need this document?
Lenders view the plan as having forced the business owner or entrepreneur to look carefully in a critical way into their business project. They feel that if the company needs to grow or be successful such a document will guide the business person to their goals. Ultimately the plan is a concise document which in effect communicates the business persons ideas to the lender.
In theory the business plan should identify areas of weakness or strength. If truth were to be known of course business plans tend to accentuate the positive. The writer of this article has a favorite saying - ' I never met a pro formal financial I didn't like '!
More about that last comment later, but suffice to say that in theory a good document geared towards financing should balance both the positive and negative aspects of the business and its financials. A solid business plan geared towards a lender will show you have ways of solving some of the business challenges raised in the business model and it's proposed financing.
We all know that stat's - half of new businesses fail within the first two years, 90 % within the next ten years. Why is that the case. Business guru's tell us its lack of planning. That is precisely why a business plan geared towards lending and the financials should be used as a critical follow up in the business. It should not be stored away! As we all have learned, ' tuition is extremely high in the school of experience '!
Most importantly though people that don't know you, or might not know your business model use a properly created plan to evaluate your business and lend you funds. The ' business plan ' in effect is really a financing proposal. That's how we look at it in our firm.
Let us remember how a lender, who you in many cases don't know, thinks. First of all he or she is hoping the information you have provided is true. Remember also that the lender works for someone, and they must communicate your idea to an underwriter of investment committee. If you haven't met the lender, trust me you definitely have not met the underwriter or investment committee.
Some of us also might think that we are the only business plan the lender is reviewing. That is not the case, our plan might be among 10-20 others in an given lending environment. And finally, people have biases - they will benchmark your own projections against their past experiences. If your business plan and financials make them think of Microsoft and Rim they will dig into the plan, if visions of Nortel come to mind that won't be the case!
Therefore business owners should put forth their plan on the basis that it will be ' attacked' by the lender, so the business owner must counter with ' real ' upside potential. The lender must genuinely feel some sort of enthusiasm about the business.
The biggest secret of business plans, and yes, we are revealing it here, is that they generally are not read in totality by the lender. The real world dictates they are given a 5 minute read, and more careful emphasis is generally only placed on the financials. The owner should never think that either quantity or finesse in fonts and graphs will gain the funding they require.
In summary, we do not infer that a plan is in fact not required for a lender or financing, in fact a business owner or entrepreneur with no plan is, outside of luck, guaranteed to fail.
Stan Prokop is the owner of 7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL, ( http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com ) a Canadian firm which originates business financing and business bank and operating credit financing for Canadian firms. The firm works with it's clients who require business plans for financing purposes.
http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com/business_plans.html
7 Park Avenue Financial
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8
Direct Line = 416 319 5769
Office = 905 829 2653
Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com
' 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
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Stan_Prokop/432698
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3464862