Businesses arise when entrepreneurs identify wants or needs and create products or services to fill them. This means doing ongoing market research. Here are some of the free research tools that are easily accessible on the internet, and which are certain to make your market research easy, fast and fruitful.Search Engines: Search engines index billions of web pages, enabling users to find information through keyword searches. My favourites are...more
As a lender, I wish we could approve every loan application that hit our table; unfortunately it's not possible. We deal with mostly very small businesses seeking small loans, usually less than $250,000. Lending to inexperienced, new business owners is one of the riskiest arenas for a lending agency. Still, we manage to keep our losses to a minimum. The amazing thing about these business plan killers is that they rarely travel alone; they almost...more
A leveraged buyout (LBO) occurs when a financial sponsor gains a controlling interest in a firm's equity and where a major % (percentage) of the buying value is financed through borrowing. The possessions of the obtained firm are often used as collateral for the borrowed money, sometimes with assets of the acquiring company. The bonds issued for leveraged buyouts normally have several trenches ranging from barely investment grade to high coupon 'junk' because of the major risks involved. In today's financing markets, even the most prestigious LBO firms have had difficulty financing transactions leading to a dearth of deals and some say the death of the LBO industry as we know it.Historically, LBO funds made huge acquisitions of global behemoths valued at tens of billions of dollars borrowing as much as 90% of the value from banks. The banks would syndicate the loans and sell them to other sophisticated financial institutions such as pension funds and endowments. The bank financing the transaction would justify the debt levels based on the cash flows of the acquisition target and their ability to make interest and principal payments. Senior more secured 'mezzanine debt' might be...more
With each day's headlines announcing new corporate layoffs, rising unemployment rates, and an increasingly volatile stock market, it may seem counterintuitive for businesses to place much, if any, importance on hiring new employees. However, for companies with the foresight and optimism to think beyond the recession, there are a number of great...more
Early in my career, I was fortunate enough to cross paths with a company that understood the value of smart, effective women. While their counterparts in the natural gas industry were still relegating us to waitress positions at Hooters, this outfit was actively recruiting us.My company was a good corporate citizen, but this was not about doing...more
Superannuation is a method of financially preparing yourself for your retirement. Both yourself and your employer can contribute to it over time and this money is then invested into a variety of appropriate investments such as shares, property, savings accounts and government bonds.When you retire, or qualify for your superannuation due to disability or death you will receive the money (less charges and taxes) either as regular payments made periodically, a lump sum payment, or a combination of the two.The Superannuation Guarantee came into effect on July 1, 1992, making it compulsory for employers to contribute to an employee's superannuation fund.The minimum amount of the contribution is 9% of an employee's wages. This excludes overtime, fringe benefits and leave loading).However, not all employees are covered by this "guarantee". The Superannuation Guarantee Act states that employers are not required to contribute to the Superannuation Guarantee in certain circumstances.Some of these exceptions include: If an employee earns less than $450 per month; If an employee works 30 hours per week or less and is under the age of 18; If an employee is over the age of 70; If an...more
There are a variety of low cost international long distance calling products on the market today but each has been designed to fit the needs of a specific group of consumers. Marketers and product developers have tried to broaden the appeal of their...more
The first year after my wife and I were married was a financial disaster. We were living paycheck to paycheck and not seeing a solution in sight. A friend and mentor suggested we try living on a cash budget. He could tell by the confused look on my...more
Maryland investment property is definitely something to consider, especially in light of the recent state of foreclosures. While foreclosures are bad news for the seller, they can be really good news for people looking to make a new and lucrative...more
Real estate has always been a business full of powerful personalities. But can one person ¬create - or recreate - an entire luxury property market? Looking at the cases of Marbella, Belgravia, Bel Air and Monaco, it would seem so.Marbella and Prince...more
Studies have shown that attractive trophies and corporate awards are a powerful method of increasing a company's revenue and overall employee performance. No one knows exactly how much trophies and corporate awards influence a company's bottom line...more
A New Year has come on us, and again the search is on. Because of the rise in unemployment, many of us had to start looking into different careers or just improving on the skills we do have. If you're like me, I really don't have any money to spend...more