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...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 reasons to take advantage of the current economic climate by putting an increased emphasis on strategic hiring. In fact, companies who do so may be improving their odds of not only surviving the economic downturn, but emerging from it stronger, more productive, and better-positioned for long-term success.Hiring While the Others are FiringThe obvious reason to consider hiring in the current economic climate is simple: great candidates are in high supply. Widespread layoffs have created a huge pool of prospective employees, many of whom have years of experience and expertise to offer. These days, employers have a unique advantage in being able to select from a wider pool of talent at a significantly lower cost, yet many fail to take advantage of this opportunity by thinking short-term about their staffing needs. According to research in the...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...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 products but all have certain limitations. The purpose of this article is to review categories of international calling products on the market today and provide a brief overview of their strengths and limitations so consumers can make better choices.One product does not fit the needs of all. People who are PC savvy and have high speed INTERNET connections may choose to use PC to PC or PC to Phone service or VoIP technology while others may want the convenience and flexibility of a phone card. Most people only make occasional international calls while others make multiple international phone calls each day. Therefore, some people are willing to sacrifice quality and convenience in order to save money while others are willing to pay a bit more for higher quality, convenience and flexibility. Consumers need to understand the limitations of each product type so they can make informed choices. Traditional Long Distance - Forget using...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
Are you an Information marketer? Do you develop your own products? Are unsure of whether your writing standards are to the level that people would by what you wrote?If you answered yes to any of these questions, the following information is for...more