Funding A business- how to get a ‘YES’- Part 2
February 25, 2010
Most businesses owners and aspiring entrepreneurs are to find out how they can fund their business but they have limited understanding of the psychological dimension of investors and the banks. Funding a business, traditionally have been led by accountants who in their roles will normally handle financial matters in business. As a result entrepreneurs who are not financially savvy will tend to rely on finance experts to handle matters relating to funding their business. This is not a bad thing but it is always wise to learn a bit about money matters because it is the life blood of a business. Get this wrong and you will be doomed. In this article I am going to share two top tips you need to know about funding your business. I am assuming you need third party funding which can take the form of grants, business loans or equity finance. To find out about the pros and cons of the different financing options, you simply need to download a free copy of my book where you will get as much information on this subject. For now, lets turn our attention to my tips.
Tip No 1. You need a business plan and you need one that is robust with financial forecasts included in the form of profit and loss, balance sheet and cashflow. Your financial forecast should have key financial indicators which accountants call ratio analysis. I have seen business plans that only consist of financial figures. This is not a business plan it is merely a financial plan. Do not make the same mistake. Your business plan must provide details about your business, your vision, mission and strategic objectives. It must also provide details about your target market, marketing and sales strategy. You want to ensure the plan is compelling and by compelling I mean really persuasive and influential. My company helps entrepreneurs put together compelling business plan.
Tip No 2 . You certainly want to be able to explain your business plan to potential lenders and investors confidently. If you can’t do this, you will rapidly lose their trust. Lenders and investors want to know you have a team of experts in the business, that will support the delivery of the plan (this does not mean they are your staff) but equally if you own the business, they expect that you should be able to explain you business plan to them with confidence. You may call upon the professional accountant as many do to explain the figures at formal meetings. However, as the owner of the business, if you can explain the figures, you will even grasp their attention very quickly. Presenting to investors and lenders is all about influencing other people to do what you want them to do. Don’t forget this salient point. Do all you can to influence lenders or investors to part with their money by taking the necessary steps to be well informed about every aspects of your business plan. Stay clear from cheap plans that will ultimately lack in quality and don’t achieve your goals. Whether you are in business or starting a business, there are some expenses you will have to incur and if you fail to do so, your business dies. Sorry I am being blatantly honest with you as I want you to succeed.
Sheila Elliott is a business start-up and development expert offering group and one to one coaching as well as financial consultancy and training sessions. She is the founder of Business Services Support Limited and the author of My Business Is My Business- Learn How To Earn A Fortune. For more information about are free articles visit, http://www.businessservicessupport.com
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