Best Business Cards Design

What Do You Think A Business Card Is For?

The use of business cards, or calling cards as they were more popularly known, is still widely prevalent today, even in this age of electronic communications. Technologies of instant communications such as Bluetooth and infrared connectivity are easier and much handier ways of sending and receiving data and information, including those contained in a business card. Yet people —and particularly businessmen— still carry around small stacks of business cards, giving them away at every chance they get and at the slightest provocation. Don’t ever tell a businessman you’ll call and he will give you his card, faster than you can say “Jack Robinson”, whoever he is, regardless of whether he has given you one earlier.

This only proves business cards still play a vital role in business or even everyday life, because even those not in business, such as students, have calling cards in their names. Why so? A number of reasons have been advanced as to the business card’s functions, and they range from as a source of personal pride to a business tool.

The functions of a business card

As a business advertising tool. A business card will normally contain the owner’s name, form or list of business or service rendered, phone or contact number/s, and some sort of catchphrase or slogan for the business. In this way the holder will immediately see in the card if the card owner is the appropriate solution to his immediate needs. So actually the card acts as a kind of ‘sleeper’ or inactive advertising for the owner, accessed when needed.

As a social link. Many people accept other people’s business cards and promptly forget both the card and the person right afterwards. Then the card is remembered when the holder needs to contact the card owner socially, and so the card is dredged up from the dustbin of ‘where-did-I-place-it’ questions. Or, you may not care what the guy sells, but he is so hunky…

As a travelling reference. If you know a friend who requires his boat engine serviced and you bump into someone who does that, you may wish to request his card to pass to your friend, who might later pass it on to another with similar needs. Without the card, neither potential customer will remember the boat engine service provider when the service is required. With it, the card owner may well capture a whole boating association.

As a personal affectation. It is simply classy to give away business cards, even if the owner has no business. It gives the owner a feeling of ‘superiority’ -for lack of a more appropriate term-over others. It is also a lot easier to just hand a receptionist, say, your business card instead of explaining who you are.

So, the card

Different people have different uses for a business card and if you think one reason is enough, then you’re wrong. A business card does all of the above, and often, more.

Get Fast and Easy Business Cash Advance Instead of A Small Business Loan

Today’s economy and high unemployment rates are pushing most of us to explore the option of putting up our own small businesses. You will get to handle your own money, there is no risk of lay-offs, and it is a great opportunity to explore your skills on handling your own business and company. However, more banks nowadays are enforcing stricter rules and guidelines for giving out business loans.  A bad credit history may be one of your concerns for getting rejected for a loan, and this makes it difficult for us to get the financial help few need to get started. Like every other bank or lending institution, risk factors have to be taken into consideration before they hand you their money. The credit card services you have availed and how you paid these services are very important information for these companies because it will be their basis on the approval (or disapproval) of your request, and the rate of interest they can give you. All in all, it is a tedious and stressful ordeal to go through.

Fortunately, there is now an easier way to get a  small business loan without the fear of your own credit card history. Getting a business cash advance is a faster and less stressful way of getting and paying off a business loan. A business cash advance is a lending service offered to business owners who accept credit cards as payment for their goods or services. It has a shorter processing time and you can even do the transaction online. This is ideal for those time-dependent money problems you naturally experience with your business. It usually only takes a few days to a week to have your request processed and approved, with the money transferred to your own account. All you need to do is fill out their forms (available online) and qualify for their basic requirements.

The requirements are quite similar to those of most lending institutions, but your credit history would not be put under too strict reviews. In fact, unlike business loans from the bank, bad credit history is not that big of a deal for cash advance providers. You only need to be of legal age; have a registered business in the US; have a small business that processes credit cards for payment; and have been in business for at least a year. You can use the money to start or franchise your own business, refinance a business debt, buy new equipment or purchase goods, and pay of f debt or taxes.

The payment terms for a business cash advance is, of course, different from that of a business loan from the bank. But in general, the payment terms for this lending service will greatly depend on the amount of money you will be borrowing. The higher the amount, the longer the term period. For banks and other big lenders, payment terms for business loans can be paid off in long term or short term. Small business loan payment in banks usually does not exceed five years.

Payment terms for business cash advance canbe instant or can be done on a monthly basis, it all depends on your capability to pay, and the amount of money you borrowed. The payment terms will usually require you to pay the cash advance company each month and you will get the payment structure with the amount that they expect you to pay every month. If you can afford to pay it off all at once, then the better.

A business cash advance is a great way to fund your small business because it is convenient and easy to apply for. All you need now is to choose a legitimate cash advance lender to get started.

When Bad Credit Spoils Your Chances At A Small Business Loan

Bad credit is one of the main reasons for bank loan denial. A credit score lower than 580 will most likely ruin your chances for a business loan. Multiple credit checks also lessens your chances for approval. And of course, a recent file for bankruptcy will ensure denial on your request.

Fortunately, there is no reason for despair if you belong to this group of people. There are now available alternatives for getting a small business loan, regardless of your bad credit. It is important, however, that you understand your circumstances before jumping into these alternative means for a business loan.

You can opt for an unsecured personal loan in such cases. But before you do, consider these factors first. One, how much do you need as a business loan? Factor in the numbers and come to a close estimate of how much you really need. Two, how much can pay each month. You have to note that personal business loans often have higher interest rates per month and if you’re not careful, you might become more in debt than you actually were, before the business loan. And three, will you be making minimum payments? Avoid making minimum payments because it actually costs more in the long run.

A business cash advance is also one way of securing the money you need. A small business loan through cash advance is  relatively an easy process to go through as compared to borrowing money from a bank. Most small business, even if they do have good credit, have often little asset and property. This is what makes business cash advances a good alternative for small entrepreneurs in need of immediate money. The only important thing your business should have is access to credit card services (i.e. you accept credit cards for transactions). You just need to have your business’ credit scores established. The best way to do this is to separate your personal credit from your business credit. It is recommended that you control most, if not all, of your business credit needs from only one of two credit card service providers so you have better chances at getting approved quickly. Lastly, your business will need to have gained $2,500 to $4,000 as minimum credit card sales per month.

Most cash advance providers base the amount of business loans by average monthly credit card sales, and of course, your actual need for capital. A business cash advance as a business loan is recommendable because the processing time for approval of your business loan can be as short as 3 days. Since newly opened small  businesses encounter a lot of time constraints with suppliers and clients, easy and immediate access to additional funding is always a plus. Furthermore, cash advance as a small business loan now comes easy with the help of the internet. You can apply for a business cash advance online and have it approved the next day. The business loan will be directly deposited into your account once it is approved.

Use your small business loan to purchase new equipment, marketing, pay debt or taxes, or pay the payroll. Banks and big lending companies are now not the only way of getting a small business loan for your immediate business needs. Fast, online cash advance is now the new means of making your business grow and compete in whatever market you are thriving on.

How To Use Branding To Grow Your Business

Not only big companies or corporate names need to think about branding, this can also be applied to small businesses as well. Branding says a lot about you and your business, and this certainly true for a home-based, one person operation to a multinational company. This only means one thing, that having a good brand name or branding strategy can add a couple of figures to you sales. It doesn’t promise you to become large company overnight (no strategy will!), yet it will give you steady and visible results before you know it.

Your business, service or product’s most valuable asset can be it’s brand. It’s your corporate identity. An effective brand tells the world who you are, what you do and how you do it. It’s how your business is perceived by your customers. With a powerful branding strategy your company’s market position can actually be elevated. For example, you can go from “the low price leader” to “the top choice for professionals”. Once your brand has a high perceived value, you can charge a premium for your products and services well beyond what your competitors are charging. It’s even possible for your brand to dominate your niche.

Also, the value and recognition of your business, service, product and yourself determines marketing potential. Therefore, branding is a basic part of building your business. Clients, consumers and customers should always remember your name, products and services so they can easily refer it to others and this can also build loyalty for repeat transactions.

Here are a few tips that can get you started on how you can use branding to grow your business:

Develop Your Business’s logo – A good logo will give the first impression and fast recall of your company. One of the most important factors is to ensure that it doesn’t imitate any existing brand designs for copyright issues. It’s suggested to get a simple and catchy brand name that comes with a simple logo.

Develop Your Company’s Core Values – Review your company’s mission statement. If you don’t have one…write one. Your brand reinforces and supports your mission. Take a look at Pizza Huts mission statement and core values.

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Pizza Hut’s Mission Statement

We take pride in making a perfect pizza and providing courteous and helpful service on time all the time. Every customer says, “I’ll be back!”

We are the employer of choice offering team members opportunities for growth, advancement, and rewarding careers in a fun, safe working environment.

We are accountable for profitability in everything we do, providing our shareholders with value growth.

Pizza Hut’s Core Values: P.E.A.R.L.S

Have a PASSION for excellence in everything we do.

EXECUTE with positive energy and urgency.

Be individually and collectively ACCOUNTABLE for growth in people, customer satisfaction and profitability.

Find reasons to RECOGNIZE the achievement of others and have fun doing it.

LISTEN and more importantly, respond to the voice of the customer.

Think SAFETY first.

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Think about how their mission and core values are demonstrated in their brand. Think about their logo, advertisements, commercials, employees and management, fulfillment (when you place your order) and customer service. Get the idea? An additional word on fulfillment and customer service. Develop high standards of customer service so that clients feel that you’re always willing to go the extra mile to solve their problems. Remember that customers who get good customer service, come back and bring more customers with them.

Develop A Strong Public Image – Be consistent, it’s important that your business keeps a single character or appearance. This means having a consistent message, trademark, publicity and company values. You do this by integrating your brand strategies through your company at every point of public contact. This will help build company loyalty that will reflect to your customers. The internal workings of the company must always be in place and shouldn’t be changed. This will help build the company’s dependability and will connect powerfully with your clients. Developing a company image and strictly adhering to it will result in your customers appreciating your service as well as your employees. By letting the business stand for something that you believe in, more and more customers will start appreciating your brand building your reputation. And reputation is something that every business would like to have, yet only a few get.

A strong brand will also project an image of a large and established business to your potential customers. People usually associate branding with larger businesses that have the money to spend on advertising and promotion. Once you create an effective branding strategy, then it can make your business appear to be much bigger than it really is. An image of size and establishment can be especially important when a customer wants reassurance that you will still be around in a few years time.

A strong brand projects an image of experience, reliability and quality in your business. Many people see the brand as a part of a product or service that helps to show its quality and value. It’s commonly said that if you show a person two identical products, only one of which is branded; they’ll almost always believe the branded item is higher quality. Most people believe that a business won’t put their brand name on something of poor quality. Also branded businesses are more likely to be seen as experienced in their industry, products and services, and will generally be seen as more reliable and trustworthy than an unbranded business.

Develop Strong Marketing – Another good reason for developing a strong branding strategy is to make your sales force more effective and efficient. When your market recognizes your brand, you don’t have to spend a lot of time with new prospects explaining who you are, what you do and how you do it. Your brand already has already educated and built credibility with them. So now you can invest almost 100% of your time on sales rather than educating your prospects about your business.

Develop New Products And Services – Another way that branding benefits your business is that the efforts you make increasing your brand awareness, through promoting and marketing your brand to your target market, automatically transfers to ALL OF YOUR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES. This includes any new products and services that you roll out in the future. So, even when you’re promoting your brand, you’re also indirectly marketing all of your products and services. And this means that customers for one of your products and service will be more likely to buy other products and services from you as well.

Separate Yourself From Your Competition – The main reason for creating strong brand for your business is to differentiate yourself from your competition. A strong brand will deliver your message clearly, confirm your credibility, connect with your target market emotionally, motivates your prospective customers to buy and concretes their loyalty. So it only makes sense to understand that branding isn’t about getting your target market to choose you over the competition, yet it’s about getting your prospects to see you as the only one that provides a solution to their problem. Consider Jerry Garcia’s insightful statement:

“It’s not enough to be the best at what you do; you must be perceived as the only one who does what you do.” – Jerry Garcia

To be effective your branding must be strong, you must have a well defined strategy, your expertise and message has to be clear. Or you’ll get no results. For example, many years ago, there was only one local market. If you wanted to buy soup you simply went to the market and bought soup. Then came supermarkets with 6 different types of soup. If you didn’t recognize the other soups you’d most likely buy Campbell’s. Remember people buy brands not products and services. A brand promises the same positive consistent experience every time. Empowering you to buy with confidence and making your decision easy. So it was easy to make a buying decision. Yet now there are literally millions of companies on the internet locally, nationally and internationally. All competing for local markets in the US! So now powerful branding is even more important than ever before!

In closing, to succeed in branding you must understand the needs and wants of your customers and prospects. To effectively use branding to grow your business, you must invest the time in researching, defining, building and promoting your brand. When done correctly, your prospective customers will draw this simple conclusion, “I’d have to be an absolute fool to do business with anyone else except you…regardless of price”.

Top Ten Tips to Improve Business

How come some of the biggest businesses empires like Enron, Lehman Brothers, and many more have collapsed suddenly? Were they not being managed by professionals? Were they not able to hire all those success teaching mentors who have been minting money selling their lectures and books on tips to manage businesses successfully? These questions raise the doubt that there might be a very same rat creeping down your establishments, too. Similarly, this also supports the truth that you always need to learn new things to keep your business going and growing, too.

For example, what do you now about cash flow in your business? Is it negative or positive? This is something you would not have considered so far because even a negative cash flow doesn’t show an immediate sign of loss in a big business, but it does nibbles at net worth. A business, with a negative cash flow has to fund each of its sales to some extent. For example if its negative cash flow is 10% of its gross revenue, it has to fund $0.10 on every sell of $1.00. Initially, in flow of business, one may keep it paying and not realize the impact by delaying creditors’ payment, increasing credit limits by bank, or some other means but eventually business runs out of cash and bursts like a bomb.

Here are some tips to improve your business:

1. Cross-sell to increase your prices – cross selling is a powerful way of increasing your overall transaction value and thereby increase profit. McDonalds has nourished it in its blood.

2. Increase Your Prices – A good way to increase your sell is to increase prices. Businesses often fear that they would loose customers if they increase prices. But the fact is only a few of them leave that product and a new class of customers joins in exchange.

3. Improve Your Yellow Page Ad – People in business often take this great instrument of success as trifle. They do not put as much efforts in their yellow ads as they should have. It does make a tremendous difference to your sales.

4. Improve Marketing – ‘words-of-mouth’ has always been the most effective marketing tools. ‘Viral marketing’ is its new avatar. Exhaust it.

5. Monitor Cash Flow – A negative cash flow might prove lethal to your business. Keep watch on it. Get your cash flow calculated by experts periodically. Even when you are making profits.

6. Increase Profits Pay Taxes – A lot of the businesses keep from making profits to avoid paying more taxes, which is not right. Increase profit, pay taxes.

7. Stay Open for New Ideas – People often are found to be happy revolving in a rut. Once they have set a successful business they keep it going that way. Stay open for new ideas from employees, customers and from anywhere.

8. Count Customers – People often end up counting profits while they should concentrate on counting customers and keeping them. Your profit will naturally increase if your customers do.

9. Hire Professionals – It is often a case with most of the business that they, in attempts to cut cost, compromise with the quality of some important investments, too. Save where you can but pay where you should.

10. Rely on Workers’ Capacity – Small businesses take time to grow because their masters are afraid of accepting more load than their personal capacity to bear it. The truth is they should rely on their workers capacity which they can always increase to any extent.

Liquidating your Business Assets Can be an Efficient and Prudent Exit Strategy

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In today’s dynamic business environment you’re either Growing or Going…out of business that is! If you’re part of the latter contingent and have made the decision to get out of a business but are unable to transition your business internally or sell it as an intact entity, full or partial liquidation of assets may be an appropriate exit strategy. Asset liquidation can provide quick cash and assist in diversifying equity. However, before you terminate your lease, sell a key piece of equipment, or disconnect your utilities, make sure you have a well-thought-out plan.

Getting out of business successfully requires careful planning from start to finish. If you are looking at asset liquidation as a part of your exit strategy, consider incorporating the following recommendations into your plan to increase your chances for success.

1. Talk to your lawyer and accountant.

2. Establish the liquidation value of your assets; remember liquidation vs. retail value can differ substantially.

3. Identify the best venue and timetable to sell your assets.

4. Arrange the sale at the most appropriate location with an expert.

5. Use a non-recourse bill of sale.

Understanding and incorporating these steps into your exit plan will not only help you recover as much money as possible, they may also help you achieve the freedom needed to pursue new endeavors.

It is important to note that the recommendations discussed above are intended to serve as a general overview to assist with the asset liquidation process. It is not a substitute for case-specific advice that only your lawyer and/or accountant can provide. Also, depending on the situation and necessity of business divesture, the cooperation of creditors may need to be considered. Cover your bases and talk to the experts before liquidating any assets that may be in question.

Initiate the process by preparing a current inventory of your business assets. Include photographs, serial numbers and a brief description of the condition of each item if possible. A thorough inventory will save considerable time and expense as you navigate the sale process and can be invaluable if you are asked to provide documentation for creditors or the Internal Revenue Service.

Next, start preparing your assets for sale. To elicit the best offers, take care that you do not diminish the appeal of your most marketable items by lumping them in with outdated or worn-out equipment, furniture or inventory. In most cases the most lucrative value of these lesser items may be in the form of a tax deduction, so why not donate them to an appropriate charity?

Finally, don’t overlook your intangible assets. For example, is your lease assignable? Are the business licenses, permits, patents or trademarks that you hold in demand? Can they be transferred? Is there a market for your customer list, contract rights or accounts? You may need to check with your attorney or accountant to determine what information and agreements are transferable but once cleared these types of assets can also provide a substantial return.

We Buy Your Business (WBYB) provides cash offers for all assets in order to assist in the liquidation process. Please contact your WBYB representative for more information at www.WeBuyYourBusiness.com

Getting Out of Business is a Process

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Getting out of business is a process. The length of time required to complete the process is directly related to the complexity of the business, and the circumstances underlying the decision to get out. Planning how you exit your business is just as important as how you started it.

The exit process, timing of events; and tasks associated need to be tailored to the type and complexity of the business. Each case is individual because reasons for dissolution differ, and problems that arise are unique to each circumstance. The following checklist contains key elements that should be evaluated as early in the exit process as possible to eliminate pitfalls later on.

The process for exiting a business should include evaluation of the following points:

1. Engage Professionals & Consultants as Team Members.

2. Prepare a List of Assets & Perform a Physical Inventory.

3. Perform a Valuation of the Business.

4. Prepare Detailed Plan & Assign Responsibilities.

5. Release Announcements & Notices.

6. Conclude or Transfer Contract Obligations.

7. Dispose of & Transfer Assets.

8. Settle Accounts Payable & Debt Obligations.

9. Prepare Final Financial Statements & Tax Returns

10. File Articles of Dissolution.

11. Prepare & Issue Special Filings, Notices, Informational Returns, & Taxes.

12. Receive Tax Clearance Notice.

13. Close Bank Account.

14. Store Business Records

The process for successfully exiting a business requires the same amount if not even more planning as starting the business. While the process may be easier, it is likely to be less enjoyable and more stressful. The best advice for business owners is to incorporate potential exit strategies in the early stages of setting up their business. Vigilance and diligent managerial oversight is needed to ensure that complications and problems which could affect dissolution, and net value, do not develop into roadblocks. When the time comes to divest or sell the business, be sure to engage the relevant expertise needed, and prepare an action plan.

We Buy Your Business enables clients an opportunity to sell businesses and business assets fast for cash. If your exit strategy requires a quick divesture option Contact WBYB for cash offer NOW. Website: www.WeBuyYourBusiness.com

The Unplanned Business Exit

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For some, planning a business exit can be a predictable, methodical process. We know the competition; we understand market demands, know when we want to sell and might even know the actual date. But for far too many business owners, the business exit comes as a harsh reality and often unplanned event.

Protecting your business and assets against the dreaded six D’s of an unplanned business exit can give whole new meaning to the term “Disaster Management”. While every business may experience unexpected pitfalls, careful planning to ensure risk exposure is minimized can assist in keeping you in the driver’s seat when it comes to managing your company. Familiarize yourself with the six D’s of an unplanned business exit: debt, death, disability, divorce, departure and disaster. Know the enemy and look to address all six D’s in your operating and buy / sell agreements.

The Six D’s of an Unplanned Business Exit

Debt:No one goes into business and plans on it not succeeding, but 40,000 businesses fail every month in the United States. When debt exceeds revenue, it is critical to exit timely in order to minimize loses. Understanding limitations and protecting critical assets are key to successful divesture.

Death:Many businesses are solely dependant on their owner’s abilities, relationships, and passion to drive success, and when there is a death of an owner or partner of a business, it can have significant impact to a business almost immediately. While no one wants to consider their own demise, the strength and longevity of a business relies on being able to plan for such a critical loss even if it means downsizing or reorganization. The survival of a business in relation to key individuals needs to be evaluated and exit strategies planned accordingly.

Disability:Unbelievably, death is not as likely to end the business as a disability. A disability to a business partner can put a significant drain on cash flow, daily workloads, and excess down time, all of which can be devastating. Insurance and financial planning towards alleviating such an impact needs to be carefully evaluated especially when dealing with small business start ups where funding and resources are limited.

Divorce:No one wants to plan for a business or personal divorce, yet while Pre-nuptial agreements may be gaining in popularity many people never look to manage such impact to their businesses. What happens when the partners cannot get along? Or worse, you inherit another partner due to a personal divorce settlement? Exiting the business might be the only alternative you are provided.

Departure:It does not sound as bad as death, but it can wreak the same results. A partner, key employees, or other resources decide to go to the competition, retire, burn out, or win the lotto. When they leave, how does this impact your business going forward?

Disaster:If the five D’s above where not enough to impact your business, there are no limit to the other disasters that may occur that were never planned on: robbery, sickness, employee theft, employee turnover, natural devastating events, etc. In today’s post Katrina, 911 world the impact of the chaos theory is enough to keep even the best business minds awake at night. Plan for the worst; strive for the best and know when to get out if need be.

For the typical business owner, each one of the six D’s has special demands on the family, income, taxes, and control of assets. An agreement, commonly called buy/sell agreements, can be used to plan for the impact associated with the dreaded six D’s. A successful sustaining business exists as a separate entity from personal concerns and risk can be reduced by developing mutually fair and equitable agreements prior to these events occurring.

Business is an evolution and travels a diverse path. While some may look on an unplanned exit as a failure others may see an opportunity for growth and freedom.

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