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	<title>Business Blog :: Finance &#38; Insurance</title>
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	<link>http://www.directoryconnect.com/blog</link>
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		<title>Golf Holidays</title>
		<link>http://www.directoryconnect.com/blog/golf-holidays/</link>
		<comments>http://www.directoryconnect.com/blog/golf-holidays/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 11 Apr 2012 11:04:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Golf]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[California]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Holidays]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.directoryconnect.com/blog/?p=76</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Famous golf courses at Pebble Beach are Pacific Grove Golf Link, Del Monte Golf Course, Bayonet, Spyglass Hills, Poppy Hills, Black Horse, Pasatiempo Golf Club, Pebble Beach Golf Links and The Links at Spanish Bay. Pebble Beach&#8217;s answer to the shoreline golf courses in Scotland is the Links at Spanish Bay. The golf course gives [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Famous golf courses at Pebble Beach are Pacific Grove Golf Link, Del Monte Golf Course, Bayonet, Spyglass Hills, Poppy Hills, Black Horse, Pasatiempo Golf Club, Pebble Beach Golf Links and The Links at Spanish Bay.</p>
<p>Pebble Beach&#8217;s answer to the shoreline golf courses in Scotland is the Links at Spanish Bay. The golf course gives you the liberty to use your usual shot or a running, low shot to play the stiff grass maintaining the ball beneath the sturdy ocean wafts. The golf vacation here can be made blissful as the Spanish Bay&#8217;s holes persuade golfers to hit the running low shots played on customary golf courses.</p>
<p>Set on arresting Monterey Peninsula coastline, Pebble Beach Golf Links is now called one of the world&#8217;s most desirable golf courses because of the oceanfront holes such as the popular par-3 7th and par-5 18th.  It is renowned because it coalesces numinous forest and thespian coastline with affluent record of first class lodgings, connoisseur service, striking recreation and tepid hospitality for a fantastic golf vacation. Perhaps there is no other place other than Pebble Beach Resorts to offer such a great amalgamation. While describing some of the supreme moments of golf in the past, you foresee every storied hole. You can feel the thrill of the presence of biggest legends of golf out here while playing your game of golf. The Pebble Beach Golf Links course is hugged by the precipice side fairways, inclined greens, rocky coastline that provides a wide open outlook.  </p>
<p>The delight of spiky observing golfers for their premeditated demands is the exceptional golf course of Poppy Hills. It is commendable of its status as the co-host for the AT&#038;T Pebble Beach event and PGA Tours. It is also known as the first course in America that is maneuvered and owned by proletarian golf association namely the Northern California Golf Association. The golf vacation at Poppy Hills is also worth noting because of its wide and huge heaving greens and clever fairway bunkering.</p>
<p>Pebble Beach golf provides you archetypal and stylish golfing experience with wealthy and fascinating history of golf in glorious wine country. Treat yourself and your family to a Pebble Beach Golf Vacation.</p>
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		<title>Job Interview Tips for Seekers</title>
		<link>http://www.directoryconnect.com/blog/job-interview-tips-for-seekers/</link>
		<comments>http://www.directoryconnect.com/blog/job-interview-tips-for-seekers/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 02 Apr 2012 08:14:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Careers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Career]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Interviews]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.directoryconnect.com/blog/?p=74</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I get emails and calls from youngsters waiting to enter the job market. Some of them are known through social media or other meet-ups, and also some who are referred through contacts. Most of them are MBAs &#8211; but even with such a degree, finding a job is becoming challenging. It is important to have [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I get emails and calls from youngsters waiting to enter the job market. Some of them are known through social media or other meet-ups, and also some who are referred through contacts. Most of them are MBAs &#8211; but even with such a degree, finding a job is becoming challenging. It is important to have a strategy in place to ensure more success in both getting the interview, and succeeding once you&#8217;re face-to-face with a potential employer.</p>
<p>If you want to get the interview, you need to make your job search a full-time commitment. To be effective, you will need to send out 50-75 resumes EVERY WEEK. Your job leads need to be obtained from a wide range of sources. Use the internet, newspaper ads and networking sources, and consistently be on the look-out for new sources. Going to the same online job board isn&#8217;t effective-expand your resources to include every website you can find. Sites like Bodyguard Careers post job openings constantly, and we update the site every few days with new information. Stay in touch with friends or working colleagues who are in the business to learn of opportunities. Often, those who are already employed hear first about job opportunities. If you increase the number of resumes you send out weekly, your chances of landing an interview increases as well! Don&#8217;t forget to follow up with a phone call or email. Expressing your enthusiasm for the position in a professional manner is attractive to employers.</p>
<p>A strained economy can mean that employers can choose from top-notch resumes from individuals with the highest number of skills. If your resume lacks in skill sets your employer may be expecting, it is up to you to obtain the experience or knowledge. You can do this by taking classes, volunteering, or perhaps even being mentored by an individual who can help you to obtain the skills or information you need. One of the best ways to meet people and expand your circle of contacts is to volunteer your skills for a celebrity charity. Who would say &#8220;no&#8221; to a bright, eager, hard-working and trained bodyguard who wants to render services at no charge? One of the most powerful informational tools you can obtain is the Celebrity Black Book (see &#8220;Celebrity Contacts,&#8221; article, Sept. 19th, 2007). This book can help to expand your resume database. Read all that you can to round out your knowledge on the latest skills. If at all possible, read other resumes to see what your competition has got that you may not. Ask friends in the business to send you their resumes so you can peruse them. Don&#8217;t forget, that as in every <a href="http://www.workforlgihomes.com/">career</a>, you may need to &#8220;pay dues&#8221; and take a lower-level position in order to garner experience.</p>
<p>At this time, bodyguards with skills as an EMT or paramedic are extremely valuable. If these are skills you are lacking, sign up for CPR training or take classes in medical emergency procedures. If you live in an area where a high percentage of the population speaks another language, learn that language. Did you know Spanish is the 2nd most used language behind English?</p>
<p>Don&#8217;t forget, the strength of your resume lies not only in the content, but also in the clarity and grammar. If you cannot spell, be sure to use spell-check on your resume. Ask a friend who has the writing skills you may lack to look at your resume and cover letter, and offer editing suggestions. Spend the money to work with a professional who can make your materials shine.</p>
<p>Lastly, determine your top three skills, and create different resumes for the types of jobs you are seeking. If one employer is seeking a military background-be sure that is a skill you highlight in your cover letter and perhaps place at the top of your resume. You have experience working on evacuation plans? Create a resume that you will send to employers who seek that skill first and foremost. You need to send the most appropriate resume to your targeted employer. Read the employer&#8217;s job description carefully, and educate yourself regarding the company or celebrity or executive. Determine what the past needs have been, or what problems they&#8217;ve encountered, so you can be the eagerly-anticipated solution to those problems.</p>
<p>If you get the interview, but are not getting the job offer, you may have the basic skills the employer needs but not the advanced skills they want-see if you can determine what skills you were lacking, and use the tips above to help you.</p>
<p>You may be lacking in your abilities to market yourself at the interview. Consider taking a class to improve the quality of your interpersonal communications and interviewing skills. Ask someone to role-play an interview with you. Conduct a &#8220;trial interview&#8221; and videotape it to study your behavior, speech, and ability to adequately market your skills. Select three things about yourself that you want the employer to know about you by the end of your interview. Do you have an on-the-job story that highlights your skills? Find a way to incorporate that into the interview. Maintain eye contact, but not excessively. Match your communication style to the interviewer&#8217;s style. If the feel is formal, then treat the interview formally. If it&#8217;s a little looser, more relaxed, match that (without overdoing it!) Review and know your resume and fortify it with more details than indicated on the resume during the interview. Keep your responses brief and always to the point. Whatever you do, DO NOT reveal any information about your prior employers that is of a confidential nature. Remember that most security details require discretion, and the job interview is one place where you must exhibit your ability to be professional and discreet.</p>
<p>Finally, dress for success and don&#8217;t go overboard with fragrance. You&#8217;d be surprised how many employers are put off by strong perfumes or colognes. Polish your shoes, get a haircut and present your most articulate, best-groomed self. Be sure to bring along any copies of letters of recommendation, contact information for your references or prior employers, and a positive, upbeat attitude. After the interview, drop a thank you note in the mail. You may not be right for this position at this time, but the circle in this line of work can be small, and another opportunity may come your way-a thank you note is a nice way to be remembered and to thank the interviewer for their time.</p>
<p>The secret to <a href="http://www.workforlgihomes.com/">LGI Homes</a>’ dynamic success in the Texas housing market is simple: a happy customer. They build affordable, attractive new homes that make the dream of homeownership a reality. Then they back up that dream with distinguished customer service, award-winning quality, and the top-tier talents of all of their employees. It’s an approach that creates happy customers, and it’s a business model that is creating a great company.</p>
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		<title>Site of the Month for December 2011</title>
		<link>http://www.directoryconnect.com/blog/site-of-the-month-for-december-2011/</link>
		<comments>http://www.directoryconnect.com/blog/site-of-the-month-for-december-2011/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 26 Dec 2011 02:52:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[General]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.directoryconnect.com/blog/?p=70</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Site of the Month for December 2011 discusses Business Information. Directory Dot covers links to websites of business services, computers &#038; internet, education, entertainment, real estate, society &#038; culture, translation services, shopping, travel &#038; transportation.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.directorydot.com/"><img src="http://www.directorydot.com/images/logotext.gif" alt="Business Information and Resources" class="aligncenter"/></a><br />
Site of the Month for December 2011 discusses <a href="http://www.directorydot.com/">Business Information</a>. Directory Dot covers links to websites of business services, computers &#038; internet, education, entertainment, real estate, society &#038; culture, translation services, shopping, travel &#038; transportation.</p>
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		<item>
		<title>What are riders?</title>
		<link>http://www.directoryconnect.com/blog/what-are-riders/</link>
		<comments>http://www.directoryconnect.com/blog/what-are-riders/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 22 Jul 2011 08:04:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Insurance Policy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Life Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Riders]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.directoryconnect.com/blog/?p=68</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Riders are additional benefits that can be attached onto your basic life insurance policy. These riders give you the benefit of increasing your risk cover in case of certain events happening. For instance if you have taken an Accident Death Benefit rider and you die due to an accident then your beneficiaries can get upto [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Riders are additional benefits that can be attached onto your basic life insurance policy. These riders give you the benefit of increasing your risk cover in case of certain events happening. For instance if you have taken an Accident Death Benefit rider and you die due to an accident then your beneficiaries can get upto a maximum of twice the basic sum assured.</p>
<p>Similarly there are different riders addressing different contingencies like Critical Illness, Permanent Disability Benefit, etc. There are riders available that waive your future premiums in case of death or disability of the proposer.</p>
<p>These riders come at a nominal cost. and can be availed of depending on the policy taken. These can only be taken at the beginning of the policy term.</p>
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		<title>Site of the Month for July 2011</title>
		<link>http://www.directoryconnect.com/blog/site-of-the-month-for-july-2011/</link>
		<comments>http://www.directoryconnect.com/blog/site-of-the-month-for-july-2011/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 05 Jul 2011 07:47:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[General]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.directoryconnect.com/blog/?p=65</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Site of the Month for July 2011 relates to Business Resource. Great Folder links to global website with many listing and categories such as artist, business, advertising, real estate, fashions, health, hobbies, recreation and sports, entertainment and games.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.greatfolder.com/"><img src="http://www.greatfolder.com/images/logotext.gif" alt="Business and Shopping Directory" class="aligncenter"/></a><br />
Site of the Month for July 2011 relates to <a href="http://www.greatfolder.com/">Business Resource</a>. Great Folder links to global website with many listing and categories such as artist, business, advertising, real estate, fashions, health, hobbies, recreation and sports, entertainment and games.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
		<title>Growing Your Small Business</title>
		<link>http://www.directoryconnect.com/blog/growing-your-small-business/</link>
		<comments>http://www.directoryconnect.com/blog/growing-your-small-business/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Nov 2010 07:55:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ralph Serpe</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business & Finance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Department of Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Human Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Small Business]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.directoryconnect.com/blog/?p=54</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In 1953 the Department of Health, Education and Welfare became a cabinet level department in the United States. In 1979 the Department of Education Organization Act split HEW into the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services. HHS is responsible for the health, safety and well-being of residents of the United [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In 1953 the Department of Health, Education and Welfare became a cabinet level department in the United States. In 1979 the Department of Education Organization Act split HEW into the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services. HHS is responsible for the health, safety and well-being of residents of the United States. This mandate also extends internationally for cross-border health and safety issues.</p>
<p>HHS administers over 300 programs with a budget of over $737 billion. HHS mission includes a wide range of human issues, including substance abuse, Medicare and Medicaid, childrens health, health disparities, disease prevention and health promotion. It is the largest grant-making department within the Federal Government.</p>
<p>In 1979 the Department of Health and Human Services established the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization to develop and implement outreach to the small business community. The Office performs its mission through small business fairs, procurement conferences, trade group seminars, conventions and forums.</p>
<p>The Office of Small Business Development, also called OSDBU, is host to Vendor Outreach Sessions that happen twice monthly. The purpose of these sessions is to introduce and educate vendors on the small business program and to provide them information so that they can effectively market their products and services to HHS.</p>
<p>The Department of Health and Human Services is the only executive agency where Small Business Specialists report to the OSDBU Director. These Small Business Specialists are located within the eleven agencies of HHS.</p>
<p>Every day, these Specialists work with Contracting and Program Office staff, so as to determine the best acquisition strategy; they also work to make their approach unified so that when vendors deal with Health And Human Services, this unity will benefit them.</p>
<p>Currently, HHS does not provide grants or loans to help small businesses get going, but it is in fact the largest organization to make grants within the federal government. It has over 300 grant programs today, and it handles mission-specific topics, which are in turn delegated among the various HHS operating agencies. The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance profiles all Federal grant programs; these provide financial assistance and include HHS programs. In addition, specific points of contact for obtaining applications or additional information are also provided.</p>
<p>Vendors who are interested in doing business with Health And Human Services do not have to have any special certification, but instead, the Small Business Administration provides certification to firms under the Business Development Program, the Historically Underutilized Business Zone Program, and the Small Disadvantaged Business Program. Businesses that are Women-Owned, Veteran Owned, Service Disabled Veteran Owned, or Small Businesses are generally managed with self-certification. Self-certification is not challenged unless or until an interested party or competitor provides protest to it. In addition, an HHS Contracting Officer may request that the SBA provide a size determination.</p>
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		<title>Benefits and Prices of Used Golf Carts</title>
		<link>http://www.directoryconnect.com/blog/benefits-and-prices-of-used-golf-carts/</link>
		<comments>http://www.directoryconnect.com/blog/benefits-and-prices-of-used-golf-carts/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 28 Oct 2010 09:13:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Golf]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Golf Carts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Golf Clubs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.directoryconnect.com/blog/?p=53</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A used golf cart can save you a lot in buying a fresh one. With the huge demand for golf carts today, more and more people are find out buying fresh and used ones to serve their purposes. Since these vehicles are now being used inside and outside the course, manufacturers put on the market [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A used golf cart can save you a lot in buying a fresh one. With the huge demand for golf carts today, more and more people are find out buying fresh and used ones to serve their purposes. Since these vehicles are now being used inside and outside the course, manufacturers put on the market with new, higher efficiency that addresses both the needs. You can now find great deals for used ones that are being sold by online stores, auctions and through annual turnover of the golf clubs itself. You can grab great deals that come with the same quality as the new one. Buying refurbished golf carts would be better choice as such carts are available in the best condition as they are repaired and customized by the dealer before the sales. You can get good quality used carts in various price tags, but in most case, you will have to spend around $2,000 to $4,000 for a used golf cart in good condition.</p>
<p>If you have a golf cart and wish to sell it off, you may be thinking that you may not get a good resale value for your basket. But reselling is unlike the old clothes that you sell. But in fact, depending on the condition and age of your cart, it can go around $4,000 or more. The market for buying and selling of used carts have gown now. People are buying used ones for variety of reasons. They may wish to keep one for themselves as a matter of prestige. And avid golfers would like to own a golf cart so that they can cut the daily renting fees paid to the golf clubs. They are also highly preferred since it provides high comfort and modern convenience in the course. Moreover, they can also use it for their personal needs.</p>
<p>Golf carts are also highly useful for the disabled people who can move around their locality and can also enjoy the spirit of the game even if they can&#8217;t walk. The high fuel costs of today is another reason why people are making use of the electric carts for short trips. While being convenient and easy to operate, they do not provide any threat to the pedestrians. You can buy a simple used one and then customize it with luxurious accessories that add to the comfort.</p>
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		<title>Financial Planning &#8211; What is it All About?</title>
		<link>http://www.directoryconnect.com/blog/financial-planning-what-is-it-all-about/</link>
		<comments>http://www.directoryconnect.com/blog/financial-planning-what-is-it-all-about/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 25 Aug 2010 04:12:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Kevin Kelly</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business & Finance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Consultant]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Financial Planning]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.directoryconnect.com/blog/?p=49</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Financial planning is often an intimidating process for most individuals and families. Thankfully, there are a variety of professionals that are able to sort out the confusion and outline a clear path to successfully managing your money. Different professionals have different sets of skills and it&#8217;s important to keep a few things in mind when [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Financial planning is often an intimidating process for most individuals and families. Thankfully, there are a variety of professionals that are able to sort out the confusion and outline a clear path to successfully managing your money. Different professionals have different sets of skills and it&#8217;s important to keep a few things in mind when considering which company or individual will work best with your personal and family needs.</p>
<p>Seek out recommendations: Perhaps one of the best ways to find an individual suited to your personal finance needs is to listen to what your friends and family have to say. Who do they work with? Who do they trust? Who have they had bad experiences with and would avoid in the future at all costs? A little work on initial research can go a long way to saving you time and money.</p>
<p>Figure out what you need: Whether you are a solo bachelor with a personal business or a growing family, requirements for financial planning vary greatly between individuals and situations. Do you want someone to manage your personal income or personal investments? Are there any special situations that affect you and would be better to have a specialized professional involved in? Do you just need something as simple as retirement advice or are you looking to finance several children through university?</p>
<p>Talk shop &#8211; Before trusting anyone with your hopes, goals and dreams, it is a good idea to interview them and get to know them. Do you share common interests? Is it easy for you to communicate with them? Do you feel free to ask questions and share concerns? This introductory meeting should be offered for free and without any strings attached. Other questions you will want to address include thing such as how they are paid. Do they charge flat fees, fees based on assets, or pay themselves via commission?</p>
<p>Finally, it is important to understand the differences between professional designations. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is an educated and experienced individual that is often the best choice for situations involving taxes. This level of certification meets strict licensing requirements. A Personal Financial Specialist (P.F.S) is a CPA that has undertaken additional education in financial planning. A Certified Financial Planner (C.F.P.) is an individual that has at least three years of experience, follows a strict code of ethics, and has passed a series of stringent exams. A Chartered Financial Consultant (Ch.F.C.) is a professional involved in insurance claims that also specializes in some aspects of financial planning. A Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (C.R.P.C.) is a special designation that allows professionals to focus on needs surrounding retirement planning.</p>
<p>For many individuals in a wide variety of situations, a little knowledge and information is all that is needed to develop a sound financial plan. While most people can manage their finances on their own, there are a few special situations in which a professional will be able to offer sound advice at a reasonable price. Complicated situations can be easily cleared up by a professional with the appropriate education and experience.</p>
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		<title>How to Finance Your Business</title>
		<link>http://www.directoryconnect.com/blog/how-to-finance-your-business/</link>
		<comments>http://www.directoryconnect.com/blog/how-to-finance-your-business/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 11 Jun 2010 02:58:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business & Finance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Finance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.directoryconnect.com/blog/?p=46</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A critical question that comes up with most new businesses is &#8220;How to finance my business?&#8221; It has never been an easy task to find adequate funding for a new business. In tough economic times that task becomes even more difficult. At time it may seem like an insurmountable hurdle that you will never get [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A critical question that comes up with most new businesses is &#8220;How to finance my business?&#8221; It has never been an easy task to find adequate<br />
funding for a new business. In tough economic times that task becomes even more difficult. At time it may seem like an insurmountable hurdle that you will never get over.</p>
<p>If you have a pre-existing business, The &#8220;how to finance my business&#8221; question is easier to answer. There are some avenues that may be open to you that are not available to new businesses. If your business has an established track record of profitability, banks and lending institutions will at least be willing to talk to you about opening a line of credit. Because you have business assets that can be used as collateral these banks are more willing to consider loaning you money,With new businesses, however, you having nothing but an idea to offer the banks and lending institutions. Based on the failure percentages of new business even in the best of times, most lenders will not be willing to offer you any solutions.</p>
<p>The exception to this is if you can raise enough capital on your own that will reduce the risk of the lending institutions. As long as lenders are reasonably assured that they will be able to recoup their investment, they may be willing to consider offering you financing for your business.</p>
<p>Another route that you may be able to consider is to find private investors that are willing to put money into your venture. While there are many people that are willing to invest in new businesses, it is not always so easy to locate an investor that will be willing to put money into your business.</p>
<p>The first step in the process is to locate investors. Your local Chamber of Commerce may be able to point you in the right direction. You may also want to check with the Small Business Association. If those do not yield any results, you could also try searching on the internet for investors.</p>
<p>If you do decide to try for investor money you are going to need to have a strong business plan. This should be a full business plan, and not just some ideas that you jotted down in a notebook. You need to be able to show any potential investors that you are trying to open up a legitimate business, and that you have really thought through how you plan on making your business work.</p>
<p>You also need to be aware that investors will want something back for the money they invested. This means that you will probably have to pay back the investment with interest. This could be a set interest rate, or it could be a percentage of profits during the duration of the investment.</p>
<p>If you have personal assets you will need to be able to invest as much as you can afford. Other lenders will not be very willing to consider giving you money if you are not willing to show your belief in your business by investing your own personal assets.</p>
<p>You might also want to consider going to family and friends for money for your business. You could offer similar paybacks as investors would<br />
expect. Make sure they know that this I a business investment, and that you intend on getting their money back to them.</p>
<p>The more money you are able to raise on your own, the more likely that banks or investors will be willing to talk with you about your investment needs. Once you find an answer to the question of &#8220;how to finance my business,&#8221; make sure that you finance enough to keep your business afloat for however long it takes to get established. The biggest reason new businesses fail is that they did not have enough money to survive the costs of opening. Don&#8217;t let that happen to your business.</p>
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		<title>Your Business Plan Will Become Your Partner</title>
		<link>http://www.directoryconnect.com/blog/your-business-plan-will-become-your-partner/</link>
		<comments>http://www.directoryconnect.com/blog/your-business-plan-will-become-your-partner/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 16 Apr 2010 07:32:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business & Finance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Business Plan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Capital]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Investment]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.directoryconnect.com/blog/?p=44</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Are you planning to start a new business? Or are you considering expanding your current business and require a bank loan or investment from outsiders? If you are going to look for an investment of capital it is quite likely that you will be required to have a business plan. If you are starting a [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Are you planning to start a new business? Or are you considering expanding your current business and require a bank loan or investment from outsiders?</p>
<p>If you are going to look for an investment of capital it is quite likely that you will be required to have a business plan. If you are starting a business, despite the work involved, a business plan can prepare you for the obstacles ahead and help ensure your success.</p>
<p>A business plan is something that many small businesses fail to create, however, many business owners are adamant that having a written<br />
business plan is one of the keys to their present success. Creating a business plan forces you to contemplate possible obstacles to your<br />
business and prepares you to find solutions that will help you to overcome them.</p>
<p>To find investors or get a bank loan, they will want to see that you have the experience or resources to run the business. They will want to see your projected income as well as your suggested repayment plan already laid out. Taking the time to do this is not only important for them, but it gives you a measuring tool to verify if your business is growing properly. You can gage your success on how close to the plan your business has actually performed. Perhaps you&#8217;ll do worse, or perhaps you&#8217;ll do better, either way it helps you determine how well your business is getting on.If you have never seen a business plan before you may be concerned that is is too difficult a proposition for you to manage on your own.</p>
<p>While there are services available where you can hire someone to write a business plan for you, depending on your needs it may be wise to<br />
familiarize yourself with a business plan&#8217;s layout. This will not only help you to provide the necessary information, but may encourage you to try your own hand at it.</p>
<p>There&#8217;s a free tool at www.bdc.ca which will assist you in creating a business plan. Some of the topics you will be required to explain are your Market, Customer, Competition, Marketing Plan, Research &#038; Development along with financial forecasts. You may consider hiring someone to help you with your financial sheets after completing the written part of the Business Plan.</p>
<p>Your Business Plan will become your guide and silent business partner &#8211; indicating where you need to improve and helping you stay one step<br />
ahead of your competition. Make it a priority to have this crucial road map for your business.</p>
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