southorangemaplewoodnj.com

It is a volatile marketplace indeed. Any entrepreneur maneuvering on the waves in this current environment is surely getting a wild ride. For the savvy entrepreneur, these stormy conditions offer advantages of opportunity if they can survive the tumult. Some even see opportunity to expand, taking advantage of supply and demand shifts as fellow entrepreneurs fail to effectively bail themselves out and are forced to abandon their sinking ships. And although profits are generally the focal point of any business, current conditions may dictate a more concentrated focus on your liquidity. That means finding the most effective balance within your Cash Conversion Cycle (CCC).

You can hear the snap of the leather, as every business belt is tightening. Lending institutions are cracking down on their extensions of credit, demanding more collateral, tightening up on their lending windows, and increasing the cost of extending credit just to name a few. Some entrepreneurs are finding that at one time they had pre-approved credit line, but now may not. (It is recommended that you check and make sure that this is not you!) For more in depth information on Cash Conversion Cycles and how it is calculated google “Invesrotpedia” or “Wikipedia.” Both sites have clear and concise definitions, working models and calculations to help you get a good start in understanding and implementing and effective CCC plan for your enterprise.

In it’s simplest terms, the cycle refers to the number of days between when a business pays for it’s materials/ inventory, and receives cash for these goods. It represents the time in which working capital is “tied up”. If you can shorten the CCC, the need for external financing and the resulting interest expense will be smaller, thus creating higher profits. Although each business is unique, you are aiming at reducing this number as low as you can. It will require discipline, setting of targets, and continual effective monitoring. Ultimately the goal is to find a balance in three areas: the payables, the receivables and inventory management.

You will be looking for strategies that will increase the days of payable outstanding, effectively slowing down the cash going out the door.. You can negotiate with your vendors but be careful here, the downside is alienating them and jeopardizing your relationship. Other considerations on extending the period of payment due on the payables side of the cycle might be looking at weighing the cost of accepting a trade credit discount for early payment as opposed to the benefits of using your cash elsewhere. It may also be suitable for you to set up a zero balance account where funds can be automatically transferred by the bank when they are needed for clearance of cheques.

Next your focus will turn to inventory control; the software on the market available for inventory control is huge. Regardless of of your enterprises make up, size, or needs there has simply got to be a cost effective product that is a perfect fit for you. Do your research! But by all means do not let inventory control be a guessing game. It can be the key link between success or overwhelming red ink. With the right information accumulated from a good inventory analysis program you can identify and deal with your worst night mares like: dead and slow moving stock, and over orders. Then you can clearly see and implement control strategies that will minimize stock on hand, while keeping your customers happy, and your business running.

Your final step in n tightening up your cash conversion cycle will be to look at your receivables. Calculate and evaluate your average collection period. As a rule of thumb, if the average collection period is one third larger than the credit period extended on the statement, there may be a problem.( For example on average it took you 40 days to collect on invoices with a 30 day net.) Age your receivables to identify and actively pursue slow paying customers and attempt to lessen credit risk by tightening payment terms to “net 15″, or by actually selling fewer products on credit to the high risk accounts, or even cutting off credit entirely, and demanding payment in advance. Establish a discount percent for early payment, and a surcharge for late payment. Identify and evaluate accelerating payment techniques for collecting such as pre-authorized cheques, or direct deposit transactions. And finally, the use of a collection agency is not really a tool to manage credit risk; rather, it is an extreme measure because you can expect a below-agreed return after the collection agency takes its share (if it is able to get anything at all).

An efficient CCC will translate in a tightly run ship, with a more profitable bottom line. Cash is king in this environment and a well balance cash conversion cycle will enable you to access the best financial arrangements for your situation if the need arises. You will have a better chance of holding on to your pre-approved credit line, or fitting into those tighter lending windows. And you need what ever advantage you can get now days.

CHICKMELIONfreelance is a tripple threat advantage for small business offering writing, design and marketing services like: Article Marketing, Press Releases, Newsletters, Ebrochures and much uch more at affordable prices. Visit our web and sgn up for our free newsletter packed with tips and the ocasional free tool for you to test try at: http://chickelionfreelance.blogspot.com.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/fundraising-articles/remaining-liquid-in-troubled-times-1516653.html

The Egyptians are a superstitious people and when an animal is often their only means of earning an income they are unwilling to change their ways. Ways that have been handed down from father to son over the generations. They do not mean to be cruel to their working animals but something had to be done to break this cycle of the misinformation.

The animal that tourists come into the closest contact with in Egypt is the carriage horse. Carriages, called caleches in Egypt, are a feature of every tourist destination throughout the country.

These carriages are brightly decorated and are pulled by horses that have descended from animals left behind by the British army. These horses are often ill-shod, malnourished, frequently had badly fitting harnesses and are made to gallop unnecessarily, in the very high temperatures, often up to 50 degrees during Luxor’s summer. They stand in full sunshine waiting for customers whilst their drivers smoke in the shade. Their working day ends only when the last tourists return to their hotel. Something had to be done and so the seeds of ACE were sown.

Egypt relies on its tourist trade and in Luxor there are four hundred officially registered caleches. After witnessing the harsh working day of the caleche horses and noting the significance of their link with the tourist industry, Julie Wartenberg realised that what the horses needed was a “wash & brush-up” and so the seeds of Animal Care in Egypt were sown.

ACE’s founding purpose is to improve the lives of these high profile animals used mainly by tourists; so its first centre has been set up in Luxor, in an area called El Gouahera, where many carriage drivers live. Luxor is a hot, dry, sandy, dusty city so the horses are given what they need, washing and grooming in clean fresh water. This allows us to give them a preventive medical examination involving checking for lesions (soon fly-blown in the city’s atmosphere), checking their teeth and bit, inspecting the harness and spraying with citronella to keep the flies at bay. Treatment is given by 2 residents vets, Dr. David Mechelle Saweris E.V.M.S and Dr. Assma Abd EL Mowgood E.V.M.S.ACE was opened in July 2000 by two animal lovers (Kim and Julie) who had initially come to Egypt on holiday. They were so distressed by the condition of the horses and donkeys they saw around Luxor, they decided to do something to help.

ACE started as a simple idea to give these animals a break from their long working day in the hot sun, somewhere they could have their tack removed, a wash and a drink. The dirt and sweat under the tack was rubbing, causing sores and eventually open wounds. Now many of these sores are being prevented by teaching the owners to regularly wash their animals.

ACE has now evolved into a fully functioning veterinary hospital with up to 200 animals visiting a day (most requiring some sort of medical attention), ranging from water buffalo, camels, horses and donkeys to cats, dogs and even tortoises.

ACE knows that most visitors rarely see the thousands of working animals serving the needs of the tourist industry. They are still used as the main transport for most things, from the bricks, steel and cement used in the building to the huge amount of food and drink consumed in Luxor every day. These animals are almost overloaded and overworked.

ACE is trying to improve the lives of these animals not only by treatment but also by education and prevention. The service we provide is free to the poor owners who rely so heavily on their animals to feed, clothe and house their families.

ACE is completely funded by voluntary donation and need your help to continue this vital work.

If you wish to donate please click on the link below.

http://www.ace-egypt.org.uk/ace_support.html

Charity Faith Hope supports numerous charitable causes by publishing their good works and contact link details in article directories. Hopefully this will raise awareness and support for their cause.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/fundraising-articles/help-end-cruelty-to-donkeys-in-egypt-1518921.html

If like me you are a fan of the hit TV show Medium,that is based on the life of real life medium Alison DuBois, and portrayed by actress Patricia Arquette. What you may not know is that Alison DuBois also enjoys supporting her favorite charities.And that two of her favourite charities are the Make a Wish Foundation and the Humane Society, as she loves children and animals.Below are two examples of some of the Make a wish foundation`s work from their website.

DREAM COME TRUE-NUMBER ONE

For Tiffany, 6, a Make-A-Wish® experience was a much-needed relief from the day-to-day challenges of recovering from leukemia.

“She went eight days chemo-free,” said her mother, Renee. “No needles, no pokes, no treatments … it was freedom!”

Nearly two years into her chemotherapy treatments and with one year still left, Tiffany was ready for such a break. She enjoyed those carefree days on the Royal Caribbean International ship Serenade of the Seas, which sailed to Alaska, her mother’s birthplace.

Tiffany packed comfortable clothes, raingear, binoculars and a camera to document her wish experience. She and her family set sail to see amazing sights: vast landscapes, majestic mountainsides and amazing wildlife.

“She loves whales and water,” Renee said.

Viewing glaciers, sea lions, and humpback whales was just the beginning of Tiffany’s happy adventure. Serenade of the Seas also stopped in Vancouver, B.C., where Tiffany and her family enjoyed Stanley Park and other tourist attractions. When not exploring land, the family kept themselves busy with an endless list of shipboard activities.

“She loves to cook, and she got to cook with the chef,” Renee said. “They gave her the experience of a lifetime that she will never forget, and we are truly thankful.”

DREAM COME TRUE-NUMBER TWO

There is always one place that can raise Elliot’s spirits: Duluth, Minnesota. After he was diagnosed with leukemia when he was 2 ½ years old, Elliot’s parents would take him to Duluth’s Canal Park near the shore of Lake Superior. Watching the boats and the lift bridges was always a respite from his debilitating chemotherapy treatments.

Though Elliot and his family moved away, he never forgot those happy moments watching ships and hearing the sounds of horns blaring over the water. He told volunteers from the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Minnesota that his fondest wish was to drive one of those boats near his birthplace in Duluth.

Angela King-Jones, wish coordinator for the chapter, called Duluth’s mayor to ask permission to grant Elliot’s wish. The story immediately caught the community’s imagination. The mayor was happy to help, and the staff came up with creative ways to fulfill and enhance the boy’s wish. “The community really rallied around Elliot and his family,” King-Jones said. “The mayor granted special permission for Elliot to blow the horn at the lift bridge.”

Elliot and his family boarded the tour boat Vista Star. Captain Chris, who they knew from previous excursions, gave them a warm greeting. He and his crew gave Elliot the VIP treatment and presented him with his own captain’s hat. And the captain let Elliot sound the horn requesting the bridge lift. Under the captain’s supervision, Elliot piloted the ship past the bridge. Everyone celebrated with a pizza party aboard the Vista Star.

Bring on the Noise

At the massive Aerial Lift Bridge (one of Elliot’s favorite maritime attractions), Elliot climbed into the control booth where bridge Supervisor Ryan Beamer let him push the big black button as many times as he wanted. The blasts startled tourists, commuters and seagulls out of their daily routines. With every blast of the horn, Elliot’s smile got even wider.

Many Duluth residents already knew what was happening – the local media had written about his unusual wish. So every blast of the horn gave them a reason to smile, too.

Thanks for the Memories

Sara and Aron, Elliot’s parents, were thrilled with the warm reception the family experienced in Duluth. Part of Elliot’s wish included staying at the South Pier Inn so he could have an up-close view of the ships passing under the bridge. “So many people helped us to be present during our trip and to spend time as a family … and to make Elliot’s trip such a magical time,” they wrote in a thank-you letter published in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

Elliot also rode in the locomotive of a train, visited local landmarks including the Duluth Children’s Museum and Great Lakes Aquarium, and enjoyed a meal at the New Scenic Café.

Elliot is now in a three-year maintenance phase of treatment and is doing very well, according to his parents.

You can visit the website to read more heart-warming stories,or to make a donation to help some of the children the Make a Wish Foundation helps, with people`s generous donations below.

http://www.wish.org/

Charity Faith Hope supports numerous charitable causes by publishing their good works and contact link details in article directories. Hopefully this will raise awareness and support for their cause.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/fundraising-articles/medium-tv-star-alison-duboiss-favorite-charity-1522384.html

What exactly are factoring and invoicing financing? Many people confuse the two in a slightly misguided belief that they are in fact the same business method. However, they are not. Factoring at its most basic is the short sale of accounts receivable at a slight discount to an institution that wishes to purchase said accounts in an effort to make money on their investment. Invoice financing is a short term loan based on using the account receivable as collateral.

Factoring allows for the quick acceptance of cash on an outstanding account receivable. This means that the business owner has been paid much sooner for a transaction that may have required weeks, to a few months, to complete normally. They take a slight payment hit in the form of the discount granted to the purchaser, but they have immediate cash to continue their business concerns. This is an exceptional aide to any business, but is extremely useful for small to moderate size businesses and new start-ups.

With invoice financing a loan equal to a portion of the account receivable is generated and granted to the business owner. Generally the loaner, as well as companies that purchase discounted accounts receivable, do not care about the credit rating of the company that is acquiring the loan. They will instead focus on the company or entity that owes money to that company. This is due to the fact that it isn’t the business that is requesting the loan that is in credit based doubt. The doubt will lie with the one that owes that business money. Since the collateral for the loan is the money owed to the business this is the primary concern credit wise for the lender.

There are companies in existence that focus on this aspect of business as their primary enterprise. They specialise in acquiring new accounts receivable at a discount or with lucrative lending practices and have become a vital force for the small to moderately sized business. Even larger more established companies utilise these services regularly in the current market.

With invoice finance or factoring service on tap, any business with reasonable sales and a client base that is known to actually pay money owed can maintain a steady cash flow. Instead of running short mind month like so many smaller businesses tend to do, a business with factoring contacts can maintain a steady flow of currency and continue to grow in a steady and relatively safe manner.

There are two items to be concerned about in this type of business transaction both of which revolve around payment actually being rendered by the account that owes money to the business. If a business sells an account receivable at a discount, but the money is never sent or is somehow lost in translation the business owner will be liable for refunding the money to the purchaser. Similarly with an invoice financing contract, the company that acquired the loan will continue to be liable for money owed in accordance with that loan, and all its accompanying interest whether the account receivable is paid or not.

jack writes articles on cash flow solutions such as factoring and invoice finance

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/fundraising-articles/how-to-improve-cash-flow-with-factoring-and-invoice-finance-1536160.html

Women have some advantages, for example, women can be very intuitive and they have the ability to blend analysis and creativity; very useful qualities for successful business startup and expansion, as proven by the growing number of successful businesses owned by women. So, where to find funds to get started in business or expand the one you have?

The United States government provides economic aid, in the form of Government Grants, from the general federal revenue to various recipients, to carry out public support or stimulation as authorized by the law of the United States. The grants are distributed by 26 grant making agencies which provide hundreds of billions of dollars of funds to around 900 grant programs administered by the states, local governments and various agencies. These grants are to stimulate economic growth.

Although business grants for women are not available directly from the U.S. government, free help for planning, starting and expanding businesses, and cheap loans are. The Small Business Administration provides planning, financing, training and advocacy for small businesses and it works with thousands of lending, educational and training institutions nationwide and is able to provide low interest loans.

The U.S. Small Business Administration, or SBA, has offices in every state, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. The contact details for each of these can be found at SBA Women’s Business Centers.

The SBA can help you if your business is, or will be independently owned and operated, is not dominant in its field, and meets the maximum business size standards.

Business grants for women are available from the states. Contact details for each state can be found at Grant Resources by State. Simply put, discover which grants you are eligible for, and apply for them.

Business grants for women are also listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance. In fact, the CFDA provides a full listing of all Federal programs available to State and local governments (including the District of Columbia); federally-recognized Indian tribal governments; Territories (and possessions) of the United States; domestic, public, quasi- public, and private profit and nonprofit organizations and institutions; specialized groups; and individuals. It is of course comprehensive and, once again it is necessary to discover the grants for which you are eligible and apply for them.

It can take weeks and enormous tenacity to find grants using the government site and grants authorities sites.
Discover how to find and apply for your grants quickly and easily at Business Grants For Women.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/fundraising-articles/business-grants-for-women-1552291.html