If you re a small business owner applying for a loan or other credit, it pays to understand what lenders are looking for. From the point of view of the small entrepreneur the decisions that banks and other credit institutions make can often seem random. In fact, they are anything but.

It s crucial to understand that lenders are not necessarily risk-averse. Providing credit has a built-in element of risk. By offering you credit they are, in effect, making a bet on the success of your business. Like all professional gamblers, lenders like to get as much information about their bets as they can, in order to manage and limit risk.

So when they assess your business s suitability for a loan, they will look at the so-called three C s : credit history, collateral and character.

Credit History

Everyone is familiar with the idea of having their credit history examined when they apply for a loan. Every adult has a credit history and a credit rating based on that history. This information is shared among major lenders.

Clearly companies, like people, also have credit histories. The ratings based on these are sometimes called institutional credit ratings. When you request business credit the prospective lender will check your company s institutional rating. There are also circumstances in which lenders may wish to check the personal credit ratings of the business owner and directors – this is common for small businesses, startups, and businesses that have recently changed hands.

Collateral …

Read the rest of: Small Business Loans the 3 C’s here

Setting up a display at a trade show is expensive business. You have to rent the space, create a display, promote it, stock it, and staff it. Before you decide to get involved, take a serious look at the costs of all of these components.

Start planning well ahead. You already know this, right? Keep yourself as organized as possible right from the beginning — even before you book your space. You know how carefully today’s brides plan their weddings. Months, even years ahead, they start thinking about the church, the reception, the dresses, the flowers, the cake. And of course, the cost. Well, you’re the bride. Grab your planning book and start writing down everything you must do to get yourself ready for a successful trade show season — next year’s.

Even before you decide to go into a show or two, you should have a hard look at the costs and expected returns. This is why you create a trade show budget. Whether you admit it or not, everything has a cost, and trade shows are no exception. Remember that your objective is to make sales, or at least generate opportunities to make sales. So you have to view your costs in that light. Everything should be done with an eye on its potential return.

How to Start your Trade Show Budget Planning…

Read the rest of: Creating A Trade Show Budget here

Ideas for a Grant Proposal

by Rebecca Game
© 2005

To have a successful grant proposal, you must be prepared with a carefully thought out package and make sure it is consisely packaged. Packaging can be everything when it comes to getting your government grant. Don’t skimp on the information and reports you need to assure getting the grant available for you.

Try to make yourself familiar with with the programs criteria that is related to the Catalog program where you are requesting assistance. You will need to get:

1. Funding available information for the specified grant
2. Grant Application deadline
3. The process used by the granting agency
4. Grant Application forms
5. Information and procedures related to your grant proposal

Read the rest of: Developing Ideas for a Government Grant Proposal here