When it comes to business finance the saying ‘it takes money to make money’ fits right in; you need business finance in order to get your business started, for it to operate, expand and grow.
There are a range of options open to you when it comes to gaining the right business finance for your company but you need to choose the one that is right for your business. To do this you should look at all of the advantages and disadvantages of each of the financing options that are open to you. Some examples of these financing options are as follows:
Short term sources of finance:
* Bank overdraft
* Trade Credit
* Leasing
* Bank loans
* Credit cards
Long term sources of finance:
* Bank loans
* Share capital
* Debentures
* Asset sales
* Venture capital
* Government, local authority or EU grants
Every business, especially at the start-up stage will need some form of finance. There is a lot that needs to be spent before your business even starts to make money. Below are just a few examples of some of aspects that you will need to spend money on when it comes to your business start-up:
* Purchase capital items (fixed assets) e.g., plant, equipment, land or buildings, motor vehicles;
* Increase holdings of trading stock and supplies;
* Fund research and development;
* Expand distribution or develop new markets.
On top of this you will have the property costs, including bills and your staff wages to cover. Once your business starts to make money these aspects will be covered by the profit that your business is making but until then you will have to rely on the money that you will have gained for your start-up costs.
When you are in the process of gaining your business finance it is important that you have an accurate idea of your financial needs. In order to do this you need to calculate the amount you need to cover your initial start-up costs as well as this you have to take into account you’re running costs and expenses. This is due to the fact that for a while you will be running your business without it making a profit but you still need to pay all of your bills as well as to keep trading. I would suggest that you have enough funds to cover at least six months of your business running.
One way in which you are able to secure the business finance that you need is through your business plan. Good planning will make it easier to raise the money that you need, which is why your business plan is important. Your plan will detail and outline what the money is needed for, exactly where the money is going to be spent and how this will benefit your business as well as demonstrating how the money will be repaid. Your business plan could make or break whether you receive the finance that you need.
If you are looking for business finance at the moment make sure that you approach the avenue that is most suited to you and that you have took into account the advantages and disadvantages of the finance you are after.
