Factoring Financing For Canadian Companies

Is your company based in Canada? Do you need business financing? Read this article to learn how finance your company with factoring and invoice discounting.

Keywords:

factoring, invoice factoring, factoring company, receivable factoring, canada, canadian

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Running a business in Canada has always had its particular set of challenges. One of the biggest challenges has always been finding the right business financing. The market has been dominated by banks and institutions, which have very tough and strict lending criteria. Obtaining a business loan or almost any other type of business financing in Canada in pretty difficult. However, that is changing. Quickly.

Recently, Canada has seen an increase in the number of independent financing companies that specialize in business financing. Some offer business loans, but the majority have focused on offering invoice discounting (also know as invoice factoring). Although a relatively young industry, the Canadian factoring industry is growing quickly. But, what is invoice discounting?

One of the biggest problems for small and mid sized businesses is waiting up to 60 days to get invoices paid by their commercial clients. This can affect their ability to pay rent, suppliers or salaries on time. This problem is common for many businesses, such as trucking companies, staffing agencies, manufacturers, consultants and others. Invoice discounting is a financial product that eliminates slow paying invoices by financing them.

The factoring process is very simple. Once you invoice an approved client, you send a copy of the invoice to the financing company (also known as the factoring company). The factoring company advances you a significant portion of the invoice while they wait to get paid by your customer. The transaction is settled once the customer pays the invoice. The factoring company offers this service for a small fee or discount.

An invoice discounting arrangement provides you with the necessary funding to pay expenses such as rent, suppliers and employee salaries. This enables you to operate your business efficiently, without worrying about when your clients will pay. Furthermore, invoice discounting can help you win bigger clients, because it eliminates the worries of having to wait for them to pay.

As opposed to bank financing, invoice factoring is relatively easy to obtain. The biggest requirement is that you do business with established clients who pay their invoices regularly. Invoice discounting is truly a flexible product that is within easy reach of small and mid sized businesses.

Commercial Cleaning Companies – A Strategy For The Future

A previous article looked at this in general terms with regard to a start up cleaning company. This article will concentrate on a strategy for an established company to follow if it wants to be even more successful and continue expanding into the future.

The nature of cleaning is changing and the criteria companies use to choose their cleaners is also changing. Little by little companies are realising that it is more economical and administratively easier to find a cleanin...

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A previous article looked at this in general terms with regard to a start up cleaning company. This article will concentrate on a strategy for an established company to follow if it wants to be even more successful and continue expanding into the future.

The nature of cleaning is changing and the criteria companies use to choose their cleaners is also changing. Little by little companies are realising that it is more economical and administratively easier to find a cleaning company that can meet all their cleaning requirements.

Very few cleaning companies are able to do this or have wanted to do so in the past. They have chosen to concentrate on a particular specialism and develop that. So we have firms that are office cleaners, carpet cleaners, window cleaners, stone cleaners, kitchen cleaners, and ventilation duct cleaners to name but a few. Each of these builds up their own particular client base and their only way of growing is to expand their area of coverage. Many cleaning companies are reluctant to do this and consequently their potential for growth is limited. A large proportion of these companies are run by a single person who is quite happy to restrict themselves to a physically manageable area and manage a finite number of clients. However if you own and operate a company or want to start a cleaning company that has wider visions then you have an opportunity to take advantage of the changing market place.

The medium and larger sized companies and corporations are now beginning to look for cleaning companies that can provide them with all the cleaning services they require. From the simple and straightforward office cleaning on a daily basis to the six monthly or yearly cleaning of their ventilation ducts. If the cleaning company wishes to take advantage of this and gain corporate clients then it must expand its areas of expertise. If the financial burden of doing this is too great for the company to bear then the alternative is to find other firms who specialise in these various areas and work together either as partnerships or sub-contract out these fields of specialist cleaning. Sub-contracting has its pitfalls and to a large extent should be avoided if possible but it is a way into this new market place until you can develop your own expertise.

Companies working together in some form of partnership who share the same goals is a better solution but ultimately it is better if your own company can develop within these various areas and then you have complete control without the concern and constant anxiety of being ‘let down’. Become an expert in carpet cleaning, window cleaning, deep cleaning of commercial kitchens and ventilation duct cleaning. That way you can offer your prospective clients the complete cleaning package, increase your turnover and continue to grow.

Cash Paid Surveys – Finding the Best Companies

This is about cash paid survyes and comanty sites

Keywords:

Paid Surveys, Surveys, cash surveys, how to make money surveys, online surveys, money making surveys, surveys making money, surveys online, Cash Paid Surveys, get paid surveys

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Cash paid surveys are fun and have become a source for extra cash for lots of people today. It is a convenient and easy way to earn extra money with not a lot of work, in the comfort of your own home. Sounds hard to believe to some, but it is true.

If you are looking for such an income generator, then prepare yourself before taking the plunge.

Basic Steps to Getting Setup with Cash Paid Surveys

First, select a few sites that offer cash paid surveys and read carefully what they are offering you. Some sites will offer you direct access to the marketing companies who process the surveys. In this case you will have to browse the database and apply for the surveys you are interested in, other sites act as “the middle man” - thy have agreements with big marketing companies from which they receive the surveys and then distribute them through their registered users. In this case, you will have to passively wait for surveys to complete.

Also, bear in mind that not all paid surveys are actually cash paid surveys… Some surveys do not offer money as a reward for completing them. Instead, you might receive a free product or a service; discounts at certain merchants, vouchers or coupons, free trials, etc. there are even surveys that allow you to join a competition upon their completion. If you are not really after these kinds of remunerations, it's better to make this decision yourself in advance to avoid disappointment later.

Another important thing to consider is how you will get the cash and who is paying. If you have joined a mediator type of site, you are usually paid by that site, not the one you are doing the end survey for. If you have joined a database of companies seeking survey participants you are likely to be paid by the surveying company. Regardless of the details you should be aware of the payment method - are you going to be paid by check or by bank transfer etc.

Double Check Your Details!

Finally make sure that your personal details will be used as stated in the contact details you originally submitted. Unfortunately, there are many fraud survey web sites that would offer you to participate in a cash paid survey, for the sole purpose of getting hold of your personal details. From there, your details can later be sold to many other companies and you may end up receiving hundreds of unsolicited mail and SPAM emails. Make sure you investigate the company in which you are going to participate with. Do a browser search on your computer and see if any reviews appear in your search.

Remember if you get with the right companies, cash paid surveys can be fun and easy. If you would like more reviews and tips check out my links below.

Feel free to visit all some of my sites Cash Paid Surveys and Get Paid For Surveys

Companies Stifle Intrapreneurs At Their Own Risk

I've noticed an interesting trend lately. Usually the e-mail I receive in response to this column comes from rookie entrepreneurs or established business owners seeking my input on startup matters, financing, employee relations, general management and leadership issues, policy matters, etc.

Lately, however, many of the messages are coming from employees of medium-size and large companies who are growing frustrated at working in an environment that they deem (to quote one ...

Keywords:

success, hardwork, small business, experience, business, email, e-mail, policy, professional, impres

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I've noticed an interesting trend lately. Usually the e-mail I receive in response to this column comes from rookie entrepreneurs or established business owners seeking my input on startup matters, financing, employee relations, general management and leadership issues, policy matters, etc.

Lately, however, many of the messages are coming from employees of medium-size and large companies who are growing frustrated at working in an environment that they deem (to quote one e-mail) "Intellectually stifling and (that) offers few challenges of one's creativity and innovation.''

These folks are asking how best to move from being someone else's bored employee to coming into their own as an excited entrepreneur.

These people are called "intrapreneurs," and their ranks are growing, which should be of great concern to the employers who have either been unaware that they existed or have chosen to ignore them in the past.

By definition, intrapreneurs are employees who think with an entrepreneurial slant. Instead of just doing their jobs by the numbers, intrapreneurs approach every task with an entrepreneurial mindset.

They are always thinking of ways to improve products or processes. They are innovators, creative thinkers, and are quite often viewed by management as squeaky wheels. Unfortunately, intrapreneurs also are often seen as troublemakers and hard to manage because they push the envelope of what's expected from a traditional employee.

Most big companies don't want employees who think independently. They don't want employees who think outside of their job description, as intrapreneurs are prone to do. I know this from personal experience, but that's a whole 'nother column.

The primary difference between entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs is that the intrapreneur would be just as happy to spend his life as someone else's employee if the working environment nurtured and supported his efforts. Intrapreneurs do not want to become entrepreneurs.

They are perfectly happy working for someone else if the environment offers opportunities for advancement and growth based on initiative and creativity, not just on years punched in.

Sadly, most big companies do not know how to nurture their intrapreneurs. Just the opposite is more the norm: They give employees a policies manual and tell them to toe the line.

They hand you a written job description and expect you to operate within its parameters. When I quit my last real job some 10 years ago, my reason for doing so was that the corporate environment was just sucking the genius and the life right out of me. It's something I hear every week now from intrapreneurs.

Intrapreneuring is nothing new. As long as there have been employers and employees, there have been intrapreneurs. But the Internet boom spawned a new generation of free-agent-minded employees who want the mental rewards and freedom of working for an entrepreneurial venture, and the financial stability of working for an established company.

Just because the Internet boom went bust does not mean the mentality of this generation of entrepreneurially minded employees has changed.

To the contrary, intrapreneurs are now part of practically every midsize to large organization, and they are biding their time and watching for opportunity while on the company payroll. This new generation of employees brings a change in the workplace mindset - from one of "serial employment" to one of "entrepreneurial advancement."

The only way to convert the focus of these employees, who are usually the most talented people within the organization, is to give them what they want - the opportunity to excel and grow within an environment that appreciates entrepreneurial thought. When intrapreneurs are allowed to flourish, the entire company will follow.

We are in the age of ownership, where everyone from the CEO to the janitor has more opportunities and options than ever before. We demand ownership in our lives and in our careers. The gold watch has been replaced by the brass ring.

Here's to your success.

Buying Out Minority Shareholders under the Companies Act 1985

An article on minority shareholder rights and forcing a sale of minority shares using sections 459 and 461 of the Companies Act 1985

Keywords:

minority rights, minority shareholder rights, minority shareholder protection

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Rights of Minority Shareholders
In the decision of the Court of Appeal in Profinance Trust SA v Gladstone (Case No: A3/2000/0435, 2 July 2001) ('Profinance'), the rights of minority shareholders to have their shares purchased by other shareholders or the company under Sections 459-461 of the Companies Act 1985 (as amended) was extensively considered by Robert Walker LJ. It was concluded that the general purpose of these provisions is to provide a shareholder who has been unfairly prejudiced by the conduct of a company's affairs with a remedy more flexible and less drastic than a winding up on "just and equitable" grounds.

However, Walker LJ observed:

'It is well known among company lawyers that although Sections 459-461 were intended to provide a fairly summary remedy for minority shareholders who have been unfairly prejudiced, proceedings under the sections often become bogged down in a mass of written evidence containing numerous accusations and counter-accusations reminiscent of petitions and cross-petitions alleging cruelty under the old divorce law.'

Companies Act: Sections 459 & 461
Section 459(1) of the Companies Act 1985 (as slightly amended by the Companies Act 1989) provides as follows:

'A member of a company may apply to the court by petition for an order under this Part on the ground that the company's affairs are being or have been conducted in a manner which is unfairly prejudicial to the interests of its members generally or of some part of its members (including at least himself) or that any actual or proposed act or omission of the company (including an act or omission on its behalf) is or would be so prejudicial.'

Section 461(1) and (2) of the Act provide as follows:

'(1) If the court is satisfied that a petition under this Part is well founded, it may make such order as it thinks fit for giving relief in respect of the matters complained of.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), the court's order may:

(a) regulate the conduct of the company's affairs in the future;

(b) require the company to refrain from doing or continuing an act complained of by the petitioner or to do an act which the petitioner has complained it has omitted to do;

(c) authorise civil proceedings to be brought in the name and on behalf of the company by such person or persons and on such terms as the court may direct;

(d) provide for the purchase of the shares of any members of the company by other members or by the company itself and, in the case of a purchase by the company itself, the reduction of the company's capital accordingly.'

It was observed in Profinance that there 'is a good deal of authority as to the circumstances in which Section 459 is engaged and as to the wide nature of the powers conferred on the Companies Court by Section 461 if it is satisfied that a Section 459 petition is well founded. Many of these cases are concerned with the circumstances in which the court should direct a purchase of shares under Section 461(2)(d) and with the basis on which the shares (almost invariably a minority holding) should be valued.'

In a "quasi-partnership" case where the petitioner is not at fault the court tends to favour an undiscounted share of the value of the company as a whole.

Date of Valuation and Interest under the Companies Act
The main question in Profinance was two-fold:

1. Does the court have the power to set an appropriate valuation date for the share purchase?

2. Does the court have the power to award interest from the date of valuation to the date of payment?

As to the appropriate valuation date, it was held that the court has a wide discretion in the matter. However, even a wide discretion to do what is fair must be exercised judicially and on rational principles.

As to the power of the court to award interest under a Section 461 order, it was held that an order for interest is not beyond the powers of the court. The court can make adjustments in the valuation process which means that the court is actually valuing shares, not as they are, but as they would have been if events had followed a different course; and that practice is regularly followed by the court in orders under Section 461(1). In these circumstances, it was held, a denial of the court's power to award interest would be unacceptable.

Fair Valuation Date under the Companies Act
According to Walker LJ, the authorities show that there are two main considerations which the court has to bear in mind in deciding what valuation date is fair on the facts of the particular case:

1. One is that the shares should be valued at a date as close as possible to the actual sale so as to reflect the value of what the shareholder is selling.

2. The rival consideration is that the date of the petition is the correct starting point. This is because the date of the petition is the date on which the petitioner elects to treat the unfair conduct of the majority as in effect destroying the basis on which he agreed to continue to be a shareholder, and to look to his shares for his proper reward from participation in a joint undertaking.

Although the Court of Appeal in Profinance opted for the second (i.e. that the date of the petition should be the valuation date of the shares) as the better stating point, it did conclude that there may be circumstances where fairness would require that another date be used. Another date, according to Walker LJ, may be more fair in the following cases:

where a company has been deprived of its business, an early valuation date (and compensating adjustments) may be required in fairness to the claimant.
where a company has been reconstructed or its business has changed significantly, so that it has a new economic identity, an early valuation date may be required in fairness to one or both parties. But an improper alteration in the issued share capital, unaccompanied by any change in the business, will not necessarily have that outcome.
where a minority shareholder has a petition on foot and there is a general fall in the market, the court may, in fairness to the claimant, have the shares valued at an early date, especially if it strongly disapproves of the majority shareholder's prejudicial conduct.
but a claimant is not entitled to a "one-way bet" and the court will not direct an early valuation date simply to give the claimant the most advantageous exit from the company, especially where severe prejudice has not been made out.
all these points may be heavily influenced by the parties' conduct in making and accepting or rejecting offers either before or during the course of the proceedings.
Also, it should be noted that recent case law has clearly established the reluctance of the courts to allow section 459 of the Companies Act to be widely used to force the company's hand when its controlling shareholders not acting improperly. The clear message from the courts is that the parties are expected to behave like adults and talk to each other with a view to one party being bought out.


http://www.kaltons.co.uk

Business Documenting - The must for all companies

One of the most important things you can do to ensure the success of your business is to create documented standards for how each and every process is performed throughout the company. Essentially at a very basic level these documents describe in a high level of detail the exacts steps for a particular task, it should be both simple and detailed enough that anyone should be able to review the procedure and do that task.

Keywords:

business development, business document, company management, business, company, management, documents, guides, guide

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Surprisingly many businesses fail to create such an essential item; the reality is that these types of businesses and entrepreneurs who don't create a documented system usually spend lots of time training and supervising employees. Often they forget that the reason an employee or

other person was brought into the business was to help it grow yet spending time on re-training or needing to quality check work constantly is not growing the business and it is a huge waste of time.

The standardized procedures do not need to be extravagant, often times the simpler the better. Get a piece of paper or type up each step involved in performing a specific task or process. Employees, contractors, temps and so on should also be involved in this process. Take the completed

documents, print them up in binders or other media and hand them out to all the people in the organization.

Once the business has been thoroughly documented and the work standards created make sure that they are regularly followed, no exceptions. If there are any problems with a document simply get feedback from the employees, then go back and revise the standards.

Once an area or process has been formally documented begin continuous improvement efforts, go out and look for simple commonsense ways to improve each and every process to become more efficient. Greater efficiency ultimately leads to the business becoming more profitable.

Going Public: The Process for Small and Mid-size Companies to Go Public.

It’s the dream of every person who starts a business to some day see it trading in one of the stock exchanges even after they are no longer associated with the company.

Keywords:

15c211, reverse merger, direct public offering, regulation d, pink sheets

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It’s the dream of every person who starts a business to some day see it trading in one of the stock exchanges even after they are no longer associated with the company. The first step (#1) is simple since most small company are already incorporated and have a board of directors, so we will start with #2.

Step. #2. Engage a consultant but not before doing a background check. This is a must because the consultant who is supposed to be working for you may be the very person to destroy your dream.

Simply type the consultants name in Google and if nothing comes up, try the brokerage firm they were last associated with, to find out if they have been disciplined, or convicted of some crime by the Securities and Exchange Commission or some other regulatory body.

Many individuals when barred from participating in any securities transaction or from acting as consultants still do so in a stealth manner. Hoping that you will be impressed with their sales pitch and not bother looking into their background.

The reason most consultants do not have websites is because they do not want the regulators to find out that they are involved in stock market related activities.

Step. #3. If you are not using a securities attorney, ask the consultant to recommend a good one, he will probably know several. A good attorney is critical since you want him to know the process and has done this many times before.

Step. # 4. Have an audit done, this a requirement and must be done prior to any filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The CEO needs to take an active part in the auditing process since under the new corporate governance laws the he must affirmed the final audited financials as being accurate.

Step. #5. The officers and directors of the company must decide what method they are going to use to achieve their goal of becoming a public company. This can be accomplish through a reverse merger and by doing a Regulation D (504) offering.

A reverse merger is accomplished by the purchase of, and reverse merger into an existing public shell company. This is inexpensive compared with the conventional initial public offering (IPO), this is also a simplified fast track method by which a private company can become a public company.

For more information on reverse mergers visit:

www.genesiscorporateadvisors.com or read my article on www.ezine@articles.com under small business.

Regulation D (504) offering: Under the Securities Act of 1933 any offer to sell securities must either be registered with the SEC or meet an exemption. Regulation D provides three exemptions from the registration requirements, allowing smaller companies to offer and sell their securities without having to register the securities with the SEC.

While companies using a Regulation D exemption do not have to register their securities and usually do not have to file reports with the SEC, they must file what is known as a “Form D” after they first sell their securities.

This offering is not exempt from State securities filing requirements. With an regulation D (504) offering you are permitted to raise up to a million dollars within a year but there is no minimum amount and in order to go public you must sell to minimum of 35-40 investors at least a round lot (100 shares) each.

This offering is not exempt from the securities Act of 1933 anti fraud provision. (No securities are exempt from this provision).

Step # 6. Have a broker dealer file a form 15c211. Again your consultant will introduce you to a broker who will file the 15c211 and be a market maker in the securities of the company.

For more information visit: http://www.genesiscorporateadvisors.com

Care label package for clothing companies

The cost of producing care labels has fallen with the introduction of a care label printer, fabric and ink package from Paxar. The new Paxar 9830CL thermal printer has been teamed-up with a new dip-coated nylon fabric and a new thermal transfer ink.

Keywords:

label printer,thermal printer,labelling,label package,clothing

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The cost of producing care labels has fallen with the introduction of a care label printer, fabric and ink package from Paxar. The new Paxar 9830CL thermal printer has been teamed-up with a new dip-coated nylon fabric and a new thermal transfer ink.

The package is targeted at medium sized clothing manufacturers seeking low cost inplant apparel labelling. It is being promoted as a one-stop solution with the care tape, ink, ribbons, label and printer all being supplied by Paxar.

The company says the 9830CL is a robust and reliable low-cost-of-ownership solution with the emphasis on simplicity and flexibility, where labels can be printed as required.

The package calls for the minimum of operator training. It is simple to load, with easy flip-up access to the printhead should jams occur. Set up of the software is also said to be undemanding. Extra long care tape reels last longer and a new design of ribbon mechanism ensures the system is not plagued by ribbon wrinkle.

It prints high quality labels on to a wide selection of fabrics available from Paxar. Print speed options are 64mm, 100mm and 152mm a second with labels up to 102mm by 305mm that can incorporate a variety of barcode symbologies, including 2D codes.

The Paxar 9830CL is a 300dpi printer with a 102mm printhead width. It offers scaleable font, a battery-backed memory for format storage, serial/parallel communications ports and a 32-bit RISC processor for faster imaging time.

Get Paid For Taking Surveys – Companies and Site Offers

This is a review article for companies paying for surveys.

Keywords:

Paid Surveys, Surveys, cash surveys, how to make money surveys, online surveys, money making surveys, surveys making money, surveys online, Cash Paid Surveys, Get Paid For Surveys

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It is a known fact that there are many ways to earn some extra cash from home. Making money from paid surveys is one of these ways. Many people such as students, part time workers and housewives, find it an excellent effortless way to improve their lifestyle. If you are not one of these lucky people, it is time to join.

You do not need to do much to get paid for taking surveys. In fact, you just need to register with one or a few surveying companies. In general, there are three types of companies that might offer you the chance get paid for taking surveys.

There are many different kinds of sites and companies to be aware of. Database companies do not offer paid surveys, they provide you with an up-to-date database of companies who will pay you to take surveys. Mediator sites have several marketing companies or product companies as their clients and handle their survey processing. If you join such a site, you are guaranteed a good flow of reasonably paid surveys. Marketing companies is the main source. Some marketing companies process their surveys by their own. From certain prospective, it is best to join such survey lists however the frequency might not be that good as with the other two types.

Sometime you need to pay a membership fee to enter the get paid for taking surveys world. Usually the database sites and the mediator sites require an application fee in order to get you registered with them. This fee is usually very affordable and minor compared to the possible earnings. This fact does not mean that you have to pay it though. Always check and see if you are able to find the same information for free.

Another thing that might be of interest is how much you can earn for a month from paid surveys. While sometimes, you may get paid for taking surveys with $10, in other occasions the remuneration may be $3 only. Of course, there are very well paid surveys. A phone survey may bring you up to $150 and a focus group survey can add as much as $250 to your monthly budget. Because the figures vary greatly it is not possible to make a realistic estimate how much you will be earning from surveys.

The mount of money that you will make depends on the number of the surveys you will complete. You may have time to complete 10 surveys only, each for $5 and another person may be lucky and complete 50 surveys for $10. In addition, you are dependant on the surveying companies to send you surveys. The frequency depends on the type of the company and on your profile. You may get two or three surveys within a day or receive no surveys for a whole week.

Finally, the most important thing, make sure you are dealing with serious, legitimate and credible companies to avoid disappointment. Do your homework and check the company out in as many ways as you can be for you give them you valuable time and effort.

Feel free to visit some of my sites Cash Paid Surveys and Get Paid For Surveys

Getting the Help of Printing Companies

Skilled folks know better when the graphics and images you used are in fact badly printed but after they have corrected them you probably won’t even notice it.

Keywords:

press, printing, print, company

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In this age of laser and ink jet printers, it is hard to imagine that there has been a time when every printed letter or newsletter had to be arranged and printed in lead type. But the old fashioned way of printing is not yet lost. There are still die-hards who still practice the craft. Perhaps one of the most challenging parts of the printing process is balancing color on press. Most mistakes in color printing are the lack of knowledge of the press operators on color technology. With the printer’s lack of experience and knowledge when it comes to color printing, it is no wonder that most business and individuals with printing jobs become frustrated with their projects.

Hence, before allowing for serious ink and press changes, it is essential to understand how ink separations are made. This is because without balance in the film, it is impossible to adjust dot and color gain on press.

Digital printing is rapidly gaining importance in the printing world as its benefits are more and more realized. This technology involves the creation of the art or image on a computer in digital form and then printing it. Digital printing has transformed the printing technologies used today from outdated printing technologies to state-of-the-art printing techniques. Because of its advantages over other printing technologies, it serves as the best option for those businesses and individuals looking for affordable and long lasting marketing materials.

Just the same, oftentimes, people experience problems with their printed materials. The color may not look great, the graphics are distorted or the result is not what they have expected. For this reason, it is important that you deal with printing companies whose prepress operators and personnel understand the basics of color management and the proper working of digital technology. People who know the advantages and uses of digital technology can explain to you what you need to know. They understand what color temperature is and they know what white balance is.

As a successful color reproduction doesn’t always involve secret tricks but requires paying serious attention to the many required details, it is essential to find the printing company that will understand your print job and offer you the result that you want. Keep in mind that skilled folks know better when the graphics and images you used are in fact badly printed but after they have corrected them you probably won’t even notice it.

Guerilla Versus Gorilla - Small Companies Can Win

We make our living as guerillas – not the bad kind, but more of a freedom fighter. By using the term ‘guerilla’ I mean EMJ (now a division of SYNNEX) fights for business against big gorillas (other distributors) in the field. Our competitors are almost 100 times our size; EMJ is a Canadian-based, $165 million per year distributor. We have made an operating profit for the past 80 consecutive quarters. So even though we are up against the big gorillas as a distributor, we must ...

Keywords:

Guerilla marketing, Gorilla, positioning, brand, branding, marketing, business strategy

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We make our living as guerillas – not the bad kind, but more of a freedom fighter. By using the term ‘guerilla’ I mean EMJ (now a division of SYNNEX) fights for business against big gorillas (other distributors) in the field. Our competitors are almost 100 times our size; EMJ is a Canadian-based, $165 million per year distributor. We have made an operating profit for the past 80 consecutive quarters. So even though we are up against the big gorillas as a distributor, we must be doing something right.

If you are in a business where some of the competitors are much larger, you may be able to benefit from using guerilla tactics. The principles of running a guerrilla organization differ from running a gorilla organization. As a guerrilla, we hide from our competitor; we do not try to crush them. I even go so far as to examine what they do well and let them do it. At the same time, I look for under-serviced markets and get to these markets fast.

A gorilla takes all competitors head on, trying to crush the competition. Sometimes this takes the form of a price war. Sometimes it takes major prolonged, drawn-out investment. This works as long as you are the same size, or larger than the competition. Even then, such a long battle can sap power and ultimately profits.

Companies that die often believe they were gorillas. It is certain death for a business to fight gorillas unless they can withstand the siege. Any time we hire someone with a gorilla-company background, we watch and coach that person to make sure they are indoctrinated with the appropriate tactics. We have to make sure they understand out business model.

My 8 favourite guerilla tactics are:

1 – Act fast. I use my company’s size for my advantage. I can act lightning fast. In the computer business, this is a huge asset. Things change so rapidly that moving fast and being first to market is a huge advantage. Larger companies do not react quickly. Develop a reputation for being first – it gets the attention of customers.

2 – Welcome smaller opportunities. Gorillas tend to say ‘no’ to manufacturers who don’t think they can do significant volume with. But a small opportunity rejected by a gorilla can be a very profitable opportunity for a guerilla. For EMJ, a million dollar per product line is an opportunity big enough to get the attention of my first string. In your business, look for the right-sized opportunity for you. Frequently, it is the smaller opportunity that has the best promise. The gorillas will leave you alone. There is always a right-sized opportunity for a company of any size. Knowing your rightful place in the market can help you to thrive.

3 – Get focussed. Higher focus means we know more, stock more, and sell more product of fewer manufacturers. The smaller our product listing, the more powerful we become. We know a lot about a little. That means we know the products we sell better than a gorilla, and we become a sales tool for the reseller, not just an order-taker. Could you become more focused and specialized in a business area by giving up on a part of your business?

4 – Be more flexible. We can adapt more easily to our customers and suppliers. We try not to be ruled by policy. The bigger a company gets, the more likely they are to have policy and some of it is required. As a small distributor, we can be more flexible. Are there areas that your competition is ignoring that by being more entrepreneurial, you can capitalize on?

5 – Be smarter. This sounds too simple, almost embarrassing to write. Since we are smaller, we can look at the business we do more carefully and make sure it makes good business sense. We don’t pick up another manufacturer just to increase the size of our line card. That’s just not good business sense for us. That’s the way we have to think – and so should you.

6 – Lower your overhead. For some reason, most companies seem to choose more expensive offices and furnishings as they grow. This expectation tends to increase costs in all areas of the company that distribution, at current margin levels, can ill afford. At EMJ, we buy quality used furniture. We are on the outskirts of Guelph where the cost of land and taxes is less. Our capital base is even high enough that our cost of capital is less than some of the gorillas. Are there areas that you can be lower overhead than the gorillas in your field? Costs always add up on the bottom line.

7 – Foster staff loyalty – one major advantage guerillas have over gorillas is the ability to attract, motivate, and keep good people. Primarily this is because guerillas can be more flexible, easier to work for and give people more of a sense of accomplishment because what they do contributes more directly the company’s bottom line. I have always found there to be great power by being smaller and treating my people with respect and not just as numbers. Gorillas can try to do this but it is tough for them to copy you.

8 – Just BE a gorilla. We like to enter market areas that we can dominate and specialize in. We may not be the biggest but in certain specific niches, we dominate. As long as we are the biggest in an area, we can act the part. We can under-price and over-service the competition forever. Anyone who enters our markets learns that it is expensive and often impossible to unseat us.

9 – Be personal. One thing a smaller organization can do is to be more personal. People buy from people. You can foster relationships that will help you sell. Part of the way we are personal is by showing our customers what markets and products ARE profitable. There is nothing that cements a customer relationship better than making them money, because you’ll be making money for them AND for you!

10 – Be opportunistic – to sum up guerilla strategy is simply to be opportunistic. Take advantage of opportunities that the gorillas cannot do. There are many companies that remain profitable by being opportunistic.

In summary, unless you are huge – think guerilla. Appropriate guerilla tactics for your size will win any battle.

Five Ways Small Cap Companies Can Attract Big Investors

Start using the proven strategies Wall Street’s top companies use. These simple yet effective steps your investor relations director can take right now to dramatically increase your company’s exposure and attractiveness to investors thus bolstering share value and shareholder support

Keywords:

Investment stocks shareholder awareness business marketing

Article Body:

If you work for a publicly traded company, there are simple yet effective steps you and your investor relations director can take now to dramatically increase your company’s exposure and attractiveness to investors thus bolstering share value and shareholder support. These are simple, yet proven strategies for gaining and maintaining a loyal and ever-increasing investor following. Read ‘em and reap.

[1] Stay One Step Ahead of your Investors – Provide accurate and timely information about your Company

How do most investors tell a good stock from a bad one? They don’t…it tells them. It tells them by its trading activity, volume, chart history, etc. But most importantly, it tells them at the click of a button: "View Latest Headlines".

In fact, do that right now. Go online (where most investors conduct their due diligence and make their trading decisions) and view your company’s last five press releases just as an average investor would. Based on what you see, is your company’s stock a buy?

If you recently repainted the building; that’s great! Brag about it at the next office party. But if your company just signed a multi-million dollar global distribution deal--- spend the few hundred dollars on the press release. Better yet…try dividing that one big PR into three or four smaller PR’s. When it comes to substantive positive news, quantity is better than quality, also known as the Shotgun Effect. When the news is not particularly flattering or general housekeeping stuff, the reverse is true; keep those announcements few and far between if possible.

Also keep your company’s website current. Be sure all recent press releases are reflected on your company’s website and the information is updated quarterly. If your company is not growing or changing enough quarter by quarter, somebody is not doing their job. (For help with your website IR section or shareholder awareness campaigns, try contacting the people at www.EvergreenMarketingInc.com.

[2] The Whispers of Happy Shareholders can be Deafening

Word of mouth is still the best advertising there is. If you get the chance to speak directly to any of your shareholders try asking them how they first heard about your company. The answer will most likely be, "from a fellow investor". There are people out there right now who know enough about your company to recommend it to everyone they know….or not. They’re called shareholders. The key is keeping that army of voices well supplied with a steady stream of good news to spread.

Remember, your shareholders can promote and discuss your company and its investment potential in ways and places that you legally cannot. In this Internet / information age, you, as an executive of a publicly traded company, are one of the few who do not have total freedom of speech. Those shareholders are your not-so-silent majority out there for (or against) you on the World Wide Web, 24/7 in places you probably don’t even know exist.

If you really want shareholders to get excited enough about your company to tell everyone they know about it, try getting one of them on the phone sometime or sending a personal email; even if it’s just to say hello and thank them for their support. Speaking directly to the CEO of a company they own stock in is like talking to the Governor to some investors. I’ve seen it. More importantly, I’ve heard about it.

[3] The Hungry Cat Makes the Best Hunter

If a tree falls in the woods and there’s no one there to hear it, does it still make a sound? Who cares! But if your company releases positive news and there’s no one there to hear it, someone will care; your shareholders.

Nothing discourages current shareholders (as well as potential future ones) more than seeing a stock end the session with little or no increase in share price or volume on a day when positive news is released. Sure, the wire services are global, but more than likely, it will only be your existing shareholders who will be watching for and (hopefully) reading your company’s press releases.

As we discussed earlier, the best way to attract future shareholders is by utilizing current shareholders to help do the "hunting". Think about this; if every one of your shareholders fully understood and believed that if there were twice as many of them, the share price might be twice the price it is now. You must keep your army of shareholders constantly growing if for no other reason than the fact that all of your current shareholders will eventually sell your stock and move on…it’s only a question of when.

[4] Get Organized. Get Ready. Get Going!

All eyes in the room are on you. "Okay Boss, what’s the plan?" And then you answer….

Your corporate plan to increase shareholder support and awareness is like a roadmap that details the fastest and shortest route to your destination. Planning the trip is the easy part. Getting everyone else on board for the ride may take some work. That "work" starts with everyone knowing what their specific duties are and the most effective way of carrying them out.

This leads us to; "Get Going!" Activity creates productivity and productivity creates new shareholders, as well as helps keep existing ones. You should put together a 30 to 60 day calendar that outlines your shareholder awareness program. You should be able to identify specific developments that should take place during each week.

In the beginning, be sure to avoid the getting ready to get ready trap. Once you have the bulk of your operation and team in place, get them started. Don’t get too discouraged if your early results are less than hoped for. This type of undertaking is more like running a marathon than a sprint. It may take a few small steps at first to get your operation up and running for the long haul.

[5] You Cannot Expect What You Are Not Willing to Inspect

Delegation does not equal leadership. You need to stay updated from those actually implementing your shareholder awareness and support programs. What they do right and what they do wrong will determine the success of your program. Your management (and inspection) of the program and those implementing it are key factors in achieving your goals.

I’m sorry to say the bulk of investor relations duties are often viewed as a necessary evil. However, if you want your stock to reflect a strong market capitalization you need to be willing to go the extra mile. On behalf of your shareholders, take charge of your investor relations program then let everyone involved know exactly what is expected of them.

These simple yet effective steps will have a huge impact on how current shareholders as well as future investors view your efforts to gain their support by first supporting them. Leadership is easy….if you’re willing to assume it.

Data Entry Companies – Working At Home

So there is a company out there for everything nowadays right? I mean if you need someone to do something chances are you won’t only find a person but an entire company specializing in this needed task. I mean one look at the phone book will tell you this

Keywords:

Data Entry Companies

Article Body:

So there is a company out there for everything nowadays right? I mean if you need someone to do something chances are you won’t only find a person but an entire company specializing in this needed task. I mean one look at the phone book will tell you this. So it would make sense that a service that is needed by most companies would of course create other companies to provide it. Consequently there is now a huge number of data entry companies floating around out there.

Data entry companies have only recently become used on a frequent basis as it used to be thought that data entry was better managed in-house, by people familiar with the product, database, or business, however people are starting to realize that it is faster and more efficient to outsource this work to data entry companies. This allows the management to focus other issues, and the data entry gets done by fast and efficient, trained professionals.

There are companies for data entry in the states and then it is also possible to outsource to other countries, this is probably even cheaper. Just looking online there are numerous data entry companies advertising and I am sure this doesn’t even scratch the surface.

For some companies data entry services are not just a convenience but more of a necessity. Some companies do not need data entry on a permanent basis and for these companies the data entry companies are a life-saver. Now no investment in new or computers or personal is needed. These companies can simply hire a data entry company for the duration of their need. There are always new services springing up to take cares of customer needs, whoever the customer might be, data entry companies are just one more example of this.

Employee Newsletters for Small Companies

Smaller companies can make employee newsletters work for them by using some special strategies and by taking advantage of the Hawthorne Effect.

Keywords:

employee newsletter, small company, small companies, Hawthorne Effect

Article Body:

A newsletter for 60 employees?

A visitor to the Manager═s Guide Web site asked for about buying content for a newsletter that would serve a group of 60 professionals; the department responsible would not have time to write a complete newsletter.

I emailed the following response (slightly edited):

You have asked a good question. With 60 employees, your staff is big enough to need a newsletter, but not big enough to make a major spending commitment. On that basis, let me share a few observations with you.

First, while I═‘m not sure why you want to communicate with these employees, I assume it is to maintain their loyalty and to increase their productivity (both common objectives for employee newsletters ).

To maintain (and perhaps increase) loyalty, I would recommend that you or some other appropriate person sit down once a month and simply write a letter. Think of it as a letter to a friend or colleague, and report any news of interest to them. You might report on hiring, about changes in policy, how to apply for benefits, or any other information they would find useful. Again, I would stress the need for an informal approach, perhaps something mirroring this letter to you. Avoid making it sound like a memo, if possible. And, I would laser print or copy and mail it, rather than use electronic mail.

Turning to productivity, I would not buy articles from third parties unless you come across something that really impresses you. You say these are people are professionals, which suggests to me they will have access to the Net, and probably no end of information already.

Instead, I would prepare a modest budget and then offer to pay the employees for providing useful tips and articles that their colleagues can use to be more productive. For example, $20 per employee per issue would give you a budget of about $1,200; offer to buy two articles of 500 to 1,000 words for $500 each, and four tips of 100 to 200 words for $50 each. Or if you want to spend $10 per employee, then you could buy one article and two tips. Once you have the material in hand, print and distribute it to the employees. It can be sent with, or separately from, the letter about internal issues.

Finally, you may wish to consider the Hawthorne experiments, which took place in the late 1920s and early 1930s. Researchers set out to find which internal environment changes (such as lighting, etc) increased productivity the most.

They found, to their great surprise, was that productivity went up regardless of the type of change that was made. For example, productivity went up when they increased the amount of light, as expected. But, it also went up when the amount of light was decreased; that was not expected.

All of that led researchers to realize that it was the attention the employees received, not the changes, that made a difference. We now refer to this phenomenon, in which employees respond to the attention they receive, as the Hawthorne Effect.

All of which is a roundabout way of saying that the act of communication is often more important than content or style. As long as you do something, it may be better than nothing.