How to Invest in Companies
Investing in companies can be both highly rewarding and challenging. Successful investing isn’t easy, but if you follow a few fundamental principles, you’ll give yourself the best chance of success.
Genie Lending’s blog provides helpful information and advice about business loans and alternative finance methods. Learn more today.
Best Areas in The UK for Property Investment
With several proposals in the London Plan to be unveiled later in November of this year, the tides of the property investment market remain unclear. The government’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions is seemingly leading to increased landowner contributions to the local government, making businesspeople think twice about purchasing property investments within the London area. With London multiplying concerning house prices and developments, what other areas of the UK are prime for opportunity?
Why Are Start-ups Not Getting Funding?
Regardless of the industry, all start-ups are going to require some amount of capital to get their project up and running. Traditionally, entrepreneurs have sought financial assistance from high street banks, though over recent years, the banking sector has become ever more reluctant to part with their cash and back small companies just starting out. Read more →
Should You Use Your Assets as Collateral?
When searching for appropriate funding to launch your first business or take your existing operations to the next level, it’s commonplace for lenders to ask you to put up your own assets as collateral. This can vary from facets of the business itself such as premises, equipment or intellectual property, to personal possessions, including your home, car or stocks and shares. Read more →
Can Automation Transform Farming?
From driverless cars to robotic vacuum cleaners, it appears that automation is infiltrating every area of our lives nowadays. With the world population on course to surpass the eight-billion mark over the next decade, the transformative effect that automation is having on the rest of modern life could be instrumental in providing food security for the human race. Read more →
Is the Economy Due Another Crash?
Ten years on from the biggest economic crash since the Great Depression, there are concerns from some quarters that we might be about to experience another one. While it’s impossible to say with any certainty whether or not another economic downturn is about to materialise, there are a few tell-tale signs which indicate that a crash is at least possible, if not probable. These include: Read more →
Types of Agricultural Finance
Running a farm is very different from running another type of business. Agricultural businesses require a large amount of land, a lot of expensive machinery and numerous vehicles. Furthermore, farming funding is under question after Brexit, along with international trade, so farmers know the road ahead will be rocky. To keep afloat, more and more farmers are turning to agricultural finance as a means of staying in business.
If you are thinking of starting a farm, or your current agricultural project needs some TLC, your first line of thinking will be funding and financing. Although some farms are eligible for rural grants and government funding, much of these are supported by the EU.
With Brexit going ahead early next year, farmers may not be able to rely on this funding for much longer and should seek information about other funding options.
Agricultural businesses can be successful when they are in the right location and offer produce which is in demand. However, these rural projects require a lot of investment to get off the ground, which can be difficult to find. If your farm needs a funding injection, or you need some capital for a new rural site, there are many alternative financing solutions you could be eligible for.
How will Brexit Affect Farming?
Out of all British industry, farming and fishing are arguably the areas which will be impacted most after Brexit. Currently UK agriculture is bound by a plethora of EU regulations and agricultural policy, and many challenges and questions lie ahead for farmers once the nation formally leaves the European Union. Read more →
How to Prepare your Business for Summer
Summer is just around the corner – and for many businesses it means peak season. With the warmer temperatures comes extra custom and the opportunity to increase profitability, but it’s critical to be well prepared. It’s important to plan ahead and ensure you’re ready for increased business. Here are some top tips.
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Consider your staffing needs
It might not be the type of business which requires extra seasonal staff – however summer is always a busy time for staff holidays. In addition to the annual summer holiday, time off for weddings and music festivals, some employees may also need to take extra time off while the children aren’t in school. Evaluate your staffing needs so you don’t fall short over the busy period, and ask staff to get their holiday requests in early so you can plan ahead. You could always hire an apprentice or a young worker who is off school or college for the summer to fill staffing gaps.
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Spring clean
It’s the perfect time for a bit of spring cleaning and as the old saying goes – it’s out with the old and in with the new. De-clutter work spaces, throw out old equipment and re-arrange the office so it’s more functional and encourages productivity. Get all those odd maintenance jobs done which you’ve been putting off, before you’re too busy!
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Invest now
If sales projections show that sales increase in the summer months, then adjust your stock accordingly. Invest in extra stock now before it’s too late, and take advantage of bulk buy discounts rather than topping up throughout the season. You might also need to buy some new equipment or replace machinery which might not be able to cope with the increased workload. If you don’t have the upfront cash to pay for these purchases, consider savvy financing options such as merchant cash advance, invoice factoring or asset finance. Can you risk having to turn down orders?
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Promotions
Everybody loves a summer promotion! Do your calculations ahead of time to figure out what promotions you can offer throughout the busy period to stay competitive. You don’t always have to be the cheapest around, but offering 3 for 2 promotions or free gifts with certain purchases can keep customers loyal. Think about your customer’s need over the summer season and how you can fulfil them.
Plan ahead for busy periods and you’ll be sure to reap the rewards.
Why You Should Avoid Payday Loans
In recent years, payday loan companies have multiplied all offerings which seems like an easy option for cash strapped individuals and businesses. The slick advertising campaigns and high profile sponsorship deals made certain lenders household names and an attractive option for those needing quick access to money. However, while payday loans appear like a straightforward option and are easily accessible, the high interest rates means that people are stuck paying back a significant amount more than they had originally borrowed. Read more →
