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Could a merchant cash advance be right for your business?

Many commercial loans suggest that they are flexible when it comes to repayment but look a little closer and you will usually find there are fixed repayments over the schedule of the loan term. This is especially the case with commercial bank loans and similar traditional forms of borrowing. A merchant cash advance is classed as an alternative form of business finance and it is quickly gaining in popularity.

Firstly, to qualify, you need to take sales from your customers via debit and credit card transactions through your merchant payment facility. The advance amount is usually calculated on your monthly card turnover so say for example your business takes £5000 in sales you could qualify for an advance of up to 150% of this value.

The difference with a merchant cash advance compared to other commercial funding options is that it is truly flexible when it comes to repaying the advance. You repay an agreed percentage of each future card sale so you pay back only when you make a sale. So, if your sales are down for the month you pay back less, and, when sales are good you repay quicker.

It takes away the pressure of meeting regular fixed monthly repayments that are usually associated with traditional commercial finance. It works well for seasonal businesses and especially well for those businesses that have sales fluctuations on their balance sheets. [Read more…]

Is Self Employment right for You?

By Marcela

The rocky road of self employment is very up-and-down, fraught with difficulties that often come in the form of rejection letters and brief notes that say “no, thank you” from once-potential customers and employers. Sometimes, personal finances are difficult to juggle, and the cost of expenses like health care have to be absorbed alone. For many, even these deterrents don’t work to keep them from their chosen self-employed path. But for some, self employment just doesn’t pan out. Self-assessing is a good way to learn if self employment is right for you.

Not everyone is cut out for working from home, or total self employment. Being self employed means going it alone – completely. No one is there to dole out assignments, provide work, or sign a weekly paycheck. While this can be a terrifying experience, it can also be a highly rewarding one…but generally, this only happens when self employment works out for the better. Self-assessing and self evaluation are good ways to discover if self employment is right before taking the plunge. [Read more…]

Get the Financing You need to take Your Business Higher

By Marcela

Having a dream of running a small business is great, but it takes hard work to create something that’s going to last through decades. Will market demand continue to be strong? What about the competition in the market? If you aren’t constantly changing your strategy, you risk being left behind as trends take over and customer tastes change rapidly. Service, visibility, and pricing demands will all impact your success as a small business. Yet there is one topic that needs to be discussed if you want your business to last: financing. More to the point, it’s time to talk about small business loans in particular.

First Step: Acceptance

You need to accept that not all small businesses can be run without seeking financing of some sort. Trying to convince the local high street bank that you need a loan can be like trying to get across the Atlantic with just a small canoe. Step outside of the box and think about other ways to get the financing you need. This acceptance is hard, and many small business owners never make it past this first step. Don’t let it happen to you as well! [Read more…]

Dipping your feet into binary options: strategies for beginners

By Marcela

Binary trading offers a great opportunity for perceptive investors who can master short-span investments and embrace the excitement of all-or-nothing options. The low barrier to entry for trading binary options is one of its advantages, but investors still need to conduct extensive research and follow a few important strategies to minimise risks and maximise the chances of success.

Reputable broker

Choosing the right binary options broker for your investment journey can make all the difference, so opt for one with a high rate of payout and a wide range of assets. New brokers enter the market every day so it can be difficult to select the right option, but there are comparison sites available that can help you with your binary option strategy decision. Also, make sure that the broker offers trades in a particular market if you have a preference.

Learn the ropes

Understanding the binary options market, the trading tools available to you, and learning how to trade is vitally important. You may want to take advantage of a demo system to practice your trading and any strategies you may wish to employ. This is a common activity – even for experienced traders – so make the most of it. There are also training courses and online resources available to help you to keep up with the fast changing nature of the trading industry.

Develop a plan

Binary options require an effective plan to improve your chances of success. This requires in-depth research of assets, markets and any events that could cause the asset price to soar or sink. Trading without a reliable plan is the fastest way to lose money, especially with these types of yes or no bets. Try to resist the temptation to deviate from this plan, even if an enticing “fad” or opportunity arises. [Read more…]

Recovering Data From Your MacBook Pro is Easier Than You Think

By Marcela

The sinking feeling that accompanies losing a huge amount of data on a MacBook Pro is one that many of us – most unfortunately – have experienced. Never fear – there are tried and true steps you can take to recover your data.

Of course, you can easily restore your data if you’ve recently backed it up, but if you haven’t, then Apple data recovery is still possible. That’s because files that appear to have vanished from your system are not immediately removed by the Mac operating system (OS). Rather, the OS simply frees up the space formerly occupied by a lost file and makes it available for reuse. As long as that space remains free from new files, your lost file is still recoverable.

Attempting to recover lost data from your Mac

The first step you should take is to try some data recovery software, this can save a lot of time and cost when trying to retrieve lost data from your Apple device. If this doesn’t work then don’t panic, this doesn’t mean that data cannot be retrieved, you can hire a data recovery company that specialises in Apple data recovery in your area – often companies like Evolution Business Data Recovery will be able to recover data using hardware. Hardware owned by these experts is usually state of the art and gives a much higher rate of success than using software.

Data recovery software

First, download the MacBook Pro data recovery software as soon as practicable following the data loss. After doing this, you should be able to retrieve lost files in three, easy steps. First, select the types of files you wish to recover in order to reduce the amount of scanning time. It should be noted that two recovery modes exist when it comes to MacBook Pro data recovery. It’s best to try Quick Recovery mode first. If that doesn’t recover your data, then you’ll need to select Advanced Recovery mode in order to continue. Of course, the Advanced Recovery mode will take more time than the Quick Recovery mode but it is likely to find many more files. [Read more…]

Three Ways Windows 10 Will Please Hard-Core Windows 7 Users

By Marcela

Many people say that Windows 7 is Microsoft’s best operating system after Windows XP. They are reluctant to upgrade their computer to Windows 8 or Windows 8.1, because they dislike the interface. Although Windows 10 is promised to fix the problem, but computer users can be notoriously stubborn. In fact, some are remain convinced that they can still be productive with the much older XP, despite its many obvious problems.

Upgrading to Windows 10

You can upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10 free of charge, the only issue is if you don’t like it then rolling back is a little difficult. There is also a small risk of data loss. If you are looking to upgrade then you may want to try it yourself but should you be upgrading a lot of computers you might want to get a technician to assist. If you are looking for computer upgrades in Bristol then laptop specialists CyberCall can help, should there be a problem they can easily roll back by taking a copy of your hard drive. Should you have any issues with previous corruption or lost data they also offer data recovery in Bristol as well as the surrounding areas.

At the moment, Windows 7 is already getting its own cultist following. In the technology world, we always find backwards-thinking consumers, but they will eventually change once a worthy platform shows up. For this people, change seems threatening, but it doesn’t mean that we should join the ill-informed horde. If given the chance, Windows 10 should be able to win over any dedicated Windows 7 devotee and the reason is much more than the return of the classic Start Menu.

Enhanced multitasking

Using Windows 8 with a desktop PC can be an annoying experience, because the operating system seems to be too optimized for touch-based operations. For traditional computer users, Windows 7 feel more intuitive and quicker. Windows 10, though, refocuses on desktop usability and Task View is a nice blend of old functionality and new features. It can be accessed by clicking the Taskbar button or by pressing Windows key + Tab. Task View offers complete previews of currently opened apps and it should be usable as software viewers. For any modern OS, Task View is a powerful management feature and people eventually can’t live without it. It doesn’t stop here. Task View integrates well with Aero Snap and Snap could also work with multiple monitors. For any traditional desktop enthusiasts, this capability should be enough to make them salivate. For them, multitasking is a core experience and Windows 10 is actually better at multitasking compared to Windows 7 and probably even Max OS X. [Read more…]

3 misconceptions about disaster recovery

By Marcela

In the business world, disaster can strike at any time. Companies can be affected by anything from extreme weather to fires, theft and power cuts. This means it’s imperative for bosses to ensure they have effective disaster recovery (DR) plans in place. However, firms sometimes fall victim to misconceptions concerning these emergency provisions. If you want to boost your business’ resilience in emergency scenarios, keep reading. Here are three common myths about DR that you should be aware of.

1) Testing isn’t necessary

One common mistake made by firms is to assume that once they’ve set up DR systems, they can simply forget about them until and unless they actually need to use them. In fact, it’s important to test these measures regularly. This is the only way to ensure that in the event of a real disaster, the systems will be up to scratch. Testing can iron out any technical problems and it also helps companies to establish whether their DR provisions meet their current business needs. For example, if businesses have generators on standby to provide power in the event of a mains outage, it’s important that they check this equipment on an ongoing basis. Generator specialists Advanced Diesel Engineering Ltd point out that routine testing ensures all elements of these systems remain in full working order.

2) It’s too expensive

Companies often assume that putting an effective DR plan in place will be prohibitively expensive, meaning they see it as an unnecessary luxury rather than a practical necessity. In reality though, improvements in technology mean these measures no longer need to break the bank. For instance, by using cloud-based data recovery solutions, firms can eliminate the need to invest in costly infrastructure. Also, as well as thinking about the costs of setting up contingency measures, it’s important to consider the potentially devastating financial impact of not having suitable solutions in place. It’s worth bearing in mind that a study conducted by Gartner suggested that 40 per cent of firms that experience a major disaster will go out of business if they can’t regain access to their data within 24 hours.

3) DR plans are rarely needed

Another mistake that businesses often make is to assume that DR plans are not usually not needed. In fact, many firms find they need to make use of these emergency provisions. Indeed, a global IT study conducted by EMC in December 2014 found that 64 per cent of companies said they had experienced downtime or data loss over the previous year. This highlights the importance of having effective backup measures in place.

Given the critical role that effective DR can play in protecting your business’ long-term success, it’s vital that you separate fact from fiction and put suitable contingency provisions in place.

The benefits of taking a health and safety course

By Marcela

It’s true that health and safety courses require an investment of your time, effort and potentially money, but if you complete these training programmes, you can be confident that your hard work will be rewarded. After all, safety is an issue that no firm can afford to ignore and so these skills are highly prized by employers. If you still need to be convinced, consider the following benefits.

Enhance your prospects

Firstly, think about the advantages that these courses could bring to you in terms of your career prospects. Whether you’re thinking of specialising in health and safety roles or you want to be a manager or supervisor, enhancing your risk management skills could play a major role in helping you land the right roles. There are a number of different courses on offer and to reap maximum rewards, you’ll need to pick the programmes that are most relevant to your requirements. From certificates and diplomas from the National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) to courses set by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), there is no shortage of options. You can find out more about the available training programmes by visiting specialist sites such as www.sheilds.org.

Once you have these qualifications, you may find that more job opportunities open up to you and your earning potential increases.

Make your workplace safer

Taking these courses can also give you the satisfaction of knowing that you’re helping to make your workplace safer. Although danger levels for employees in the UK have fallen over recent decades, risks do remain. Figures provided by the Health and Safety Executive show that in 2013-14, a total of 28.2 million working days were lost as a result of work-related illness and injury. Even more alarmingly, 142 people lost their lives at work during this 12 month period. By raising your safety knowledge and skills, you can do your bit to ensure that you and your colleagues don’t add to these statistics.

Boost your confidence and job satisfaction

Safety training should also mean you are better equipped to complete your tasks and, because of this, it can help to boost your confidence. In addition, it may raise your levels of job satisfaction. A poll of employers conducted by the Institute of Directors revealed that 88 per cent thought qualifications helped to enhance staff motivation. The survey also suggested that employees who gained formal qualifications felt more valued and supported by and engaged with their organisations.

Given the myriad benefits associated with safety training, it’s not hard to see why these courses are proving popular.

Want To Start Your Own Business? Five Great Tips For Entrepreneurs

By Marcela

There are definite signs that the economy has stabilized and begun to show signs of growth, but the job market still remains sluggish, a growing number of college grads are skipping job fairs and are exploring starting their own businesses. In a recent survey, research giant Harris Interactive, found that four in ten of the 18-to-24 year olds interviewed have considered taking the plunge into entrepreneurship rather than going the traditional corporate route.

Starting a business is exciting — and expensive. Karen Abarbanel and Bruce Freeman, small business experts and co-authors of Birthing the Elephant, have some solid advice that can help budding entrepreneurs navigate safely through start-up to success.

#1. Give yourself options. You can explore your inner business tycoon even while looking for a job. Sure, keep sending out those resumes and going to interviews, but at the same time, start to consider alternative ways your can support yourself. What products or services can you offer while job hunting? Maybe you have a flair for web design, or a passion for social media. Skills like painting, gardening and cooking can all be rolled into businesses.

#2. Sustainability Factor. Before you invest a bundle in starting a business, make sure your idea has legs — a product or service that no one wants or needs is destined for failure. So do your homework — identify your market, survey potential buyers, and make an accurate analysis of production and delivery costs. Experienced entrepreneurs can be an important source of information about everything from pricing and marketing to promotion.

#3. Creativity = Cost Control. Starting a business when you’ve got financial loans coming due can be a real challenge. However, take heart — a surprising number of successful businesses began on a shoe-string budget. The trick is to use creative, innovative ways to get what you need without digging into your pocket. Barter your services when you can, and don’t waste money on flashy websites or offices. Put your money where it counts: in marketing and product design. [Read more…]

Are health and safety issues turning your potential customers off?

By Marcela

As a boss, you have a responsibility under the law to manage health and safety risks. However, it’s not just the legal case for effective risk management that you should consider. Think about the business case too. If you’re not careful, lapses in and health and safety could put potential customers off your company – and this would be bad news for your bottom line.

Have you received bad press?

One way in which poor safety standards could hit your firm concerns your reputation. It takes a long time in the business world to cultivate an image as a reliable, trustworthy organisation. However, a lapse in risk management can be enough to destroy all of this hard work. Highlighting this point, safety specialists Phoenix HSC warn that failing to comply with the law on these issues can result in a damaged reputation. Once you’ve received bad press over safety concerns, it can be a long, hard road to get the public back on your side. All the while, your sales may suffer.

Every year, hundreds of businesses are prosecuted for safety failings. In 2013-14 alone, 551 cases were brought by the Health and Safety Executive against organisations in England and Wales. A further 88 cases were prosecuted by local authorities over the same 12-month period. If you want to avoid the negative publicity that can come with such legal action, you’ll need to take safety issues seriously. [Read more…]

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