Sample 1 - Blog #small businessesSample 1 - Blog #small businesseshttps://lololol.zohosites.com/thoughts/tag/small-businessesFri, 02 Aug 2024 20:11:35 -0700http://zoho.com/sites/<![CDATA[6 Guerrilla Marketing Ideas to Boost Your Business]]>https://lololol.zohosites.com/thoughts/post/6-Guerrilla-Marketing-Ideas-to-Boost-Your-Business

The Bootstrapping guide to guerrilla marketing ideas

In today’s competitive market, no matter the size of your business, it's important to invest in effective marketing that brings results. Guerrilla marketing has been the go-to for small businesses for years, allowing them to maximize the utility of their limited resources and create a considerable impact.

This bootstrapper's guide to guerrilla marketing outlines different ideas and strategies every business owner can use to generate more brand awareness and acquire new customers.

 1. Get Crafty with DIY Marketing

Small businesses often have to get creative with their marketing efforts due to budget constraints. One way to save on costs while still delivering a high-quality marketing campaign is to DIY whenever possible. There are several marketing collateral you can easily create on your own, such as flyers, posters, and social media graphics. If you’re not confident in your design skills, there are plenty of templates and tutorials available online to help you get started.

Another benefit of DIY marketing is that it allows you to be more flexible with your messaging and approach. since you're in control of the creative process, you can easily make changes on the fly and experiment with different tactics until you find what works best for your business. This level of control and flexibility is often not possible with traditional marketing campaigns that are reliant on outside agencies or ad buys. 

2. Make the Most of Social Media

In today’s digital age, it’s important to have a strong presence on social media. Not only is it a great way to connect with your target audience, but it’s also an effective tool for marketing your business. Make sure to post regularly and provide value-packed content that your followers will appreciate. You can also run social media ads to promote your latest product or service.

While social media is a great way to connect with your audience, it’s important to remember that it shouldn’t be your only form of marketing. Traditional methods, such as print advertising and direct mail, are still effective and should be used in conjunction with social media. By using a mix of marketing channels, you’ll be able to reach a wider audience and effectively promote your business. 

3. Get Involved in the Community

One of the best ways to market your business is to get involved in the local community. This could involve sponsoring a Little League team, setting up a booth at a community fair, or donating to a local charity.4. Host a Creative Event

Hosting an event is a great way to generate buzz and get people talking about your business. Make sure to come up with a unique concept that will capture people’s attention. For example, you could host a “ make your own pizza night” or a “salsa-making workshop.”

5. Leverage guerilla marketing techniques

There are a number of guerilla marketing techniques you can use to get your business noticed. For example, you could hand out free samples, put up temporary street art, or hold a flash mob. The options are endless, so get creative and have fun with it!

But what if you're not the creative type? Or you're short on time? Or you just don't have the budget for a guerilla marketing campaign?

Don't despair! There are still plenty of other marketing techniques you can use to get your business noticed. Here are just a few ideas:


1. Giveaways and contests

2. Sponsoring a local event

3. Creating an informative blog or podcast

4. Starting a social media campaign

5. Sending out press releases

6. Creating an eye-catching window display

7. Hosting a grand opening event

8. Offering discounts and coupons

9. partnering with another business


6. Keep track of your results

No matter what marketing tactics you decide to use, it’s important to track your results so you can gauge what’s working and what’s not. Keep a close eye on your website traffic, social media engagement, and sales numbers. This will give you a good indication of what’s working and where you need to make some adjustments.

By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to marketing your small business like a pro!


]]>Wed, 01 Feb 2023 05:15:00 -0800<![CDATA[Financial statements—what they are and why you need them]]>https://lololol.zohosites.com/thoughts/post/Financial-statements—what-they-are-and-why-you-need-them

Learn the Facts About Business Financial Statements

Business requires a basic understanding of financial statements.  The purpose of business financial statements is to provide information about the financial condition and results for an organization.  Financial statements provide information about an organization’s assets, liabilities, income and or retained earnings.

Income Statement (also known and Profit & Loss Statement)

The income statement is one of the most important, as it provides a snapshot of a company's profitability. In this post, we'll take a closer look at what an income statement is, and how it can be used to assess a business's performance.


An income statement, also known as a profit and loss statement, is a financial document that outlines a company's revenues, expenses, and profits over a specific period of time. This information is used to assess a business's financial health and performance.

The income statement can be used to assess a number of different things, such as a company's ability to generate revenue, its operating costs, and its overall profitability.


Additionally, it can be used to compare a company's financial performance over time, or to compare it against other businesses in its industry.

When reading an income statement, it's important to keep in mind that there are a few different ways to measure profitability. The most common metric is net income, which is measured as revenues minus expenses. However, there are other measures of profitability, such as gross margin and operating margin, which can provide additional insights. No matter how you choose to assess it, the income statement is an essential tool for understanding a company's financial health. 


By understanding what an income statement is and how it can be used, you'll be better equipped to make informed decisions about your business.

Balance Sheet

The balance sheet is another financial statement that business owners need to be aware of. The balance sheet provides a snapshot of a company's assets, liabilities, and equity. This information is used to assess a company's financial position.


The balance sheet can be used to assess a number of different things, such as a company's liquidity, its debt-to-equity ratio, and its working capital. Additionally, the balance sheet can be used to compare a company's financial position against other businesses in its industry. By understanding what a balance sheet is and how it can be used, you'll be better equipped to make informed decisions about your business.


In order to make informed decisions about your business, it's important to understand the different types of financial statements. These statements can provide valuable insights into a company's profitability, operating costs, and overall financial health. 


By understanding what each statement is and how it can be used, you'll be better equipped to make informed decisions about your business.

Cash Flow Statement

A cash flow statement is one of the most important financial statements for a business. A cash flow statement tracks all the money flowing in and out of a business. This is important because it allows business owners to see whether they are making or losing money.


There are three types of cash flow:

  • operating,
  • investing, and
  • financing.

Operating cash flow is the most important, because it shows whether a business is generating enough cash to pay for its day-to-day expenses.

Investing cash flow is important for businesses that are looking to grow, because it shows how much money is being reinvested back into the business.

Financing cash flow is important for businesses that have debt, because it shows how much money is being used to pay off debts.

Why are business financial statements important to understand?

Financial statements are important to understand for a variety of reasons. 


Firstly, they provide insights into a company's overall financial health. This is important for both shareholders and creditors, as it gives them an indication of whether or not the company is a good investment. 


Secondly, financial statements can be used to identify trends and make predictions about a company's future performance. This is important for managers, as it allows them to make informed decisions about where to allocate resources. 


Finally, financial statements are also a useful tool for tax purposes. They can be used to calculate a company's tax liability and to determine whether or not it is eligible for certain tax breaks.

Business Lending: How to banks use financial statements for business credit assessment?

Banks use financial statements to get a clear picture of a business's financial health. This information helps them determine whether or not a business is a good candidate for a loan.


The first step in credit assessment is to examine the business's balance sheet. This document provides a snapshot of the business's assets, liabilities, and equity. The goal is to identify any red flags that could indicate financial problems.


Next, banks will look at the business's income statement. This document shows how much revenue the business has generated and what expenses it has incurred. This information helps banks determine if the business is generating enough cash to repay a loan.


Finally, banks will review the business's cash flow statement. This document shows how much cash the business has on hand and how it is being used. This information helps banks determine if the business has the financial resources to repay a loan.


By carefully reviewing a business's financial statements, banks can get a clear picture of the business's financial health. This information helps them determine whether or not a business is a good candidate for a business loan, business overdraft, revolving credit facility, term loan or commercial mortgage.

]]>Tue, 08 Nov 2022 22:07:45 -0800<![CDATA[How to Get a Small Business Loan Without Collateral]]>https://lololol.zohosites.com/thoughts/post/How-to-Get-a-Small-Business-Loan-Without-Collateral

Are you having difficulty getting a small business loan with no collateral?

In the event that you are a small business owner that needs financing, but you don’t have any collateral or assets to secure a loan against, then you might be wondering how you can get the capital that your business needs.

For businesses with a high card transaction monthly turnover, a merchant cash advance loan might just be the solution your business needs.

What is a merchant cash advance loan? A merchant cash advance is an advance on future credit card sales. Rather than waiting 30, 60 or 90 days for your business's credit card sales to pay off your invoices, a merchant cash advance gives you the capital upfront. Getting a merchant cash advance is the most efficient way for business owners to get cash from credit card sales.
Types of suitable business:
  • Any business with an average monthly card transaction volume of 20,000 or more
  • For example
    •  Restaurants
    •  Retail businesses 
    •  etc

Wondering how you can get a small business loan? Call 02032909019 for a free consultation. Our experts can help you even if you have a bad credit history. Call today before it's too late.
]]>Tue, 09 Nov 2021 22:10:00 -0800<![CDATA[The No.1 Secret to Experiencing Consistent & Growing Revenue]]>https://lololol.zohosites.com/thoughts/post/The-No.1-Secret-to-Experiencing-Consistent-Growing-Revenue

What is the secret of experiencing consistent and growing revenue as a small business? 

Make sure you have the right strategy first and then align everyone's interests in the business. 

Check out our video for more...

We aim to deliver much needed capital for SME’s and Property Developers.

]]>Fri, 20 Nov 2020 05:29:14 -0800<![CDATA[The No. 1 Reason Your Business is Not Experiencing Consistent & Growing Revenue... ]]>https://lololol.zohosites.com/thoughts/post/The-No.-1-Reason-Your-Business-is-Not-Experiencing-Consistent-Growing-Revenue...
Entrepreneurship is simple but not easy, however, there are well proven strategies any small business can and must use to create the systems that generate consistent and growing revenues. 

It's a digital world out there. Participating and taking advantage of this digital age is not an option, but rather, a MUST for all small businesses. 

With more than 4.5 billion plus and growing  daily Internet users, the opportunity for small business to reach their target market has not only, never been better, its also allowed SME's to compete with the big enterprises and do so cost effectively. 


Creating consistent & growing revenue is possible with the right business systems in place and an understanding of business development principles.  

Lead Generation  → Lead Conversion → Client Fulfilment 

The only reason small businesses aren't experiencing consistent revenue is the lack of a tried and tested marketing system. 

Randomly posting on social media does not even come close to being classified as a lead generation system, let alone, reliably produces quantifiable results that grow your business revenues consistently. Even consistently posting on social media is only one part of a solid lead generation strategy and system.  

Unfortunately, most self proclaimed marketing experts as well as companies out there over promise and under-deliver with in the majority of cases, no accountability and certainly no alignment of interests. 

We aim to deliver much needed capital for SME’s and Property Developers.

]]>Thu, 29 Oct 2020 06:23:23 -0800<![CDATA[What Are The Foundations Of A Sustainable Successful & Scalable Business? ]]>https://lololol.zohosites.com/thoughts/post/What-Are-The-Foundations-Of-A-Sustainable-Successful-Scalable-Business
Michael Geber in his  Emyth (Entrepreneurial Myth) discusses why so many businesses fail to achieve their true potential, even if they survive the staggering failure rate statistical odds and ultimately what you as a small business can do about it. All this unnecessary failure and consequential suffering it brings stem from lack of awareness of a few fundamentals namely... 
  1. Business is a System
  2. You can't manage People, you can only manage Processes 
  3. Businesses are just vehicles to serve everyone, owners, employees, suppliers, customers, community get what they want from it 
    • For owners, businesses should give more life, lifestyle, choice and abundance but unfortunately for many small businesses the opposite is true 
  4. Most businesses are started for all the wrong reasons and for this, they are already doomed before they are even born.. 

We aim to deliver much needed capital for SME’s and Property Developers.

At the heart of these business systems is a continuous improvement process of.. 
  • Innovation 
  • Orchestration & 
  • Quantification 

If you can't quantify or measure any aspect of your business, how else can you monitor and let alone improve that particular aspect of business or process. It is said, "What gets measured, Gets attention." 


The right "Entrepreneurial Perspective" and the "True Purpose of Any Business." 

Business System's Components 

  1. Marketing: Lead Generation System 
  2. Sales: Lead Conversion System 
  3. Customer Services : Client Fulfilment System 
  4. Finance System 
  5. Operations System 
  6. People Systems 

Lead Generation System - Marketing

Plan and intentional system to create massive targeted performance based reach and awareness, steps #1 & #2.

Lead Conversion System - Sales

Your system to convert the captured qualified leads, steps 3 & 4, generated by reach and awareness activities, steps #1 & #2. This is the selling part of your business systems.

Client Fulfillment System - Customer Services 

Your clients having being sold on your products and services in step 4, step 5 is delivering on the client fulfilment and on-going engagement throughout the customer life cycle and lifetime.

Finance System

Your financial system is all about income & expenditure ensuring business has positive cashflow and reserves to cover operating expenses as well as the unexpected.

Operations System

Technology plays an instrumental and vital part in your business systems, allowing efficient and accurate data capture, processing, reporting providing a 360 degree view of your customers and business whilst also complying to regulation such as data protection etc. 

"Extraordinary business are not built from ordinary people leveraged by extraordinary business systems..." #MichaelEGerber, Emyth author 

People System

Your greatest and most valuable business asset is your people. After all TEAM Work makes the dream not only work but the journey shared and more enjoyable. 

Some of the reasons TEAM's are dysfunctional and not delivery as expected and could be possible are explored in our short video summary, "The Five Dysfunctions of Teams" .

Leaders are only as good as the teams they build!.

By CEO, GIC Capital 


]]>Thu, 28 May 2020 06:33:58 -0800<![CDATA[#1 Fantastic & On-going Way You MUST Fund & Grow Your Business Without Splitting Profits or Equity... ]]>https://lololol.zohosites.com/thoughts/post/1-Fantastic-On-going-Way-You-MUST-Fund-Grow-Your-Business-Without-Splitting-Profits-or-Equity...
Most entrepreneurs - when thinking about business funding -  the first thought is that of looking for an investor, a business partner with deep pockets, a crowdfunding campaign or a business loan. This often results in un-aligned partnerships with profit splits as well as control over your business - with someone who doesn't know or care about your industry or business as much as you do. Whilst this may solve an apparent immediate cash pressing problem, long term, this mis-alignment ultimately causes problems. Whilst cash is important, it is better to value more the entrepreneurial expertise that can be brought in by potential investors or partners which,  if put into action, will grow the business geometrically and sustainably. 
  • Innovation 
  • Orchestration and 
  • Quantification 


That one fantastic way you must fund and grow your business is through your Marketing System... 

We aim to deliver much needed capital for SME’s and Property Developers.

Guerrilla Marketing

Guerrilla Marketing is a marketing strategy that focuses on using unconventional means, methods or tactics, to achieve conventional outcomes that yield maximum and quantifiable results. 


The focus here is low-cost or no-cost as the primary ingredients are..

It isn't "the lack of resources in most businesses that is to blame but rather, lack of resourcefulness" that's the key and ongoing problem. Fully leveraging the skills and assets already in possession to generate capital, and in the process strengthen the business as well as entrepreneurial skill set of the business owner, is ultimately the true source of sustainable business geometric profitable growth. 

Change your attitude as well as focus and everything in your business changes. Emphasize Results NOT Work, not mistaking activity for productivity. 

Below are a few examples, briefly elaborated, on the key ingredients of guerrilla marketing:

1. Time, Energy, Imagination = Know How = Team 

Business is a Team Sport and will need your guerrilla marketing TEAM, starting with the one or two employees already in the business as well as your existing network of contacts.

Regularly brainstorm publicity stunts, value-add content to share with your target potential customer base, join and contribute to online social media groups and hold online webinars are a few examples 

2. It Costs More to Acquire New Clients than Leveraging your existing client base. 

Its much easier to upsell an existing client than finding and acquiring a new client. Build on existing relationships with a focus on delivering more value than client investment. 

3. Embrace Technology  

For your lead generation, lead conversion, client fulfilment, finance and business operations, technology is central to your business systems and one area you must fully capitalise. 


Social media, social proof, regular blogs & vlogs are  all ways to generate awareness for your business ad business offering in a measurable results based way .

By CEO, GIC Capital  

]]>Tue, 19 May 2020 06:32:07 -0800<![CDATA[Independent Contractor Insurance. Who Needs it? ]]>https://lololol.zohosites.com/thoughts/post/Independent-Contractor-Insurance.-Who-Needs-it
Are you new to the world of contracting? Perhaps you’re considering becoming an independent contractor? Or you’re already in the business and might be wondering what sort of insurance you need. 

Unexpected scenario or unforeseen events seem to be part and parcel of life and you need to be covered, from on-the-job injuries to unhappy clients. 

Contractor insurance from as little as 35p a day can give you the cover you need at an affordable price. A small monthly payment that could literally save your business. 

What Do You Get With Contractor Insurance? 

Tailored insurance cover depending on your business and personal circumstances. 

Here are some of the main features and benefits of most regular cover for contractors: 

We aim to deliver much needed capital for SME’s and Property Developers.

  • Public Liability Insurance : Accidents can happen, and everyone makes mistakes. Public liability insurance will cover you if you ever damage someone’s property while on the job. 
  • Professional Indemnity Insurance : No matter what you do, sometimes a client might simply feel dissatisfied with your work. Professional indemnity insurance is your first line of defence against difficult clients and unexpected legal costs. 
  • Business Interruption Insurance: Business interruption insurance will cover you for any lost income, so an unexpected incident can become a minor inconvenience rather than an outright disaster. From a problem with your suppliers to damaged equipment, the smallest thing can make it impossible for you to do your job. 
  • Personal Accident Insurance : Most contractor work is inherently dangerous and even more so for certain sectors. No matter what safety precautions you take, accidents can still happen and do happen daily. So, if you’re put out of action for an extended period of time, personal accident insurance will mean you won’t have to worry about any loss to your income. 
  • Legal Expenses Insurance :  No matter what happens, you can rest assured that everything will be taken care of. Who knows what sort of legal expenses you might incur through your contractor work? From damage to property, to contract disputes, from loss of earnings to debt recovery, all kinds of legal expenses can be covered.   

Which Contractors need Contractor Insurance? 

It’s no exaggeration to say that all contractors need contractor insurance as they all face risk, however, there are some specific circumstances in which contractor insurance could save the day: 

  • Are you a painter, a decorator, or involved in any sort of building work? You’ll spend a lot of time on other peoples’ private property. We all make mistakes, and if you should accidentally damage your client’s property, contractor insurance can help pay for repairs, replacements, and settlements. 
  • Are you involved in construction? for example, you’ll spend a lot of time up ladders, carrying heavy objects, and using dangerous power tools. Most contractor work is inherently risky. . Hopefully you’ll never have to use it, but if you’re ever injured on the job, you won’t have to worry about lost income. Contractor insurance will cover you for personal injury and you can focus entirely on your recovery. 
  • Do you work in IT, or offer any sort of computer support? If so, you’re probably aware of the risks of cyber-crime. Contractor insurance can cover you for many of the effects of cyber-crime, from data loss to legal expenses. 
Peace of Mind at an Affordable Price? 


You can be covered from as little as 35p a day, with no hidden fees. Get an online quote tailored to your specific needs in a matter of minutes. 


]]>Thu, 14 May 2020 06:42:10 -0800<![CDATA[Could a 10,000 grant help young people start their own business? ]]>https://lololol.zohosites.com/thoughts/post/Could-a-10-000-grant-help-young-people-start-their-own-business

A British think tank believes that a £10,000 payment to people at the age of 25 could help young people expand their careers and start their own businesses. 


The Resolution Foundation is committed to improving the quality of life for those in low to medium income families. The organization feels that amendments to the tax system, as well as a substantial payments being made to millennials, is needed to heal the intergenerational divide. 


The independent think tank, which was established in 2005, has suggested that the new payment would be funded by a newly issued ‘lifetimes receipt tax’ that would replace the current inheritance tax. 


While there is plenty of variation in terms of the costs associated with starting a business depending on size and industry, a 2016 survey by Geniac found that the average UK startup will spend £23,000 during its first year.


This figure suggests that a £10,000 cash boost would be significant to entrepreneurial youngsters keen to get their business idea up and running and in action. 

The costs associated with launching a new business are high, which for many millennials is enough reason to give up the idea of going through with it. 

This is something that needs be addressed, especially as the younger generation are brimming with ideas and value creativity and the ever-important role of technology much more than their older counterparts. 

A 2016 BNP Paribas Global Report also found that millennials are more likely to set up their first business at a younger age than previous generations. Baby boomers tended to launch their first business venture at the age of 35, while millennials are starting their own businesses at just 27. 

Starting a business younger means less time to save, so receiving a cash boost would certainly take some of the pressure off those just starting out.

GIC Capital offers UK businesses operating across a variety of sectors including retail and construction with fast and flexible expansion capital options.

For more information about GIC Capital visit our website at: www.giccapital.co.uk 

We aim to deliver much needed capital to start-ups and SMEs

Call Now +44 (0) 203 2909019

]]>Mon, 17 Sep 2018 21:13:41 -0800<![CDATA[The role that small businesses play in making the UK leaders in AI ]]>https://lololol.zohosites.com/thoughts/post/The-role-that-small-businesses-play-in-making-the-UK-leaders-in-AI

The UK has a rich history of technological research and advancement. Beginning with Alan Turning’s first leaps in the world of computer learning, the UK has always been somewhere that leads at the forefront of new and emerging technologies and AI should be no different.

However, this isn’t just an are for the conglomerates and large-scale concerns. Small businesses have an important role to play in the rapidly growing field of Artificial Intelligence. Here, we’ll examine how smaller businesses can play a leading role in a field that is only set to grow and grow.



Barriers


As AI and its related applications have expanded beyond all measure, so too has the computing power, data needs, and costs associated with pushing the discipline ahead.

A recent report from Digital Catapult talked to just over ten percent of UK start-ups involved in AI and machine learning, and found that more than half of them need more computational power in order to grow. However, many smaller firms are struggling to access this need because of prohibitive costs. This means that the talent and ideas are there, but the investment for many firms is lagging behind. 

The need for talent is also an ongoing concern for many SMEs. With the rise in AI has come the need for employees with the right skills. Big and small firms are left to fight over talent originating from a limited pool, with bigger companies able to offer more in terms of renumeration and investment in work environments.



Solutions


While this might all sound insurmountable, there are plenty of options for the smaller enterprise when it comes to embracing and pushing forward the AI sector.

Smaller firms need access to powerful computational tools and resources, and big names are starting to take notice. Digital Catapult has teamed up with companies like Nvidia, SpiNNaker and Google Cloud to offer smaller businesses the insight and hardware needed to push their AI processes forward. Offering both a space for experimentation, learning and the actual tools of greater computational power, the plan is to give smaller companies with big ideas a space to learn and flourish. 

The government is also taking a keen interest in the field. They recently announced  a £300 million fund for investment into businesses in the AI sector. Looking to exploit the UK’s knowledge and reputation for technology development, the government clearly thinks the UK can become a world leader in the field. 

Whilst there are barriers to small businesses in AI development and deployment, there are also huge opportunities. Tech giants and the government see the potential and it is only a matter of time before barriers come down under the weight of the benefits. 

We aim to deliver much needed capital to start-ups and SMEs

Call Now +44 (0) 203 2909019

]]>Wed, 30 May 2018 22:21:00 -0800