Useful Documents

Falling behind with your creditors can be one of the most stressful times in your life. Once collection calls start... Written by Corporate Turnaround and the Association of Small Business Development Centers.

Business Week article

For today’s business, technology is invaluable. In Business Technology Simplified, you’ll find examples of how small businesses are using technology to stay competitive. Technology helps businesses grow. It Saves them money. It makes them more efficient.

Starting a company from scratch can be daunting. Maybe that’s why the idea of being able to “turn the key” and walk into a business that’s already in full operation is so appealing. The new owner instantly gains a name, employees, vendors, customers and income. But buyer - and seller - beware. The sale of a business requires time, research and careful planning, even if professional advisors help with the process.

Of all the choices you make when starting a business, one of the most important is the type of legal organization you select for your company. This decision can affect how much you pay in taxes,...

La planificación constituye el mapa para su éxito en el mundo de los negocios. Usted necesita elaborar por escrito un plan para su negocio, si usted está: Iniciando o comprando un negocio, Financiando o refinanciando su negocio, Consiguiendo capital mediante préstamo o por aporte de inversionista. Mucho dinero se produce y luego se pierde porque falla un área del negocio, llevando al fracaso las áreas positivas. EL PLAN le ayudará a detectar las deficiencias que hay en su negocio y a analizar cuidadosamente cada fase del mismo. Es importante que usted elabore por escrito un plan para su negocio. ¿Por qué? Porque así usted ganará un conocimiento profundo de su negocio que le facilitará responder las preguntas de los prestamistas (instituciones financieras). El proceso de poner por escrito el plan para su negocio servirá para aclarar los aspectos involucrados en hacer que su negocio funcione exitosamente.

This guide will give you an overview of what it takes to start a business.

The U.S. Small Business Administration reports that approximately 40,000 businesses close their doors or file for bankruptcy each month. Many of these companies were mired in debt and didn't have a viable plan...Written by Corporate Turnaround and the Association of Small Business Development Centers.

How much money comes into your business and how much goes out is called cash flow. Gaining financial control by understanding cash flow is crucial to your success. Many people think their business is sound as long as “more money is coming in than going out.” This way of thinking can weaken a business’ short-term stability and its long-term growth. A certain amount of cash must be on hand at all times for day-to-day operations and to pay expenses on time. But what about the gap that occurs when your bills are due before you collect the cash that’s owed you? What about unexpected expenses, like equipment repair.

In addition to the materials available for download, the follow short video series will introduce you to the concepts of Risk Management and Business Continuity. For assistance with your risk and continuity planning, contact your local SBDC office or call 1-866-782-4159.

The SBA Office of International Trade has created a fact sheet explaining the six-step process to begin exporting

Planning is your map to success in the business world. You need to write a business plan if you are: starting or buying a business, financing or refinancing your business, raising debt or equity capital. Much money is made then lost because one area of a business fails, dragging the positive parts down with it. The Plan helps you find hidden business flaws and makes you think carefully about each phase of your business. It is important that you write your business plan. Why? You will gain in-depth knowledge about your business which will make it easier to answer lenders’ questions. The process of writing your business plan will clarify what is involved in making your business work successfully.

If you’re sold on buying Commercial Real Estate, here’s your plan. Take a moment to sit back and reflect. You’ve grown your small business with a lot of hard work, time and dedication, and now you’re ready to take it to the next level. Or perhaps you’re standing on the ground floor of a new endeavor. In either scenario, you’re at an important threshold, ready to take the crucial step of purchasing commercial real estate. Even if you’ve bought a home or two, make no mistake about it: buying commercial real estate takes longer and requires more research and planning. You will need to be tenacious and organized. You’ll need the expertise of professionals to prove that your business profits can pay for the real estate loan – and that positive cash flow will not be interrupted.

Do You Really Know If Your Business Is Performing Well? Try using our LSBDC Small Business Report Card to see how well you are doing. Just click on the link to view or download. It requires a little work but if you need help contact a free LSBDC Consultant - they will be happy to help. Ver 5/11

A great productivity enhancer? Ha E-mail can be a tremendous waste of time unless you know how to tame the savage beast, says Stever Robbins

Choosing a lender and developing a relationship is a very important goal. Besides money, lenders can provide something almost as valuable advice and support. By giving you insights into opportunities within your industry, lenders allow you to take advantage of those opportunities. They will help you choose which of their products and services are best for your situation. Keep in mind that lenders want you to be successful because they want a portfolio of strong, profitable businesses. By using this guidebook to better understand the basics of commercial lending, you’ll feel more confident making important decisions about your business.

One statement cannot diagnose your company’s financial health. Put several statements together and you can make smart financial, investment and management decisions. Many business owners don’t know how to read their statements and rely on advisors (such as accountants) to tell them the results. Their input is valuable but you need to educate yourself. You must be able to understand your statements

Got a good product? A great service? Unfortunately, that’s not enough. This guide adds a fifth and crucial “P” to the mix. Today, smart, targeted, relentless marketing is often the difference between a business that has reached a plateau and one that has reached its potential. Savvy entrepreneurs who respect the power of marketing set aside money for it in their annual budgets. They think of marketing not as an expense, but an investment. In simple, easy-to-understand language, this book aims to take the mystery out of writing a marketing plan.