Grow Your Business

Ben Yoskovitz lists the 10 common questions investors will ask. Whether you're a startup or needing working capital to grow your business, knowing the answers to these questions will help you stay focused and be prepared to talk with a financial institution. However, we rephrased the questions for the company that needs working capital -- not startups:

Instigator Blog provides five simple and powerful tips for making the most out of pitching to investors for a startup. These tips also apply to seasoned businesses looking to raise working capital.

Here are his five tips with my notes.

This story from Crain's Detroit Business shows how companies find other ways to succeed during difficult times. If your company provides a service and the economy forces a rate cut, what do you do? Reliance One doubled its sales in 2007 and expects to up them by 56 percent this year.

This Dallas Morning News article (may require free registration) confirms the trend that many businesses look beyond banks for loans. The article features a business that wants to expand its inventory after four years of steady business. The owner says that he tried going to banks, but they don't pay attention to a business' success.

Small businesses don't always have the luxury or resources to build a strong sales team that can outrun competitors. They don't have the resources to treat prospects to sporting events and fancy dinners. But they can get customers to say, "Yes." The Wall Street Journal writes about three small businesses that succeeded in getting to yes.

Forbes and Wall Street Journal recognize the importance of women in business as both resources have added a focus on women.

With rising gas and grocery costs among other issues affecting homeowners, many now manage their own lawns and gardens instead of using landscaping businesses to save money.

Two businesses felt the pain of the economic downturn, but didn't let that stop them from finding ways around it.

Gasoline's rising prices not only affect us drivers, but they also affect those working hard to pretty up our yards and gardens. Landscapers rely on gasoline for lawn mowers as well as blow-packs.

Instead of taking a loan from a business or a lender, entrepreneurs take out a loan from themselves by unlocking their own retirement funds. After all, they don't have to worry about credit checks, qualifications, and anyone (anyone = credit agencies) knowing about it.

Medical staff needs more money for patient care.

Finance needs to cut the budget.

Where's the middle ground? Healthcare organizations are finding success in using technology to lower contract labor costs and turnover. Though the situation involves making an initial investment in technology, these organizations save millions.