The scheme will provide loans between ?5000 and ?100,000 for companies with a trading record of less than 2 years and this amount is increased to ?250,000 for the older businesses. The DTI do not lend the money as they leave the commercial decision to the bankers.

The borrowers are not asked to provide personal guarantees although any personal security will be requested by the bank prior to a SFLGS application being considered. The DTI will provide 75% of the security to the bank on acceptance by them of the application. Certain businesses are not available for the loan and companies with more than 200 employees are not eligible. Turnover in the prior year to the application must be below ?5m for manufacturing industries and ?3m for all other businesses. In addition a premium on the amount outstanding is charged by the bank.

NOTE: Changes to the Small Firms Loan Guarantee scheme (SFLG) came into effect from 1 April 2003 meaning that more businesses may be eligible. The changes include:

• A single guarantee rate of 75% for all new loans;
• Sector exclusions removed for retailing, catering, coal, hairdressing and beauty parlours;
• The maximum turnover level for non-manufacturing businesses increased from ?1.5m to 3m;
• The premium paid by the borrower set at 2% per year on the outstanding balance for all new loans.

The importance of a carefully prepared business plan is often under-estimated. The borrower must convince the potential lender that he or she has a viable business proposal. There is a need for a specialist funding plan to be created identifying closely the compliance with the requirements of the scheme and the banks and our consultants have wide experience in meeting these needs. A potential lender would expect to see information on:

• Management: key personnel, their experience, knowledge of the industry, age, education and training;
• Product or service: details of product or service on offer, state of product development, any follow-up products or services;
• Markets: description of the market and its size, customers, competitors, sales estimates and expected market penetration. Sales forecasts should be supported by hard evidence and research wherever possible. Also an explanatio
  Successful Ezine Advertising Techniques
  Ezines are highly effective advertising tool if done correctly. One of the most important advantage ezines have is the target group of people they refer to. Of course there are rules to be followed in order to succeed in ezine advertising.1. Write Benefits Not Features.It may sound cynical but most people are selfish. They don’t care about your company or background but they DO care about the benefits they gain. So, instead of saying that the “A” software title contains
  ecision to the bankers.

  The borrowers are not asked to provide personal guarantees although any personal security will be requested by the bank prior to a SFLGS application being considered. The DTI will provide 75% of the security to the bank on acceptance by them of the application. Certain businesses are not available for the loan and companies with more than 200 employees are not eligible. Turnover in the prior year to the application must be below ?5m for manufacturing industries and ?3m for all other businesses. In addition a premium on the amount outstanding is charged by the bank.

  NOTE: Changes to the Small Firms Loan Guarantee scheme (SFLG) came into effect from 1 April 2003 meaning that more businesses may be eligible. The changes include:

  • A single guarantee rate of 75% for all new loans;
  • Sector exclusions removed for retailing, catering, coal, hairdressing and beauty parlours;
  • The maximum turnover level for non-manufacturing businesses increased from ?1.5m to 3m;
  • The premium paid by the borrower set at 2% per year on the outstanding balance for all new loans.
  Changes may continue to be introduced by the government and we are happy to advise on the current situation.

  The importance of a carefully prepared business plan is often under-estimated. The borrower must convince the potential lender that he or she has a viable business proposal. There is a need for a specialist funding plan to be created identifying closely the compliance with the requirements of the scheme and the banks and our consultants have wide experience in meeting these needs. A potential lender would expect to see information on:

  • Management: key personnel, their experience, knowledge of the industry, age, education and training;
  • Product or service: details of product or service on offer, state of product development, any follow-up products or services;
  • Markets: description of the market and its size, customers, competitors, sales estimates and expected market penetration. Sales forecasts should be supported by hard evidence and research wherever possible. Also an explanati
    How to Get the Job You Want in Any Economy... Act Like a Headhunter
    Having spent the last few years of my career in the staffing and recruiting industry, I’m asked all the time by friends and relatives if I can help them find a more desirable job. I’ve helped my fianc? get a job, helped my college buddies get jobs after graduation, and even helped a few high school buddies find jobs having not seen them for years. It’s a real joy in recruiting when you can help someone find a job that positively impacts their life. But the fact of the matter is, not
    n a premium on the amount outstanding is charged by the bank.

    NOTE: Changes to the Small Firms Loan Guarantee scheme (SFLG) came into effect from 1 April 2003 meaning that more businesses may be eligible. The changes include:

    • A single guarantee rate of 75% for all new loans;
    • Sector exclusions removed for retailing, catering, coal, hairdressing and beauty parlours;
    • The maximum turnover level for non-manufacturing businesses increased from ?1.5m to 3m;
    • The premium paid by the borrower set at 2% per year on the outstanding balance for all new loans.
    Changes may continue to be introduced by the government and we are happy to advise on the current situation.

    The importance of a carefully prepared business plan is often under-estimated. The borrower must convince the potential lender that he or she has a viable business proposal. There is a need for a specialist funding plan to be created identifying closely the compliance with the requirements of the scheme and the banks and our consultants have wide experience in meeting these needs. A potential lender would expect to see information on:

    • Management: key personnel, their experience, knowledge of the industry, age, education and training;
    • Product or service: details of product or service on offer, state of product development, any follow-up products or services;
    • Markets: description of the market and its size, customers, competitors, sales estimates and expected market penetration. Sales forecasts should be supported by hard evidence and research wherever possible. Also an explanati
      Press Conference
      Aspects covered when organizing a press conference:Press communicate (conception and distribution) Press Release (Conception and distribution) Media kit Establish private contacts with journalists specialized in the business area before the event Counseling for the conception of all materials that are to reach mass-media during the conference (presentation of the project, technical and financial detail, points of interest) Design and production
      n the outstanding balance for all new loans.
    Changes may continue to be introduced by the government and we are happy to advise on the current situation.

    The importance of a carefully prepared business plan is often under-estimated. The borrower must convince the potential lender that he or she has a viable business proposal. There is a need for a specialist funding plan to be created identifying closely the compliance with the requirements of the scheme and the banks and our consultants have wide experience in meeting these needs. A potential lender would expect to see information on:

    • Management: key personnel, their experience, knowledge of the industry, age, education and training;
    • Product or service: details of product or service on offer, state of product development, any follow-up products or services;
    • Markets: description of the market and its size, customers, competitors, sales estimates and expected market penetration. Sales forecasts should be supported by hard evidence and research wherever possible. Also an explanati
      Secure Your Future With A Secured Loan
      The greatest fear, afflicting the human race is surely the fear of death. Next is the fear of not having enough financial resources to fuel all the worldly needs.We surely can’t change the time of our death, we have to depart when we have to. But what we can do & which is in our power is to get to that rendezvous in style. That’s possible only if we have the monetary power to do so.Believe me; you don’t have to be Bill Gates to feel financially secure. Financial secur
      ese needs. A potential lender would expect to see information on:
      • Management: key personnel, their experience, knowledge of the industry, age, education and training;
      • Product or service: details of product or service on offer, state of product development, any follow-up products or services;
      • Markets: description of the market and its size, customers, competitors, sales estimates and expected market penetration. Sales forecasts should be supported by hard evidence and research wherever possible. Also an explanation of how the business will succeed in the market against competition;
      • The business: when started, results to date, borrowing history, existing commitments, current bankers;
      • Objectives and Strategy: business objectives, timetable and assumptions, risk factors, longer term plans;
      • Financial Projection: projections of at least one year's future performance together with supporting assumptions and evidence (order books, customer enquiries). Projections should include profit and loss account, monthly cash flow projections, balance sheets and capital expenditure budget;
      • Finance Required: total funding required based on projections, application of those funds, repayment assumptions. Purpose of finance, detailing capital expenditure;
      • Security Available: what assets are available as security (personal assets as well as business assets). Also what assets have been used as security elsewhere;
      • Management Information Systems: accounting systems used by the business, ability to produce regular management accounts;
      • Principal Risks: most likely areas of risk and ability to cope with these. What happens in event of sickness or injury to key personnel?