INTRODUCTION

Exporting can mean big profits to a small business. For all the opportunities exporting provides, however, it can present as many challenges. Financing exports and fear of not being paid are two of the most often cited barriers to trade. This booklet is designed to take the mystery out of export finance and to answer the questions small businesses ask most. You’ll learn about the various types of financing available, how to approach your banker for a loan, where to go if your banker can’t or won’t provide the credit, how to negotiate low-risk, yet competitive payment terms with your buyers and much more.

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Contributed by JD at 3:25 pm under Sales & promotion.  

The Common Sense Series - By Martin E. Koss
E-mail at 101457.735 CompuServe. Voice/Fax 44+ (0)1507 610035.
Contents are (c) Copyright Martin E. Koss 1996. This article may be freely distributed provided that this copyright notice, the heading, and the closing copy remain attached and that the text is reproduced in its entirety.

Many business idea are truly sound from the word go, but the facts remain that many elements of the idea must become solidified before approaching a bank or other financial institution for their immediate funding and for on-going support. Your project needs to be put to the test, and your ability to answer questions about it will more than likely tell you more than you had previously been aware. The purpose of this article is to prompt you to delve deeper into your idea and strengthen your belief, confidence and knowledge before proceeding further.

Get out a pencil and a note pad and write down all the answers to the following questions, and all the ideas that spring to mind in the meantime.

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Contributed by JD at 11:54 pm under Business development.  

By Gail Peura

The purpose of any business is to sell its product or service. Without sales, no business can exist for long. And all sales begin with some form of advertising.

A sales letter, whether as a follow-up piece in response to an ad or as part of a direct mail campaign, must not only be seen but read by potential buyers and cause them to react. The copywriter wants the prospect to immediately order the merchandise or service or to contact the company for more information - and to do it NOW. Anything less than this, and the sales letter is a waste of time and money.

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Contributed by JD at 3:56 pm under Sales & promotion.  

An investment budget consists of planned investments and disinvestments over a period of time (the planning period). Depending on the type of asset there are various depreciation schedules that can be used to depreciate the asset.

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Contributed by JD at 5:28 pm under Business financing.  

How to get an extension

If you can’t file your tax return by April 15th, you can get a 4 month extension of the deadline. Complete Form 4768, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, and file it with the IRS before April 15th.

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Contributed by JD at 5:02 pm under Tax matters.  

Contributed by JD at 8:08 am under Sales & promotion.  

Handy startup checklist

This checklist may help you collect and evaluate essential information about yourself and the business you would like to start. You may wish to complete this before starting with your business plan using PlanMagic Business.

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Contributed by JD at 7:42 am under Business development.  

Contributed by JD at 7:36 am under Marketing & PR, Sales & promotion.  

By Robert Warren

How well do you know your clients? How well do they know you?

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Contributed by JD at 5:02 pm under Sales & promotion.  

An overview of USA tax publications available online.

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Contributed by JD at 4:02 pm under Tax matters.