Question
Hello, I’m currently in the process of completing a business plan to raise money. I’ve spent $$, time, and resouces from my pocket to do research and create a technical framework, etc. Now I’m having tough time in valuating the company. Please advice.
Answer
This is a subject that often requires a specialist since there is no [...]

Question
I am part of a school business that raises fish. We fillet them and then sell them. We have heard of cash and accrual accounting.
How does each one work? Which is better?
Answer
Consider the following questions when choosing an accounting process.
When do you incur an expense? When you use the product or service or when
you [...]

Question
I am director of sales for a custom mobile facility manufacturer in the midwest. I have been with the company for six years. During those six years, the company has realized staggering growth, moving from gross revenue of $800K in 1994 to a projected $15M in 2000.
I am literally 1/2 the sales force, and have [...]

Question
I am trying to find some good examples of plans to improve a company’s distribution system.
Specifically, I would like to identify key points of information that would be required to benchmark the current process, and then compare that with proposed improvements.
We have a central warehouse with 7 regional distribution centers and operate on very tight [...]

Question
For one year now,I have been trying to do business both local and export, on a commission agent basis. I am not strong financially, so I settled down to do business on commission basis.

I wanted to stock garments specializing in shirts, but the products are so varied it is difficult to become specialised.
I have overseas [...]

Question
My wife and I own a sucessful medical billing company with steady substantial growth. We have an opportunity to purchase one of our long standing clients. The client’s business is strong and demonstrates a steady growth rate as well. This is a good opportunity for us however the purchase price is a nice round $1/2 [...]

Question
Could you please share your knowledge about pyramid franchising and how it works?
Are all companies who use this configuration essentially “scamming” consumers and participants?
Please comment about the ethics of pyramid franchising–is there a company or situation in which it is healthy and ethical?
Answer
My experience reviewing pyramid franchising has not been a happy one. I have [...]

Question
Who provides a listing of companies that are up for sale? We are looking for a company that specializes in mobile diagnostic ultrasound, preferably in the OurState market.
Answer
Answer 1.
Contact an industry organization where such a business would be listed, then send each one a letter of interest. Some organizations will list only members, while some [...]

Question
How much should a business pay in rent for a facility, with relation to its gross sales.
Answer
As little as possible. This really depends on if there is value added to the space.
An example would be a retail store renting in a prime shopping area will cost more but provide exposure. So the rent is also [...]

Question
I’ve run a business since 1994. I am at the point where I need a lot of money to expand, almost like starting from scratch. I can write my business plan as a start up or on-going. Which way do you suggest that I write it? And in which case are [...]