Accept Business Credit Cards: Empower Your Business And Your Clients
Businesses today are increasingly making use of business credit cards to transact, both as vendors and as buyers.
This trend in spite, there are still a number of vendors who do not accept business credit cards from their business clientele. The truth of the matter is that if such a vendor wishes to achieve higher trading volumes and increase its client base, accepting business credit cards changes from being an optional, to a must.
Accounts receivable is not only a nasty trap, but also creates a vicious cycle. Vendors that do not accept business credit cards, often agree to extending credit to their clients in order to retain their custom. Although this may be a necessary business practice, it does place unnecessary strain on the business' finances: Unnecessary, because by accepting business credit cards, you can retain your clients and mitigate your cash flow risk at the same time.
Wooing Small Business With Business Credit Cards
A few weeks ago (April 18, 2007), Discover financial services launched a new business credit card that offers frequent flier miles to small business owners. Among the credit card brands, Discover was one of the last to start offering business credit cards to the small business sector. Reportedly, this is only the latest in a virtual avalanche of business credit cards designed for small business.
One cannot but wonder at the sudden interest.
Perhaps a glance at recent research material will offer some clues. Data shows that in 2006, the small business sector spent $4.9 trillion; but only one-twentieth (5%) of that money was paid through business credit cards in any form (credit or debit card). The credit card companies now want in on that huge market, and believe they can induce small business owners to not only make use of their business credit cards but also to spend more on their cards.
Bank Of America: Banking On Small Business With Business Credit Cards
The Bank of America has been building on its existing small business lending portfolio over the past years. Three years ago, it was already one of the top small business lenders in Florida with over $1.5 billion in small business loans and over half that amount being micro-loans under $100,000.
With its recent acquisition of credit card issuer, MBNA, the bank has moved into the growing small business credit card market.
Business caution about the economy has not managed to dampen the dynamic growth in the small business credit card market. Having banked on small business for some time now and having a big credit card operation under its wing, Bank of America is looking up their activities through small business credit cards.
Effective Small Business Credit Card Management
The use of credit cards in small businesses is gaining popularity. An industry study conducted by a research group reports that more than two-thirds of small businesses are making use of credit cards to cover expenses. However, only two-fifths of these credit card using businesses employ business credit cards.
Since these small business owners are already using credit cards to provide financing for their businesses, they should consider converting to business credit cards instead. With prudent usage and wise management, the small business credit card could be an effective business tool to help small business owners "grow" their businesses.
Strategies For Using Business Credit To Finance Your Business
There are many options available for the small business owner that will allow them to provide their business with the credit and financing necessary.
There are specific and measurable strategies and benefits to using business credit to build your business faster and cheaper than without business credit. The old adage is, "the banks will only give it to you if you don't need it." The key is to maintain at least twice as much business credit as you need to hedge against any slow times or to be liquid enough to take advantage of once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. It's not easy for most people to raise $250,000 or more for a small business to expand but if you understand the options available and take the steps necessary it can easily be realized.
Business Owners' Views Of Business Credit Cards
There are quite a number of reasons why business owners choose to obtain business credit cards, but recent studies confirm that business credit cards are viewed most useful for keeping business and personal finances separate. Business owners say that their primary reason for using business credit cards is to avoid their business expenses from getting mixed up with their personal expenses: Using business credit cards separates the two, thereby contributing towards maintaining the integrity of their accounting records.
90% of all small business owners use business credit cards purely to make business related purchases, with more than 90% indicating that the primary need for business credit cards is business travel. They believe that airline flights, car rentals and hotel stays would be cumbersome without business credit cards.
Invoice Factoring - How To Finance Business Growth Without Debts
Factoring is a tool that allows business owners to grow their businesses without using banks or debt.
There are few bigger challenges for business owners and managers than waiting 30 to 60 days to get paid by their customers. Although large businesses can usually afford it, smaller businesses can't afford the wait. As a matter of fact, waiting to get paid on their invoices can create cash flow problems that affect the owners ability to meet payroll or pay the company's bills. This problem can be more frustrating if the business has a number of orders that it cannot fulfill because its cash is tied up in unpaid invoices.
How can invoice factoring help you?
A Guide To Unsecured Business Loans
Could never figure out how unsecured business loans really work or what they mean to a small business owner? Wondering whether to pledge your property, machinery or account receivables to get the loan you need? It is time to find out the best option for your business.
Debt financing has never been popular with small business owners. I can understand why it is being avoided as if it is a disease. It can become a financial burden with the high interest rate that is pegged to unsecured credit facilities. However do not discount debt financing, as it can be a good way to raise much-needed funds for your business.
American Express SimplyCash(SM) Business Credit Card Reviewed
Examine various terms and conditions of the American Express SimplyCash(SM) Business Credit Card in review written by Sam Donaldson.
There is no limit to the cash back you can earn with the American Express SimplyCash Business Credit Card. You get Cash back is automatically credited to the statement each month and you can get Fee-free employee additional cards at no cost. It has never been so easy to earn cash back on the business purchases you make when you use the American Express SimplyCash(SM) Business Credit Card.
You also get access to the services of OPEN® the small business team at American Express. This service is all about small business as it provides you the resources to help you run your business, including these perks and services:
Budgeting Expenses And Income Through Business Credit Cards
There comes a time in the life of any small-business owner when he or she poses the question: "Can I apply credit in a smarter way without getting my business into too much debt?" The basic answer to that is: "Yes, by protecting your credit."
The first three years of a business' life are the most crucial. During this time, the business owner will need to carefully budget business expenses and realistically project income. This forces the owner to give the important numbers a good, hard think. It is important to develop a picture of the monthly cash flow, particularly in the first year. This ensures that you know where your money is going and that you are keeping tabs on every aspect of the business.
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