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Archive for February, 2011

Determining if You Need Angel Investors or Venture Capital

Monday, February 28th, 2011

Getting the needed funding for a business is really challenging currently with this recession. Businesses need to look at alternative forms of finance nowadays to get their businesses and ventures funded. In this article I discuss some of these alternative forms of business finance to include angel investors, angel investor networks and venture capital networks. I also discuss how to determine whether you Angel Investment or Venture Capital for your business funding requirements.

Angel Investment

Informal, yet sophisticated investors, who specialize in early, seed investing. Be sure to have a very well prepared Business Plan that contains a solid Executive Summary, Marketing Plan and Strategic Plan. Have excellent financial projections which you back up with realistic assumptions about your market.
Angels are great to use in the very early stages to develop your Company to where a Venture Capital Firm would be more apt to invest.
Angel funding is usually much quicker to obtain than venture capital, finding funding often in a couple months.
ROI expectation often less than VC; 20% annual compounded ROI is a good starting point for Angel Investment.
The funding deal can be structured very flexibly, in any structure that makes sense to all concerned.
- Combination of Equity & Debt is common.
Angels can be located with local Newspaper ads; in VC Clubs, breakfast clubs or networking events.
- Can find angles through attorneys, accountants, consultants, financial planners, brokers, etc.
- Networking is an excellent way to find angels.
Angel or Venture Capital? Here is some guidance in determining whether your finance needs require Venture Capital Investment or an Angel Investor:
- Amount of money being raised for the current round: Less than $1M should be Angel, unless you find a VC Fund that funds seed rounds and/ or you have a pre-existing relationship with a particular VC (and there’s a strong fit).
- Determine the total amount of money that needs to be raised over the life span of your Company: If you can get to good, positive cash flow for less than $3M, angels will probably be best.
- Type of Company: VC looks for enormous investment opportunity, returns and economies of scale, verses linear scale companies. Angels are less aggressive and happy with smaller companies and smaller investments.
- Experience: First-time entrepreneurs without much of a track record will find it easier to attract Angel money.
- Your Network: VC ties often come through personal and professional networks. Develop strong ties prior to approaching a VC Firm. Angels are great on referrals but not necessary.
- Hunt for your Lead Investor: Typically have 3 rounds of private finance with rounds 2 and 3 following a strong, successful lead investment. Be picky about finding the original, lead Angel.

Online Investor Networks and Online Lending

Venture Capital Network is the original and probably the best. The Go Big Network is another good one.
These networks pool investor’s monies and venture opportunities.
Beware of proprietary protections and privacy concerns.
Consider hiring experienced Marketing Consultant to make sure you have a really solid Business Plan, Loan Package and Investment Overview in place.
Excessively shopping your funding opportunity will kill your deal faster than anything. Be careful how many investors or investment groups see the opportunity. They don’t like to know that you have been around the block a few times seeing other firms and investors. It may also hurt your chances of later funding rounds. Keep your approaches targeted and few.
Can be a good stepping stone to VC Funding.
Often offer helpful resources, online chat rooms and professional relationship introductions.
Borrowing Online: The web has a lot of alternative small business finance options. One is On Deck Capital: they look more at your Company’s Cash Flow than your Credit Score and Tax Returns. They collect small daily debits instead of monthly payments.

About The Article Author – Frank Goley, Business Consultant

Frank Goley works for small and medium size companies in the capacity as an experienced business consultant, business turnaround consultant, business plan expert, business plan writer, business coach, small business consultant, business planner, marketing consultant, online marketing consultant, seo consultant, and business plan consultant for ABC Business Consulting. Frank is considered an expert in writing, developing and implementing business plans, business turnaround plans, funding business plans, marketing plans, strategic plans and web marketing plans. Frank offers comprehensive business consulting, business coaching, business turnaround consulting, along with web seo, web development and web marketing consulting, to small and medium size companies. Frank is the author of a business plan book, The Comprehensive Business Plan Workbook – A Step by Step Guide to Effective Business Planning, and he has over 130 published articles and e-books on business success strategies. He also writes the Business Success Strategies Blog and publishes the Business Success Newsletter.

Tags: angel investors, business plan, business plan consultant, marketing plan
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Going Wacky In Waco

Monday, February 28th, 2011

Waco generally known as place abundant with history and this narration is preserved throughout Waco in many varieties, even in its given name.

Before the founding of the town, a Wichita Native American faction generally known as the “Waco” (Spanish: Hueco or Huaco) lived within the territory of present day downtown Waco. Many of the “Waco” native people ended up being resettled in Oklahoma, however, all the way through the city there are several sights to see and learn about this full narration with modern day vacation services.

In support of a smooth sailing vacation, you can start with a short appointment to the Tourist Information Center, proudly located on I-35 flanked by Dallas and Austin, where it is possible to get event information, a range of many different vacation rentals, museums, points of interest, and transportation methods. it is possible to also look at their website.

There are a array of Texas vacation rentals including bed and breakfasts, historic inns and unique hotels. In support of a couple of suggestions, the well appointed Waco Bear Creek Guest House is a bed and breakfast escape rental close to Waco,TX, serving Baylor University and Central Texas. Its a scenic and reasonably priced alternative to accommodations, motels, and other lodging accommodations in support of families, friends, getaways, and extended stays.

The Brazos House Bed and Breakfast is more than one hundred thirteen years old, proudly located in downtown Waco, and continues to be called “Waco’s most comfortable bed and breakfast.” The bricks of which the house is built ended up being made locally, along the Brazos River, and even the tin roof is original. The house has been totally renovated, and now offers five guestrooms, 5 half bathrooms, two formal dining rooms and a spacious living space. The house is approachable to hosting special events, including weddings, receptions and parties.

If you are traveling with a pet, Waco provides Texas pet friendly vacation rentals . Dogtopia, generally known as doggie daycare and boarding resource where your beloved pets can have fun and interact together with other pets at the same period. The number to Dogtopia is (254) 776-3647. Pet care is also accessible at Waco Animal Emergency Clinic, PetSmart and Petco.

In addition, at hand are area points of interest that will let you take your animals in Waco such as the famous Waco Suspension Bridge and Riverwalk, Cameron Park, Lake Waco Wetland or Lake Waco Dam Hike and Bike Trail. Waco has the benefit of pet gracious lodging establishments, which do not charge a dog deposit including La Quinta Waco, Best Western Old Main Lodge (under 25 lbs), Motel 6 South,12 Oaks Inn and Residence Inn.

Waco is a home of 35 parks counting Cameron Park along the river with scenic hiking and cycling trails. Your kids can take a walk all through Miss Nellie’s Pretty Place, a wildflower preserve, or be competitive and have enjoyment playing a game of Disc Golf on an 18 hole year round complimentary golf course! In addition, there are five Spray Parks to choose from: Dewey Park, Cameron Park, Kendrick Park, Mountainview Park and Chapel Park.

Waco, Texas is a a fun vacation destination for the whole family unit with many escape rental methods and area attractions.

Tags: Texas, Texas vacation rentals, TX bed and breakfast, Waco
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Cheap Canada Flights

Monday, February 28th, 2011

Looking for cheap flights from Canada to the hottest destinations this summer? Aren’t we all, because the weather this summer, in Toronto at least, is as unpredictable as the Jabulani 2010 World Cup soccer ball. Whether it’s Calgary to Las Vegas, or Toronto to Paris we’re all looking for a cheap airline ticket to get our hands on. Taking a trip is a unique experience, in which a person can completely transform who they want to be and how they experience things. Does that also mean they have to transform the size of their wallets to do it? Canada flight deals aren’t that hard to find all you have to do is look a little harder and with a bit of patience the right deal will eventually fall into your lap. Low cost flights from Canada to Europe are always cheaper in the summer than in the fall/winter, because of charter flights. During those months, hundreds of dollars can be saved on a discount flight to Europe for Canadians who are looking to save money on their travels. There are also many deals on flights from Canada to the United States. Often there are flights that can be found for under a hundred dollars to Florida, even cheap flights to Las Vegas are easily found on most online travel sights on their deals page. Remember not all vacations have to involve a beach. You can have just as much of a relaxing time by getting a deal on a flight to Phoenix, and having a spa vacation. Even finding a flight within Canada could be the ideal choice to find a cheap flight ticket. The landscape of the country is so vast and diverse from St. John’s to Vancouver that there is so much to experience. It’s all about timing and research. Being persistent in looking for the best possible flight deals is the key to unlocking the door to the world.

Tags: cheap airline tickets canada flights
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Climate Change Awareness

Monday, February 28th, 2011

The environmental disasters that are reported in different countries almost every day should serve as a wakeup call to humanity that perhaps, they should now be more considerate of the environment. changer’ id=’spin_27′ onclick=’ShowSpinOptions(27)’>Mother Nature may be generous but she can also become angry and vindictive when she has reached the saturation point and climate change is a big challenge that we are faced with.

The strong typhoon, earthquake, soil erosion leading to the anger’ id=’spin_3′ onclick=’ShowSpinOptions(3)’>collapse of residential areas are just some of the common disasters that are actually caused by men. Illegal logging, the throwing of industrial wastes in the rivers, increased used of un-biodegradable materials are only among the few sins mankind has committed against nature.

Evidence will point out to the fact that environmental retribution will most likely behold mankind soon and he should be prepared for a major disaster brought about by climate change anytime now or in the future. The issue on the greenhouse effect is not just propaganda in order for environmentalist groups to earn their funding requirement. Global warming is upon us and this can be gleamed from the major environmental changes like too much heat, too much cold and other phenomenon that mankind is faced with.

But no matter what mankind does now, he can ever revert global warming; he can only delay it. What is crucial is mankind knows the possible effects of climate change and what can be done to alleviate the damaging effects. Climate change can lead to emergencies like the increasing level of the sea water, forest fires and other manifestations. When this happens, the scientists and world leaders should have an emergency program that they can implement to make sure that lives are not lost and properties are not wasted.

The first thing to do is to launch a massive information campaign to make the whole world aware of what is happening in the environment as a result of climate change. People should know what to expect in terms of the possible environmental disasters as well as the possible diseases that may be caused by climate change. The best emergency preparation kit for people all over the world is knowledge. Knowledge on what is about to befall them once the effects of climate change becomes manifest in our environment would help societies lessen the brunt of the anger of Mother Nature.

Every country should prepare for any emergency brought about by climate change. Even the first world countries that have all the technology would have a hard time facing this disaster. How much more the third world countries those are not even past the problem of providing food resources for their citizens? Every household should be tutored how to prepare for climate change emergencies. They should no longer rely on their governments to see them through the effects of climate change because once that happens, there may be a possibility that even government will become debilitated to act. Everyone has to act now. They do not have a option.

Tags: climate change, environment, global warming
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The Amazing Charm and Luxury of the Hotels in Cusco

Monday, February 28th, 2011

Whether you choose the Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, close to the Machu Picchu Pueblo Railway Station; La Casona Cusco Hotel, the painstakingly renovated Colonial manor house; or the Rainforest Lodge, the Reserva Amazonica, you will be in for a treat. These are some of the best hotels in Cusco, all offering comfortable facilities within a luxurious setting.

Regardless of which of the hotels in Cusco you are staying that belong to the Inkaterra group, you will enjoy a range of authentic lodges and villas that offer a personalized service by courteous and friendly hotel staff. Whether you choose an authentic private villa or a room in our luxury hotel, or perhaps an authentic explorer lodge, you will only encounter a pleasant and charming service provided amidst luxurious surroundings by professional and well-trained hotel staff.

Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel

Lose yourself amidst the ethereal beauty of orchids, streams and waterfalls and the frenetic rush of the Vilcanota River. All our hotels in Cusco provide travelers with a charming interlude during their travels, but the Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel offers guests something truly splendid. This is one of the original boutique hotels in Cusco.

La Casona, Cusco Hotel

Hotels in Cusco, belonging to the Inkaterra group, are as varied as they are sublime. La Casona was originally an impressive 16^th century manor house that has been scrupulously renovated, incorporating the legacies of Inca and the colonial past into a comfortable blend of contemporary luxury. Its charming creation of 11 luxurious suites has been designed to enhance both the tradition and the culture of this ancient heritage.

Reserva Amazonica, Rainforest Lodge

If you have a head for heights, take a trip across the treetop canopy bridge, then enjoy the brightly coloured hues of sprays of butterflies flitting in and out of the flowers. Of all the Inkaterra hotels in Cusco, this one is the most unique. Guests staying at the Reserva Amazonica, Rainforest Lodge are provided with experienced guides to ensure they are able to make the most of this unsurpassed rain forest adventure.

The Reserva Amazonica, truly the jewel of hotels in Cusco nestles on its own private reserve, amidst the tropical canopy, close to the Madre de Dios River. Guests are pampered by the assiduous attention of the friendly, professional staff, with food served in the unique dining pavilion that encompasses an ancient fig tree. This is a truly unique experience that has to be experienced to be believed: a truly sumptuous but exotic experience that is an adventure of a lifetime.

Tags: cusco hotel, cusco hotels cusco hotels, cuzco hotel, machu picchu hotel
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