Phoenix Business

In the midst of the global economic crisis, many small businesses are on the brink of closing down if not enough capital infusion is found. It is now even more difficult to get small business loans from banks, though. Ironically, the exact reasons why small businesses need such small business loans – the fact that business has slowed down and profitability has plummeted – are the same reasons why banks turn them down for loans.

Small businesses now have to be more resourceful in finding alternatives to small business loans.

Government Grants and Contracts Instead of Small Business Loans

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act signed by President Obama in February 2009 caused the pumping of billions of dollars for the revitalization of the economy. Because of it, there are plenty of government grants and contracts available to small businesses. These can be alternatives to small business loans.

But how can small businesses avail of the stimulus program?

The Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (APTAC) has the responsibility for helping small businesses obtain and perform federal, state and local government contracts. It has Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC) throughout the country, ready to help small business owners to get registered and find opportunities in the area of government grants and contracts. Counselors assist small businesses in filling out bids, proposals and quotations.

The PTAC holds seminars teaching small business owners all the ins and outs of government legalese, including acronyms and registries. A one-day seminar with PTAC covers what small business owners may take months to learn on their own.

How much should I spend on marketing?

This is a common question that marketing consultants gets asked on a regular basis.

The simple answer is that there is no hard a fast rule – it depends on the competitive environment, the stage of business development, the product or service category and the balance of advertising designed to promote the brand vs advertising designed to generate a specific response.

As a result of these factors, marketing budgets are best set based on careful analysis of a number of factors as part of a Marketing Strategy not via the often used % of sales method.

If you are looking to develop a deeper understanding of your marketing budget then there are two good places to start.

Brand Awareness- Analysing the level of advertising that is appropriate to reach your target markets with appropriate levels of frequency and credibility

Specific Response – Analysing the response and conversion rates you are achieving from various forms of advertising

Brand awareness is a direct product of the  Marketing Strategy – by identifying the key target markets and having an understanding of the competitive environment it is possible to establish a picture of the level and types of “brand” advertising required to generate awareness of the brand for new customers and reinforce the message with existing consumers.

Blackpool-based specialist accountants for contractors, Danbro, is bucking the trend of decreasing sales and rising unemployment by continuing to grow its business in 2009.

The town has suffered a big rise in its jobless total in recent months, with latest figures showing over 3,300 people now claiming jobseekers’ allowance, following cutbacks at several high-profile firms and the abandonment of job creation schemes such as the ‘super casino’.

But Danbro’s success has continued, with eight new members of staff recruited so far this year, buoyed by strong demand for its umbrella and limited company services, aimed at the thousands of temporary and freelance workers in the UK.

The firm opened an office in London last July, and expanded into Manchester earlier this year. It also acquired rival firm Safe Business Solutions (SBS), bringing its client base to around 2,700 active contractors and just over 1,000 limited companies.

It also recently achieved ISO9001 accreditation, which confirms it adheres to an internationally-agreed set of standards for its management systems, and an Investors in People award in recognition of the training and development of its staff, while it has continued to invest in IT with the launch of a new website and back office within the last six months.

Danbro’s Gareth Richardson said: “Blackpool’s unemployment figures are increasing at a higher rate than the national average and potentially undesirable job creation exercises such as the ‘super casino’ have failed. Danbro is creating and safeguarding long-term, highly skilled and highly trained jobs in the region.”