INDUSTRY OUTLOOK, IMPACT
Article | July 11, 2023
Doesn't free money for small businesses sound wonderful? Thus, free money to small-medium enterprises (SMEs) is the core purpose of small business grants. As a small business owner, you are constantly looking for funding opportunities for small businesses to expand your enterprise. This requirement became even more desirable during the coronavirus pandemic.
The following are the top challenges facing small businesses:
Cash flow is limited or inconsistent
Lack of capital raising
No provision for unforeseen expenses
Inadequate tax compliance
Absence of a budget
Combining commercial and personal finances
“It’s almost always harder to raise capital than you thought it would be, and it always takes longer. So plan for that.”
– Richard Harroch, Venture Capitalist and Author
How About We Figure Out What a Business Grant is?
A grant is a sum of money provided to a business for a particular purpose. There are several financing possibilities for small enterprises when applying for start-up business grants. You only need to know where to find it. Government (federal and state), charities, and private institutions all offer small business grants.
Unlike small business loans, small business grants do not need a repayment. In addition, unlike loans, you are not required to provide security, are not charged late fees or interest, and are not required to give away any ownership of your business. As a result, grants for small businesses are an appealing source of finance for businesses.
Small business grants are frequently awarded based on specific areas, industrial sectors, community groups, or types of enterprises. Grants come in various forms, including those granted by the government, those supplied by private firms, and those directed for specific groups such as women, veterans, or women. In addition, considering the current pandemic crisis, a new grant has been established to assist individuals negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
The federal government does not provide start-up business grants; instead, its grant programs are often directed toward non-profit organizations or other government agencies that face financing challenges.
COVID-19 Small Business Grants
Several types of COVID-19 small business grants are available to mitigate the loss caused by the coronavirus to small businesses. First, government grants for small businesses provide economic relief from the loss of revenue.
The United States Small Business Administration (SBA) administers federal small business funds for coronavirus recovery under the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Non-profit Organizations, and Venues Act.
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP):
Small Business Administration (SBA) provides financial help by introducing financial assistance programs like Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). However, Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) concluded on May 31, 2021. Even after the termination of the program, you can still qualify for loan forgiveness. This program was a significant part of COVID-19 small business grants. As of May 10, 2021, the SBA has authorized $782 billion in PPP loans.
To qualify for loan grants, you must establish the following:
Maintaining employee and pay levels
The revenues of the loan are used to cover payroll costs and other allowable expenses
At least 60% of the earnings are used to cover payroll expenditures
COVID-19 Targeted Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)
The Federal government recognized the coronavirus's impact and introduced many COVID-19 small business grants, and Targeted EIDL was one of the leading financial assistance programs offered.
The SBA makes targeted economic injury disaster funding available to small companies in low-income regions that have suffered revenue loss due to the coronavirus pandemic. This is more of a donation than a loan, as it is not returnable.
The targeted EIDL offers up to $10,000 in advance if your firm is:
Located in a low-income neighborhood
Has sustained a higher than 30% economic loss
Employ no more than 300 people
Due to COVID-19, small business owners and qualified agricultural companies in all 50 states and territories of the United States are presently eligible to apply for a low-interest loan.
Shuttered Venues Grant
As of August 2021, the Shutter Venues Grant program is ended. However, later that month, the Small Business Administration (SBA) planned to establish a supplemental Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) application for 50% of the initial amount, up to a maximum of $10 million.
The Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Non-profits, and Venues Act established the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program, modified by the American Rescue Plan Act. The initiative, managed by the SBA's Office of Disaster Assistance, would provide over $16 billion in subsidies to closed venues.
Eligible candidates may receive up to 45% of their gross earned revenue in the form of a grant. The maximum grant is ten million dollars.
Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF)
The American Rescue Plan Act established the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) to provide emergency assistance for eligible restaurants, bars, and other eligible businesses impacted by the pandemic.
This program compensates restaurants for income losses caused by the pandemic, up to a maximum of $10 million per firm and no more than $5 million per physical location.
As of now, RRF is closed for new applications.
Government Grants for Small Business
Numerous government grants for small businesses have been made available for free by the federal, state, and municipal governments. However, accepting free government money entails a considerable bit of paperwork and is time-consuming and technical at the same time.
Federal Government Grants for Small Business
The federal government offers many other additional grants for small businesses along with COVID-19 assistance. Federal government grants for small businesses are generally available to firms engaged in research, technology, or health.
The government agencies that support small company grants are the SBA, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Department of Agriculture.
Let us find out which are the most competitive government grants for small businesses.
Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR)
Small Business Technology Transfer Program (STTR)
U.S. Small Business Administration State Trade Expansion Program (STEP)
NIH Grants
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
State Government Grants for Small Business
State offers government incentives to a small business that address the state's social or economic issues. However, due to the minor application set for state funds, competition may be less severe and easily accessible.
Federal agencies occasionally award grants to state governments, which then distribute the monies.
Below is few resources body that offers funding opportunities for small businesses:
U.S. Economic Development Administration
State Business Incentives Database
Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs)
Private Small Business Grants
While government grants are beneficial to small companies, the financing levels are insufficient. Occasionally, private corporations and charities step forward and provide small business grants. On the other hand, private business grants need separate applications and may have eligibility limits confined to specific industries.
Numerous corporate-sponsored small business grants require applicants to compete in pitch competitions or something comparable. Unfortunately, few major private corporations provide substantial financial incentives to small businesses for joining (and winning) contests or pitch competitions. However, even if you do not win, you may receive a runner-up reward or exposure for your business.
Below are few private small business grants available
FedEx Small Business Grant Contest
National Association of the Self-Employed (NASE)
Visa Everywhere Initiative
Wells Fargo Community Investment
Nav's Quarterly $10,000 Business Grant
Patagonia Corporate Grant Program
Start-Up Business Grants
A start-up business grant is money provided by the government or another entity to assist small businesses and organizations in establishing and developing their businesses. Initially, small business grants are often not accessible to launch a firm; nevertheless, they are available for specific businesses and owners.
The following is a list of different sorts of businesses eligible for start-up small business grants:
Innovators
Rural Businesses
Green businesses
Women, veteran, or minority-owned businesses
Non-profit organizations
Here is an example of small business start-up grants
4.0 Schools fellowships
Jack Daniel's pitch distilled
Final Thought
As the information above indicates, there are several small business grants available. However, applying for grants is time intensive and may result in your firm not receiving the money needed. Finally, explore the small business grant, whichyour business is eligible for.
If small business grants are not a possibility for you, several alternative funding choices are available that fit your budget.
FAQs:
What can a small business grant be used for?
Small business grants are used for a variety of purposes: to establish a business, to stimulate minority entrepreneurship, to support research and development in a particular industry, to bring innovation, and to assist businesses in the domains of science, technology, and health, the list goes on.
How can I get a grant to start a small business?
There are several websites and organizations where you may obtain small company grants, including the following:
SBIR.gov
USDA Rural Business Development Grants
Small Business Development Centres
Grants.gov
National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE)
FedEx Small Business Grant Contest
What distinguishes grants from small business loans?
The primary distinction between small business grants and small business loans is that grants are not returned (with certain circumstances), but loans need to be paid back. In addition, grants are generally reserved for small firms, requiring more time to process and receive the funds.
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SMALL BUSINESS ADVICE, BUSINESS STRATEGY
Article | July 20, 2023
Introduction
With numerous tasks and operations to take care of, from basic invoicing and billing to project management and tax calculations, small business owners find it a nerve-wracking challenge to keep track of all monetary transactions and manage accounts payable.
In addition, the advent of digitization, the growing penetration of cloud-based solutions in the industry, and the introduction of cutting-edge accounting software, among others, are eliminating the extra use of paper, pens, files, and voluminous binders. Because of these small business financing trends, businesses and start-ups are increasingly inclined toward online financial management tools, such as small business accounting software, to handle their financial data.
The small business accounting software assists them in examining their financial condition along with accurately recording businesses’ cash flow, generating reports, tracking transactions, monitoring account balances, billing customers, creating purchase orders, and much more. Owing to such compelling features, these small business financial management solutions are garnering massive popularity in the industry.
Small Business Accounting Software: Emerging Financial Needs in the Industry
Running a small business sometimes entails wearing several hats, such as sending emails, paying suppliers, invoicing, creating processes, and preparing financial reports. All these are essential tasks, along with the other small business operations, such as employee management and work management, among others.
None of the additional responsibilities faced by small business owners are as crucial as accounting. Robust accounting processes are vital for keeping businesses in excellent financial condition and helping owners to make smarter decisions. Accounting software provides various features that can facilitate the smooth operation of the organization. From processing invoices to monitoring cash flow, here are the primary ways accounting software can assist owners to meet financial requirements for small businesses and promote growth.
Automate Invoicing and Billing
Due to the shortage of cash inflow, it is vital for small businesses to keep the cash flowing by billing clients and crediting customers on time. Accounting software assists small businesses in automating the billing process, enabling owners to create recurring invoices, send follow-up reminders, and accept digital payments directly from the invoices. It also assists in tracking all unpaid invoices and preventing accidental missing payments, thereby fending off potential losses.
Expense Tracking
A common accounting mistake that small businesses often make is failing to accurately track business costs and expenses, which causes a shortage of cash flow. The deployment of the right small business accounting software prevents this from happening and enables firms to keep track of all the spending and identify the source where the money is being spent.
Efficient Inventory Management
Proper inventory management is a crucial part of small businesses as they cannot stock products in large quantities due to the unavailability of a large amount of capital. Good inventory management is necessary to guarantee an adequate supply and deliver superior customer service. Accounting software aids small businesses in recording stock keeping unit (SKU) codes, monitoring goods, preparing reports, tracking products sold, and running reports on which items firms are doing well and which ones aren’t.
Bank Reconciliation
Small business accounting solutions simplify one of the most fundamental tasks of the company—bank reconciliation. It enables small business owners to access their bank statements directly from the accounting solutions, along with comparing bank statements, balancing debits and credits, and identifying any discrepancies at the end of each financial period.
The Final Thought
Maintaining correct financial records at all times is essential for the success of small businesses and start-ups. For maintaining proper accounts, these businesses need a system that overcomes the drawbacks of traditional accounting tools such as spreadsheets. With the introduction of novel accounting software integrated with artificial intelligence, big data, and other technologies, these financial management solutions are paving the way for small businesses.
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Technology
Article | July 18, 2023
Small businesses are the backbone of the US economy, generating local jobs and innovation while encouraging entrepreneurship among minorities, women, veterans, and other community segments.
As stated by Florida tax monitor data, small companies employ 48% of all Americans and generate 43.5 percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP). At the speed of light, the corporate environment is continuously moving to new digital technologies. However, many small company owners are unable to keep up with this small business digital transformation.
In the opinion of recent Google-commissioned small company research, 80% of small businesses in the United States are not fully utilizing digital technologies. A few more reasons at play prevent small firms from adopting digital technology and falling behind on digital transformation trends.
Ignoring digital benefits or refusing to adjust is a surefire way to fail in a constantly evolving digital world.
"At least 40% of all businesses will die in the next ten years… if they don't figure out how to change their entire company to accommodate new technologies."
— John Chambers, Cisco
Factors Contributing to the Lag in Digital Transformation Race
Keeping up with New Technologies Is Tough
Numerous small business owners are unable to keep up with emerging digital transformation trends. Various digital opportunities for small businesses exist to employ in their operations. However, companies lack the will to leverage digital capabilities and so fall short of their full potential. In addition, limited resources create an impediment to digital adoption inside. Employee experience and digital skills are other significant impediments to SMBs adopting digital technologies.
Small businesses need to overcome their fear of change to capitalize on the digital dividend, accelerate growth, and scale effectively.
Change in Customers Behavior and Persona
Changes in customer behavior and knowledge of SMB consumer personas are critical components of small business digital transformation and are the primary issue confronting small business owners. The most significant change that small companies anticipate in the next five years is a shift in consumer expectations and personas.
Owners believe they understand their businesses since they are small or medium-sized business owners. Still, customers have a different perspective more than 70% of the time due to social and digital transformation trends. For the next five years, the top three consumer trends are expected to increase product or service customization, increased emphasis on customer experience, and higher expectations of quality or value for money.
"Clients are going to expect a lot of personalization in their businesses; consumers are going to expect the same. To avoid data silos, having an emphasis on driving real-time information from customer data and sources is core for any company to become digitally native."
– Bibhakar Pandey, Vice President & Leader of Customer Experience, Marketing Services, Capgemini.
Need Assistance for Right Decisions
Making technological decisions is challenging for small firms. Additionally, many business decisions are made by small business owners. Therefore, they must have the appropriate knowledge and help when making digital decisions involving various conflicting obligations.
Because the costs of digital technologies are so high, it is critical for small businesses to have sufficient information about the value of sales, service, and marketing technologies to select the appropriate digital systems, upgrade digital skills, and provide adequate protection and security. In addition, the small owners need timely assistance to cope up with small business digital transformation.
Digital Gap
Small firms have several digital gaps in various areas, including internal skills gaps, financial gaps, and digital infrastructure shortages. Due to the utilization of high-speed internet connections and cloud-based technologies, these disparities are more significant for small businesses than large enterprises.
The owners need to cope up with different stages of digital transformation in small businesses. However, there is no denying the link between digital and productivity, which is critical for productivity.
Digital Transformation Approaches:
Adoption and Upgradation to CRMs
To evaluate client behavior, it is critical to implement and improve your customer relationship management system (CRM). In addition, businesses should leverage cloud-based solutions to strengthen their relationships with their consumers.
According to Deloitte, SMBS that use CRM generate 44 percent more income than those who do not have a system or only have a rudimentary system. However, numerous CRM features, such as omnichannel customer care, marketing automation, social tools, and predictive analytics with automation are not part of the classic CRM model.
"Right from the start, based on our ICP, we focus on what level of personalization and automation needs to be built out and what touchpoints like overlays, retargeting, and remarketing are to be done to convert the customer in the end and take them to the SQL stage."
– Amitabh Ramani, Global Marketing Director, Jade Global.
Adoption and up-gradation of CRMs will open new digital opportunities for small businesses.
Improvement in Digital Infrastructure
To fill the digital gap and be a part of digital transformation trends, small businesses must embrace high-speed broadband for small business digital transformation. In addition, adopt digital technologies in the workplace to enhance SMB productivity and connectedness.
By incorporating innovation and technology, small firms may increase their competitiveness.
Below are few actions that can be taken for more digitally engaged small businesses:
Raising awareness of digital opportunities
SME training and upskilling programs
Promoting business innovation and the provision of new digital solutions
Implementation of Sales and Marketing Tools
In today's competitive corporate climate, the focus is firmly placed on the sales and marketing aspects of the enterprise. As a result, small businesses strive to capitalize on possibilities for personalized marketing based on prior interactions or sales and engage clients through customized marketing.
Amaysim is an example of a company that focuses on customized marketing using a cloud-based marketing platform; they ensure timely marketing communication and connect with clients in real-time via SMS.
Only one in every five small businesses uses digital tools or social media platforms to acquire new consumers or connect with existing clients. Incorporate artificial intelligence into different business processes, such as predictive analytics, automated product recommendations, and upgrade suggestions based on consumer behavior.
Shift to Online Interactions
Face-to-face transactions have decreased as a percentage of total sales, and the line between physical and digital is becoming increasingly blurred, resulting in behavioral adjustments.
The purchase is moving due to internet channels, or you might say that more consumers favor online purchases over in-person transactions. With the increase in online sales, small companies also need to enhance their delivery services to keep up with the demand. In addition, the shift in communication channels to emails, social media platforms, and websites have altered consumer behavior about enquires and complaints. As a result, implementing CRM software for service interactions has become a necessity of the hour to ensure a fast response.
Shift to online interactions of sales or any business operation is an escalating demand for small business digital transformation.
Final Thoughts
With the evolution of digital trends in small businesses, owners can leverage small business digital transformation benefits by using the techniques as mentioned above. Regular use of digital tools may help small businesses enhance their performance and adapt to dynamic business conditions and changing consumer expectations and the surrounding environment. Engage small companies in new digital prospects for success and business growth, resulting in a greater return on investment (ROI).
FAQs
Why is digital transformation important for small businesses?
Digital transformation enables small businesses to ease out their operations, increases efficiency, automates workflow, helps to improve customer relationships. Adopting digital transformation enables to fulfill changing behaviors and needs of customers.
What are the most significant trends of digital transformation?
Here are few significant trends of digital transformation in the coming year 2022 that will impact the work culture of businesses.
Improved connectivity (5G)
AI technology
Cybersecurity
IoT
Multi-cloud and APIs
What are key areas of digital transformation?
The key areas of digital transformation are as follows:
Business process transformation
Domain transformation
Business model transformation
Cultural/Organizational Transformation
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Small Business Advice
Article | September 23, 2022
Introduction
Managing finances is crucial for organizations, especially small businesses, to create a stable financial future in which the business is less likely to fail. Small businesses and start-up companies have to face numerous challenges and even bear losses at their introductory stage due to the difficulties in maintaining proper cash flow. According to a study, around 61% of small business owners say that they face challenges in handling consistent and steady cash flow.
Many start-ups undertake operational business activities after obtaining loans from different financial institutions due to insufficient cash flow and capital. Hence, to keep small business operations running smoothly, they need to optimize the inflow and outflow of cash and financial management.
Small business financial management assists these start-up companies in reducing financial costs, facilitating the availability of investment, and planning, organizing, directing, and controlling financial activities. With competition intensifying in the sector, the need for financial management is becoming even more critical for small businesses.
Why Are Financial Management Solutions Becoming Imperative for Small Businesses?
Running a small business is not an easy task. Even if you have a great idea and a large number of people longing for your product or service, the financial difficulties of operating a small business can quickly escalate and hamper the business.
A plethora of expected and unexpected issues, such as overhead costs, rising interest or inflation rates, impending tax deadlines, remediating damage from a natural disaster, and many more, can create insurmountable obstacles for small business owners.
Whether it is insufficient cash flow or a lack of accurate monthly reconciliation reports, many small business finance-related issues can be avoided with the proper management of finance and reporting. What are the other small business money management challenges that financial management solutions can assist to overcome? Let's see:
Poor cash flow management
Managing a budget
Planning future expenses
Controlling debt
Inconsistent cash flow
Tips for Effective Small Business Financial Management
Small businesses today are highly fragile due to excessive competition in the industry. Hence, start-ups and new companies have to invest a significant amount of money in order to keep their business fully functional and running.
Right from accumulating funds to allocating and spending them, it is crucial for small business owners to have a transparent view of their financial position and business undertakings to engage in planning for efficient utilization of available resources.
Effective financial management not only assists in managing small businesses' finance and rotating the cash invested in the business, but it also assists in analyzing revenue generation, formulating suitable financial strategies, and calculating adequate returns, among others. It is undoubtedly one of the most important aspects of businesses, irrespective of their size.
With an increasing need for managing huge funds, continuous transactions, daily cash flow, payrolls, and others, it is becoming even more critical for small businesses and start-ups to manage their finances effectively. Here are some of the vital tips that can help small businesses analyze and manage their finance effectively:
Prioritize business financial planning
Create a budget and stick to it
Analyze cash flow
Keep business and personal finances separate
Focus on expenditures but also ROI
Monitor spending
Opt for a financial solution or service
Final Thoughts
With the fast-changing financial requirements of small businesses and the emergence of novel small business financing trends, entrepreneurs are emphasizing streamlining and managing their financial chores.
To overcome a growing number of financial obstacles, leading financial solution developers are aiming at integrating advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics in novel small business financial management solutions. This is anticipated to create a strong demand for innovative financial management tools, such as small business accounting software, across the industry in the forthcoming years.
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