(CGN) Capital Growth Network

  Author: Karyn Winrich April 28 th 2024 Running a small business requires not only hard work but also financial management . There are several strategies and tools that small business owners can utilize to stay on top of their finances and ensure the long-term success of their businesses. Today, Capital Growth Network invites you to read on to learn our top tips for managing your finances as a small business owner.   Establish a Financial Plan and Regularly Review It   The most important thing you can do as a small business owner is set a budget and review it regularly . A budget will help you plan for the future of your business by allowing you to allocate funds accordingly. Additionally, it will help keep track of where money is being spent, so that you can make adjustments, if necessary.     Have Clear Objectives for Business Expansion   It’s important to create specific goals for the growth of your small business. Having detailed objectives will provide a

  Have you noticed the gradual yet subtle changes to the banking system? The: ·          increase in branch closures. ·          reduction in staff and counter services. ·          Introduction of digital currencies. ·          introduction of mobile phone banking.   Do any of the above cause you concern, or do you perceive these changes as beneficial innovation and necessary for advancements in efficiency? Let us examine the implications.   Cash may soon symbolise the only freedom left available to us. We live in a society that openly tracks and monitors our every move and to some extent, our thoughts using algorithms based on our online activity. From the minute you leave your home, you are monitored by CCTV to and from your destination. When you tap in and out with an oyster card, your entire journey is mapped out. When you make purchases using a credit or debit card, your every purchase is logged.   Cash offers some sense of privacy, whether it’s making purchase

By Karyn Winrich 22nd September 2022   Today, consumers expect a promise of  sustainability  from businesses, and they want to see action to show a commitment to being eco-friendly. As an entrepreneur, you have the opportunity to build a green business from the ground up. Start by considering these tips.   Making Your Supplies More Sustainable If your business produces a tangible product, you’ll need materials to create and ship it. One way you can be visibly environmentally conscious is to offer sustainable packaging. Some common examples include  biodegradable  materials, such as packing peanuts and recycled paper and cardboard. You can even try cornstarch packaging. If you’re selling a product with fabric, opt for an organic version. Additionally, you should commit to using the minimum amount of packaging necessary. Large retail stores are often criticized for their overuse of packing materials.   Monitoring Energy Usage Part of reducing your carbon footprint is recognizing your ene

Saving isn't as hard as it seems. If you're looking for some smart savings guidance, these money saving tips should help you start to build up a handy nest egg. ·        Create a budget by adding up your monthly spend on essentials like rent, utility bills, food shopping and car costs, to see if you have any spare money that could be moved into a savings account ·        Start saving with a basic savings account. Saving even a small amount will give you peace of mind and get you into the savings habit ·        If you have more money available, consider a higher-interest account or invest in an ISA. If you already have an ISA, maximise your allowance for this year ·     Start long-term savings as soon as you can. Speak to your employer about possible pension schemes to join ·      If you get a windfall of money, think about putting a percentage of it into your savings. MAKE SAVING MONEY A HABIT Saving money doesn’t have to be a chore. There are some easy ways

Scam calls Fraudsters can phone people and pretend to be from your bank, the police, or other well-known companies. Scam calls can sound real and professional. But stop, 'take five' and think - is this call genuine? What to look out for: Unexpected calls - If you didn’t expect the call then it could be a scam. If you’re not sure, you can call back. Pressure calls - Fraudsters want to hurry you into making a quick decision. They may also ask you to 'trust them' and or 'keep it quiet' and not tell anyone about the call. Don’t trust anyone who does this. A need to transfer money - Scam calls (#Grab Finance, #Seek Finance, #BTC miner) can try to get you to transfer money for security purposes or to a safe/secure/holding account. Do not do this. Refunds - If a call offers you a refund that you are unaware of, it's a scam.  Test transactions - If a call asks you to do a test transaction then it’s a scam. A real bank would never ask you to do this. Call

BUYING ONLINE The internet is a great way to buy and sell new or second hand goods. But you should look out for fake adverts on social media or trading websites. WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR Bad reviews - Lots of good reviews from different buyers are better than mixed, bad or no reviews at all. Amazing deals - If prices on a site are a lot lower than other sellers, it could be a scam. Requests for advance payments - If an item is large and expensive, like a car, fraudsters may invite you to view then ask you to pay before you can pick it up. Once they have your money they'll disappear. Don’t pay until they hand the item over to you. Odd ways of paying - A fake site may ask you to pay by direct bank or wire transfer. These are hard to trace. If things go wrong, you may not get your money back. WHAT YOU CAN DO Take your time - Make sure an offer is genuine before you choose to buy. Ask the seller questions - If a seller can't tell you any details about the goods or tries to