Recent Articles Published by Michael Lockwood
Cheap Money
The effect of a cheap money strategy on the future prospects of businesses can’t be underestimated. Read more »
When (and Why) Should You Sign a Personal Guarantee to Secure Financing?
Over the next year, 61 percent of small business owners expect to expand their businesses. For many that will mean they will be in search of capital. What may surprise them is they may be required to sign a personal guarantee to secure financing. Below are seven things you need to know about personal guarantees.... Read more »
8 Ways to Clean up Your Business Credit Report
A complete and accurate business credit report is like a gourmet meal to a loan underwriter. Your business credit report is important for your company getting a business loan, because it tends to verify the information provided in your credit application and business plan. Much like a personal credit report, unless it is managed, the... Read more »
5 Tips to Getting Small Business Financing
It’s no secret that small businesses can have a hard time getting financing. So before you approach lenders, make sure you ask yourself: how can I maximize my chances of getting credit approval? Here are five simple things you can do to up the odds of getting your funding approved. Demonstrate that your business generates... Read more »
10 Things to Consider Before Replacing Business Equipment
With the end of the first quarter in sight and with economic indicators continuing to look positive, businesses may finally be ready to pull the trigger and replace their worn business technology equipment. Regardless of whether you are looking to move your business computing to the Cloud or to upgrade your computers, servers, smart phones... Read more »
7 Things Businesses Need to Know About Earnest Money Payments in Lease Transactions
After my first post on “10 Leasing Tips Every New Business and Startup Should Know”, I had a conversation with the Controller of a company about making an earnest money payment for a proposed equipment lease for his business. I realized I hadn’t really properly covered this topic in my last post. There are some... Read more »
7 Overlooked Tax Deductions for Small Business Owners
According to the IRS, each year millions of taxpayers overlook deductions and credits resulting in overpaying their taxes. Here are seven tips so you won’t become one of the statistics. Section 179 Deduction. If your business acquired assets in 2011 either through a lease or by purchasing them out right, you may be eligible to... Read more »
10 Leasing Tips Every New Business and Startup Should Know
While startups and new businesses may already realize the many benefits of leasing their equipment, including conserving their cash and significant tax benefits, they also need to carefully research their equipment financing needs before signing the dotted line. Startups and new businesses should consider the following tips to make sure that they don’t make any... Read more »
