Small business: Stepping down from the side of the angels

Some Basics to Keep in Mind OWN CONTRIBUTION In general, you should not borrow more than the amount which you yourself have invested in the enterprise. THE MATCHING PRINCIPLE The repayment term of the loan should match the life expectancy of the assets which are financed by the proceeds of the loan. A common pitfall is to finance long-term assets, like land and buildings, with short-term finance, like an overdraft facility. NETT CURRENT ASSETS The value of current assets should always exceed the value of current liabilities. CASH FLOW The cash resources of the enterprise should always be adequate to meet its commitments. Additional Development Support Offered ADVICE AND INFORMATION General information and advice regarding small and medium enterprises is available at all our countrywide offices, whilst a comprehensive library and databank is established at our Head Office. Specific advice on administrative, legal, financial, marketing and management matters is provided by our corps of Mentor Advisers, whose assistance may be requested through our information officers and business advisers. CONSULTING Intensive counselling and assistance with operational and management issues are provided by our business advisers in conjunction with professional consultants and mentor advisers. TRAINING We present various formal training courses covering subjects such as: • Basic business skills • Starting your own business • Managing and improving your existing business • Labour relations • Retail management SUB-CONTRACTING We are actively involved in arranging orders for small entrepreneurs from large conglomerates, State and Para-statal enterprises. BUSINESS PREMISES In the form of: • Industrial Hives • Industrial Parks • Factories • Office premises • Shopping centres • Shops PROMOTION AND ADVOCACY We promote the cause of Entrepreneurship and the significance of Small and Medium Enterprise through, amongst other: • Community and youth projects • Media projects • Networking • Research We actively advocate the removal of inappropriate and restrictive legislation on small and medium enterprise by, amongst other: • Lobbying • Influencing local and national regulatory and legislative bodies. We will gladly assist you in the preparation of your application. Please contact the SBDC office nearest to you to make an appointment. Our brochure on “How to Draw up a Business Plan” is available at a reasonable charge at all SBDC offices and will be of great benefit when preparing your business proposal. SBDC Regional Offices Head Office – (011) 643-7351 Natal Regional Office – (031) 86-7130 North and Eastern Transvaal Regional Office – (012) 667-1320 Eastern Cape Regional Office – (041) 52-1517 Free State and Northern Cape Regional Office – (051) 47-8380 Central Regional Office – (011) 470-3111 Western Cape Regional Office – (021) [number not completed in source]