Business, Security & Fraud

Business Report:

Raising Capital for your Business
By Mark Borkowski
Thursday, April 6, 2006

There is money, believe it or not, for those individuals and companies with well thought-out business plans. The money is looking for those that have a good understanding of their business and market. Money is attracted to people who put their own net worth on the line. Smart people with some of their capital to risk make successful businesses work. Not everyone is cut out to own or run a business.

OTTAWA: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) is calling on the City of Toronto to live within its means by looking for innovative ways to reduce costs, return to basics and freeze property taxes in advance of Torontos official budget debates that begin on Wednesday, March 29.

Business relationships are built over time. They have to be earned. This building process requires that the client relationship is constantly moving forward; as such sales professionals in any industry must make a solid first connection with each client and then maintain a strong connection over the course of the relationship.

Many Canadian business owners and entrepreneurs may not be aware of Citizenship and Immigration Canada's Immigrant Entrepreneur Program. This program facilitates affluent business immigrants coming to Canada who must invest in, purchase or establish a business of their own within two years of landing in Canada as permanent residents. The greatest thing about this program is that the entrepreneur immigrant is flush with cash and has a time limit in which to make the financial commitment so as to lift the terms and conditions on his visa. For the local businessman, the program offers a great potential source of new capital.

The potential to be sued as a host has been brought home to us in the Zoe Childs' case, held earlier this year and now under consideration by the Supreme Court of Canada. The court will make the decision as to the degree of responsibility, if any, of hosts to their alcohol-consuming guests.

A familiar but difficult scenario unfolds. You are the owner or CFO of a growing company. Sales are up 20% over last year. Success is causing stress. You need a source for some quick capital to keep the company on-track. Business is booming, but you are experiencing a cash flow crunch. A cheque expected from your largest customer has not arrived and your payroll is due tomorrow.

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation presented its recommendations for the 2006 City of Toronto Budget today at Toronto City Hall.  Toronto is currently facing a shortfall of $415 million on a proposed $7.65 billion budget.

On Monday February 13, provincial politicians get back to business with a heavy legislative agenda.  First up: Bill 53 An Act to Revise the City of Toronto Acts, a bill, which has the potential to damage taxpayers well-being not only in Toronto but across the province.

It was a not surprise to myself or my colleagues in the mergers & acquisitions community when the BF Goodrich plant closure or Worlds Finest Chocolates plant announced the closing of their Canadian plants. This was old news.

One of the very first principles that we all learn in business is the concept of betrayal. In my mind it is more prevalent today than any time in history.

With winter weather warnings gripping Ontario on a regular basis, drivers need to know that unless they have their own firm grip on the steering wheel and watch their driving, they could end up being snowed by high insurance rates.

The OPP recently reported that there have been 5,161 more collisions in 2005/2006 than in 2004/2005.

TOP 10 INSURANCE MYTHS FOR 2005

Fact Or Fiction?  InsuranceHotline.com received over 7,800 inquiries in 2005 regarding auto and home insurance. Here are the "Top 10 Insurance Myths". 

Spending projected to rise 17.3% from 2005

Council priorities misplaced

Toronto: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation responded today to the 2006 municipal budget briefing given this morning at Toronto City Hall.  The proposed 2006 budget projects a 17.3% net spending increase over 2005 and includes an operating shortfall of $532 million.

TORONTO (December 15, 2005) --Illegaly diving into the new GTA carpool lanes can end up being far more costly than drivers realize, according to the president of InsuranceHotline.com.

I dont generally look forward to reading how-to business books. I usually find them full of platitudes, outmoded common sense, lacking wit and, worse of all, personalized advice that may only apply to the author. The book, You Dont Need an MBA to Make Millions, by Tim Moore with Carol Davis and Allan Gould is a rare exception. The book is published by ECW Press. Tim Moore was, amongst other things, the Founder and Chairman of AMJ Campbell Van Lines.

This week, a joint Ontario-City of Toronto Task Force released its report on the proposed new City of Toronto Act.  The Task Force recommends Toronto get new tax and licensing powers for everything from alcoholic beverages and cigarettes to entertainment. According to a Toronto Star story, these measures could suck another $50 million annually from city taxpayers wallets.

Heres a multiple choice quiz. If you could choose a budget priority for Toronto, would it be:

By Mark Borkowski Tuesday, September 6, 2005

The one thing that founding owners of successful mid-market companies recognize is knowing a hot deal when they see one.

And the hottest deal available right now is in their own companies &

By Tasha Kheiriddin Thursday, August 18, 2005

Premier McGuinty breaks another promise

Toronto: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation today revealed the results of a Freedom of Information Request into spending on a partisan advertising campaign by the City of Toronto.

By Pat McKeough Saturday, June 11, 2005

As hedge funds describe themselves, they play both sides of the market--long and short--in hopes of making money regardless of which way the market moves. They go long (that is, buy) good stocks; they sell bad stocks 'short' (that is, they borrow and sell stocks that they see as having poor prospects, in hopes of buying them back at a lower price and profiting from the difference).

Security & Fraud Report:

With the nice weather upon us, we seem to fall into this mindset that the bad guys are in hibernation. Winters over, the coast is clear, so lets throw open all the doors and windows. A burglary isn't going to happen to me, it's just too nice outside!

There was a break-in at an apartment building. The residents couldn't figure out how the thieves penetrated the security. There were no signs of forcible entry and the apartment owners ruled out the culprit as being a building key in the wrong hands.

How many more cars are the bad guys going to steal? How may more homes are thieves going to add to their roster of conquests? How many more headaches are we going to suffer before we finally realize that we do have a choice. A choice that may mean shifting from reverse to drive in the common sense department.

ADV:

Place Your Ad Here!