Archive for the ‘Financial Requirements’ Category

Free Marketing Audit

Thursday, November 3rd, 2011

For a limited time, I’m offering a free marketing audit of your business to help you identify the top 3 things you can do right away to get extra revenue. Here’s how it works:

1. Put your name and email in the form to the right to download the questionnaire

2. Answer the 72 questions about your business (they are all simple quick questions – shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes)

3. Either email or fax me the form with your responses. Email to joemcvoy@gmail.com or fax to 303-747-4682

4. I will respond with my recommendations within 5 days

Need Money Or Advice To Buy, Start Or Expand Your Business?

Wednesday, June 15th, 2011

Whether your business or idea is in need of getting a product on the shelves at Walmart or taking your business or service coast to coast by franchising, joint venturing or licensing, my team can help.

We don’t just talk about it, we’ve done all of the above as consultants, business owners, and as investors so we can help you too. So, whether you need money, advice or both, give me a call for a no charge, confidential consultation. Call me at 720-890-8760.

How Much Inventory Do You Need?

Monday, October 11th, 2010

I had an excellent question today from a reader and, since I’m sure many people have the same question, I’m answering it here. The question was:

“Assuming a product is broadly retail ready on a national level, how much inventory would a new vendor need. What is an overall adequate funding ratio?”

To calculate this, you need to know four things:

1. How many units of your product would need to sell per week in one store to make the retailer enough profit to justify keeping it in stock?

Different products have different sell through rates, so find out what that should be for your category.

2. How many stores do you expect to sell?

Keep in mind large retailers will typically test a product in a limited number of stores to make sure it sells before stocking it in all stores and some products have a regional appeal and would not be stocked in every store.

3. How long does it take you to make your product?

If you manufacture it yourself locally and can have more product ready to ship in 7 days, you will need a lot less inventory than if you need to bring it in from China by the container load and there is a 90 day lead time from placing the order to getting it to your warehouse.

4. Will your product be stocked in retailer warehouses and given a “warehouse slot” or will it be a one time promotional/seasonal buy?

As for financing, once you know your inventory levels, you know how much it will cost to make that much product.

To be conservative, if it takes you 90 days to get the product to your warehouse, if your inventory turns every 60 days and then it takes 90 days to get paid by the retailer, you need to have the working capital to fund that inventory for that time.

By negotiating with your suppliers and your retailer customers, you may be able to substantially reduce the amount of financing you need, but be careful. You certainly don’t want a success at retail and then orders from retailers that you cannot fill on time because you cut it too close.