Some of the questions I’m asked most often follow: I have split them into five main areas:
- Commercial Finance
My bank is telling me to use Invoice Discounting or factoring and I am very wary. I don’t really understand it and I feel I am being forced to use their people. I’m worried that I am on the verge of making an important decision where I need the reassurance of someone on my side as expert help.
Cornmill understand when invoice discounting is right for a business. We can explain this to you, show how your bank’s package compares to others in the market and help you make an informed decision. - I need a loan to buy a business premises and want to get the best deal. I don’t have time to talk to banks, I’m uncertain as to how to go about it and I’m not confident that I would get anywhere anyway.
Cornmill do a thorough search of the market after first understanding your business and what you need. We have good personal relationships with lenders, present your case professionally and handle the legwork needed to get you offers of finance. This all saves you time, allows you to focus on your business and gives you the confidence that you have got the best deal for your business. - I use Invoice Discounting but am not happy with the company that I am using. I don’t have time to research other providers and know that I would find the whole process frustrating.
We maintain excellent contacts with providers in this market and can do a comparison of what is available and how it compares to what you already have. That will help you decide whether and how to switch. - Banking Relationships
I’m frustrated and worried about my existing banking relationship and want to change that. I don’t know how to go about finding one that will be any different and I haven’t got time to waste on providing all the information they ask for.
Cornmill can evaluate your banking needs and whether you need to change banks at all – or whether issues can be resolved. We talent spot bankers and specialist lenders and can match you up with something that suits you better. - I am feeling very frustrated, exposed and a bit scared about how my bank is behaving. Either they are not communicating well or I just don’t understand. I feel my business is being threatened.
We use our combined knowledge of banking and business to understand both sides of the issue. We help you understand and then resolve problems and put you in a stronger position with your bank. - Business Plans and Financial Presentations
I’m uneasy about giving a presentation to my bank/partners/investors about the financial performance of the business. I’m worried that what I can do with the time/ knowledge that I have is not going to be enough.
Cornmill help you prepare financial reports and presentations that are clear, concise and ‘non-gimmicky’. You then convey the right message and do the job professionally. - I’m frustrated about the task of producing a business plan. I want it to still be ‘my business plan’ but want help taking my thoughts and ideas and turning them into something that looks good and achieves its purpose. I just don’t have the time to do all this.
We take your thoughts and projections and help you turn them into your own formal business plan which will persuade lenders or investors and create the right impression. - Understanding Business Finances
I’m mystified and frustrated at how I’m expected to understand the financials of my business as if I were an accountant. I want to understand them for myself, quickly and simply and feel I am in control. I should understand this better than anyone else.
We have an approach to business finances which is ‘back of the envelope’ based and will put you in control – to the level of understanding what you need - but no more. You will feel that you have a unique and strong knowledge of your financials and your business performance. - I feel confident that I understand the financials of my business myself – but frustratingly my staff don’t. I still can’t get over to my sales team in particular that it is not just about a sale – it’s about profitability.
We educate your people in how to understand business finance in a unique way. We can quickly get the key messages over to your staff about what makes the business profitable and what they can do to make it more successful. You will feel like they know the business like you do and will be working with you, instead of against you. - Our University Offering
Our future revenue is at best uncertain and at worst threatening the long-term viability of the University. My priority now is to tighten up our financial affairs and implement austerity measures. I should also have ‘my own house in order’ as I ask other parts of the University to make unwelcome cuts. This takes time and resource – which I don’t currently have.
We have experience of going into a University and addressing financial issues to either generate income or reduce costs. We work in strict confidence and provide a Finance Director with flexible and temporary additional resource, and the means to make real progress on priority issues.