If you are looking to set up a new business or expand an existing one and require funds from a bank, factor, venture capitalist or business angel then the first item a prospective lender is likely to ask for is your Business Plan. This needs to be a well presented, cogent document leading the lender to the right decision, i.e to lend you money. For a tried, tested & trusted template then please click here.

Businesses should know the interest rates they are paying banks and/or other lenders. The Base Rate history page provides a list of Base Rate movements over the last 10 years. The margin above Base Rate a business pays its lender is negotiable (up to a point) but The Bank of England sets the Base Rate and knowing what this is is important in establishing how a business can service its debt.

There's a list of genuinely given excuses for non-payment. Many are comical but they are worrying in that they have actually been used by businesses in avoiding/delaying payment of invoices.

The business sayings page has a list of those business euphamisms and cliches which can be irritating, find out here what they really mean.

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