ITEC are an international examining body which offer the following courses;

Beauty Therapy
Hairdressing
Holistic Massage
Reflexology
Aromatherapy
Sports Massage
Fitness

So far they are based in 38 countries around the world including UK, Ireland, USA and Australia.

In order to gain a qualification in any of the above subjects you need to complete a practical assessment and a theory paper. The pass rate for ITEC is quite high so you need to ensure that you have a good study guide to help pass your exams.

There are several study guides on the market today but you have to make sure that the one you choose has a large set of multiple choice questions. ITEC give the format of multiple choice questions in their theory papers so revising with these types of questions is great preparation for your exams.

Using Anatomy and Physiology as an example, here are some of the types of questions that you should be revising with;

01. What is the function of the nucleolus?
a) The control the centre of the cell
b) To produce chromosomes
c) To produce protein
d) Form ribosomes – Answer

02. Onychophagy describes;
a) Egg shell nails
b) Hang nails
c) Ringworm
d) Bitten nails – Answer

03. The four plasma proteins are as follows;
a) Albumin, globulin, fibrinogen and prothrombin – Answer
b) Potassium, globulin, albumin and prothrombin
c) Albumin, potassium, fibrinogen and prothrombin
d) Iodine, prothrombin, fibrinogen and albumin

If you use your revision questions on a consistent basis then you will be able to quickly increase your knowledge on the area that you are studying.

Source by Georgina Ryan

The market for distance learning programs is divided into three segments specifically K-12 Learning, Higher Education Learning and Corporate Learning. It should be clear that "distance learning" in today's practice includes online learning, eLearning, flexible learning and blended learning. In 2012, the market for distance learning is estimated by analysts to be at US $ 90 billion. It is projected that it will reach US $ 220 billion by 2017 in which the equivalent market share of the three segments would become: K12: 27%, Higher Education: 58%, Corporate: 15%.

Global Market Leaders

In the Higher Education segment, online courses are mostly offered by top online universities across the world. The Open University in London, one of the pioneers in distance education, is currently one of the largest providers of distance learning programs to both local and international students in Europe. In the United States, the Harvard Extension School and the University of Phoenix are known for offering a wide range of distance education programs. These programs are delivered in the form of video, live web conference, and hybrid (combination of on-campus and online delivery models). At present, US and Europe markets account for more than 70% of the global distance learning industry.

Worldwide Growth Trends

Research firms are optimistic about the future of distance learning. There are predictions that by 2019, nearly half of all classes worldwide will be delivered over the internet. The rapid rise of the internet technology and the on-going academic revolutions are positive signs that the global market for distance learning programs will continue to expand. In fact, this foreseen growth is evident in the market survey conducted by Study Portals in 2013. Based on their survey of the global demand for distance education, all the seven continents is showing interest in adopting distance learning programs to their education systems. Significantly, Europe has the largest interest, with 45%, followed by Asia and Africa with 25% and 13%, respectively.

Asian Market

In Asia, the adoption of distance education programs has been significant in India, China, Pakistan, South Korea and Malaysia over the last few years. The market size of distance learning in India alone was valued at US $ 20 billion in 2014. China's online education market revenue was reported to reach approximately US $ 13 billion in 2013. With the presence of online universities and colleges that are offering online courses with affordable tuition fees in the region, Asia is also becoming a popular study destination of many international students.

Some of the most distinguished online universities providing distance learning programs in Asia are the Open University of China (OUC), Korea National Open University (KNOU), Open University of Malaysia (OUM), Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU), ASEAN Cyber ​​University , Asia e University, Indira Gandhi Open University (IGNOU), Indonesia Open University and University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU).

African Market

For many analysts, the market for distance learning programs is still in its development stage in the African region. In the last two decades, distance education programs are primarily implemented at the basic education levels. Despite the increasing number of public and private institutions offering distance learning programs, the existing information and communication technology is still insufficient to meet the huge and fast-growing demand for distance education in Africa.

In the higher education sector, the three well-known online universities offering distance learning programs in Africa are the University of South Africa (UNISA), African Virtual University, and National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). In 2011, Hanover Research estimated that less than 45% of student in Africa are enrolled in higher education. But with the occurrence of more virtual campuses, a significant increase in tertiary controls was observed in the region in the privileged years. And with the on-going collaborative efforts of local and international agencies specifically the South Africa's Council on Higher Education, African Council for Distance Education (ACDE), UNESCO and national governments across Africa, analysts are optimistic that the market for distance learning programs in the region will be able to cope up with the demand in the years to come.

On a larger scale, distance education programs now play a significant role in improving the quality of education systems of many countries around the globe. With the introduction of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) in 2012, more online universities, eLearning schools, distance learning providers, and top colleges and universities were seen to participate in this dynamic education market. The United States, UK, China, India, South Korea, Malaysia, Australia and Africa are among the nations that are now leading the way in distance education. Enrolments in online courses in these countries are increasing. Today, it is estimated that there are around 19 million students enrolled in online courses in higher education institutions worldwide.

Source by Paul B Hata

Do you know if you use someone's intellectual property in your product / service or other business activities without permission, it can create a lot of problems in the future? Yes, this is true. No matter the industry your business belongs to; Whether it is automobile, healthcare, education, information technology, online services, or entertainment, you need to be familiar with the term IP INFRINGEMENT .

What is IP infringement?

A patent is an exclusive right granted to the inventor to exclude others from making, using, or selling its technologies. IP infringement refers to using patented technologies without permission, and in such case, the patente can take legal action against the infringers. The IP protection is valid for 20 years from the issue date.

Let's take an example. Suppose, you invented a small toy, and you want to earn money by selling the units in your country / region. Would you allow your neighbors to manufacture the similar or updated versions, and sell in the market? Of course not. Patenting your idea allows you use your idea the way you want to, and stop IP infringement activities. If you found copycats, you can file IP infringement case, and get royalties.

If you can not allow someone to use your innovative idea, why would others allow you to do so? If you use someone's intellectual property, you can be sued in the court. Thus, when manufacturing a product / service or planning any business strategies, always make sure you are not doing any kind of patent infringement.

How do I know If I am infringing someone's IP rights?

This is a common question, which almost every businessperson has nowdays. Patent infringement does not mean that you intentionally steal someone's IP rights. Suppose, you developed a product / service, which uses the same design, concept, technology area, working principle, etc. on which someone holds patent (but you do not have knowledge about that). If you bring your product / service in the market, you will be liable for patent infringement.

Every patent has a claim section, which describes the scope of the invention, area of ​​IP protection, etc. By studying claims, you can know whether you are infringing someone's IP rights. But, there are a number of patent applications filed every month, how do you check IP infringement? Get FTO Analysis !

FTO is an abbreviated form of Freedom to Operate, and it helps determine if you are free to set up your business operations or launch a product / service in a country / region without doing any IP infringement. FTO study provides complete details about the patented technologies (in a given country / region) similar to that of your product.

FTO analysis allows you to:

• Know opportunities of IP infringement for new product launches.
• Determine competitors' upcoming products / services, technologies and programs.
• Know IP licensing opportunities.
• Develop exclusive business strategies, and increase success rate.

Conclusion

The product development process is not simple, and requires a lot of time and money. If your product infringes the patented technologies, you can be in serious IP infringement cases. So, before launching your product / service, get FTO analysis done from a reputed IP company, and avoid patent infringement in the future.

Source by Gurdeep Singh

If you want to know a secret way of using all the scams and con artists in your market to your advantage when writing your ads and sales letters, then this article will show you how.

Here’s the story:

A couple hours from where I live is a rather unusual house. I won’t say it’s “haunted.” (I don’t believe in ghosts.) But methinks there’s some bad mojo going on there. And it’s given my wife and me an extremely… uneasy… vibe whenever we’ve driven past it. (It’s one of those places where you can almost feel the hairs on your arms bristle when you get near it.)

But you know what? We’ve got freaky places like that online, too.

I’m talking about copywriting so blatantly manipulative and dishonest (usually targeted at newbies) one can get a bad vibe from it without knowing anything about the product, the website owner or even the market.

Just reading for a few seconds is all it takes.

It’s truly freaky how easy it is for some people to lie, con, cheat and steal from unsuspecting (often gullible) people like that. As if it’s “the thing to do” now. But guess what?

These “haunted” sales letters open up a HUGE opportunity, too — especially for anyone who’s willing to put away the fancy tricks and tips and go the opposite way.

For example…

We’re pretty much at the point where just having an ad that doesn’t scream “sales job!” ALONE flings you past the rest of the bleating herd of black hat marketers trying to trick people into buying.

Using “candor” (being candid about your product — especially its drawbacks) is extremely profitable, too.

Frankly, just treating your prospects like thinking people (instead of cattle) can make you stand out like a fart in study hall.

These things aren’t always considered “sexy” these days. But these proven principles have lasted the test of time, in every market imaginable. And there’s no reason they won’t work for you, too.

Source by Ben Settle

Market forecasting is a challenging part of stock market analysis as market prediction has become the most complex task of an analyst. Market forecasting helps a trader to choose the type of security, the time of buy or sell a security and the amount that they should invest on that security.

The type of analysis used by the traders or market analysts falls into two major categories-

1. Fundamental Analysis

2. Technical Analysis

Both of the above methods rely on certain information that comes from various news sources, analytical data or investments charts.

Fundamental Analysis-

Fundamental analysis involves careful study of company’s financial operations, economic condition, assets, debts, management, products and completion. Thus fundamental analysis is based on the study of financial and industry information of a company to predict the movement of the price of its stock. Fundamental analysis is usually helpful in long term investment and day traders do not rely much on it. However some believe that the simultaneous study of fundamentals and technical can result better for day trading.

Technical Analysis

Technical analysis is the method of evacuating securities by analyzing stock charts. It includes the analysis of market data, volume and open interest in order to predict the future trend of a stock. The analysts study the company’s past performance and study the charts to analyze if there are any patterns in the price of that security. Information about a stock’s price, volume and other important information can be displayed on a graphical chart. There are various software where study of such graph can be done very effectively and easily to study the patterns and trends. These patterns further used to determine when to buy or sell a security.

Majority of the day traders rely on technical analysis to make their trading decision. There are many advisories which provide stocks and nifty tips on the basis of technical and fundamental analysis.

Source by Deep Kandpal

I spent years trying to study the world monopolists and stupendously rich men to find out the secrets for dominating the marketplace. Then one day, I heard Dr Myles Munroe preach on Genesis 1:28 and I was blown away by the obvious ‘secrets’ for marketplace dominance in that one singular verse. I was stunned when I finally realized that God had actually given the recipes for dominating the marketplace to Adam and Eve all the way back in the garden of Eden!.

In Genesis 1:28 we saw the secrets clearly revealed when God said to the newly created Adam and Eve: “be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over every living thing that moves on the earth”. A careful reading of Genesis 1:28 actually contained the recipes for achieving dominance and monopoly in any business enterprise.

After identifying the surprisingly simple steps, I checked every monopolist and market dominator’s practices against them and found out that they hold true in every industry or calling. Every successful business man who ever achieved total dominance in their market followed these four steps. These four Keys are very simple to understand from the passage. Get these four Keys and you will open the door to marketplace dominance in any industry!

#1:THE FRUITFULNESS KEY- The first commandment of God to Adam and Eve was that they should be FRUITFUL. This is the genesis to marketplace dominance. You must have an original idea. You must create something new (fruitfulness is products coming out of the hard ground to the surface!). You cannot just be a copycat. You must have a definite niche and a fresh approach or new application of a product, idea or thinking. Microsoft. Apple.CNN. Walmart. Pastor Adeboye of RCCG. Kodak. AMAZON. GOOGLE. Ford, UPS etc were all innovators of new ideas or new approach to what is already in place. Look at any industry’s leader. They were fruitful in a way the market cannot deny. They were FRUITFUL in an original way. They were productive in an innovative fashion. Everything starts and ends with an original idea. ‘Fruitfulness’ is the first key to marketplace dominance. The question we should all take time to answer in prayer and fasting is: What is my ‘fruitfulness’? What original idea has God given me? What new approach can I introduce to a crowded market? This is the first key. Without this key, the Kingdompreneur is destined for a life of mediocrity or mere sufficiency. Abundance cannot happen without ‘fruitfulness’

#2 THE MULTIPLICATION KEY- God then told them to MULTIPLY. Multiplication involves replication and mass production of an idea. It involves creating a system that allows the idea to move from one prototype to many copies for consumption. It involves thinking beyond the local or immediate use. It involves the idea being duplicated in different offices, locations and mediums. Until you learn to multiple your ‘fruit’ or idea, you can never dominate the market place. This is the 2nd step to achieving market place dominance. A look at the champions in every industry will confirm this astounding fact. Pastor Adeboye found a way to MULTIPLY the evangelism and church planting ‘fruit’ by creating the Model Parish system that transformed the RCCG church from less than 100 parishes when he became G.O to over 30,000 parishes with more than 12 million followers in less 20 years. Bill Gates took the market away from IBM by finding better ways to multiply operating system. Ford took the automobile industry to another level and ascended to dominance by mass producing automobiles that everybody can buy. Google revolutionized the advertizing industry with its pay-per-click search engine that makes internet advertising accessible by any computer in the world. Amazon took over the book store by globalizing the bookstore and making books available for purchase by everybody all over the world at the same time. You cannot be a dominator or a monopoly until you find a way to mass produce the ‘fruit’.

#3 THE REPLENISHMENT KEY- God directed then that after Adam and Eve has achieved fruitfulness and figured out how to multiply, the next step is to REPLISH. Replenishment involves distribution of the multiplied fruits to the final consumer. To become a dominant force, you must strive to control the system of distribution. A multiplied product is useless. Many great ideas never achieve their potential because the originators could not master and control the source of distribution for the ‘fruits’, product or idea. This is the third inescapable Key for market place dominance for any business person. This key explains why an industry like Nollywood (Nigeria’s much vaunted movie industry) has not yet achieved the world wide breakthrough its potential demands. We have mastered the ‘fruitfulness’ part (we pioneered and mastered theater of low budget films on cheap video cameras. This was so innovative that even Hollywood and bollywood sent people to study the phenomenon. I know because I met some of this stunned investigators from the U.S). We have also mastered the ‘multiplication’ part. You can generally do mass production of any quantity in Nigeria now with less than 30 days delivery time. However, we are non-starters in the area of REPLISHMENT. The distribution system in Nigeria is still largely limited to 3 or 4 major markets in 3 cities, controlled by a few people who have no clue or who have chosen to ignore the new world realities and imperative paradigm for worldwide distribution of content which include theater releases, merchandizing, per-per-view, internet streaming, stores, rentals. Walmart, without producing anything, became the world’s leader by solving the distribution problem in the retail industry. They invested heavily in massive stores located in little towns and villages and then held producers to ransom with their pricing strategy. General Motors and Ford are losing the fight to Honda and Toyota in the market place because while the Japanese companies were busy finding more and more distribution markets in Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia and even in the U.S with cheaper cars and faster turnarounds, American companies are trapped in their own provincial thinking, rising costs of labor compared to other countries, corporate gluttony and debt which continues to hamper their multiplication and replenishment efforts.

#4. THE SUBJUGATION KEY- The final commandment God gave them for achieving dominance was to subdue the earth. This involves a corporate strategy and alliances that subdues the competitors in the marketplace makes your organization indispensable or a force to be reckoned with in its industry. Even with anti-trust laws in the U.S, Microsoft continues to be the superpower in micro computer software by systematically swallowing up upstarts and disrupting their source of multiplication or replenishment. Bill Gates understood the power of subduing the competition. After dealing with fruitfulness, Multiplication and replenishment key, Gates spent years to cultivate the final key. For years Bill Gates insisted that only his own operating system could be carried on computers that want it. Because of the multiplication and replenishment capabilities of Microsoft, the other companies had no choice. Same strategy, Walmart spent years honing its replenishment skills before utilizing the final key to marketplace monopoly in undercutting every other store in the retail business.

Indeed The ‘rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer’ is actually a biblical statement! The first three keys are absolutely essential before you can apply the fourth key of subduing the marketplace. Once the market is subdued, Dominance becomes automatic. Of course getting to the fourth key is a long way for most of us at this time but we can certainly start working on the first key. We all need that fresh idea and that cutting edge ‘fruitfulness that will launch us on the road to dominion in the marketplace.

Source by Dr. Ope Banwo

Launching a new business or a new product is always tricky, especially with today's more competitive landscape. As much as business people want to be profitable, there is no escaping the fact that it can only be achieved by being relevant and unique to their target market forever. Otherwise, why else would they continue purchasing the product, right?

As a designer, this where you come in and play a critical role in the success of that launch. Leading the way and guiding the client to choose to invest in design from the very beginning of the process guarantees its success outright.

And here are some ways to motivate your client to do so during the pitch:

1. Talk about research.

More often, designers fail not because of their design but because it's not grounded in reality, with reality being charts and numbers that the client can appreciate. Instead of simply aesthetics, be a more proactive designer by coming up with market research to back your design. It can be as simple as a SWOT analysis of the design of the packaging or a market study of items which it may look like in the market. If the client's product is food and their outside packaging resembles that of a detergent, share it; that would be much appreciated by the client as they know that you took the time to check the market than simply giving out designs from a computer.

With your design knowledge, the research phase of your pitch can also be a teachable moment for the client. You can explain why your design chooses the colors that it does and its psychological impact to the market that you are trying to penetrate.

2. Explain the joy of failing in testing

Although it may seem counterintuitive, encouraging testing even for something as simple as a focus group discussion can pay off well in the long run. Testing with the actual product through 3D rendering can also be smart as actual people can get to the item and give feedback even before it hits the shelves and the paying hands of the customers.

Tell your client this: would they rather produce the product and fail or fail now and iterate and then go into production? Would firing, shooting, before aiming a much more expensive activity to undergo?

3. Make the process fun and economic.

So okay, your client is 50 percent sold to the idea of ​​great design. But be reminded that these are business people with real goals which missed targets have a lot of effect on their work and that of their companies. Make it fun, a learning time, but have a solid strategy and timeline. Delaying the launch of the product is one thing, but not being able to launch due to your delays is another.

Be smart and objective, have a schedule, and win the case for great design.

Source by Michelle Lamoste

Algorithmic Trading uses automated pre-programmed trading conditions to execute orders in real-time in stock exchange. Since 2008, algorithmic trading has gained prominence in Indian markets and they are efficiently utilising the market inefficiencies for their own benefit.

Automation is the natural passage for any technology in future. Since investment is a process – it will translate better into Algorithmic Trading. Despite Algo trading being in incipient stage in India, it comprises to nearly 50 percent of the overall trading. The amount is highly low, as compared to the US and the UK markets where more than 90 percent of the trades (at much higher volumes) are done using algorithms.

The Indian market provides a decently good opportunity for Algo traders with its

• smart order routing system

• co-location facilities and sophisticated technology at both the major exchanges

• stock exchanges that are well-established and liquid

The Indian market is taking on the growing trend of and demand of HFT and Algorithmic Trading by educating its members about the technology. It is also helping them develop the skill sets required to help them understand the complications in trading.

For the Indian Algo trading scenario, Mr Richard Gula says, “Expect high sophisticated Algo development, but likely focused on a relatively small number of liquid stocks. Liquidity will define the success of the effort. Regulatory issues could mushroom”. Mr Gula develops and deploys databases on equities, futures, ETFs, and has built, managed and used financial databases since 1975.

Mr Gula further states that the Indian market should be approached with a separate strategy that should consist of:

• Identifying the right stocks driving the market

• Study and understand entire Indian market

• Understand the ways of old traders and extract information

• Create specific market rules to drive the algorithms on the macro scale

• Create tailor-made algorithms per each stock for the frequently traded stocks

Speed is of the essence where HFT executes trades in sub-milliseconds – traders will require algorithms and solutions that offer low latency and faster computation.

With the further evolving of the market each day, statistical models require constant tweaking. It is already apparent that algorithmic trading is used by the investors to customize algorithms and automate their trading strategies to manipulate their objectives. There is also the use of artificial intelligence solutions with the capacity to adapt to changing markets. These systems will be able to use news, satellite images, social media feeds, etc. to predict market trends.

However, the introduction of Algo trading in Indian stock markets – one of the most liquid open markets in the world – is looking to a betterment of the trading market. India can easily open up to foreign investors they would go for Algo trading in a big way. Algo trading is quickly becoming the future of the markets, with its minimal cost and risk in executing an order.

Source by Richa Vani

If you are looking to really learn how the stock market works, then you are probably looking around for a Stock Market Training Course. There are many training courses out there, but there are a few things you need to know before selecting the right one for you.

Most training courses available focus on Technical Analysis.

What is Technical Analysis? Technical Analysis is the study of supply and demand in the stock market, by comparing the history of stock price movements and volume (the number of shares traded). Understanding the way the price moves in relation to the Open, High, Low and Closing Prices on a given minute, hour, day, week or month and comparing that to the volume can give an insight into future market direction. The data required is usually displayed in a Stock Chart so it is easily consumed.

The science / art of technical analysis usually falls into different areas of study:

• Supply & Demand – Stock Price Movement vs Volume
• Trend Following – understanding what trends are
• Waves & Cycle Analysis – understanding how markets move, the Business Cycles, Seasonal Cycles, Fibonacci Waves.
• Stock Charts – Price – plotting price in charts to understand the history of the Stock, Share or Market Index using Bars, Candlesticks or Point and Figure Charting.
• Trend Interpretation – Drawing Trend Lines – Support and Resistance Lines
• Price Indicators – the study of price based chart indicators or Oscillators know as Stochastics,”Relative Strength Index” (RSI), “Rate of Change” (ROC), “Moving Averages” (MA), “Moving Average Convergence Divergence” (MACD), Parabolic SAR, ADX Average Direction Movement Index.
• Study of Volume – understanding how the level of volume has a relationship with price – and how price has a relationship with volume.
• Study of Price Volume Indicators – “On Balance Volume” (OBV), Chaikins Money Flow, “Time Segmented Volume” (TSV), MoneyStream.
• Market Sentiment – understanding the madness of crowds

What are the Positives Of Technical Analysis Courses If taught correctly they can help your understand one side of the stock market equation. This is the “effect” part of the cause and effect equation. Technical Analysis Studies:

• the What – What has just happened
• the Effect – Not the cause
• the Market Action – what is happening “real time” at the moment
• the Price
• the trends

Where do most Stock Market Training Courses fail. Most stock market training courses focus exclusively on Technical Analysis, this can be misleading. I support technical analysis and am myself a Certified Technical Analyst, however having only an understanding of technical analysis can cause problems for the trader or investor. The main issues are:

• No grasp of economics – no understanding of basic economic facts of life can cause an investor to be trading in a business or economic climate that is fundamentally bad, reducing any probability of success.
• No grasp of company fundamentals – trading a stock that is on the edge of financial suicide reduces the odds of success of you are buying long. Of course if you are shorting a stock you also need to be able to understand the financial situation of a company.

Many stock market technical analysis courses also do not cover vitally important questions such as:

• Economic Health & the Business Climate
• Company Fundamental Analysis
• Risk Management
• Portfolio Management
• Tracking Trades
• Creating a system
• Psychology

Also most stock market training is extremely expensive, usually $2000 + for a weekend seminar.

Stock Market Training Summary Now you know what to look for when deciding on an stock market education provider. Ensure that Technical and Fundamental Analysis is included, combined with a splash of economics and a good dose of Money Management, Risk Management and Psychology / Mindset. Also ensure is has a lot of hands on practical examples and teaches YOU how to build YOUR OWN stock trading system.

Source by Barry D. Moore

Funding is at the heart of every real estate project. In my previous article I discussed the disparity of financial benefits between direct cash investment and bank financing. Profit is maximized when bank financing can be obtained, so positioning your project so that it can achieve bank financing has a direct impact on your bottom line. Professional documentation can also have a direct impact on your bottom line, as it can enhance the financial terms and rates that lenders are willing to offer, making your project more or less profitable.

So, how can you best position and structure your project to achieve effective bank financing and improve profitability? Following is a summary of what we consider to be “the key to effective project financing”.

Create a professional plan

Describe your real estate project with a concise and professional document. This will help save time in the underwriting process, and provide a clear understanding to underwriters and bank representatives so that they can more easily facilitate and support your funding request. While projects vary in type, size, structure and scope, the following elements should be included in most plans:

• Executive summary – Typically a 1-2 page narrative description of the project outlining the basic details and financial highlights.
• Location details – Describe and illustrate the location, specifics and advantages of the project site and area.
• Visual illustrations – Site survey, site plan, elevations, floor plans, renderings and other material that can help visually describe the project.
• Financial Pro Forma – Demonstrate the uses of funds, sources of funds, project costs, operating projections, cash flow and all other financial details of the project in a professional manner that can be easily interpreted by bank representatives and underwriters. We recommend preparing a 1-page financial summary of the project in addition to the intricate details.
• Capitalization Plan – Narrative that summarizes the funding structure, strategies and approaches of funding the project.
• Market Study – Demonstrate the current and projected value of the project. Describe market, sales and/or lease trends, competitive environment, supply and demand factors, and other market conditions.
• Team Bio – Describe the project team and discuss their education, experience and contribution to the project.
• Attachments – Purchase agreement, leases, architectural drawings, bids, contracts, and other supporting documentation.

Third-party validation

Your plan is stronger and more effective when you include third-party validation to the lender. This can also help facilitate the underwriting process and make your project more favorable to the lender. Third party validation can be demonstrated in the form of various documents that are provided to your lender, including:

• Comparative market analysis – Demonstrates the viability of the proposed sales and/or leasing strategies.
• Project feasibility analysis – Demonstrates the viability of estimated project costs, revenues, expenses, cash flow and operating projections of the project.
• Market feasibility analysis – Demonstrates the viability of the project given market trends, supply and demand, absorption rates, propensity of sales and other market factors.
• Appraisal – Demonstrates the current and/or future value of the project.

Find the right funding sources

When your project is ready to be presented, start with contacting your local banks, then search for regional and national lenders that fund similar types of projects. Make sure you understand their financing programs and ensure that the financial details of your project wall within the lenders’ general financing parameters, such their loan-to-cost ratio (LTC), loan-to-value ratio (LTV), debt service coverage ratio (DSCR), internal rate of return (IRR), return on investment ratio (ROI), capitalization rate, and such.

Present your plan professionally and close the deal

In my experience, a professional multimedia presentation always enhances the ability to obtain funding. You can simply provide paperwork to your lender; or you can meet with the lender in person, professionally present your project, then provide the professional documentation at the meeting. The latter is always preferred over the former. Be prepared to answer questions concisely and to provide back up data and documents that validate your assumptions.

Follow up regularly to ensure your loan request is effectively processed. If and when an initial term sheet or letter of intent is provided by the lender, have an attorney review thoroughly and work directly with the lender to consummate a loan agreement and close the deal.

Other potential funding sources for your project can include private equity investors, hard money lenders, joint venture partnerships, private placement memorandum investments (PPM), and other sources that can be included within the financial structure of your project to assist in meeting the equity and guarantee requirements of lenders. My next article will discuss equity-raising strategies that can help reduce risk and exposure, and can expand funding possibilities for your project.

Source by Ricky Trinidad