Assignment #21 1. Based on the maximum figure in your cash-flow forecast, how much money do you need and what do you need it for? 2. How does this compare with the sum that you and your partners or shareholders are putting in (ie level of gearing)? 3. Where do you expect to raise the funds you need to finance your business? 4. Prepare a schedule showing when you need these funds. 5. How and when will any borrowing be repaid? 6. What percentage of your venture would you be prepared to sell to raise the required funds? 7. What exit route(s) could be open to potential investors? 8. What security, if any, is available as collateral for any loan? 9. Will you be receiving any grants or loans to help to finance your business (other than from the organization to which you are now applying)? 10. What further private cash, if any, is available to invest in the business? 11. What are the key risks that could adversely affect your projections? (These could include technical, financial, and marketing risks.) 12. What contingency plans do you have to either manage or minimize the consequences of these risks?

Assignment #23 1. What bookkeeping and accounting system have you chosen and why? 2. What control information does it produce and with what frequency? 3. Who will keep the books and produce the accounts? 4. What will your basic business ratios be if you achieve your financial objectives? 5. How do those ratios compare with those of either a competitor or your current organization? 6. What would you consider changing due to carrying out your ratio analysis (for example, collect money faster, carry less stock)?

Assignment #24 1. Describe your records for monitoring sales activities. 2. Draw up a customer record card for your business, or show your existing one. 3. What other marketing records do you plan to keep, eg for advertising costs and results? 4. Explain the relationship between any sales activity and the results expected. For example: 'We expect to open one new account for every ten we cold-call; or for every 10,000 cold emails sent out.'

Assignment #25 1. What other business controls do you plan to introduce into your business at the outset? 2. Why do you consider them important?