Traditional financing is tested, tried and true—a financial lifesaver for many companies. But, traditional financing can often be slow to materialize and onerous to obtain—not the best recipe for a business sensing a need to pounce on an opportunity now.
Hence, the appeal of alternative-financing methods, which arguably are a bit esoteric and not exactly tested, tried and true. Time will tell, of course. So how does one sift through the alternatives to find the right one for the right growth strategy?
Here are some decisions to ponder: What happens after a debt arrangement scheme? Do you want to retain as much equity as possible with the current owners to prevent share dilution and maintain management control? If so, one of the many debt instruments like convertible debt, a capital equipment sale and lease back model, or a crowdsourcing site like FundingCircle offer decent rates without an ownership stake.
Are you comfortable with a capital infusion for a small equity interest, but you don’t want to go the private-equity route because they like to run things their way? A Business Development Company (BDC) and a passive non-preferred equity arrangement both offer the means to give away a bit of the company for cash, without giving away the store or its control. (For more on BDCs, see p. 42.)
If you have no problem with a more robust equity-for-capital strategy, a crowdfunding site like CircleUp presents a way to tap seasoned investors in your industry that believe in your company’s value proposition and simply want to see it flourish. They may even have some good advice to offer, without making you feel that they’re the ones in charge.
Chief Executive Group exists to improve the performance of U.S. CEOs, senior executives and public-company directors, helping you grow your companies, build your communities and strengthen society. Learn more at chiefexecutivegroup.com.
0
1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
