As times are tough both for householders and businesses alike this is when it is important to make sure your business is operating to the optimum. Also, you may be having cash flow difficulties and be looking to raise some cash from the bank.

Now, I thought that it would be difficult to get a loan, however, I recently saw my bank manager (who is from Barclays as it happens) for one of my businesses and he said that they are encouraging lending to businesses. His comment was that Barclays had been a bit tight with their lending over recent years so they are looking to expand their lending book.

So if you are doing some cash flows and things are not looking so good and you have been listening to the news out there – things might not be as bad as they seem on the face of it. So speak with your bank manager and if he says no try Barclays or one of the other banks.

However, there is possibly a better way – if you take a look at “profit increase software” you might not actually need a loan afterall. This software, which uses Microsoft Excel to work will help you to identify ways to increase your profits and to make you focus on where your business can get increased income.

The most important thing to remember, and especially right now, is that your exisitng customers are your greatest asset, without which you would not have a business. Try thinking about what other products of services you could sell to your existing customers, instead of simply looking to attract new ones all of the time.

Look after what you have and not just look for new!