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The Perfect Golfing Gifts For Father’s Day

Golf is a very popular sport and hobby for many dads, if you are stuck for ideas when you have to find some sort of present for father’s day then there are plenty of golf related gifts that you could choose from that are sure to put a smile on your dad’s face this June the 20th.Golf gifts can often be personalised making them extra special such as imprinting their name on golf balls which can help when arguing over whose ball has landed closest to the flag or which one is now half buried in the bunker. Golf gloves and other accessories are a great idea as they are practical and your father will get plenty of use out of them.If your father comes back from a game and is always cursing about how poorly he’s done then perhaps you could help him out by buying him one of the many golf training aids, there are plenty of putting practice kits which look like a regular hole which they could easily squeeze in a few practice putts whether they are at home or in the office.There are other ways to practice other aspects of the game of golf such as chipping trainers which provide a target to aim for that should help them land the ball where they want when approaching the flag.Golf clothing is another welcome gift as a lot of people tend to not pay much attention to what they wear when they play golf but there are plenty of specialist golf clothing items such as polo shirts and even waterproof clothing which can be a welcome addition to the golf bag when the heavens open. Proper golf clothing is going to allow freedom of movement as well as being more breathable so you can keep cool even under pressure on the 18th hole.Another great gift idea for the golfing father is a novelty driver cover; these are designed to protect the driver but are often in form of some sort of animal or cartoon character. If you want to choose an animal that suits your dad such as a dragon if he has a bit of a temper then that can make the gift even more special.With a wide range of different gift ideas you could easily find the perfect gift for father’s day and many of these items are available at your local golf shop too. Obviously there are also golf clubs but these are a highly personal item that the receiver will have to choose for themselves to ensure they are happy with the way they feel. Unless you know for sure which clubs they have had their eye on you may be best to steer clear of buying golf clubs as a present as they are a pretty expensive gift to buy and may not be worth the risk.

Acne Skin Care

Acne skin care is a priority for many people since over ninety percent of us will unfortunately suffer with acne breakouts at some time during our lives. The right skin care routine can combat blemishes and prevent future flareups from occurring.Three Step Acne Skin CareAcne-prone skin is like taking care of any other skin type when it comes to basics – you always use a three step system. Whether your system is based on natural elements, over-the-counter remedies or prescriptions, you will always use a cleanser, toner and moisturizer.Wash your face twice daily with a gentle cleanser to remove dead skin cells, dirt and oils. Next, use a toner to get rid of the residue that may remain after cleansing, Finally, apply a light, non-comedogenic moisturizer to maintain your skin’s balance. Moderate to severe acne sufferers can use specialized acne cream with ingredients such as tea tree oil or benzoyl peroxide to combat breakouts while replenishing moisture.Never combine acne skin care routines. Certain ingredients do not mix well with others and you should never conduct a potentially harmful chemistry experiment on your face. By sticking with one line of acne treatment products at a time, you can identify what works and what does not work without irritating your skin.Also, certain ingredients in your acne treatment products can actually aggravate the condition and should be avoided. Elements that should not be included in your everyday skin care regime include lanolin, mineral oil, parabens and propylene glycol that can cause inflammation and irritation.Controlling BreakoutsThere are acne skin care remedies that can help clear up pimples and prevent future breakouts. Over the counter acne skin care treatments that contain benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid and tea tree oil are particularly helpful for clearing up this skin problem.To remove dead skin cells that can clog your pores and aggravate acne, you can use clay masks, micro-dermabrasion and exfoliating scrubs. Avoid harsh treatments that will strip or irritate your skin, causing additional breakouts.The Right DietIncluding certain vitamins in your diet is an essential part of an effective acne skin care routine. Vitamins to enhance your acne skin care program include vitamin A (found in carrots and tomatoes), vitamin B (found in meats and whole grains), vitamin C (found in oranges and lemons), vitamin E (found in almonds and vegetable oil) and zinc (found in eggs and mushrooms). Your daily diet should include six to eight glasses of water daily to flush toxins out of your system for clearer skin.Foods that really do not belong in your everyday diet (and can also pack on unwanted weight) include fried foods, chocolate, sweets, saturated fats, soft drinks and alcohol.Acne Regimes Take TimeNo matter which acne treatment option you choose, remember it takes time to see results. Allow six to eight weeks for your program to work before changing your routine or trying a new one.
By following a practical acne skin care treatment routine, you can enjoy a more glowing complexion in just a few weeks.

Business Acquisition Financing – Beware of Advisors

Business acquisition financing is right up there with your basic root canal. It may be necessary but it most certainly is not fun.

In fact the overall process for acquiring an ongoing business can be a mind sucking affair, very expensive,and in the end unfruitful.

Why is the process so frustrating?

The answer in many cases is the advisors involved.

That’s right, the very people that are paid to complete the deal, are the same ones that kill it.

Let me explain.

All deals have two sides, a buyer and a seller. Both sides have to rely on their third party advisors for advise on such things as legal, valuation, taxation, finance, etc.

Unfortunately, the business acquisition financing issues do not tend to be dealt with in the construction of the purchase and sale agreement, creating sometimes unworkable issues for potential lenders.

When buyers and sellers rely heavily on advisors, there is automatically less chance for the deal to succeed. Why? Because it can be impossible for both sides to agree or reconcile issues between the advisors without great cost and time delays.

The advisors are commissioned by their clients to protect the client’s best interest. But in this process of protection, it can be very difficult to get both sides to agree on all issues as both groups of advisors are coming at each issue from the opposite point of view. The result is a deal between buyer and seller in principal that can’t get closed.

Even when the purchase and sale agreement does get finalized, there may be terms and conditions that are now not acceptable to your source or sources of business acquisition financing.

If the agreement has to be reworked for the lender, this can be the beginning of the end as it may have already taken the powers of heaven and earth to get everything agreed to and signed off the first time. Making revisions can be like opening Pandora’s box with no hope of ever getting it closed again.

If this all sounds bleak and depressing, it certainly can be.

The stark reality is that if you’re going to buy or sell a small business you need to self educate yourself to some degree before you get started.

Here are some points to consider:

>>> Approach the deal on a Win – Win basis. Too often in deal making, one side is trying to pull a fast one on the other and try to come out better that they otherwise would have.

This is a dangerous strategy because no matter what you and the other party agree to in principle, the advisors will weigh in at some point and likely uncover any inequity that was created in the negotiations. Not only does the deal now become more complicated as a new basis for agreement needs to be established, but there may also be distrust forming between the parties, either of which could end up killing the deal.

>>> Be the decision maker. There is nothing wrong with getting advise from advisors when trying to close a deal and arrange business acquisition financing. Just don’t turn all the decision making authority over to the advisors. Take all the counsel as input and then decide for yourself what issues to bend on and which issues are sacred cows.

>>> Select Deal Makers. Make sure that advisors you chose to work with (lawyers, accountants, business consultants) are deal makers not deal breakers. A working definition of a deal maker is simply someone who has a lengthy track record for closing the type of deal you are trying to consummate. These individuals have a combination of the right technical ability, relevant experience, and ego control necessary to truly add value for the money you’re going to have to pay them if the deal closes or not.

>>> Pre-Qualify the business acquisition financing requirements. Make sure that the buyer has the means to acquire financing. The buyer typically needs to have 1/3 to 1/2 the purchase price as a down payment, depending on the industry and the hard assets being acquired. Good credit and a solid net worth can also be requirements for suitable financing. The seller needs to be prepared to work with different financing options before getting too deep into due diligence. Will a vendor take back be required? How long is the vendor willing to assist with the business after sale? How much working capital is the vendor draining out of the business?

>>> Consult with a financing consultant. Whether you’re the buyer or the seller, there is great value to talking the potential deal over with a financing consultant before your accountant and lawyer start running up their tab respective tabs.

From the seller’s point of view, a financing consultant can be invaluable in providing insight as to how to get the business in a financial position. From the buyer’s point of view, a financing consultant can provide guidelines as to lender requirements. In either case, there is no sense going through all the potential aggravation of closing a deal if its unlikely to attract the necessary business acquisition financing capital.

>>> Become blood brothers (or sisters) with the other side. A close working relationship between the buyer and the seller can stop the deal from going down bunny trails and sitting unnecessarily on an advisor’s desk. Always listen to your chosen advisors, but remember that as buyer and seller, its your collective deal, and you’re the one’s who will make or break it when the issues are cloudy and the timelines are dragging on.

>>> Set a realistic time frame. Negotiating the deal, going through due diligence, getting advisor input, writing up the deal, and getting financing in place normally takes more time than first estimated.