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Insights, Advice and Referrals

For assistance with your company physical, look to your business banker. "You should always sit down with your banker once a year," says Silverman. "Not only can this lead to more effective financing alternatives, but talking with your banker can be an excellent way to receive impartial feedback and advice."

"It's fairly common that a business hasn't had a chance to address every strategic issue," affirms National City Bank's Thorson. "Sometimes all that's necessary is a person to bounce issues off of. For instance, a meeting with our internal HR manager can facilitate your strategic planning. If additional resources are required, we can put you in touch with one or more external experts drawn from our extensive referral network."

Recruit, Reward, Retain

But, providing you with the appropriate HR mentors is only the beginning. "We offer employee benefits resources that keep you on par or ahead of your competition," says Thorson. "For emerging businesses, we can start with smaller plans, such as SEPs or IRAs. For larger enterprises, we go beyond 401k's -- our benefits packages and management capabilities offers you a robust array of options that can be tailored to fit your business."

National City Bank also specializes in bringing your employees along. "We can provide personal, one-on-one financial planning for you and your employees," Thorson says. "This includes assistance with assets outside of the employment relationship, such as retirement benefit plan rollovers from a former employer, personal investments or an inheritance or other family gift."

To help you retain key individuals, National City Bank even offers non-qualified plans, Thorson says. "We can help you design an attractive non-qualified plan as well as evaluate which of your employees should be included in the plan."

More Than The Money

When it comes to finances, expect more than just a review of your line of credit or long-term capitalization needs. "We look at all of the doors where cash is coming in and all the doors where it's going out," explains Thorson. "There may be better ways to proceed that not only benefit your bottom line but also improve relations with your customers and suppliers."

For example, one way to improve back-office processes is by directing payments to a lockbox and employing Optilink^sm, National City Bank's Web-based account management tool. "Payments that arrive at a lockbox are deposited in your account the same day," Thorson says. "And, if you add Optilink^sm, you can view intra-day activities and initiate same-day transactions."

"A lockbox/Optilink^sm combination can improve your customer relations in numerous ways, such as reducing calls to those who have already paid," he continues. "Among the various operational benefits is the capability to download account data directly into your computer system, which reduces time spent posting manually."

E-commerce Expertise

National City Bank can also keep you on top of e-business developments, says Thorson. "Because we're involved with monitoring and assessing the present and future of electronic commerce, we can provide you with plain-English information and advice."

Whether it's determining equipment needs, establishing security protocols and procedures, providing electronic payment capability or even tapping into e-marketplaces, National City Bank can help you negotiate the online environment. "E-commerce transactions can be accomplished at a fifth to a tenth the cost of the paper world," Thorson says. "We want to assist you with realizing such efficiencies while freeing you to focus on the business of doing business."

Leaving A Legacy

Not surprisingly, ensuring the future of your business is yet another way National City Bank can be involved. "We believe succession and exit strategies aren't just about turning over your business," says Thorson. "What you want for your business, your employees and your family is equally important."

"Every single one of us knows a neighbor, friend or relative for whom life didn't turn the way they planned," he emphasizes. "It can happen in your sixties or in your twenties, which is why planning ahead is vital for every business owner."

Whatever your business size or type, managing it's evolution is the prescription for success. "Your business goes through lifestages just as you do," observes Thorson. "National City Bank can help you periodically evaluate all aspects of your business and help you to identify any changes necessary to meet the challenges of both next year and years beyond."

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