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MarketersMedia.com: Market Giants and Small Businesses Alike Are Turning to Barter to Grow Without Cash(M2 PressWIRE Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) When launching or expanding a business in today's tough economy, capital is not the only name of the game. Barter is making great strides for businesses worldwide. Phoenix, United States - When launching, sustaining or expanding a business in today's tough economy, capital is the name of the game. That's why more businesses today are turning to barter to grow. Legal and accounting services, company websites and social media marketing, software, bookkeeping, and office supplies - all are essential to a start-up or expanding small business, and all cost money. "Entrepreneurs don't have to eat up valuable cash or credit for any of these items," says Ana Hawk, founder and CEO of one the fastest growing barter organizations in the world, InstantBarter.com. "Everything a business owner needs, wants or desires for business can be bartered. Barter is the oldest method of exchange in the world. Before money food, tea, weapons, spices and even human skulls formed the basis for everyday trades." "Barter is not just for small businesses. Mercedes Benz negotiated a barter deal of their buses for bananas in a deal worth $65m. And PepsiCo had a longtime Russian barter arrangement where it traded cola for Stolichnaya vodka. Donald Trump has used it. Staples trades excess furniture they can't sell. Hertz barters use of their vehicles with Rolex as an employee retention strategy. After 10 years of service Hertz employees have been rewarded with a Rolex. Hertz gets those watches without cash in exchange for Rolex' use of their fleet." continues Hawk. In the 1960's many Americans started joining barter groups that acted like banks. The groups extended barter credit to their participants, for everything from goods and services, to saddles and horses. The provider's account would be credited, and the buyer's account would be debited. The same bartering system is flourishing today, except it's doing so online through more than a thousand companies that function much the way their predecessors did. "It's all just currency," Ms. Hawk explains. "Currency is anything you and I agree has value and that we voluntarily trade." Dr. Denise Brimmer CEO of ACD Christian Business Design, an Instant Barter member, had a great idea for a start-up but didn't have the cash to get launched the way she wanted. "One call to Ana," she says, "and everything changed. Almost instantly, services offered by our new company were added into the system, in exchange for a new website, social media marketing, and accounting services traded in by three other companies. These companies didn't need our services but wanted the barter credit for other things. Now the company is thriving, using a combination of cash, credit and barter." Here's how barter works: The first thing to do is make a list of needed services or products; for example, a new computer, a flat screen or a new paint job. Then, with list in hand, join a barter organization for a small, one-time fee and tell the assigned trader what is needed. They will then go to work, looking for items from either existing barter inventory or by recruiting new members who will trade what members are looking for. Then it's rinse and repeat. As with everything, of course, there are advantages and disadvantages depending on the organization. Some barter companies charge more than others - industry standard fees range from 5% to 15%. Instant Barter, however, takes a different approach at just 2.5% per transaction. In a tough economy, small businesses are smart to go with something as simple, tried and true as barter. Companies like Instant Barter make that happen. About Instant Barter: Instant Barter is one of the fastest growing barter organizations in the world using the unique 'No Trade Directors' strategy, getting goods and services in the hands of businesses that need it fast. The founder, Ana Hawk, was awarded most admired business leader by the Phoenix Business Journal. Their unique trading fund platform and barter education program has been called "trade done right" and "smarter barter." Learn more at http://www.InstantBarter.com. Visit http://www.instantbarter.com for more information. Via MarketersMedia.com. Original release: http://marketersmedia.com/market-giants-and-small-businesses-alike-are-turning-to-barter-to-grow-without-cash/60439 CONTACT: Ana Hawk Organization: Instant Barter Phone: 602.828.9088 Email: [email protected] Address: Phoenix, Arizona USA . (c) 2014 M2 COMMUNICATIONS |