It is imperative that a business owner understand cash flow and how it drives the business. There are three basic considerations for understanding the rhythm of the cash flow of a business.

• Cash In – It is imperative to track the money into the business. This is best done with an accounting software package which can track your receivables.
• Cash Out – The flip side of cash in. This is an accounting of the money flowing out for such things as rent, cost of goods sold, compensation for employees, etc.
• Forecasting – This is especially important for seasonal businesses such as lawn services, contractors, etc. To recognize the trends in cash flow will help the business owner plan for lean times and adjust cash flow to compensate for those.

Whether starting or growing a business, in a seasonal or year round niche, there is a definite rhythm to cash flow. The rhythm of cash flow can make or break the business. To be successful, the business owner must recognize and work within the constraints of the cash flow rhythm of their particular business.

As an owner of a factoring business, I like to provide as much information as possible on how factoring receivables works.  One question that occasionally comes up, both from potential clients and people interested in my business “What will customers think?”   Put more simply, “How will factoring receivables affect my relationship with my customers?”

Some people have the mistaken idea that only businesses in financial crisis work with factoring companies.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  In contrast, most small businesses utilize factoring because they are growing too fast!   I commonly refer to this scenario has small businesses experiencing “Growing Pains” that result in the need for factoring.  More and more, as people are getting more educated on factoring receivables, they are finding factoring as an excellent alternative to help relieve the pains of growing a small business.  In fact, most large companies are very accustomed to working with a factoring company on behalf of their vendors.

Most of the businesses that we work with are startups, companies experiencing growth, or seasonal service providers.   As we all know ‘cash is king’.  All businesses, whatever their phase, are driven to success by liquidity. Very few businesses can wait 30 to 60 days for payment of their invoices.

Factoring, along with the added cash flow it provides, can actually improve a business’s relationship with their customers.   As a by-product, factoring allows business owner to focus on their core business, increasing sales, and providing excellent customer service because they aren’t chasing down payments or constrained by tightened cash flow.  Improved liquidity provides for a better level of service and that is a win-win for everyone involved.

Business owners, whether in the start-up or growth phase, frequently find that cash flow is a challenge. It is difficult to acquire a small business loan in the current economic climate. Yes, we are seeing some indications of recovery, but the lending environment has not seen a big turnaround in terms of ease of getting working capital for new or growing businesses. There are many reasons for this, but at the top of the list is the businesses lack of a ‘bankable history’ that lenders need to assess their credit worthiness. How is a fledgling business to improve their bank-ability?

Much like the conundrum of the person new on the job market that can’t get a job because they have no work experience, how can a business in the start-up or building phase show they are a good credit risk? Cash flow is the life blood of a business, no matter what the size or phase of business. A new or growing small business must find a way to get working capital in order to keep the doors open, make payroll, purchase goods and supplies from vendors, and a multitude of other things vital to helping the business get a firm footing.

Here are a few suggestions that can help with the loan process:

• Ensure you have a strong business plan in place – this will demonstrate to a lender that you have a well thought out plan to succeed in business.
• Exhibit a strong marketing plan – a lender likes to see you have a plan of attack to carry the business forward and get the exposure you need to reach your customer base.
• Do not walk in to your lender’s office with excessive debt to start with. This is often a flag to a potential lender that you are using your current available capital poorly.
• DO YOUR HOMEWORK!! Research your business niche thoroughly. Make yourself an expert on the goods and/or services you offer. Knowledge is power and a potential lender will ask questions. Make certain you don’t have to say, “I don’t know.”

A great way to obtain working capital, to allow you time to build your bank-ability  is to work with a receivables factoring firm.  The process of factoring receivables allows a business to get working capital without debt. A business owner working with a factoring firm is using the power of their receivables as the asset it is. As a business grows, so does the revenue stream. With a strong revenue stream and time ‘on the job’ the business’ financing options will expand. But, until that happens start-up and growing businesses need to know that there are options to finding working capital to help with their cash flow issues. We stand ready to assist business owners with a cash flow pinch by helping them tap into the asset of their receivables. Let us know if we can help you build your bank-ability.

Whether you are just starting your business or working on building your business, cash flow is probably a constant on your mind. Have you heard the phrase “lumpy cash flow”? Chances are you have experienced it. This term refers to cash flow into your business that comes in spurts. Often times this is experienced when the business sends out their invoices. There are some customers that are good about paying and the business may experience a sudden in flow of receipts. Then the famine sets in… Here are some tips to improve your cash flow and help you weather lumpy cash flow.

1. 1. Put a great accounting package in place. If the business owner is managing accounts, that is payables and receivables, then they are more aware of the financial health of the business. This awareness can mean better business decisions based on a financially savvy understanding of cash flow.

1. 2. Get to know your customers. With the online research at your fingertips you can check resources like the Better Business Bureau, Google, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc. to see what is being said about those you are considering doing business with. In effect, you are extending a form of credit to those that buy goods/services from you… make certain they are credit worthy.

1. 3. Get cash up front. With the current economic climate there are more and more businesses requesting retainers or deposits on account. I have even heard of some professional service providers working from a draw down standpoint. They have a new client/customer pay $XXX and then utilize those funds to pay for services until they have reached such a point that it is necessary to ‘refill’ the account.

1. 4. Accept credit cards. This is a big help as far as cash flow. It simplifies the process for both parties. There is the notion that the credit card fees result in a loss of revenue, but that is a small price to pay when you consider that the current trend is for customers to take 60 – 90 days to pay invoices.

1. 5. Use receivables factoring. The small business owner that recognizes the value of the asset of their receivables can put that asset to work for them. Factoring receivables can get cash flowing into the business, without incurring additional debt. As with the credit card fees, some business owners consider factoring fees to be something they would rather avoid. Quite simply, keeping cash flowing is the need for all businesses to keep the doors open and business growing.

We have been discussing ways to help small to medium businesses with cash flow issues. Receivables factoring is a terrific alternative for small to medium businesses, but there is something that all businesses should address… something very simple and close to home. The pace at which receivables are coming in makes a big difference in avoiding cash flow problems.

If a business has slow payment issues with their customers then the problems are inevitable. It is not if, but rather when, the cash flow crunch will occur. In simple terms, if a business has outstanding invoices and customers takes 60 to 90 days to pay those invoices, then it is obvious where the problems will occur. At the very heart of the issue is the fact that the business carrying outstanding invoices in excess of 30 days is extending credit to their customers. I know of very few small to medium businesses that are in the position to act as financier to their customer base.

One of the best ways to ease this type of situation is to implement a gentle reminder system. By staying on top of receivables a business owner can help drive their business to success and alleviate some of their cash flow problems. I am not suggesting that the business owner manage the receivable themselves, but rather that they have a person in charge of helping drive those ‘touches’. It can be as simple as taking one day a couple of times a month (mid-month and month end are good times for this) to make a simple phone call. A great first call is to mention that you are following up with the customer to ensure that they received the invoice.  If the invoice still does not receive attention a second call asking if there is a problem with the invoice can be an appropriate follow-up.

I find that many times just starting a dialogue can help speed up the collection process. We partner with many of our factoring clients to offer these follow ups, as an extension of our factoring relationship. If you or someone that you know would benefit from our services, please give us a call.

If you own a business with good profits, stable revenue streams, or have equity in a building filled with equipment, then you will likely qualify for a small business loan.  But what if you are a startup or in the growth phase of your business?  Often these businesses cannot qualify for financing through the normal channels.  Especially since access to credit has gotten tighter for small business owners over the last few years.  Receivables factoring offers an alternative to small businesses that can be the “life line” of their success!

Unfortunately, the term factoring is often thought of as a “last ditch effort” form of financing. Many small business owners are concerned that factoring their receivables will leave both their employees and customers with the impression that the business is in financial hardship.  In reality, factoring is most often used by businesses that are experiencing significant growth.

Factoring is definitely not the ‘red flag’ that some business owners unknowingly fear. The reality of our current economic climate is that many businesses, both small and large, are struggling to improve their cash flow and factoring can help.  There is not a sector of the business community that isn’t considering creative ideas of reinventing some aspect of their business model.   For example, some businesses have utilized telecommuting or job share to prevent downsizing.  Other firms have begun outsourcing to help with their personnel needs while avoiding payroll expenses.  Other small businesses that do not have a working relationship with a lending institution have begun to search out alternative forms of financing.

Factoring is a convenient alternative for small businesses to instantly improve their cash flow. Factoring utilizes the credit worthiness of the customers of the client, as opposed to relying on their businesses financial statements.  This allows a business with a strong customer base to get funding based on the strength of their customer base and invoices. Receivables factoring is a tremendous tool to bridge the gap while a startup or growth phase business builds their financial strength.

We are in the business of providing just such a bridge for small to medium sized businesses that need a little help to build a credit history that will allow them to qualify for the traditional bank loan. We would welcome the opportunity of assisting you, or anyone that you know that could benefit from some working capital to move their business to a more financially stable position.

I recently read an article online at www.BusinessInsider.com. The article sited research done by the U.S. Census in a Survey of Business Owners. The survey indicated the resources that small business owners are tapping into to keep their businesses moving forward. There were seven options discussed;

1. The majority (51.2 percent) of small employers needing money to expand use either their own or family members’ savings or assets.

2. Business profits or assets are a key source of money to expand; 29.1 percent of small employers use this source of expansion financing.

3. Banks are an important source of expansion capital for small businesses; just shy of one-third of small business owners report using a bank loan to finance expansion.

4. Credit cards, both personal and business, are a common source of money for small business expansion, with one quarter of small employers needing expansion funds obtaining at least some of it from this source.

5. More than one-in-ten (11.4 percent) of small business owners report using equity in their homes to finance small business expansion.

6. Government-guaranteed loans and loans from the government, such as SBA loans, aren’t a source of expansion capital for many businesses; the SBO data show that less than 3 percent of small businesses needing expansion capital get money from this source.

7. Almost no small employers use venture capital to expand; the SBO data reveal that only about 0.5 percent use this source of financing.

Read more: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SmallBusinessTrends/~3/1uW2RxpwmrU/where-small-business-owners-get-money-to-expand.html#ixzz24wrrTBYy

I am uncertain if the “assets” mentioned were referring to factoring of receivables, but thought that would have made the article more informative. Factoring is a terrific financial tool for small business owners to utilize. One of the greatest benefits of this type of financial tool is that the business owner can get cash flow moving, without incurring debt. In the ‘cash is king’ reality of business, it is great to know that there is flexibility in obtaining the financing to keep the cash flowing and business growing. We are committed to providing working capital for growing businesses.

Have you heard the phrase that you need to work smarter, not harder in order to be successful in business? I think we all have. Small business entrepreneurs often find themselves in the position similar to that of a new parent – after all, that new business is your ‘baby’. We are often so excited about the milestones our business reaches, we often forget about the long hours and sleepless nights. Entrepreneurs focus on a company website going live, first client, first contract, and other such business milestones. If you are still putting long hours and having sleepless nights then it is time to re-evaluate. Often times learning to delegate and manage your time more efficiently can give you back the time that you are missing.

There are a limited number of hours in a day. You also need to realize that there are some other hard and fast limits that need to be respected: how many clients you can serve, how much territory you can cover, and the fee that the market will support for you to charge for your goods/services.  When you find yourself at capacity in one or more of these areas, then it is time to realize that you need to try on the role of management.

If you find that you don’t know how to let go, don’t know when to let go, or simply don’t want to let go.  It is worth asking the question as to what you got into business for. If you went into business for the sheer passion of what you do (the good/service you have to offer) then you have defined your satisfaction. If you want to experience business success and grow your business to new heights then you should consider delegating some of your tasks, expanding your business, and recruiting some new team members.

If you are feeling growth pains, and find that working capital is holding you back, then you should check out a partnership with our team. We specialize in helping new or growing businesses acquire working capital to meet their business growth goals.

Small businesses, especially those in the start-up or growth phase, do not have a strong credit history. A lack of credit-worthiness can be an enormous hindrance to obtaining financing. If a business, small or large, is unable to get working capital from a traditional banking relationship they are seriously hampered in their ability to be successful.

Financial uncertainty and the accompanying upheaval is the greatest hurdle to business growth. The current unpredictability of our nation’s financial situation only exacerbates the problems in the small business sector. Poor cash flow hinders access to working capital. Without working capital a business can’t hope to grow… or even be very successful.  An invoice factoring firm can be just the solution to breath cash flow into a small business.

An invoice factoring firm can offer alternative financial options to work around cash flow issues. By utilizing the current outstanding invoices a factoring firm is able to generate working capital in such a way as to not incur additional debt for the business. In addition, factoring is a great form of alternative financing for businesses, because it allows the business owner to control cash flow by determining how much to factor, and when. It eliminates the cash-flow uncertainty that many small businesses face, allowing some predictability in the month-to-month financial outlook.

Start-ups and growing businesses face a number of hurdles in keeping the cash flowing. Most new or growing small businesses do not have vast reserves of cash to fall back on during the lean times. They must instead rely on banks or other forms of loans to keep the cash flow moving.  I recently read a study that reported the approval rate for business loans is approximately 10%.  That is certainly on the high side for start-ups.
My firm is not only in the business of providing working capital to growing businesses, but we also like to try to help the small business owner equip themselves with information about trends and topics that interest the entrepreneur.  Knowledge is power… and cash is king!

Here are some valuable tips that merit consideration for running your business from a financially savvy perspective:

1.      Consider ways to increase your cash flow and improve your credit worthiness

Work on keeping your cash flow in good shape. Better cash flow = a better track record as far as your creditworthiness. The main idea here is that you stay on top of your cash flow; if you keep yourself educated about your cash flow you are better equipped to handle a surprise. Simple steps like this can help you manage your cash flow and keep you more flexible.

2.      Work with your vendors to see if they offer prepayment discounts.

This simple idea can save you a lot on your bottom line and can also move you toward a position of good creditworthiness. Those vendors can offer a good recommendation on your payment record.

3.      Watch your overhead and cut costs where you can.

Do you really need an on-site bookkeeper? With the current technological advances, there are many tasks at your office that you may well be able to outsource. Whether it is telecommunicating or just availing yourself of the services of subcontractors, you will be able to decrease your overhead by utilizing subcontractors for tasks that don’t require full time staff, and that will result in an improved bottom line. You will realize savings because 1099 subcontractors are responsible for their own tax liabilities. You also will not be paying benefits such as vacation, sick time, insurance, etc. and that is a great cost savings.

4.      Drive your accounts receivable

If you provide goods or services you need to ensure that you are being paid for those. If you don’t take your invoicing / collections seriously then your customers are not likely to take their payments seriously. There are a number of small business owners that are great at providing the goods and/or services that they are passionate about, but fall short when it comes to the back office tasks of collecting for their invoices. Often times it just requires a simple phone call to bring the errant payment to light. Past due follow up doesn’t have to be a painful task, after all you are simply requesting payment for what you have provided… that is perfectly reasonable. If the business owner approaches it from the standpoint that you need to ensure 1) your customer received your invoice and hasn’t mislaid it and 2) that they didn’t have a problem with what you provided. That is often enough to get the customer to follow up with payment.

I hope that you can implement these simple steps and move your way to business success and growth. If you have some additional tips that you would like to share, please feel free to comment.