Monday, April 15, 2013

Cash Flows . Timing Is Everything When It Comes To Financing Business Cash Flow And Capital Management

Working Capital is an area of business that requires solutions that revolve around timing. Timing is everything when it comes to the fundamental problem of managing and solving the cash flow conundrum!Let's examine some of those solutions using the example of a company trying to grow... which is what it's all about is it not?!

This is when what we could call your ' cash flow cycle ' needs to be both understood... and addressed. That's because the concept of timing has just kicked in ... your have produced your goods or provided your services and a specific amount of time has lapsed as you now generate revenues via invoicing... and wait for payment. It's no secret that that whole cycle varies between each company and industry. But whether your cycle is 30 days or 120 days the effects of that timing require certain activities to be financed.

The timing around this cycle, as well as the solutions that your bring to bear makes or breaks your overall liquidity and solvency - aka ' Survival'!Example of the need to finance that cycle are should be quite clear - your firm must buy supplies or inventory, at the same time taking on payables. Wages and salaries must be covered and then you're in the waiting game when it comes to delivery and acceptance of your goods and services, as well as final payment from your clients based on your credit terms. It's therefore no secret to the business owner to see that using our example it can easily take those 30-120 days for a dollar to in effect flow through your company.

Again... it's ' timing'!When you look at your balance sheet you see that the ratios of current assets and liabilities have also changed dramatically. You're unfortunately less liquid and this can only be solved by financing the shortages you have carried. Of course your customer could pre pay you in advance for orders, or pay you ' cash on delivery ' but that's not the perfect world we dream about.Financing business cash flow is all about monetizing and managing your assets.

Solutions in Canada include:

Receivable financing
Commercial bank lines of credit
Asset based lines of credit
Sale lease backs
Tax credit monetization
Purchase Order and Supply Chain financing

Utilize one or a combination of solutions to manage the ' patterns' of financing that your business needs. Seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist your with putting together a solution that addresses the timing of cash flows and capital in your business.

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