Two Times To Consider An Alternative Financing Strategy
Ancient Chinese proverbs and receivable cash flow financing and factor funding. A connection? We thought so, as we were taken by one we heard the other day. It went something like this, ' the best time to consider planting a tree is 20 years ago, the 2nd best time is now '.
Timing is everything in business... Canadian business owners and financial managers know that .That is why we think a strong case can be made to turn our same proverb towards consideration of receivable financing , something you maybe should have done already, or perhaps start considering now . Let' explain.
When business owners look at financing alternatives they are usually looking at their current situation. As the Canadian economy seems to seesaw back and forth these days between good news and bad news its Canadian business that is caught in the middle, experience continual frustration for obtaining their financing needs.
We're talking mostly about small and medium sized businesses , as larger firms always seem to be in a better position don’t you think.
So that of course brings us to receivable cash flow financing, one immediate solution that you can access today for cash flow and working capital. It's generally viewed as an ' alternative ' financing but quite frankly in our opinion it's more mainstream everyday as thousands, yes thousands of firms embrace this finance strategy.
That of course just might mean that the time is... well... now for consideration by your firm. The reason you might be considering A/R finance now is simply your inability to collect receivables in a timely fashion, from clients that seem to feel they are forever on extended terms. (Clients tell us they don’t remember granting those extensions!) We add also that the ultimate irony sees often to be that the larger firms become a major collection challenge for companies, such as yours, who might be significantly smaller.
Often times your receivable portfolio is a function of your growth strategy. That growth strategy becomes capital intensive, as you are forced to continually maintain an investment in inventory and of course receivables. So while clients tell us they would like to see A/R reduced, to cash of course reality is that it rarely does for the typical SME type firm.
A lot of clients we meet are self financing. That is a double edged sword in that it constrains many businesses from growing. They are also reluctant to take on more debt and increase financial leverage. If sales drop or operating performance decline you can well assume problems are going to occur with respect to your relation with lenders to your firm.
Factor funding reduces leverage. It is not debt; it’s simply a monetization of your A/R into immediate cash at a cost of 2-3% on a monthly basis.
So when is the time for Canadian business owners to embrace A/R financing? According to our Chinese proverb it was either a long time ago, or today! Receivable cash flow financing allows you to monetize your A/R in real cash flow; you've just given yourself an alternative to bank financing, minimized the emphasis on personal guarantees, and put yourself in control of your daily or monthly borrowing.
Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you in determining when this strategy is right for your term, yesterday, or today!
Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial –
http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com
Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 7 years - has completed in excess of 80 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations . Core competancies include receivables financing, asset based lending, working capital, equipment finance, franchise finance and tax credit financing.
Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :
http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com/receivable_cash_flow_financing_factor_funding.html
