Business Cash Flow Financing Problems ? Here’s Some Solutions

Escaping The Cash Flow Cycle Dilemma

Information on business cash flow financing problems and challenges for Canadian business . What solutions are available for working capital needs .


Nothing is as entertaining to us sometimes as to talk to a new entrepreneur who aspires to ' get rich ‘in business. It's at that time that things just don't seem that complex; a firm just needs to make a product, sell it, and bank the profits. And when you think of it, that's not incorrect, it just exhibits a bit of inexperience in the perception of that simplicity, don't you think.

The only thing that is missing in that analysis is of course those three magic words, the ' cash flow cycle'. It's that cycle that will dictate whether your business cash flow financing problems are normal, or perhaps seriously in need of solutions .

Clients often mistakenly think that negative cash flows, those huge swings from positive to the negative are in fact a sign of failure. That's the farthest from the truth. It simply means you're ' in line ‘. In line? To get paid of course!

But the preparations you make when you are ' in line ' are what will truly make or break your business. Simply speaking you need cash flow financing solutions to cover those deficits. It is at those times that your firm is most vulnerable - because employees, suppliers, and lenders, (what a group!) may in fact doubt your ability to return to positive cash flow.

Canadian business owners turn to chartered banks to cover that deficit, when they can. The bank is in a position, when you qualify, to provide you with a business line of credit that will allow your cash flow cycle to continually repeat itself, from negative, to positive, and all over again.

But what if the bank is an inaccessible option for cash flow finance solutions? In some cases we have seen business owners solve their working capital problem by simply accessing supplier credit in a more aggressive manner. It’s not always immediately obvious to business owners that slowing down payables increases your operating cash flow. Of course it's a delicate balance though.

Another issue in working capital and cash flow financing challenges can be the seasonality of your business. Many businesses have very uneven profit earnings; for example they might break even or sustain financial losses during some parts of the year, and thrive at others.

When business in fact seasonal, experiencing the ' bulge ' as we might call it your bank or other lenders have the option of staying the course with your firm, or canceling credit facilities altogether .

We have shown that cash flow challenges are a business reality, spanning all types of businesses and different industries. With proper management and solutions those challenges can be overcome. It always gets back to the issue of cash flow and profits being recognized as different. Bottom line, your profits are on paper only until they are banked.

In Canada business owners have access to a number of business finance solutions for working capital and cash flow. They include traditional banking, asset based lending, receivable finance, inventory finance, P.O. finance, and tax credit monetization.

Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who will ensure your business hasn't lost faith in its ability to come up with growth and capital solutions for success.






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/business_cash_flow_financing_problems_solutions.html

5 Guaranteed Business Working Capital & Cash Management Solutions For Liquidity - Canada

Are there any ' guarantees' in Canadian business financing? A guarantee is something that ' assures a particular outcome ' . So we're not 101% sure we can give you that iron clad guarantee , but we will show you 5 proven methods of enhancing cash management and working capital solutions in Canada .

Strategy # 1 - Not optimal, but again it's all about choices. So our tip/strategy is to consider sale of fixed assets you own but might not be getting full use of in your day to day operations. Naturally you would not consider selling assets you need on a day to day basis, but are there some unproductive assets around? There just might well be.

You naturally want to ensure that these assets are fully owned by your firm and not encumbered by any liens or bank security agreements. In some cases a reasonable strategy might be to replace e the asset with a less costly one, or used perhaps?

Strategy #2 - The sale - leaseback. This strategy, as we have noted before is just the opposite of acquiring and financing new assets. You already own the asset and it should be free and clear of any security arrangements. By working with a Canadian lease financing company you would enter into an arrangement whereby you sell the equipment back to the lessor and lease it back.

These transactions are generally done at what is known as fair market value, so you expect to not be able to get all the money you paid for the asset of course. In some cases an actual appraisal might be required, which typically would be in the 1-2k range depending on the size of the asset.

Generally speaking, the sale leaseback or a bridge loan on an already owned asset is a strategy worth considering when it makes sense.

Strategy 3- Inventory. That’s always a tough one for Canadian business owners and financial mangers to wrestle with. Financing inventory is a challenge and although there are some specific financiers able to monetize your inventory generally this is in connection with a total financing of your business. Financing and monetizing inventory works best, in Canada, in our opinion, when its part of an asset based lending arrangement or working capital facility.

It only makes common sense also that you could consider selling off any obsolete or slow moving inventory, again, if that makes sense and is possible.

Strategy # 4- Other assets. There are sometimes other hidden assets, in that business owners might no typically consider such items as patents, or tax credits as financeable items. But they are and can be monetized for their true value.

Well, we're here, last but not least, Strategy # 5. And to be honest it’s our most recommended one for small and medium business in Canada. It’s simply the monetization of your receivables via a receivable finance facility.

Why is this favorite strategy? Simply because for a starter you are not taking on any additional debt, you are just ' cash flowing ' assets that are already there. And these sort of facilities allow you to grow your business lock step with your sales. So working capital and cash management grow as you grow your revenues.

Our recommended facility is C I D - Confidential invoice discounting, allowing you to bill and collect your own receivables, unlike you competitors who are using this strategy and having to involve their client base re notification, etc.

Well, there you have it. 5 methods or solutions to cash management and working capital. Are they guaranteed? We are saying they work, and that’s all. Will all of them work and be appropriate for your firm. Doubtful, but we are pretty confident that somewhere in our toolkit of solutions is a working capital mechanism just for your firm. Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you in evaluating options.



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 .Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :


http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com/working_capital_cash_management_solutions.html

Surviving a Working Capital Cash Crisis – Real World Solutions & Techniques

The alternative to surviving a working capital cash crunch, temporary or permanent is of course not surviving it and losing control of your business from a financial perspective. Let's examine real world (we like those the best - the academic guys are very nice though) techniques and solutions to cash flow challenges.

You probably know you have a working capital problem; it’s the turnaround strategy to that problem that is challenging. When you think about it your constant cash flow challenge is in fact the most obvious sign that you need a survival plan.

Many business owners also equate growth and profits and cash flow on the same terms, in reality they are all VERY different! To be fair to the Canadian business owner sometimes the factors affecting your working capital cash are external and out of your control, however they still could lead you to insolvency of some sort.

Question - would you as a business owner ever consider your bank operating line of credit (assuming you have one?) as ' dangerous'? More traditional bank lines give you an advance against your receivables and inventory, those two most liquid assets after cash. If you are committed to a bank facility you have a pre sent borrowing limit, it’s as simple as that. So if your business has good operating performance, is profitable, and you are expanding or growing carefully all that works. So how could a bank facility precipitate a working capital crisis? Simply because if your business either shrinks, or grows too quickly you are locked into pre set borrowing power. Your receivables and inventory go down, or go up if you're lucky enough to be exploding with growth, but your credit facility is still the same!

We never want to be accused of just reminding your about the crisis, we'd rather provide solutions and techniques to eliminate the working capital crunch.

So let’s address some techniques and solutions for cash flow survival. These focus around accounts receivable and inventory. Think about it, if you have A/R and inventory, these amounts are one step away from liquidity. So how do you monetize these assets on an on going basis, whether they going up or down?

In Canada the most logical solutions to restoring your cash flow normalcy are the following - asset based lending, a working capital facility, and combinations of receivable and inventory and purchase order or contract financing.

True asset based lending facilities are typically for larger facilities of several million dollars or more - they have the ability to double, if not triple your access to working capital. How do they do that? Simply because they margin on an ongoing basis all your A/R and inventory at very high margin rates, and the facility grows as those two asset categories grow. They are the ' best bet ' for surviving a working capital crunch.

Small and medium size firms should look toward working capital facilities that combine A/R and inventory lending, have no fixed upper limit, but usually come with higher financing and borrowing costs.

Finally, the average business owner and financial manager may not even be aware that contracts and large ' one of ' can be financed and inventory financing programs can be implemented on a stand alone basis.

Surviving the working capital cash crunch comes with short term solutions as we have noted, that provide immediate relief; as well.. owners can consider long term strategies such as working capital cash term loans and sale leaseback of equipment or property. Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor for advice solutions and techniques for cash flow survival.