Business Cash Flow Solutions : The Other Side Of Cash Flow Financing And Working Capital Problem

How To Recover From Cash Flow Shortage Shock

OVERVIEW – Information on the business cash flow problem and challenge . How does the owner/financial manager address working capital shortages via solutions that make sense and are cost effective





Your business cash flow problem seeks a solution. The age old situation of a working capital / cash flow shortage often is a ' shock ' situation to many Canadian business owners and financial managers.

Every business goal pretty well revolves around creating profits. As that process works itself through your business you should be constantly trying to both manage cash and improve asset turnover.

The business owners ability to manage, and finance working capital allows it to generate equity, pay taxes and employees, keep supplier relations positive, etc.

A great way to look at your business is to constantly be focusing on what we call the ' operating cycle '. It's essentially the ' journey ' that a dollar takes as it travels through your business.

Two drivers in understanding your cash and working capital are your:

1. Revenue recognition

2. Accounts payable management

While not often directly understood, most busines owners /managers understand that managing payables is a key part of the cash cycle. You increase your cash from operations by delaying payables to the extent that you can, given you don’t want to damage supplier relations.

If your business isn’t a retail or online business you have an investment in accounts receivable. Numerous financing solutions exist to allow you to better access real cash, as opposed to the A/R and inventory build up on your balance sheet that is not liquid.

Those solutions include:

Unsecured bank lines of credit
Secured bank revolving facilities
A/R non bank financing
Asset based lending
Tax credit financing/monetization (financing your SR&ED claims if applicable)

If our businesses were a straight line with totally repeating ongoing transactions a lot of cash flow shortage shock would go away. Unfortunately that is rarely the case, so seasonal and bulge situations often occur, often along the lines of the ' cash flow shock' we talk about.

The owner /managers ability to forecast seasonality and bulges in business will always alleviate working capital shock.

At the end of the day the most common solution to the business cash flow problem is the ability to ensure you have a borrowing facility in place that allows your company to address future cash flow uncertainty.

If your firm has profits, historical cash flow, and acceptable financials chartered banks and business credit unions are the solutions.

As long as you have business assets (receivables, inventories, equipment, orders/contracts) numerous non bank solutions exist to allow you to feel that you have cash flow availability.

If you're looking to avoid cash flow shock and ensure you have access to financing solutions that address the right stage your company is in ( start up, mature, high growth, turnaround, etc ) seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business Financing Advisor with a track record of success
who can assist you with your financing needs.


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 10 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 :


7 Park Avenue Financial = Business Cash Flow Solutions Expertise







Have A Question /Comment On Our Blog Or Canadian Business Financing Alternatives ?

CONTACT:

7 Park Avenue Financial
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8

Direct Line = 416 319 5769
Office = 905 829 2653



Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com

Stan Prokop

The ‘ A ‘ In The ABL Business Credit Line Stands For : Assets !

Waiting For The Amazon Drone To Deliver Your Business Credit Line ?

OVERVIEW – Information on the business credit line commonly called ‘ ABL ‘. Here’s how your business assets deliver on liquidity and cash flow




Your business credit line probably won't be delivered by the Amazon drone that we all read about the other day. If that's the case, one option for the Canadian business owner /financial manager to consider is the ABL solution. Let's dig in.

And yes, that ' A ‘in ABL does in fact stand for ' Assets '. It's your ability to leverage ' ALL ' of the assets in your business in order to fully achieve maximum financing capability.

The normal comparison here is ABL vs. your Chartered Bank revolving business credit facility. The simple way we explain this to our clients is that our chartered banks, in their wisdom, have chosen to focus on past historical performance, and quality of cash flows and debt to equity measurement.

That's all fine of course; but your asset based lender is laser focused on predominantly one thing - you guessed it - ' ASSETS'!

We are always conscious of being ' bank bashers '

- we're told it’s the Canadian way in business we suppose. No one supports banks more than us, so if your company can demonstrate:

Profits
Quality Tangible Collateral
Acceptable ratios and covenants
Outside collateral/owner guarantees
Reputable cash flows/ business projections

it's safe to say you are very close to achieving full bank approval for all the capital you need.

When all those criteria cannot be met the best way to achieve business credit line delivery is potential the ABL - i.e. a non bank asset based line of credit.

While negative issues will certainly be discussed in your negotiations on your ABL credit facility reasonable heads will often prevail because of the past experience of the ABL lender in your industry.

If there is one absolutely obvious benefit to asset based credit lines it’s your ability to borrow more than a bank facility. Let's use the example of a company in the SME sector that has $1,000,000.00 level of receivables. Typically a bank will lend 750k against that ongoing balance; but the ABL lender is often as comfortable in lending $ 900,000.00 in our same example.

While many banks struggle with inventory loans as a component of the credit line the right ABL lender will take the time to analyze the various components of your inventory ( raw materials, work in progress , finished goods ) and determine a borrowing level that is typically 25-75% of the total value .

Rarely is any Canadian business financing a ' slam dunk '. In the case of the ABL business credit line the business owner/manager should expect both a higher borrowing cost and some real due diligence on your firm, including in house visits, inspections, potentially an appraisal, etc.

While many chartered bank facilities may require you to report quarterly or annually on your performance the Canadian business owner/manager will be expected to submit a minimum monthly package of financials, assets, payables, etc.

So is the ABL business credit facility for your firm? Evaluate the option by seeking out and speaking to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor with a track record of success in credit lines tailored for Canadian companies.



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 10 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 :


7 Park Avenue Financial = Canadian Business Credit Line Expertise







' Canadian Business Financing with the intelligent use of experience '























Stan Prokop

Franchise Finance Formula 102 : Why The Canada Small Business Financing Program Works And When It Doesn’t

What’s Good And Not So Good About Franchise Financing In Canada : Franchisee’s Are People Too !

OVERVIEW – Information on the positive and negative aspects of the Canada small business financing program as it relates to franchise loan solutions


The Canada small business financing program , properly approached, is a great vehicle to complete the financing of a franchise in Canada. Knowing the limitations of the program, and how to accentuate the benefits become a classic win/win. It's as close to a proven ' formula '

as we can get, so let's dig in.









While franchising is as close to ' rampant ' as we can get these days many franchisees still view the whole purchase/acquisition and of course financing with some fear and trepidation. It's essentially fear of the unknown we suppose.

While not specifically designed for the franchise industry the Canada small business financing program over the years has evolved into a major lender in Canadian franchising. The program, commonly called the govt SBL (small business loan) loan is government underwritten and sponsored, but administered and managed via our Canadian chartered banks and a very small number of misc other financial institutions.

It's not hard to see why banks flaunt their interest and expertise in franchise financing - as their loans are in a large portion guaranteed by the government. Who wouldn’t want a piece of that action?! While some franchising loans might be made by banks to the largest and well known brands (think ' clown and a golden arch) outside the SBL program they are clearly not the majority.

While the requisites for the program are certainly not onerous it is often what the program does not do that limits some franchisees from reaching financing success for their venture.

And those prerequisites? They include:

Reasonably clean personal credit and financial history of owner
Proof of acceptance from their chosen franchisor
Premises lease co-terminus with loan amortization
Business plan/cash flow and management bio

Surely everyone recognizes that that type of information is standard within any type of business financing in Canada.

So where do things go awry? As we said it's knowing when the program will not work from you.

Here's where the limitations of the program need to be clearly understood. They are as follows:

- The program is not 100% financing - the owner must have a reasonable down payment, aka ' equity component’

- The SBL loan is a term loan, not a cash loan, and not a revolving line of credit type facility - It is a term loan with equal fixed monthly payments, typically spread over a 3-7 year term that suits the borrowers

- The loan only finances equipment and leasehold improvements - That means franchise fees, working capital needs,

- The SBL does not finance inventories, and it doesnt provide financing for the actual sign up franchise fees

- The Loan cap is 350,000.00 so franchises requiring financing additional to that often become problematic when it comes to the SBL

If your franchise needs can’t be financed by a direct franchise commercial lender explore the Canada small business financing program. But beware, as we have noted, of what the program can... and can't do.

For further clarity and probably faster approval seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business Financing Advisor with a track record of success in the franchise area of the Canada small business financing program.


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 10 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 :


7 Park Avenue Financial = Canadian Franchise Financing Expertise


Have A Question /Comment On Our Blog Or Canadian Business Financing Alternatives ?

CONTACT:

7 Park Avenue Financial
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8

Direct Line = 416 319 5769
Office = 905 829 2653



Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com

' Canadian Business Financing with the intelligent use of experience '

Stan Prokop

Cracking AR Cash Flow Financing Code In Canada : Growth Funding That’s Your Business

Need Or Want To Be Discreet With Receivable Financing – You Can Now


OVERVIEW – Information on AR cash flow financing in Canada. How does this method differ from traditional offerings that are not acceptable to many business owners and financial managers



AR Cash flow financing in Canada should be on your terms , and when our clients choose financing and growth funding options utilizing Receivable finance solutions they prefer that to be their business, nobody else’s, i.e. their suppliers, customers, and as importantly, their competitors . But is there a ' Discreet ' way to achieve this? There is, so let's dig in.

One of several cash flow finance solutions is Receivable financing on its own. Naturally other solutions are also available for financing a business, but next to cash your A/R represents the most liquid source of capital next to actual cash itself! So your ability to monetize that asset achieves full circle cash flow financing success. You then have cracked the code!

The process is simple, and in practice it's not unlike a bank line of credit. It's just secured and collateralized a little bit differently by the commercial financing firm you choose. While the bank takes an ' assignment ' of your receivables (just in case!), the A/R financing solution simply has you entering into a one time agreement to in effect sell or transfer ownership of the invoices to the financing entity.

Why though would clients want to choose a non bank solution? Isn’t it more expensive? Categorically it is, but when you understand two key points a lot of other things start to make sense. First of all you're probably considering A/R financing because you don’t qualify for bank financing for a number of reasons - i.e. uneven financial performance, lack of collateral, owner credit history,etc,etc.

Other situations might include the double edged sword of business - fast growth which is difficult to finance as traditional lenders like a more ' calmer’ sales revenue chart. They don't seem to like the hockey stick exploding sales chart. (By the way there are reasons for that)

Other situations inlcude seasonality in your business bulges in orders and contracts that are of a one time or ongoing nature.

Companies that are capital intensive simply have a lot of cash going out before cash goes in as they have to invest in equip., human resource, perhaps R&D, etc.

So, having said all that, is there a discreet financing solution that works here? We term it ' CONFIDENTIAL A/R FINANCING ‘, and it simply allows to you generate cash as you sell products and services - instantly. And who is in control? You, the business owner / financial manager as you bill and collect your own invoices, generating cash and financing all the growth you can imagine.

Most importantly it’s about your ability to (diplomatically) tell suppliers, clients, and competitors they can mind their own business.

Let them guess how you have achieved cash flow nirvana.









Does your firm qualify for CONFIDENTIAL AR FINANCING? If you require financing in excess of 250k upwards to millions you are a candidate. Seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business Financing Advisor with a track record of success who can assist you in AR Cash flow financing solutions that put your firm back in control of the cash crunch.



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 10 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/ar-cash-flow-financing-growth-funding.html







Have A Question /Comment On Our Blog Or Canadian Business Financing Alternatives ?

CONTACT:

7 Park Avenue Financial
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8

Direct Line = 416 319 5769
Office = 905 829 2653



Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com


' Canadian Business Financing with the intelligent use of experience '

Stan Prokop

Alternative Financing Isn’t The Gamble You Think : Real World Bank Alternatives In Canada For Business

Is Bank Spanking Really The Way To Achieve Business Financing Success ( EDITOR NOTE - GRAPHIC OF BANK SPANKING REMOVED RE:

OVERVIEW – Information on alternative financing mechanisms in Canada. What bank alternatives are available to the Canadian business owner /financial manager



Alternative financing in Canada is, in many ways, the new normal. Canadian business owners and financial managers are constantly seeking bank alternatives as they start and grow their businesses.

While large corporations have access to all sorts of capital, in some ways unlimited, businesses in the SME COMMERCIAL sector struggle to find options that make sense and are balanced against what is usually a higher cost. Let's dig in.

One author in the U.S. recently offered up that business owners must ' spank their banks ' when it comes to access to business capital. While we suppose there's a hundred reasons to ‘spank’ U.S. banks (anyone remember 2008), those reasons don't really exist in Canada, as we're known to have probably the strongest banking system in the world.

So our banks tend not to go bankrupt, they don't go to jail, they do provide safe investment vehicles... and they have all the capital in the world - IT'S JUST DIFFICULT TO ACCESS BUSINESS CAPITAL AND QUALIFY FOR FINANCING .

So what's our point? Simply that the owner/manager in SME start to look outside the box at non bank alternatives.

Those alternatives include:

Accounts Receivable Financing

Inventory Finance

Working Capital Term Loans

Equipment Financing

Sale/Leaseback / Bridge Loans

Franchise Loans

Tax Credit Financing - ( SR&ED & MEDIA Tax Credits

Asset Based Lines Of Credit



It's interesting to note that all of the above finance mechanisms are in fact available from Canadian chartered banks. But it will always come back to the criteria in place as to your ability to access the above solutions at low bank rates. The traditional prerequisites for accessing bank credit are length of time in business, balance sheets that reference positive equity, profit history, cash flow coverage, and owner personal credit history and collateral.


Absence of any one of those bank criteria can quickly derail

your bank application. We almost find it humorous that business owners or their financial managers go from bank to bank only to be told the same response.






Bank alternatives in Canada are offered by commercial finance firms. They might be small, large, Canadian, U.S. owned, and in some cases geographically focused. They provide all the solutions offered by banks, and typically have a much higher risk appetite as they are motivated by profit and growth also. Almost all firms only specialize in certain loan/finance segments, so it’s important to seek out an advisor who can help you navigate the waters and speak the lingo!

So, bottom line. The Canadian business owner / financial manager can spend all their time blaming (spanking) their bank or they can choose to seek out real world solutions that exist for the financing they need.

Seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you in evaluation alternative financing that will allow you to grow or start a business.


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 10 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 :



7 Park Avenue Financial = Canadian Financing Alternatives





Have A Question /Comment On Our Blog Or Canadian Business Financing Alternatives ?

CONTACT:

7 Park Avenue Financial

South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8

Phone = 905 829 2653



Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com


' Canadian Business Financing with the intelligent use of experience '

Stan Prokop

Canadian Film And SRED Tax Credits Aren’t Financed With Bitcoin : Here’s The Real Deal On Bridge Loan Financing For Your Tax Credit

The Scoop Behind Film & SR&ED Tax Credit Loans

OVERVIEW – Information on the Canadian SR&ED and Media tax credit bridge loan . Real funding, real financing for SRED and film tax credits in Canada



Canadian film and SR&ED tax credits are the ' real deal ' when it come to your ability to both access, and finance these two pre-eminent tax credits from Canadian federal and provincial governments .

Oh and by the way, they have nothing to do with 'BITCOIN ‘, the internets newest peer to peer electric money system which we're quite frankly still trying to understand! So trust us on this one, financing your SRED or Media credit is done with real money! Let's dig in.

Let's take a look at film and media type credits first. These credits, at the provincial level, provide producers and project owners with a valuable form of funding that makes their projects, from a financial perspective more achievable.

And make no mistake about it, there’s a very strong competition among the provinces to have your project fall into their hands. Using British Columbia as an example that province in recent years has provided tax credits to the tune of close to 300 million dollars. As an example BC offers a 33% refund of legitimate labor expenses. Ontario and Quebec predominantly compete with BC, and as am example the tax credit for production costs is 25% in Ontario.

While the tax credit isn’t the only reason a film, television, or media production goes to any one province (geography, talent, and production facilities are other reasons) Canadian film tax credits do nevertheless play a huge part in the overall financing model of any project.

Not known to everyone, but certain qualifying foreign productions of non Canadian content can also qualify for refundable tax credit programs. These typically are known as 'co-ventures'. These co ventures musts still have a Canadian producer, and certain 'points' around areas of content must be met.

Let's move on to our ' scoop ' on SRED tax credits. This funding program allows companies to access valuable tax credits after they have spent capital on R&D.

And no, it’s not a grant, you spend the money first and they claim your credit, which as we have noted, can also be financed if you want to bridge the timing gap in the whole process.

Maximum success in the area of SR&ED typically comes when you have a SRED consultant, sometimes known as a ' SRED engineer' prepares your claim. The majority of these folks seem to work on contingency, meaning they are willing, at their time and risk, to prepare your claim in an effort to share in the proceeds.

In recent times the SR&ED consultants have come under attach for aggressiveness in claim amounts, as well as having their own fees determined to be somewhat aggressive also! We won’t weigh in on the merits or non merit of SRED consultants, we will simply say that as a business owner involved in R&D you're entitled to your share of the 3-4 Billion dollars every year doled out in this longstanding program.

So, if your business or project accesses Canadian film or SRED tax credits consider this - your claims can also be financed. Bridge loans for SRED or media credits are typically 70% loan to value , no payments are made during the duration of the loan, and you receive the final 30%, less financing costs when your credit is adjudicated by the feds and provinces . That can take weeks, months, or a year depending on various factors, so the appeal of financing via bridge loan can be very attractive.

Seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you with the real scoop on accessing financing for SR&ED and Media projects.



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 10 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 :



7 Park Avenue Financial = Canadian Tax Credit Financing Expertise




Have A Question /Comment On Our Blog Or Canadian Business Financing Alternatives ?

CONTACT:

7 Park Avenue Financial
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8

Phone = 905 829 2653



Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com

' Canadian Business Financing with the intelligent use of experience '

























Stan Prokop

Business Cash Flow Is A Cause For Alarm ? Here’s One Solution In Addition To Bank And Finance Companies Alternatives

Separating The Wheat From The Chaff In Cash Flow Financing alternatives

Information on 2 kinds of business cash flow solutions. Finance companies and banks , and your own management can accelerate working capital inflows






BUSINESS CASH FLOW or the lack thereof can provide some hard lessons for the Canadian business owner / financial manager. How does the owner/manager separate the ' wheat from the chaff ' when it comes to solutions offered by finance companies and banks. What other solution can be addressed, outside of seeking external financing? Let's dig in.

You won't find too many business people disagreeing with the fact that cash flow and access to working capital is important. It's easy to see the cash going out, it's more challenging to manage the cash coming in.

When it comes to financing solutions to address our subject manner they are more numerous than you might think. Canadian commercial finance companies offer a plethora of solutions outside of bank finance. They include:

Receivable financing

Inventory Financing

PO/Supply chain financing

SR&ED Tax credit bridge loans

Asset based lines of credit

Mezzanine financing

Royalty financing


Generally non bank solutions cost more, but it can also be quite easily said they are more attainable than Canadian commercial bank approval for your financing needs. Borrowers in the SME (small to medium enterprise) commercial finance sector must have a least a couple years of business success when it comes to accessing bank credit.

If your company can demonstrate it has real financial statements, profits, some equity in the business, and reasonable personal credit histories of the owners ... well... from the banks perspective... You're in. Bank credit lines are great solutions for the proverbial ' overdraft '.

So we have tabled two external paths in financing cash flow. But wait! There's More! as our favourite K-TEL announcer used to say. In reality if you are growing at a modest rate your access to cash flow can easily come from within.

From within? Simply speaking it’s about focusing on better asset turnover in the areas of inventory and accounts receivable. Putting a simple system in place to verify and manage your day’s sales outstanding in A/R, or your inventory turnover will allow you to bring cash in more quickly.

We referenced your business growing at a ' modest rate'. In reality if you are in high growth mode, or have large , perhaps seasonal , bulges in your business you will most likely be forced to address external financing , no matter how well you manger current assets. That’s simply because sales growth is hungry, it eats cash as you build up A/R an inventory and wait for clients to pay.

Often the best solution for a company that can’t access bank credit but has solid growth possibilities is in fact asset based lending. This solution, typically via commercial finance companies, margins inventory and A/R on an ongoing basis, giving you all the business cash flow you need.

If you business is asset intensive it's important also to consider asset financing solutions that won't deplete working capital. That typically involves looking at a lease financing or sale leaseback solution.

If you're looking to separate wheat from chaff in business cash flow alternatives seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you with your firms growth needs.



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 10 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 :


7 Park Avenue Financial = Business Cash Flow Financing Expertise






Have A Question /Comment On Our Blog Or Canadian Business Financing Alternatives ?


CONTACT:


7 Park Avenue Financial
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8
Phone = 905 829 2653

Fax = 905 829 2653

Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com


' Canadian Business Financing with the intelligent use of experience '

Stan Prokop