Wizard In Working Capital Solutions And Finance Cash Flow Tools? You Are Now!

Is Your Working Capital Situation Scarier Than A Zombie Movie?



OVERVIEW – Information on working capital management solutions in Canada . What tools are available to finance cash flow and manage business finances properly ?

The constant battle for working capital for the Canadian business owner - it's a continuous journey. And sometimes it’s a scary one, maybe not as scary as some of those popular Zombie movies...

but pretty close sometimes!

Are there some finance cash flow tools and knowledge we can share? You guessed it... there are. So we’re of course talking about the funds that are in fact, hopefully ... ' working ' in your short term operations. It's critical to understand a couple of key concepts before we can take you to that toolkit of solid cash flow solutions. So the concept of ' net working capital which is really the difference between your short term assets and liabilities is critical. And at the end of the day the final success you have in financing your business comes down to two key areas -

How you manage those assets
How you finance those assets

Simple as that.


When you think of it, you’re basically on a constant journey with this whole issue. We read an analogy the other day where you might be considered either a warrior or a wizard when it comes to certain aspects of business success. We suppose that we are saying that you have to be a bit of both.

The ' warrior ' aspect of today’s issue is your constant effort to turnover assets, but at the end of the day you have to be a bit of a wizard,

especially if you are growing, because that investment in receivables and inventory is in effect your permanent investment. So both your lenders and yourself have a vested interest in how you are doing on that issue - especially if bankers, other lenders, lessors, etc have loans outstanding.

When you think about it the real challenge of finance cash flow tools is really the issue of using the financial solution that comes with an appropriate rate and risk level.

So what are some of the working capital solutions that your firm can employ? They might be one or several of the following:

Bank credit facilities

Receivable financing

Asset based lending

Supply chain/Purchase Order Finance

Sale leaseback of fixed assets (we’re a bit outside out current asset scenario here but sale leasebacks do work)

Tax Credit monetization

Securitization of receivables/contracts

While we would all probably agree that it would be great to have a precise formula around which solution worked best that’s not the real world of course! It simply becomes a case of ensuring that the increases in sales you are enjoying are financed properly. And you want to be able to do that proactively... we can't count the number of clients who we meet who are in emergency cash flow crunches. Why? Because they didn't plan or use some basis analytical tools to measure the performance of their receivables, inventory, and payables.

Seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing manager who can assist you with your finance needs. It doesnt have to be scarier than a Zombie movie!

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/working-capital-finance-cash-flow-tools.html





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























Stan Prokop

Lease Finance Decision Time? Financing Equipment Assets In Canada – Done Right!

What Time Is It? It’s Asset Finance Time.


Information on lease financing in Canada . Financing equipment assets requires decision making before, during, and at the end of the lease in order to maximize financing benefits



Lease finance decisions in Canada seem to be pretty common place in Canada these days when Canadian business owners and financial managers are financing equipment assets for their firm. It couldn’t be more basic, paying a leasing company for the use, and potential ownership of business assets. But wait! Just how important are some of the implications and financing decisions around this popular method of business finance.

Let's look as some of the positive implications of equipment finance in Canada, while at the same time pointing out some of the potential pitfalls,

because there are a few if you're poorly armed with the right information.

It pretty well always starts with the reasons that the business owner/manager looks at when acquiring new business assets. And those reasons? They are:

Convenience

Risk

Tax/accounting

Financial Need

In many cases the financial need simply comes from the large cost that might be associated with any new business asset - for example a new computer and software system for your firm, the intent being to make you more ' competitive '. And as in all scenarios associated with cost the ability to arrange competitive financing quickly and to the terms you need drives the final leasing decision.

They are probably not given enough of their due for this, but we shouldn’t forget that the leasing company is assuming both financial and asset risk when they finance your transaction, so finding a lease company partner with the right... shall we say .. attitude about helping you out is a good thing!

Using our example of a technology need the whole issue of technological obsolescence is key when it comes to lease finance. These assets tend to depreciate quickly and also change, seeming everyday?! when it comes to what’s in and what’s hot.

Your accountant will tell you that there are all sorts of tax and accounting benefits, and as we said, sometimes implications involved in the leasing of an asset. They include depreciation, budgetary issues, tax, etc. The larger your equipment lease is the more implication some of these issues might have, so we advise clients to never forget to address what might be the boring stuff to them!

Both you and the lessor should consider the issue of maintenance and insurance on leased assets. For the lessor it’s protecting the financial risk in their transaction. Remember the lease company is a financial partner, not an operating partner, so maintaining the assets you lease is critical.

We often run into clients that have what is known as a ' pride of ownership ' when it comes to acquiring assets. That’s all fine and good of course, but don’t forget that with a properly structured lease you can in fact assume ownership at the end of the lease term, all the while having reaped the cash flow benefits of using and paying for the asset.

So our bottom line today..? simply that it’s worth some quality time

when it comes to decision time in Canada for lease financing and financing equipment assets. Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you with right strategies around this important method of asset acquisition.

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/lease-finance-financing-equipment-assets.html






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











Stan Prokop

Unsolved Mystery? How A Receivable Finance Company Prices The Cost Of Factoring Is Easier To Understand Than You Might Think!

Mystery Solved . A/R Financing Pricing explained .. finally!

Information on the cost of factoring in Canada . How the receivable finance company prices your facility and what you need to do to control and benefit from this pricing

One of the mysteries of Business financing in Canada would appear to be the cost of factoring receivables from a Receivable Finance Company. Should this issue be as mysterious as the search for UFO’s or Bigfoot?

We don’t think so, so let’s explain.

Most business owners and financial manager who consider this method of financing their sales know the very basics - the fact that factoring is simply entering into an arrangement with a receivable finance firm that allows you to monetize or cash flow sales, as you make them . Simple enough, right?

Only a very small handful of issues come into play when you are financing your firm in this manner. The trick though, is your management... and understanding of them! That's where you quickly become a winner or a loser, and we're all for winning. And all of that should not, we repeat, should not be a mystery to you or your firm.

So those issues? They are as follows - you need to negotiate and understand the concept of the ' advance rate ' which is simply the percentage of funds that you advanced when you generate sales invoices. Typically in Canada that should be in the 90% range... your financing is definitely costing more if you are not getting a solid advance rate. In general the quality of your customer base determines that advance rate, but quite frankly some receivable finance companies have a policy or practice of lowering advances to you to increase their profits. So watch out for that one!

In general most factoring in Canada is done on a ' recourse ' basis, which simply means that you are responsible to cover any bad debts. You were anyway, so the only way to avoid this is by getting a facility in place which includes credit insurance. Naturally this is a bit more expensive, but we are always pleasantly surprised at the generally low cost of A/R insurance.

Opportunity cost is a concept that is pretty well always ignored by the majority of businesses who are entering into this type of finance. Why? Simply because there is not direct cost associated with it. but boy is it important for you to understand. That's because your ability to monetize sales over and over again , generating cash on your sale immediately leads to higher profits and better asset turnover, both key concepts that should be considered in your overall cost of finance .

There are usually some modest admin expenses when it comes to entering into this type of facility. These are nominal and should be understood, but hopefully should not be unreasonable enough to sway your decision to embrace factoring in Canada. But, as we said, make sure you know some of those admin fees.

Don't forget also that just because you don't finance your A/R via factoring that you aren't bearing a large cost already. That's because whether you are self financing or in fact have a bank facility you are carrying your clients for 30, 60... even 90 days these days, forcing you to absorb the major cost of financing your A/R.

Who controls one of the major factors inherent in receivable finance? You do! That’s because, for example, that if you are collecting your money in 30 days, as your terms state the cost of financing a $ 100,000.00 invoice is $1500.00 if you have a medium sized facility in place. That seems quite reasonable to us, given that factoring generates all that cash immediately allowing you to almost COMPLETELY! offset your financing cost by taking a supplier discount with your new found cash, negotiating better pricing for goods, or simply selling more by re investing in new sales and larger contracts.

So, the cost of factoring in Canada. Is there a mystery to it? Because of the way many present it there sure is .. but there shouldn’t be. Seek out and speak to a trusted credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you with a receivable finance company solution... that works!




Stan Prokop


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/cost-factoring-receivable-finance-company.html

7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL
CANADIAN RECEIVABLE FINANCE SOLUTION EXPERTISE



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

Got Growth Finance Know How ? Here’s Your Financing Cash Flow Tool Box!

A FREE DIY TOOLKIT FOR BUSINESS FINANCE!


OVERVIEW – Information on growth finance and cash flow financing for Canadian business. How can the business owner/manager maximize a combination of financing solutions.


What business owner or financial manager wouldn’t appreciate a nifty little tool kit

to address the fix for growth finance? Financing, and cash flow and working capital solutions can make or break your firm’s growth challenges. Let's look at what’s inside our toolkit. I guess you can say it's our version of DIY for business financing!

Growing (hopefully profitable!) Canadian firms are always looking at how to find that extra dollar to produce and invest in working capital. There are in fact numerous ' arithmetical' ways to calculate how fast your business can grow - they are very technical in nature, but the calculation numbers that will in fact tell you exactly how fast you could grow given your current performance . The tech term for that is ' Sustainable Growth Rate '.

That's all fine and dandy, our clients tend to want to jump right in and address real world ways in which they can accelerate growth, or in some cases slow it down - heaven forbid!

One of the 3 ways in which you can address the issue of growth finance is to speed up the cash flow that is already at the core of your business. How do you do that? More simple than you think - you speed up collections and improve inventory turns if in fact your business has an inventory component.
What you have in fact done is sped up the cash flow cycle, simply by working smarter and harder - and you didn’t even have to borrow!

When you in fact speed up that basic business cycle you're generating more cash that you can invest in your business... and growth. In effect you have accepted, and won the battle of being a better asset manager.

There are two other ways to address your growth challenges. One is to reduce costs - so in fact you have already accelerated cash flow by our better A/R and inventory management and you now reduce costs you have created a very strong, let’s call it... double whammy! Good business managers will always now how to reduce and watch costs - they can control fixed asset investments; negotiate with suppliers for better pricing. And trust us, those changes in your better gross margin actually much more dramatically allow you to grow - more than you think if you spend some time and do the calcs.

Another way to address growth is to look at increasing prices. Don’t forget if you can do that also you are at the same time improving margins.

We suppose the perfect growth finance situation is one in which you can use all three of our toolkit strategies. Just imagine being able to turn assets better, change your pricing, and lower your costs. It would appear our double whammy has become a triple whammy! We know every Canadian business owner and manager has the ability to pull of all three over any given period of time - but it's possible. And just success in any one of our three toolkit solutions will help your overall growth, financing, and cash flow.

Seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing manager who can assist you with growth financing solutions and advice.

7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL
CANADIAN BUSINESS GROWTH FINANCING EXPERTISE


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/growth-finance-financing-cash-flow.html



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





















Stan Prokop

Is A Sale Leaseback Transaction , Or A Bridge Loan Your Solution To Working Capital ? Sales Leaseback Finance Works!

A Reverse Position ! Refinance Assets With Sale Leasebacks!


OVERVIEW – Information on the sale leaseback as a working capital strategy . Why sales leaseback finance or a bridge loan just might be the solution you are looking for in an innovative financing solution.



We're pretty sure (and we hope!) that Canadian business owners and financial mangers leave no stone unturned

when in comes to exploring different financing options in what can generally be viewed as a tougher credit environment in Canada. Not brutal, but tough for sure!

One of those options is the sale leaseback strategy. It's what we can call a reverse position; you are in effect using sales leaseback finance, via a lease or a bridge loan, to sell your asset back a finance firm. The benefits. They are pretty clear - no new excessive debt and new cash flow into the company, leveraging your balance sheet.

Naturally it’s all about the value of the assets - it’s simply a method to maximize, via new found cash flow, the value of existing assets on your balance sheet. What the business owner and financial manager has achieved is in effect a redeployment or shifting of the balance sheet, for the better we believe!

Depending on the quality of the asset and your firms overall credit and financial strength the pricing that you can achieve from a viewpoint of interest rate on the deal is probably a lot better than mezzanine, and certainly better than the cost of new equity .

By the way, even real estate assets are a solid asset to consider in the sales leaseback finance decision. Your essential decision should revolve around the fact that you can generate a higher return in your business than the rate you are being charged for the bridge loan or leaseback. Makes sense right, as its all about return on capital and investment?

If a value, via an appraisal or some other method can be placed on an asset it can be refinanced. So that covers real estate, heavy equipment, technology assets, construction equipment, printing presses, rolling stock assets... well we think you get the picture.

For a number of clients that we talk to their decision simply revolves around ' what is my core business ' and if it isn’t real estate it makes sense to deploy cash in your normal business operations. Recall that in Canada we have even seen some of the banks in downtown Toronto sell their prestigious bank towers... why? … for cash! And these are the guys supposedly with all the cash !

Growing your company is one key use of sale leaseback capital - other reasons might be to pay down debt, pay off government arrears, improving your covenants with the bank or other lenders, or simply taking advantage of certain assets which have either appreciated , or held their value as you have made your payments .

It is important to talk to your accountant or tax advisor on the implications of any tax scenarios that come with a sale leaseback, but we have rarely seen that hold back a good deal. Also, when a pure ' lease ' scenario does not work a bridge loan financing is often just as effective

Seek out and speak to a trusted credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor on the advantages and implications of the sale leaseback or bridge loan.
P.S. It works!

7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL
CANADIAN SALE LEASEBACK / BRIDGE LOAN FINANCING EXPERTISE



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/sale-leaseback-sales-leaseback-finance-bridge-loan.html



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




Stan Prokop

Alternative Finance . All That Glitters Just Might Be Gold In Canadian Financing Loans And Lending Alternatives

Traditional or Alternative Finance ? What’s Your Poison?!

OVERVIEW – Information on accessing the right alternative finance when it comes to loans and asset based financing choices in Canada . Financing alternatives don’t have to be traditional in nature to work for your company



When it comes to ' Alternative Finance' in Canada could it be that all that glitters is in fact gold?

We suppose that is just our way of saying that the Canadian business owner and financial manager could well do to appreciate loans and financing alternatives that just might do the trick... today!

We don’t think we can find too many business folks that don't admit that there is a whole new landscape in Canadian business, especially since the 2008 Apocalypse... aka the global meltdown in corporate and bank finance.

That change has literally forced business / financial people to search out new alternatives and choices in financing their business. So while traditional financing became more restrictive... alternative financing became... you guessed it... more popular.

That is not to say that Canadian traditional sources, i.e. our banks, aren't out there looking for new business ... they are... it's interesting for us to watch it from the outside because invariably they are simply competing with each other to take business away from each other that is already in place . That’s little consolation for start ups and high growth companies, as you can imagine.

One common criticism of Canadian traditional financing, aka banks, insurance companies, etc is that it takes time. Nothing happens quickly in these highly regulated institutions. That is where non traditional finance is viewed is simply viewed as more ' nimble '.

For the business owner and finance manager that needs quick term loans, equipment loans and business credit lines there are a number of alternative finance vehicles. If we had to summarize them we could say they were:

NON- BANK ASSET BASED LENDERS
LEASING COMPANIES
CAPTIVE FINANCE FIRMS
MEZZANINE FUNDERS
TAX CREDIT FUNDERS
RECEIVABLE AND INVENTORY FINANCIERS
SUPPLY CHAIN P.O. FINANCE FIRMS

On balance it sometimes seems to us that there are less and less people in traditional institutional financing that can make credit decisions. Or is it just that we don’t seem to have access to them on a direct basis?
Maybe that is just us. Alternative finance lenders have to understand assets and being nimble almost 100% of the time.

Financing alternatives and loans from non traditional lenders typically revolve around the balance sheet. If you have assets that can be valued and generate cash, simply speaking... they can be financed! Naturally not every asset on the balance sheet can be properly financed - good will is a good example of that. And it's also to match the right amount of alternative financing with your asset category whether it be current assets that are monetized daily for cash flow, or longer term fixed assets that require specific lease financing or bridge loan strategies.

Our bottom line today - simply that you just might be surprised as to how much real ' glitter ' is shining in alternative financing vehicles. Seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor to identify sources of alternative ..... or traditional capital.

7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL
CANADIAN TRADITIONAL AND ALTERNATIVE FINANCE SOLUTIONS




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/alternative-finance-financing-alternatives-loans.html








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



Stan Prokop

Is The Asset Based Credit Line And Loan A Threat To Bank Business Lines Of Credit In Canada . You Decide After This!

Is There A New Triple Threat In Canadian Business Financing


OVERVIEW – Information on the business line of credit in Canada . Differences in bank and ABL asset based loan facilities are worth knowing for the Canadian business owner / manager



Not all business owners and financial managers in Canada are familiar with the new (relatively speaking )kid on the block in Canada , the business line of credit known as the ABL , which is basically an asset based loan , non bank in nature .

Is the ABL a real ' triple threat '

when it comes to the alternative, the bank commercial credit facility? We'll let you decide but we’re quite sure you will agree there is a market for both as you will soon see.

Oh, and by the way, the banks agree with us, because many of them, unbeknownst to many, offer their clients both alternatives. Talk about a secret we have let you in on!

So if the ultimate goal of both the ABL and the bank facility is to provide you with revolving credit, how in fact are they different? One way is simply the focus - for the bank its on cash flow and profits, while the ABL facility focuses on... you guessed it, just assets ! While our chartered banks view collateral as a back up to their credit decision the Asset based lender views your assets, the collateral, as pretty well the only back up plan.

The way bank credit lines and ABL facilities behave is partly driven by regulations. That is to say that our strong Canadian banking system is driven by rules and regulations around the amount of funds they have, what they can lend, who they can lend to . Given the fact that our banks are all pretty well public corporations on the stock market we can further imagine all the visibility around their lending that that garners!

And the asset based lender then? Well we are certainly not portraying them as drunken cowboys

doing what they want and when they want, but the reality is they are not regulated, are more often than not private firms, and make their own risk ratings and decisions based on management experience and their opinion of your assets - typically A/R, inventory, equipment, and even real estate. All of those components become part of your business credit line.

Here's another little surprise we'll share with you today. When bank loans go bad they are placed in a ' non performing ' part of the banks books, a special place known as ... you guessed it ' SPECIAL LOANS '. Do you know who often refinances these loans and pays out the bank? Surprise! It's the asset based lender!

So when a company is consuming too much cash, rather than generating it the asset based business line of credit is a great business credit solution. So all of a sudden historical cash flow and profits, critical to a bank, are a non issue when you are looking for an ABL facility. Big difference!

Do we criticize our banks for their behavior .Some might, but not us, because Canadian chartered bank solutions deliver the lowest cost based on the risk they are prepared to take.

That brings us of course to pricing. In fact certain ABL business lines of credit are in fact 100% competitive, even lower than bank offerings. However, the majority are in fact priced higher, with the offset being the tremendous amount of additional liquidity and working capital your firm achieves when monetizing assets via an asset based ABL loan.

So, co-existing. Absolutely. Just be prepared to recognize the price, limitations and benefits that your firm is prepared to take one when looking for a true business line of credit. Seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you with your business credit decision.



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/business-line-of-credit-asset-based-loan-bank.html







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