Business is Great! But Why Are We Broke?

Tweet

We would probably all agree that a business owner and financial manager can be forgiven for wondering why a company whose business is 'great' could be a candidate for failure. Let's assume our last comment related to 'Sales.' We could however say the same for profit.







The answer is of course, it's the 'lack of cash;

as a business grows it uses more and more cash to hold accounts receivable and inventory. Yes, the company has a line of credit with the bank, but what happens when business owners find themselves up against the top of the line on a continuing basis. Bankers like it when a line of credit fluctuates - being at the top of the line all the time without those fluctuations portends a problem.

There is a top notch business case in the United States that illustrates our articles theme. The case involved a department store in the 1960's called the W.T. Grant Company. The basics of the story are as follows, and it's a classic case to illustrate out point.

What makes the Grant story more compelling is that the company literally helped to change the laws around financial reporting. Up to the time most companies simply produced a balance sheet and income statement. When the balance sheet had a lot of assets, which were growing, and the income statement had a lot of profit, well, what could possibly be the problem? Banks continued to lend to Grant on an increasing basis, and Grant started to lend to its customers for purchases on credit. Sounds good, right? Except for the fact that Grant ultimately filed for bankruptcy.

As accountants, lenders and investors started analyzing the company more closely it turned out there were lots of assets and profit, just no cash. The company had actually been burning cash, as the expression goes, for ten years. It was a textbook case of no working capital or the controls to recognize it. All those receivables and inventory were in very poor shape, receivables uncollectible, inventory un-sellable.

Although all investors and lenders still look at the bottom line profit, as much focus today is placed on cash flow. That's because cash flow is directly linked to overall profitability.

Typical signs of a business going down this path are:

- expansion and growing seem evermore difficult

- every situation seems to be a crisis

- management has no handle on the real financials

As the majority of businesses are financing by banking arrangements the company also starts missing loan payments with pressure from other creditors and suppliers not far off.

At this point assets are no longer growing; they are at risk of shrinking. Sales slow down, and money seems to be leaving the business, not coming into the business.

In summary, businesses need to focus on working capital, as much so in times of growth as times of a downturn. Business owners tend to rationalize the working capital problems by blaming the economy, a competitor, the dollar currency, etc. Blame is an easy way out, the solid business owner recognizes the fixes required, looks at internal matters such as financials and working capital, and exerts change in processes and controls. Losses won't necessarily put a business under, but we are assured lack of cash will.

Businesses with solid working capital and financial possibilities survive in bad times also!

Stan Prokop is the founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial. See http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com. The company originates business financing for Canadian companies and is a specialist in working capital and asset based financing of all types. For more information or contact details please see:

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




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










Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Stan_Prokop/432698

Inventory Financing In Canada : Solving The Working Capital & Cash Flow Challenge Around Business Inventories

Must Have Business Inventory Financing Solutions - We've Got Them !





Tweet






Information on inventory financing in Canada. Effective financing of business inventories leads to positive working capital and cash flow management for operating and growing your company

Canadian business owners and financial managers focus on the term ‘inventory loan ‘when they want to address this balance sheet component for additional working capital and cash flow.

While it is possible to get an inventory loan the reality is that more often than not inventory financing is a critical component of additional working capital facilities.

Let’s examine some key aspects of inventory financing and determine how you can access this unique type of financing. For starters, when you are successful in financing inventory you are in essence freeing up the cash that is tied up in that critical part of your balance sheet. When we talk to clients about working capital and cash flow financing in general the term ‘cash conversion cycle’ is one on which we place critical importance.

It may sounds like a text book finance definition, but the reality is that it’s simply the formula for determine how one dollar of capital flows through your business. And that dollar of capital usually in fact comes from the initial purchase of inventory. This is in turn converted into accounts receivable, which are (hopefully!) collected and turned into cash. The amount of time that dollar stays on your inventory line is a key part of the cash conversion cycle.

You should focus on inventory financing when in fact your investment in this balance sheet category is significant, often only rivaled by accounts receivable. We have worked with many firms who in fact have to carry more inventory than A/R. That becomes a financing challenge.

Naturally traditional financing institutions such as chartered banks don’t place a lot of reliance in their lending on their ability to secure and dispose of this type of asset. The reality is that your inventory might be in the form of raw materials, work in process, or finished goods. Depending on the lenders knowledge of inventory the ability to margin or finance that inventory becomes limited.

Inventory financing on its own tends to be a challenge – it is not impossible in some circumstances. The reality is though that inventory financing works best when it is tied to a full working capital or asset based financing facility that covers the inventory itself, your receivables, and in some cases supplemental assets such as equipment or real estate .

As a cautionary note we must add that for your inventory to be financing you should be able to demonstrate that it ‘ turns ‘ , and that there is only a very small per cent age of obscelescence attached to this asset category . You can quickly determine how fast inventory turns by going to your income statement , taking your ‘cost of sales ‘ line , and dividing it by ‘ inventory on hand ‘.

So what is a good turnover number? The answer is that it depends on overall industry benchmarks for your type of business. A grocery store might turn over their inventory many many more times more often than a manufacturing company with a complex builds process.

We should also add that inventory becomes more financeable when you are running a perpetual inventory system and you are able to demonstrate you have a solid handle on what is on hand , and provide reporting in that regard .

Speak to a trusted, credible, and experienced financing advisor in this very specialized area of business financing – that will allow you to determine if your inventory is currently properly financed, and, if not, what financing options are available.

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

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com


Business financing for Canadian Firms , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing , Equipment Leasing , franchise finance and Cdn. Tax Credit Finance . Founded 2004 - Completed in excess of 100 Million $ of financing for Canadian corporations .

' Canadian Business Financing With The Intelligent Use Of Experience '

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Stan has had a successful career with some of the world’s largest and most successful corporations.
Prior to founding 7 Park Avenue Financial in 2004 his employers over the last 25 years were, ASHLAND OIL, ( 1977-1980) DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION, ( 1980-1990) ) CABLE & WIRELESS PLC,( 1991 -1993) ) AND HEWLETT PACKARD ( 1994-2004 ) He is an expert in Canadian Business Financing.

Stan has over 40 years of business and finance executive experience. He has been recognized as a credit/financial executive for three of the largest technology companies in the world; Hewlett-Packard, Digital Equipment and Cable & Wireless. Stan has had in depth, hands on experience in assessing and evaluating thousands of companies that are seeking financing and expansion. He has been instrumental in helping many companies progress through every phase of financing, mergers & acquisitions, sales and marketing and human resources. Stan has worked with startups and public corporations and has many times established the financial wherewithal of organizations before approving millions of dollars of financing facilities and instruments on behalf of his employers.

Stan Prokop

Equipment Leasing & Lease Finance In Canada : Financing Your Assets For Growth

Tweet

Equipment Leasing Works : We Told You So!

Information on the Canadian equipment leasing and financing industry .How to utilize the services of experts in this area to save thousands of dollars

Equipment Leasing and Canadian Lease Financing generates profits for Canadian business via use of assets that your firm requires to run its business and stay competitive.

Lease rates in Canada have finally normalized somewhat after the global economic tensions of late 2008 and 2009. Liquidity has come back into the markets and even the government in Canada has stepped in to assist the actual companies that were doing the financing.

We never fully disagree with a client when a firm tells us that the overall interest rate is the most important thing they consider in a lease vs. purchase decision. However, at the same time there are a number of other, we would actually call them ‘critical ‘factors in evaluating and getting approved for lease financing.

Customers often weight the lease decision against two other key issues, their ability to purchase the equipment outright and secondly consideration of a financing alternative such as a bank loan. Naturally all three strategies – leasing, purchasing outright, and financing via a bank loan still get you the equipment.

Lease firms in Canada tout the benefits of leasing and line them up directly against your other two alternatives. Bank financing has always been difficult to get for any small to medium business (in the last year or two large business had challenges also!) and when you choose to finance your equipment through a bank loan a number of key factors come into play. They include usually a down payment, plus the fact that your new equipment loan gets bundled into your overall banking relationship, loan and ratio covenants, plus your overall credit facility limit.

If you are comfortable with that naturally the bank rates are very attractive. In general for a decent quality credit in Canada you can expect to pay two to three per cent more for a financial lease from an independent finance firm. However that additional premium may be well worth it when you consider some of the factors we noted above.


In Canada credit quality drives a large part of the final rate. The good news here is that companies with decent to good to very good credit will always achieve some of the best rates. But more importantly we point out that if your firm has challenges, little or no funds for a down payment, or a higher dollar acquisition you can still get lease financing consideration.


The Canadian leasing market is very fragmented so we strongly recommend to clients that you utilize the services of a trusted, credible and most importantly , ‘ experienced ‘ lease and business financing advisor who can help you navigate the maze of Canadian lease firms . Their relationship with the best financiers in your industry can save you many thousands of dollars.


Let’s prove our point with a quick example. Your firm doesn’t have the contacts or necessary technical knowledge to navigate the Canadian lease environment. You note the industry has a trade association called the CANADIAN FINANCE AND LEASING ASSOCIATION. That website shows hundreds of small and larger firms. You could of course contact each firm, explain your needs, provide them your financial information and then spend hours, days, etc on negotiations and knowledge assimilation relative to your particular needs for equipment acquisition.

However, utilizing a lease finance expert will give you instant access to probably one or two of the best lessors suited to your asset, your industry, and your firms overall credit quality.

If your advisor delivers only a little on overall rate, terms and structure you will save thousands of dollars, plus gain invaluable advice along the way on which lease option to choose ( there are two, capital and operating ) .





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

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com


Business financing for Canadian Firms , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing , Equipment Leasing , franchise finance and Cdn. Tax Credit Finance . Founded 2004 - Completed in excess of 100 Million $ of financing for Canadian corporations .

' Canadian Business Financing With The Intelligent Use Of Experience '

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Stan has had a successful career with some of the world’s largest and most successful corporations.
Prior to founding 7 Park Avenue Financial in 2004 his employers over the last 25 years were, ASHLAND OIL, ( 1977-1980) DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION, ( 1980-1990) ) CABLE & WIRELESS PLC,( 1991 -1993) ) AND HEWLETT PACKARD ( 1994-2004 ) He is an expert in Canadian Business Financing.

Stan has over 40 years of business and finance executive experience. He has been recognized as a credit/financial executive for three of the largest technology companies in the world; Hewlett-Packard, Digital Equipment and Cable & Wireless. Stan has had in depth, hands on experience in assessing and evaluating thousands of companies that are seeking financing and expansion. He has been instrumental in helping many companies progress through every phase of financing, mergers & acquisitions, sales and marketing and human resources. Stan has worked with startups and public corporations and has many times established the financial wherewithal of organizations before approving millions of dollars of financing facilities and instruments on behalf of his employers.

Stan Prokop

How To Make Money Factoring & Financing Your Invoices !

Fascinated About How Factoring and Asset Based Lending Solutions Might Work For Your Firm When It Comes To Business Cash Flow & Working Capital Needs?

Information on factoring financing in Canada. Invoice cash solutions, utilized properly , allow a business to grow when access to traditional credit sources might not be available

Invoice cash - can a factoring or working capital facility actually reduce your finance expenses and allow your business to grow at any rate profitably. We think we can show you how!



Canadian business owners and financial managers keep hearing about firms that ' factor ' their accounts receivables, their ' invoices ‘. This is a growing trend in Canada that has caught on to a financing strategy that has been successful in the U.S. for a number of years.



Is there a ' perfect ' financing solution for your firm that provides you with unlimited working capital and is actually cheaper than bank financing when you realize that you are carrying receivables 30, 60, and 90 days on your balance sheet ? While we might agree there is no ' perfect ' financing solution for all Canadian firms everywhere we strongly feel that we can very EASILY demonstrate who invoice cash, know as factoring, or receivable discounting will take your firm to the next level of sales and profits.



Let’s get back to our statement of how you can reduce your finance expenses, and grow your sales at any growth rate. We will even add that you can ' profit ' from this financing strategy.



We have to get a little technical here, but bear with us! --



OUR EXAMPLE:



Let’s say your firm has sales of 1 Million dollars, you have 40% gross margins, and you have operating costs of 38%, leaving you a 2% net income on your sales. Included in those costs are your bank financing costs from, for example, a Canadian chartered bank. We would point out that your bank credit line has a limit, and at a certain point, because your customers are paying you in 30, 60, and 90 days you are full utilizing your line of credit. Are you able to take new orders and contracts without new external financing - we don’t think so!



So whats the solution?! We have one for Canadian business owners or their financial managers. Let us set up a working capital factoring facility for you. The kind that we prefer is 100% non intrusive - that is to say you will continue to bill and collect your own accounts receivable. We call it non-notification. Ask any other firm if they like how their factoring facility works - if they don’t have a non notification facility they will tell you they don’t necessarily like it for a number of reasons , mainly customer intrusion , etc .



So we have our facility set up. You take on new orders and contracts and double your sales to 2 Million dollars.



Your competitors start talking about you!



Using the factoring, or invoice cash facility you get paid the same day you invoice. At the end of the year your sales are 2 million, they have doubled! Your net profit would be 130k, not 20k; you would have paid 70k in factoring and financing costs and still have made a lot more profit - in our example 110k more profit.



Again , we realize we're getting a little technical and accounting oriented in our example and explanation - so what is the laypersons button line explanation of what just happened - It is as follows -



You doubled your sales, you had no concerns about external financing or taking on new debt, and your profits went up, a lot!



Technically what happened is what KPMG calls on their website the ' Cash conversion cycle ' - you have turned over assets much more quicker, therefore you have greatly improved return on asset, return on equity, and net profit .



In summary. Invoice cash, factoring, receivable discounting, whatever you want to call it (at our firm we call it a working capital facility) works. It can work for you.



Sit down with a trusted, credible and expert business financing advisor and run the numbers. You will find you just got off the cash flow merry go round, and that’s a good thing.




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

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com


Business financing for Canadian Firms , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing , Equipment Leasing , franchise finance and Cdn. Tax Credit Finance . Founded 2004 - Completed in excess of 100 Million $ of financing for Canadian corporations .

' Canadian Business Financing With The Intelligent Use Of Experience '

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Stan has had a successful career with some of the world’s largest and most successful corporations.
Prior to founding 7 Park Avenue Financial in 2004 his employers over the last 25 years were, ASHLAND OIL, ( 1977-1980) DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION, ( 1980-1990) ) CABLE & WIRELESS PLC,( 1991 -1993) ) AND HEWLETT PACKARD ( 1994-2004 ) He is an expert in Canadian Business Financing.

Stan has over 40 years of business and finance executive experience. He has been recognized as a credit/financial executive for three of the largest technology companies in the world; Hewlett-Packard, Digital Equipment and Cable & Wireless. Stan has had in depth, hands on experience in assessing and evaluating thousands of companies that are seeking financing and expansion. He has been instrumental in helping many companies progress through every phase of financing, mergers & acquisitions, sales and marketing and human resources. Stan has worked with startups and public corporations and has many times established the financial wherewithal of organizations before approving millions of dollars of financing facilities and instruments on behalf of his employers.

Stan Prokop

SR&ED Tax Credit Financing in Canada

Tweet






Turn Your ' Waiting Pain ' Into Happy When It Comes To Your Firm's SR&ED Refund Claim

Information on SR&ED financing in Canada. The ability to monetize your sred refund can be a key component of your overall cash flow strategy in the recovery of your r&d capital investment . SR&ED bridge loans.. work!

SR&ED (SRED) tax credit financing is a solid strategy used by more and more Canadian business owners and financial managers who wish to accelerate the benefits of Canada’s Sr Ed program. Cash flowing, monetizing, or factoring ( they all mean the same thing!) your Canadian Sr ed claim can accelerate cash flow and working capital for your privately controlled Canadian business that is utilizing SR ED credits under the governments program .


In many ways the financing of your Sr ed credit actually allows you to maintain your competitive edge, as the combination of your non repayable tax credit and the immediate financing of it are a ‘ double whammy ‘ in the face of your competitors who might not use this strategy .

A banker we deal with recently told us that current industry statistics show that many companies who are in fact eligible for the SR ED credit aren’t even applying for it, let along financing it. Therefore when your firm maximizes on the total value of your claim, and then generates instant cash flow on that claim you are clearly leading the pack in this regard.

Many clients tell us that they utilize the Sr Ed funds that they finance to assist in acquiring new equipment that allows them to maintain a competitive edge in their markets. The reality is of course that these funds can be used for an general corporate purpose , which might be things such as equipment acquisition, advertising and marketing, reduction in payables or debt, or of course the continued investing of even additional research and development efforts .

So what is the cash flow and working capital potential in your SR ED, and how do you unlock that potential? If you are already filing for SR ED credits you are no doubt working with the assistance of your client, or, alternatively, someone that is known as a SRED consultant. Having a solid resource in one or both of these parties allows you to maximize on your potential claim.

Once you have filed you claim we recommend that you consider immediately financing the claim. Naturally you don’t have to do this, and can simply wait the 3-12 months that it might take Ottawa and your particular province to review the claim, adjudicate it, and process it for payment. But, as we state, why not consider financing the claim.

Clients ask us how the actual process works. It is quite simple really. Your calim is generally financed at 70% of the total value of the amount you and your accountant and consultant have claimed. You can receive cash immediately after it is filed. In certain cases you can actually receive funds for the claim prior to financing – that whole process is called SRED accrual financing. Some of the basic criteria are simply that you must have filed a claim before, have a solid reputable party preparing it, and be prepared to demonstrate good records and accounting around those expenses you are intending to claim.

So how can we summarize in a ‘bottom line ‘manner. Its simply as follows – you should be filing Sr Ed claims if you are eligible. On filing you have the option of financing that claim, so you are bringing immediate cash flow and working capital to your firm on funds that are not repayable to the government.

Funds can be used for any company purpose, and proper utilization allows you to maintain a competitive advantage on your competitors. That’s using research as a cash flow generator – a solid financing strategy!




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


http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com


Business financing for Canadian Firms , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing , Equipment Leasing , franchise finance and Cdn. Tax Credit Finance . Founded 2004 - Completed in excess of 100 Million $ of financing for Canadian corporations .

' Canadian Business Financing With The Intelligent Use Of Experience '

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Stan has had a successful career with some of the world’s largest and most successful corporations.
Prior to founding 7 Park Avenue Financial in 2004 his employers over the last 25 years were, ASHLAND OIL, ( 1977-1980) DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION, ( 1980-1990) ) CABLE & WIRELESS PLC,( 1991 -1993) ) AND HEWLETT PACKARD ( 1994-2004 ) He is an expert in Canadian Business Financing.

Stan has over 40 years of business and finance executive experience. He has been recognized as a credit/financial executive for three of the largest technology companies in the world; Hewlett-Packard, Digital Equipment and Cable & Wireless. Stan has had in depth, hands on experience in assessing and evaluating thousands of companies that are seeking financing and expansion. He has been instrumental in helping many companies progress through every phase of financing, mergers & acquisitions, sales and marketing and human resources. Stan has worked with startups and public corporations and has many times established the financial wherewithal of organizations before approving millions of dollars of financing facilities and instruments on behalf of his employers.

Stan Prokop

Increasing Profits Without Sales!

Tweet

The article provides an overview of how expense reduction is equally important as sales growth in profit generation.

When business owners or financial managers think about increasing profits in their firm we think the first thing that comes to mind is selling more, or increasing revenue. We can also turn that thought upside down and increase is profits without any additional sales - How? Expense reduction.

We know that sales are necessary for business survival, and that profits are even more necessary. It is the expense column of an income statement that turns those sales into losses, not profit!

Business owners could do very well to focus as much sometimes on expense reduction. As an example a thousand dollars in sales might increase profits by 100$ but a 100$ decrease in costs is the same as 100$ increase in sales! So management should focus on putting effort into that very leverage statement we have just made.

Well, we have identified the solution. How do we get there? Let's look at some very obvious and not so obvious solutions.

Anyone for an 'upgrade '? Use of internal of government funded training can improve employee skills and output. This is a long term investment with great rewards.

Employees should also then be incented to be more productive, this can be done in many ways, not the least of which is a reward for the employee suggestion box winner! Open door policy on suggestions has saved many firms thousands, sometimes millions. (In larger firms)

On the payroll issue a firm could add a shift as opposed to paying overtime. Some employees could actually be outsourced to reduce expenses. The independent contractor is clearly here to stay, whether we like it or not.

Employers should also investigate that they are paying only what is required re Unemployment insurance and workers compensation.

A company buys things. Purchasing or management should make an effort to buy smarter - negotiate better pricing with cash, take discounts, etc. Supplier relationships are key to any company's survival - but no supplier should think they are 'in for life 'without it being a mutually beneficial relationship.

Firms can also advertise better - in the internet age a small investment in websites, social media etc has huge paybacks.

Business owners are cautioned to research the DUPONT FORMULA. It's a simple financial tool that shows you that if you turn inventories faster and increase collections you can become more profitable.

Naturally some of the very basics still can sometimes be overlooked - i.e. reduction in postal and courier expenses.

What's the bottom line? Cut costs, increase profits. No sales required, but they sure are helpful!

Stan Prokop is the founder of 7 Park Avenue FInancial. See http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com. The company originates business financing for Canadian companies and is a specialist in working capital and asset based financing of all types. For more information or contact details please see: http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com/Home_page.html




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

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com


Business financing for Canadian Firms , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing , Equipment Leasing , franchise finance and Cdn. Tax Credit Finance . Founded 2004 - Completed in excess of 100 Million $ of financing for Canadian corporations .

' Canadian Business Financing With The Intelligent Use Of Experience '














Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Stan_Prokop/432698


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3637858