No one said it would be easy. Even if your business is booming, you can still get hit with cash flow problems thanks to inefficient investments or debts arising before you’ve collected enough money to pay them. Thankfully, your situation isn’t hopeless, even if your cash flow is going in the wrong direction. Here are five things you should consider doing if you want to turn your business around and get back in the black.
1. Consider Financing
It’s no secret that running a business is expensive work. If you’re having trouble managing your supply chain and maintaining profits, you should look into supply chain finance. By teaming up with a reliable financial partner, you can quickly get the funds you need to maintain your supply without having to worry about a gap in your cash flow. Financing can help solve your inventory issues by allowing you to keep up your stock without breaking the bank with your suppliers, giving you time to rake in the profits from your audience.
2. Reduce Supplier Payments
Paying for all the goods you need to run your business can be costly. However, if you have a stable relationship with your suppliers, it might be possible for you to negotiate with them to cut prices for you. There are a few keys to effective negotiation, such as having an established rapport, educating yourself on other suppliers’ fees, and understanding market trends in your industry. If you can leverage these elements effectively, you can drastically lower the amount of money you spend on supplies, which can significantly improve your cash flow.
3. Improve Your Payments Process
Delayed payments are one of the most common cash flow issues for businesses. If you sold a product months ago but you’re still waiting on your receivables, then you likely need to streamline your payment process. There are a few ways you can go about this. You might conduct a credit check into each client before finalizing a purchase, or you might choose to send out your invoices sooner than you have done before. The key is to encourage accountability in all your transactions. This way, you’ll reduce the amount of time you need to spend following up on overdue invoices.
4. Downsize Where You Can
A cash flow crisis isn’t a time where you can afford to have surplus assets. If your finances aren’t looking good, you need to reduce internal expenses and boost income wherever you can. Do you have aging equipment you haven’t used in ages? Sell it and make a tidy profit. Are you paying for software platforms you rarely use? Cancel your subscription and shave a bill off your monthly expenses. Are your administrative or manufacturing locations larger than your operation really needs? Move out to a smaller, cheaper space. Reducing your overheads can make a powerful impact on your financial situation.
5. Raise Your Prices
Raising your prices might sound like a last resort. However, in some situations, it’s your best course of action. If you’re struggling to maintain a healthy cash flow, then it’s a far better idea to increase your asking prices than risk going out of business. See how high your audience is willing to pay for your product; find the magic number that allows you to keep demand high without having to close your doors. Doing so could make all the difference for the future of your business.
Don’t be afraid if your cash flow isn’t looking good. Now is the time to be dynamic and respond appropriately. Use these five strategies to turn your business around and get the help you need in hard times.