Our research shows that a lot of businesses are struggling to manage cashflow gaps due to delays in getting stock in the door and the rising cost of doing business. Some of the biggest issues impacting businesses today, especially small to medium size businesses include:
- Delays in getting stock in the door to sell to customers
- Increases in the cost of purchasing stock to sell
- Sharp rises in the cost of transportation and delivery
- Increases in energy and other business operating expenses
- Labour shortages and worker absenteeism
How can business owners stay on top of their cashflow?
All of these issues mean that there is less income coming in, while costs continue to rise. Businesses are struggling with cashflow and aren’t sure what avenues of assistance are available. My advice to owners is to act now. Do not wait to see if things will pass ast conditions are forecast to continue for the next 12 months. Here are tips for owners;
Reach out to your advisor
Good accountants and business advisors whether they be financial advisors or business coaches, are knowledgeable and offer a lot of experience. For this reason, they are usually very well placed to assist you to navigate through the challenges and suggest solutions.
Review expenses
Many businesses operate on a set and forget basis, particularly when business is doing well however, when the market tightens up, set and forget measures need to be reviewed. While there are definite advantages to set and forget in terms of maintaining business continuity, partnering with suppliers that know your business and deliver no matter what, and having trust in suppliers to always do the right thing by your business, expense reviews are critical.
Take the time to look at supplier arrangements and seek better pricing where possible, reach out to other businesses to determine whether there are areas where you could share costs, and cut the things your business doesn’t need or put them on hold temporarily.
Outsource operations where possible
Many businesses are struggling to retain staff and bring on board new staff due to labour shortages. As a result, wages are going through the roof for many businesses and this cost is not tenable in this current environment. Where you can, outsource operations. If you are online business, look at third-party logistics providers. They offer efficiencies through scale and technology innovation. This will reduce your costs as well as warehousing operations.
If you have administration staff, see if these activities can be outsourced relatively cheaper offshore. Find ways to cut down your operating expenses by doing things smarter.
Get funds in the door faster
Not many businesses are aware that there are ways of getting funds in the door faster and Invoice Finance is one of these smart mechanisms. Invoice Finance is considered a popular means of generating income upfront fast to help a business improve cashflow.
Typically businesses that have ATO debt or a history of credit issues struggle to get finance through the banks which is why Invoice Finance has become the go-to option for businesses that need to unlock funds fast without taking out a loan or setting up a line of credit.
In essence, businesses use their invoices as collateral to generate payment upfront. It is a way for businesses to access funds against the amounts due from their customers.
Invoice financiers like Earlypay can also take care of managing debtors and collections so the business can focus on what they’re good at. Invoice Finance can help a business with its cash flow, pay employees and suppliers and reinvest in operations and growth earlier.
COVID has created an unusual set of trading circumstances for businesses and it will be the businesses that adapt to current operating challenges quickly that succeed over the next 24 months and also prepare them for any further black swan events like the Russia Ukraine war.
Daniel Riley is a finance expert and the Chief Executive Officer of Earlypay.
