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Cash Flow Management Tips

Did you know that you could be showing a profit and still be going bankrupt? It’s true. The definition of bankruptcy is running out of cash.

Profits and Cash Are Different

Why are profits and cash flow often very different at a point in time? Here are five common reasons and what you can do about them.

Customers rarely pay cash on delivery.
A small business rarely collects 100% of the money customers owe.
There’s a time lag between the time a sale is booked and the time a business gets paid.
Small businesses are awful at invoicing clients on a timely basis
Small business owners do not follow up on unpaid invoices until the crisis hits.

Cash Flow Management Solutions

Always invoice the client the same day the project is completed. Don’t wait one day. Do it.
On a multi-phase project, ask the client for a deposit before work has begun.
Send the client a partial invoice as each phase of the project is completed.
Check your accounts receivables report. Your bookkeeper can print it out for you.

Call Clients When Invoices Are Past Due

What clients owe your business money? Call them, especially those whose invoices are past due. Do it today. Ask for payment.

You’ve earned it. If the client can’t pay the entire invoice, ask for partial payment and when the remainder will be paid.

Then please, do not do any more work for clients that do not pay their bills. We need to remember this, people.

If clients want your talent, they have to compensate you for it. You offer your talent in exchange for their treasure. It’s a fair trade.

Off my soapbox.

This article was originally published by Best Small Biz Help

Published: May 13, 2014
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Dawn Fotopulos

Dawn Fotopulos is the founder of BestSmallBizHelp.com, a site dedicated to helping struggling solopreneurs. The site is home to an array of valuable tools for small business owners that will guide you through all the steps necessary to develop a successful small business. Dawn also serves as Associate Professor of Business at The King’s College in NY. She’s a frequent commentator at MSNBC’s “Your Business,” the NY Times Small Business Summit, the Kaufmann Foundation’s Fast Track Program, and Forbes.