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As a small business owner, it’s not uncommon to encounter a situation where your business bank account balance is lower than expected. Late payments from customers, unforeseen expenses, or seasonal fluctuations can significantly impact your cash flow. However, such challenges should not cause despair, and with the right strategies, you can navigate through the lean times successfully.

Here are six practical tips to help small business owners overcome cash flow problems:

Reduce spending

To navigate the turbulent waters of cash flow problems, the first order of business for any astute business owner is to take control of their spending. When the money stops flowing in, the last thing you want is for it to keep flowing out. This is where prioritising non-essential expenses can help to reduce spending without hurting the core operations of your business.

Review your outgoing payments with a fine-toothed comb and identify areas that are not essential to keeping your business running smoothly. Consider trimming these expenses and reallocating the funds towards more critical areas of your business.

The next step is to identify expenses that can be temporarily paused until your financial situation improves. If you explain to your suppliers and service providers that you need to put things on hold, many will understand and offer discounted rates or prices to encourage your return when your situation improves.

It is also essential to be mindful of the risks involved in making investments and purchases that your business cannot currently afford. Before committing to any expenses, ensure that you have the cash to cover them.

While these steps may seem like common sense, they are often overlooked by businesses in the heat of the moment. By prioritising spending and keeping a watchful eye on your finances, you can weather the storm of cash flow problems and emerge stronger on the other side.

Double your outstanding payment

When it comes to managing cash flow, there’s no denying the importance of getting payments in on time. Unfortunately, late payments from customers can cause a lot of trouble for small businesses. The good news is that there are several steps you can take to address this issue and get your finances back on track.

First, it’s important to gently remind customers who have outstanding payments. Sometimes, they simply forget or get busy with other tasks. A polite email or phone call can go a long way in nudging them to pay what they owe.

If reminders don’t work, you might want to consider offering payment options, such as instalments or different payment methods, to make it easier for customers to pay. You could also shift the billing cycle to better meet their needs.

For customers who consistently miss payment deadlines, you may need to take longer-term steps. Consider offering a small discount for quick payment or look into invoice finance to unlock the capital in accounts receivable. Invoice finance is a way to sell your outstanding invoices to a finance provider, who will then give you a percentage of the invoice’s value upfront, with the rest paid when the customer pays.

By taking these steps, you can help ensure that outstanding payments don’t continue to impact your cash flow. Remember that clear communication and proactive measures can go a long way in maintaining a healthy financial situation for your business.

Improve accounting

To navigate the ups and downs of business, it’s essential to stay ahead of the curve. One way to do this is to improve your forecasting and accounting practices. By creating realistic projections, you can plan your spending more accurately and reduce the likelihood of cash flow issues in the future.

Organized accounts are also critical in keeping track of your money and understanding your financial position. Without them, it can be challenging to know how much headroom you have, and you may end up overspending and running into cash flow problems.

Working with an experienced accountant can be a game-changer for your business. They have the expertise to keep your accounts in order, provide valuable financial advice, and help you make informed decisions that will benefit your business in the long run. While it may seem like an additional expense, the cost of retaining their services is quickly regained by the time saved and the benefits gained.

Business can be unpredictable, but with proper forecasting and accounting, you can stay ahead of the curve and avoid getting caught short.

Check business finance options

When your business is going through a rough patch, borrowing money might be the only way to keep it afloat. Fortunately, there are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to business finance. Aside from traditional business loans, where you borrow a lump sum and repay it over time, there are also other funding solutions that cater to the specific needs of small businesses.

One such option is asset finance, which allows you to unlock the capital that is tied up in high-value assets. If your business is asset-rich but cash-poor, then asset finance could be the perfect solution for you. This type of financing can provide you with the funds you need to cover essential expenses or investments, without compromising your business.

Another option to consider is invoice financing, which allows you to access the funds tied up in outstanding invoices. This can be particularly useful for businesses that have a lot of outstanding invoices but need cash quickly to keep things running smoothly.

Whatever type of financing you choose, it’s important to do your research and compare different options before making a decision. You should also make sure that you have a solid plan in place for how you will use the funds and how you will repay the loan. With the right financing in place, you can weather any cash flow problems and keep your business on track for success.