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Overcoming Challenges of Business Finance in Canada
"Revenue is vanity, profit is sanity, but cash is king." - Unknown
"Is your business drowning in financial quicksand? Discover how to overcome the top challenges of business finance and propel your company towards success."
7 Park Avenue Financial: “Canadian Business Financing with the intelligent use of experience”
Parasites of Small Businesses Cash Flow in Canada
Introduction
We wrote recently on 2 specific parasites concerning business cash flow financing challenges for your business finances.
They were, specifically:
Mismanagement of your cash flow cycle
Poor use of operating leverage
Business owners often face challenges such as budget management, debt, and mixing personal and business finances. That word parasite conjures up an image of a ‘ leech ‘…or ‘ sponge ‘.
It seems appropriate to address three more parasites of your inconsistent cash flow and working capital challenge.
CASH FLOW CRUNCH?
When your business has cash flow gaps in day-to-day operations, it can strain supplier relations and slow your business growth. Talk to the 7 Park Avenue Financial team about cash flow financing/cash flow lending and business loan solutions to bridge those gaps!
Financing a business presents several challenges for the Canadian business owner and financial manager - It's all about accessing cash, managing cash flow, and having the ability to grow the business - Let the 7 Park Avenue Financial team show you how to manage those issues successfully.
DID YOU KNOW?
- 82% of business failures are due to poor cash flow management
- Average Canadian business waits 60 days for invoice payment
- 67% of businesses have experienced cash flow challenges
- Alternative lending in Canada grew 159% since 2019
- 43% of businesses seek cash flow financing for growth opportunities
Potential Financial Challenges
Financial Leverage
We’ll start with # 1, the concept of ‘ Financial Leverage ‘. A good way to think of it is that it’s the idea of how different types of financing affect your use and your net profit.
Financing your firm always comes down to a fork in the crossroads—i.e., debt or equity. If your firm can acquire and manage as much debt as possible in a solid manner, you naturally restrict outside ability to dilute your equity position.
Essentially, that’s a good thing. The only problem is that your lenders want to get paid either periodically or on a revolving basis. Ultimately it’s one of the most important ‘ big picture ‘ decisions you have to make in running and financing your business, as it directly impacts your company's financial health.
Maturing Debt
Potential parasite #2 in our analysis today is the concept of maturing debt. Along with that comes another business decision (boy, there seem to be a lot of important decisions to be addressed today!): taking on debt on either a short-term or operating basis.
You also don’t want to be caught in the additional common situation of guessing where interest rates must go, as this can affect your ability to secure capital from financial institutions.
Current Asset and Cash Flow Management
Potential parasite # 3 is the idea of current asset management. Here’s where things can go wrong, generally speaking, reasonably quickly.
Did you know that as a business owner and financial manager, you have minute-by-minute access to one of the most powerful tools in business analysis… we think—in the world: accurate and timely financial data? Simply speaking, it’s the understanding and analysis of your ongoing receivables and inventory.
Canadian small business owners ability to track sales and inventory should set off alarm bells when things are going awry. Monitor your sales-to-receivables ratio over time, and in the case of inventory, ensure your inventory isn’t trending up when your sales are not!
Key Takeaways
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Cash flow management: Balancing income and expenses to ensure financial stability.
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Capital acquisition: Securing funds for growth and operations through various sources.
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Risk assessment: Identifying and mitigating potential financial threats to the business around predicted cash flow
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Financial planning: Developing comprehensive strategies around your financial statements for long-term fiscal health and financial performance and avoiding poor tax compliance in the area of federal income taxes re: CRA, etc
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Debt management: Optimizing borrowing while maintaining a healthy debt-to-equity ratio which can cause businesses fail without proper attention
Conclusion - Cash flow financing works!
The real ‘ quality ‘ of your profits/income is ultimately related to managing these 3 potential parasites around cash flow finance, and business leaders play a crucial role in this process. Angel investors can also provide creative financing options and serve as a valuable source of funding for your operations.
In Canada, you can fix, eliminate, or control these parasites in various ways.
They include:
A Term cash flow loan
Receivable / Invoice financing and inventory financing,
Asset-based lending facilities
Monetizing tax credits such as the SR&ED credit.
PO Financing
Working Capital Loans / Merchant Cash Advance
Equipment Financing
Call 7 Park Avenue Financial, a trusted, credible, and experienced Canadian business financing advisor, to learn how you can find and deliver solutions to management financing challenges.
FAQ
What are the most common challenges of business finance?
The most common challenges include managing cash flow, securing capital for growth, balancing debt and equity financing to manage future cash flow needs , assessing financial risks, and optimizing working capital for the company's cash flow.
How can I improve my business's cash flow management?
Improve cash flow by implementing efficient invoicing systems, negotiating favourable payment terms with suppliers to improve cash flows, managing inventory effectively, and utilizing cash flow forecasting tools to assess needs around future cash flows.
What options are available for financing business growth?
Financing options include traditional bank loans, angel investors, venture capital, crowdfunding, government grants, and alternative lending platforms for business loans, such as online lenders or peer-to-peer lending.
How can I assess and mitigate financial risks in my business?
Assess risks by conducting regular financial audits, implementing internal controls on the business account, diversifying revenue streams, and maintaining adequate insurance coverage. Mitigate risks through careful planning and proactive financial management. Understanding sources and uses of funds in your cash flow statement is key.
What strategies can help optimize working capital?
Optimize working capital to ensure adequate cash flow by improving inventory turnover, negotiating better terms with suppliers to achieve positive cash flow , implementing effective accounts receivable management, and leveraging technology for streamlined financial processes. Assessing the need for cash flow loans and other solutions is key.
How does financial technology impact business finance challenges?
Financial technology (FinTech) offers innovative solutions to streamline financial processes, improve data analysis, and enhance decision-making. It can help businesses overcome challenges by providing tools for better cash flow management, more accessible access to business loans and capital, and improved financial reporting around financial risk.
What role does sustainability play in modern business finance?
Sustainability is increasingly important in business finance, with investors and consumers favoring environmentally responsible companies. Sustainable practices can lead to cost savings, new revenue opportunities, and improved access to green financing options.
How do mergers and acquisitions affect business finance?
Financial transactions such as Mergers and acquisitions can significantly impact business finance by altering capital structures, changing cash flow patterns, and introducing new financial risks and opportunities. Proper due diligence and integration planning are essential for successful financial outcomes.
What key financial metrics should businesses focus on to address challenges of business finance?
Key metrics for effective financial management include cash flow, profitability ratios, debt-to-equity ratios, working capital, DSO analysis on delayed customer payments, and return on investment. Regularly monitoring these metrics helps identify potential issues and measure the effectiveness of financial strategies.
How do different business models impact the challenges of business finance?
Business models significantly influence financial challenges. For example, service-based businesses may face different cash flow issues than product-based companies. Subscription models might have more predictable revenue but require careful customer churn management.