(Andy Ryan/Getty)
It’s not always clear when a company is about to run out of money—but there are some red flags that can signal trouble. Do any of these statements sound familiar?
1. Running low
We’re currently operating with less than three times our monthly expenditures available as cash in the bank.
2. Running late
More than half of our receivables are unpaid 90 days after the date of invoice, despite our best efforts to politely request remittance.
3. Mystery clients
We have no formal processes in place to gauge core clients’ ability to pay us. We don’t ask for credit applications before
we start work for them and have no way of checking their credit ratings.
4. More for less
One of our long-term clients has suddenly started paying us much more slowly than it used to but is ordering more than ever before.
5. Buck-passing
Our clients often ask us for extensions on their invoices while they’re waiting to receive money from their own clients. (The business equivalent of, “Don’t worry, buddy, I swear I’ll get you for this pizza later.”)
6. Arrested development
We’ve been in business for more than five years—well past the startup stress zone—but our operating expenses routinely eclipse our gross sales.
7. Flying blind
We can’t create a rolling budget because we don’t have a system in place to accurately collect financial operating data.
8. Maxing out
We’re very reliant on our line of credit for cash flow, and we’ve already had to go to the bank to ask for a limit increase more than once.
9. Fingers crossed
A major client has told us they don’t care what the cost is, they just want the job done; moreover, they won’t even discuss the expected tally, telling us “we can talk money at the end.”
10. Radio silence
There is little to no communication between our sales and finance departments.
MORE ABOUT SMALL BUSINESS:
- Five simple ways to get paid faster
- What to do when your company’s growth stalls
- Five sources of financing every small business needs to know
- Why Canadian companies need access to higher-risk financing
- For craft beer–makers Collective Arts, two heads proved better than one
- How direct sales companies reach customers, no store required
- Why the future of global trade deals could be small businesses
- Business New Year’s Resolutions: Focus on small data, not big data
- Four ways to make tax time less painful for small business
