9 ways to improve cash flow (2024)

9. Put the right finance options and funding liquidity in place

If your business is seasonal or your cash flow is unsteady – for example, if you do most of your business around Christmas – you'll need to think about the best options for financing.

If you need fast access to cash from your customers, you can sell the debt to an invoice factoring company, who will then pay you 90% of the invoice value immediately. Once the customer has settled the invoice, the factoring company will pay you the remaining 10% less their fee.

You could choose to renegotiate your overdraft facility with your bank if you can see that your cash needs are short-term but if your forecast suggests a longer-term challenge, you could look at more structured forms of financing such as bank loans. Alternatively, trade loans or working capital loans may be available for companies that have significant trade flows. Trade loans are used to bridge the gap between the purchase of product and payment from the end customer.

By keeping a close eye on your cash flow, you can plan for potential shortfall periods and get better deals. If you unexpectedly run short of cash, it can be stressful and end up costing you a lot more to rectify.

Make better use of any surplus cash by putting it into interest-earning accounts to generate extra income. It's better than leaving a high balance in a non-interest-paying current account. Talk to your bank to find the best option available.

Managing your cash flow is a vital element of running a sustainable business. When the economic situation is fluctuating, leading to uncertainty and volatility in prices, all businesses, whether long-established or just starting out can benefit from advice, funding and support.

Creating an environmentally-friendly business can help the planet and also cut costs. Find out more about Green Finance from our specialist ESG and sustainability team.

9 ways to improve cash flow (2024)

FAQs

How can you improve cash flow? ›

How Can You Increase Cash Flow? Ways to increase cash flow for a business include offering discounts for early payments, leasing not buying, improving inventory, conducting consumer credit checks, and using high-interest savings accounts.

What are the five main causes of cash flow problems? ›

5 Biggest Causes of Cash Flow Problems
  • Avoiding Emergency Funds. Businesses — like individuals — need to be prepared for the unexpected. ...
  • Not Creating a Budget. ...
  • Receiving Late Customer Payments. ...
  • Uncontrolled Growth. ...
  • Not Paying Yourself a Salary.
May 3, 2023

How can you improve the cash flow and decrease overdraft? ›

7 Ways to improve cash flow management
  1. CREATE A CASHFLOW FORECAST. Create a twelve month forecast to monitor your cash flow. ...
  2. Reduce overheads. ...
  3. Healthy account management. ...
  4. Prompt debt collection. ...
  5. Finance your Equipment. ...
  6. Consider a business overdraft. ...
  7. Use technology.

How do you increase cash flow from operations? ›

Here are six easy to implement business strategies that will increase your cash flow and get you on the fast track to higher profits.
  1. Reduce your spending. ...
  2. Create additional revenue streams. ...
  3. Offer discounts for fast payments. ...
  4. Watch your inventory. ...
  5. Consider raising your prices. ...
  6. Offer prepayment rewards.

What increases cash in cash flow? ›

Transactions that show an increase in assets result in a decrease in cash flow. Transactions that show a decrease in assets result in an increase in cash flow. Transactions that show an increase in liabilities result in an increase in cash flow.

How to build cash flow? ›

Whether you want to make a financial investment or start a business, here are 11 ideas to consider for your passive income strategy:
  1. Make financial investments. ...
  2. Own a rental property. ...
  3. Start a print-on-demand shop. ...
  4. Self-publish. ...
  5. Sell worksheets. ...
  6. Sell templates. ...
  7. Create content. ...
  8. Create an online course.
Mar 18, 2024

What hinders cash flow? ›

Inadequate credit policies, lax follow-up on outstanding invoices, and ineffective collection practices can hinder cash flow and create liquidity issues.

How do you fix cash flow problems? ›

How to solve common cash flow problems
  1. Revisit your business plan. ...
  2. Create better business visibility. ...
  3. Get better at forecasting. ...
  4. Manage your profit expectations. ...
  5. Minimise expenses. ...
  6. Get good accounting software. ...
  7. Try not to overextend. ...
  8. Try to get paid quicker.
Dec 23, 2022

How do you manage poor cash flow? ›

Below, we discuss some of the best ways to improve your cash flow.
  1. Maintain a separate bank account. ...
  2. Expedite late supplier payments. ...
  3. Increase your revenue. ...
  4. Lease or finance assets in place of downright purchases. ...
  5. Create a cash buffer. ...
  6. Eliminate unnecessary expenses. ...
  7. Invest and grow your cash.
May 15, 2023

How do I increase my personal cash flow? ›

Powered By:
  1. Track Your Spending. It's difficult to change something you don't fully understand, so start by tracking your spending for a clear view of your cash flow. ...
  2. Prioritize Saving. ...
  3. Look at Your Recurring Expenses. ...
  4. Lower Your Food Spending. ...
  5. Save on Transportation. ...
  6. Get a Side Gig. ...
  7. Pay Off Debt. ...
  8. Check Your Retail Habits.
Feb 21, 2024

What are the most effective cash flow techniques require? ›

The most effective cash flow techniques require Multiple Choice budgeting for both the amount and timing of required cash flows. reconciling bank statement each day. taking advantage of prompt payment discounts. trusting customers to pay on time.

What is a healthy cash flow? ›

A healthy cash flow ratio is a higher ratio of cash inflows to cash outflows. There are various ratios to assess cash flow health, but one commonly used ratio is the operating cash flow ratio—cash flow from operations, divided by current liabilities.

What does it mean to improve cash flow? ›

Positive cash flow indicates that a company's liquid assets are increasing, enabling it to cover obligations, reinvest in its business, return money to shareholders, pay expenses, and provide a buffer against future financial challenges.

How do you keep cash flow steady? ›

What can you do to help your cash flow? There are three things you can do to improve your cash flow, which are to raise more money, increase sales and reduce costs – or a combination of all three. Doing this should free up money to ease your cash flow issues, whilst you work on a long term solution.

How can cash flow be improved in a level business? ›

Methods of improving cash flow
  1. Getting products to the market quickly,
  2. Debt factoring,
  3. Trying to get paid as soon as possible,
  4. Trying to keep raw material stock to a minimum,
  5. Leasing equipment instead of buying it.

How do you manage better cash flow? ›

  1. Monitor stock levels. Holding too much stock will tie up cash and increase storage and insurance costs. ...
  2. Manage accounts. ...
  3. Review banking products. ...
  4. Increase income. ...
  5. Reduce overheads. ...
  6. Time your cash flow. ...
  7. Assess your business performance. ...
  8. Consider cash flow when making decisions.
May 26, 2023

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