Description: 99.9 percent of all businesses in the United States are categorized as small business. All together, these small businesses employ more than 58 million employees … that’s almost half of the entire U.S. workforce.
The point? You’ve got things to do. As a small business owner, it’s not an exaggeration to say that you are positively contributing to the U.S. economy in a significant way. Luckily, most everybody else knows this and other businesses want to help. Through free software offerings, online seminars and local community support, there is a network out there to give small business owners the support they need.
Today, we’re going to talk about cash flow and invoicing, how it relates to small business and success and some additional tools you might want to consider in order to keep your business solvent for years to come.
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Stay in the black by getting more green
Running your own business is a business in itself, and keeping track of your cash flow and invoicing can make a big difference in helping your business prosper and grow.
Understanding cash flow
Knowing how your money moves can help you see the bigger picture
Your cash flow
Total current liabilities
Operations cash flow
Positive cash flow [Diagram showing a steady process]
[Sales, accounts receivable, etc.] Your business [Rent, materials, employee paychecks, etc.]
Negative cash flow [Diagram showing higher rent, etc., compared to incoming funds]
[Sales, accounts receivable, etc.] Your business [Rent, materials, employee paychecks, etc.]
[Callout] Cash flow and profits aren’t the same
Cash flow: The way cash moves through your business
Profits: The difference between gross income and expenses
[Alert icon] You can be profitable without having positive cash flow
Businesses go with the flow—and it’s better to keep yours positive
A positive cash flow is essential to a healthy company
[Callout] 82% of small businesses fail due to cash flow
>80% of small business invoices: Past due
5% of the entire US DGP: Avg. amount of unpaid small business invoices
Benefits of a positive cash flow
Pay bills on time
Improve your chances of getting a business loan
Feel in control of your financial future
Improve your cash flow by getting paid more quickly
Incentivize customers to pay early
Penalize customers who don’t pay on time
Track down old invoices
Be explicit in your invoice and payment terms
Address clients directly when sending an invoice
Hire an accountant to help you stay diligent
Negotiate with vendors to improve your billing timelines
Keep overhead low and don’t overspend
Top tip: Go electronic for faster, safer transfers
Get paid what you’re owed
Electronic invoicing makes the process of getting paid better for business—and for you
Lower chance of mistakes
Automatic reminders
Easy audit trail
Lower time commitment
More money generated
Lower overall costs
Avg. cost per invoice: $12–$30
Avg. savings with an automated process: 30%
Help your business stand out with electronic invoices
Make sure any invoice software has the tools that will make doing business easier
Zero cost
Free online tools keep your expenses low and your cash flow high
Customization
Being able to add your logo and your business’s colors will make your invoices stand out for the right reasons
Clear organization
Staying orderly with features such as numbering options will help you keep track of your invoices effortlessly
With Intuit’s free invoice generator, you have these options and more. Go electronic, and help keep your profits and your cash flow on the right track
[https://quickbooks.intuit.com/r/free-invoice-template/]
References:
https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/advocacy/2018-Small-Business-Profiles-US.pdf
https://www.nsba.biz/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Year-End-Economic-Report-2015.pdf
https://countryeconomy.com/gdp/usa
https://smallbusiness.chron.com/calculate-companys-cash-flow-18919.html
https://www.bill.com/blog/cash-flow/7-cash-flow-management-tips-for-small-business-owners/
https://due.com/blog/the-true-cost-of-an-invoice-to-small-business-owners/
https://www.concur.com/en-us/resources/true-costs-paper-based-invoice-processing-and-disbursements
https://www.salesforce.com/blog/2018/05/stats-small-businesses.html
https://www.businessinsider.com/why-small-businesses-fail-infographic-2017-8
https://blog.capterra.com/benefits-cloud-technology/#source-1
