Every area of the country has to deal with mother nature and her fierce appetite for messing up even the best made plans.  Businesses have to make sure they implement strategies that can prevent their customers from getting in harm's way and prevent major losses in profit.  Unfortunately, in some areas profits are a distant thought when safety is at the forefront of every one's mind.

Over the last 24 to 48 hours, most of the country has experienced unbelievable winter storms that have shut down governments, businesses, and schools.  The news has been constantly covering the storms and making sure that those who live in the affected areas are as prepared as possible.  In Atlanta, which is home to one of the largest airports in the country, all in bound and out bound flights yesterday were prohibited.  Businesses have to make allowances for unforeseeable circumstances such as inclement weather and here are some tips on how to do so.

Be Clear.  It is important to be clear with your clients on what to expect from your office or place of business in case mother nature shuts it down for a period of time.  Customers should have access to a clear schedule and know where they can go to obtain further information about your place of business.

Establish a point person.  In some offices, clients may need to speak with someone regarding office matters.  It is important to select a point person who is able to answer those questions or be able to take messages in order to forward them to the necessary people.

Be Reasonable.  Although daily profit margin is important to running a business, don't rush to get things back in motion at the expense of anyone's safety.  Employees should know what is expected in the case of an emergency.  Guide them with information that can help them get to work on time safely.  Such as reminding them to leave a bit early to prevent having to rush.

Clients First.  Always do what is in the best interest of your clients.  Make sure they are your primary concern.

In the long run, it is impossible to plan for every event that happens in regards to the weather.  However, you can make sure you prepare as best as you can and make adjustments as needed.  At the end of the day, you can't control the uncontrollable.  You can thank Mother Nature for that.

Cash flow, or the lack thereof, can often be a problem for small, new and growing businesses. In simple terms, cash flow is all about the amount of cash you’ve got coming in and going out, and when.

That being said, a cash flow projection, or cash flow budget, is as critical as a business plan or an income statement. Many questions may arise regarding the frequency, complexity and manner with which a projection is prepared. So, how often do you need to prepare a cash flow projection? The answer is, as often as need be; it could be weekly, monthly, or quarterly, depending on the age, and type of business. For example, seasonal businesses may require more frequent projections.

Obviously, some cash projections will be more complex than others; again, this will depend on the age, and type of business. A cash flow projection can be as simple as creating a spreadsheet, or sophisticated software can be utilized, depending on your needs.

How is a cash flow projection prepared? First, consider the sources of cash (receivables): sales, loan proceeds, investments and the sale of assets, and the uses of cash (payables): operating and direct expenses, principal debt service, and the purchase of assets. Second, nail down, as best you can, when the sources and uses occur. Cash flow – like anything else, requires you to look into the future and make assumptions. These assumptions can, and will change, and should be revisited on a regular basis to ensure their accuracy.

To thoroughly analyze your business in relation to the factors affecting cash flow, keep the questions of who, what, when, where, why, and how in mind. Examining everything in this manner will ensure you leave no stone unturned in creating the most accurate projection possible.

With this in mind, let’s look at the major factors affecting cash flow, and how you can manage each the most effectively.

Accounts Receivable. Who owes you money? How much do they owe you? How many accounts are past due; how far past due are they? How often are you reviewing past due accounts? Are you offering customers discounts so they have an incentive to pay you more quickly? Are you issuing invoices on a timely basis? Are you following up with slow-paying customers in a timely manner? Do you require credit checks for all new customers; are you checking references? Do you extend a small amount of credit initially, thereby forcing customers to ‘prove’ themselves before extending further credit? Have you instituted a C.O.D. policy for slow paying customers? Do seasonal factors affect your business and/or customers, and if so, are you taking this into consideration?

Inventory Management. Do you have too much cash tied up in inventory? Do you have too much inventory, period? Do you have a healthy balance of different types of inventory; lower margin items, slower moving items, versus high profit, fast moving items? Do you have obsolete inventory? Are you actively trying to move the obsolete inventory, for whatever price you can get?

Accounts Payable. Are you paying bills when they’re due, not before? Are you taking advantage of paying bills electronically, so you’re able to pay them on the day they’re due, thereby allowing you to keep control of your  funds as long as possible? Are you taking advantage of the discounts vendors offer for early payment of invoices? Sometimes it’s advantageous to do so; sometimes it’s not. Weigh your options with the other obligations you have. Are you always short of cash at a certain time of the month? Can you readjust payments due so they’re spread out more evenly during the month? Are you getting the best price for the products and services you receive? Can you reduce, or eliminate certain expenses? Again, do seasonal factors affect your business and/or customers, and if so, are you taking this into consideration?

Regardless of how well you plan, there will no doubt be times when you are short of cash. You can take several steps to bridge the gap, but they also require planning. They include having an established line of credit, and factoring accounts receivable – which basically means you can sell receivables today for a percentage of what they’re worth. Other ways you might drum up some cash in a pinch include delaying payments to vendors – after having discussed it with them, of course – and asking customers to pay you more quickly.

Overall, by monitoring sales, receivables and payables, by creating a cash flow projection on a regular basis, by communicating with staff, customers and vendors, and by planning for a rainy day, you should be able to vastly improve cash flow within your business. It’s oft been said that timing is everything, and this is perhaps the most critical factor in relation to cash flow.