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The statistics on small business failure are alarming.
Michael Gerber, author of "The E-Myth: Why Most Small Businesses
Don't Work and What To Do About It", says that 40% of businesses fail
in their first year. 80% fail within their first five years.
(article continued below ...)
THEY RAN OUT OF CASH.
Don't let this happen to you.
Here are 10 Rules to help you take control of your cash flow so you can
create the business you have always dreamed of.
1. Never Run
Out of Cash.
Running out of cash is the definition of failure in business. Make the
commitment to do what it takes so it does not happen to you.
2. Cash Is King
It's important to recognize that cash is what keeps your business alive.
Manage it with the care and attention it deserves. It's very unforgiving if
you don't.
Remember, Cash Is King, because No Cash = No Business.
3. Know the
Cash Balance Right Now.
What is your cash balance right now? It's absolutely critical that you
know exactly what your cash balance is.
Even the most intelligent and experienced person will fail if they are
making business decisions using inaccurate or incomplete cash balances.
That's the reason why business failures are not limited to amateurs or
people new to the business world.
4. Do Today's
Work Today.
The key to keeping an accurate cash balance in your accounting system is
to do today's work today. When you do this, you will have the numbers you
need - when you need them.
5. Either You
Do the Work or Have Someone Else Do It.
Here is a simple rule to follow to make sure you have an accurate cash
balance on your books. You do the work or have someone else do it.
Those are the only two choices you have. The work must be done. It's like
mowing the lawn. You can't just ignore it. Someone has to do it. That means
either you do it or you have someone else do it.
6. Don't Manage
From the Bank Balance.
The bank balance and the cash balance are two different animals. Rarely
will the two ever be the same. Don't make the mistake of confusing them.
It's futile (and frustrating) to attempt to manage your cash flow using
the bank balance. It's a prescription for failure. You reconcile your bank
balance. You don't manage from it.
7. Know What
You Expect the Cash Balance to be Six Months From Now.
What do you expect your cash balance to be six months from now? This one
question will transform the way you manage your business.
This question really gets to the heart of whether you are managing your
business or whether your business is managing you.
8. Cash Flow
Problems Don't "Just Happen".
You would be shocked and amazed at the number of businesses that fail
because the owner did not see a cash flow problem in time to do something
about it.
The key is to always be able to answer the question - what do I expect my
cash balance to be six months from now?
9. You
Absolutely, Positively Must Have Cash Flow Projections.
Cash flow projections are the key to making wise and profitable business
decisions. They give you the answer to the all-important question from Rule
# 7.
It's impossible to run your business properly without them.
10. Eliminate
Your Cash Flow Worries So You Are Free to Do What You Do Best - Take Care of
Customers and Make More Money.
Use these 10 Rules to free yourself from cash flow worries. That way you
can focus all your time and talents where you can make the most difference
in your business.
No more wasted time worrying about what's going on with your cash flow.
Instead, you can focus your unique talents and abilities each day on ways to
grow your business and make more and more money each year.
And that's a recipe for success and wealth creation.
-- Philip Campbell is a CPA and
the author of the book: "NEVER RUN OUT OF CASH, 2 Questions That Will
Eliminate Your Cash Flow Worries". Get your copy of his FREE Special
Report "The Secret to Creating Cash Flow Projections You Can
Trust" at http://www.growandsucceed.com
.
October 14, 2003
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