Cash Flow and the 5Cs of Credit - Overview

Contractors need strong financial partners, including banking, surety, and insurance to grow sustainably.

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They are putting their capital at risk, making a calculated bet on the business generating consistent financial returns at the lowest risk possible.  

Cash Flow: 5C's of Credit. Character, Capital. Capacity, Collateral, and Conditions.

Whether you are an equity owner in a contracting business, plan to be or are choosing to invest your professional “career equity” into the business, you should look at the same factors an outside financial partner does. This will truly align everyone’s interests and make the business run more successfully.  

Greg Martin does a great job of describing the 5 C’s of Credit in a series of articles below.  

Effectively managing cash flow is about balancing what you can do internally while building and maintaining strong external financial partner relationships.  

  • What are your internal capital management policies? 
  • Are they in alignment with your outside financial partners?  
  • How does this look over the next 5 years or during succession if that is on the horizon for you?

Cash Flow and the 5Cs of Credit - Overview
Great cash flow is a key driver of valuation and successful successions. Running out of cash is is the #1 reason contractors fail. Improving cash flow improves your Return on Equity. Protect yourself and never let cash flow be the limitation to your profitable growth....

Cash Flow and the 5Cs of Credit - Overview
Great cash flow is a key driver of valuation and successful successions. Running out of cash is is the #1 reason contractors fail. Improving cash flow improves your Return on Equity. Protect yourself and never let cash flow be the limitation to your profitable growth....

Issue 1 of 9: Strength of the Management Team
Construction Ownership Transition Issue 1 of 9: Strength and Alignment of the Management Team. Beyond liquidation, nearly 100% of the value of a construction business is based on the management team's ability to profitably grow the business.
Understand Buying Motivations
Getting involved early in the project as it is being developed is one of the best things a contractor can do for profitable growth. That value starts with understanding the entire budget for developing a project.
Growth and Opportunity
Contractors that are growing profitably, have great reputations with their customers, and have a good culture are able to attract and retain the best talent even with the talent shortages the construction industry will face in the next 10+ years.