Cash Flow Myth 4 - That's What Our Bank and Credit Line are For

Banks and sureties know that as a rule, poor cash flow is typically a sign of deeper problems.

D. Brown Management Profile Picture
Share
Cash Flow: Myth 4 - That's What Our Bank and Credit Line are for

Fact 4.1:  Banks will only finance a portion of your cash flow needs.  They will have specific loan covenants related to how much working capital you need to have, quality of receivables and customer concentration. 

Fact 4.2:  Banks and sureties know that as a rule poor cash flow is typically a sign of deeper problems. 

Fact 4.3:  When the economy is good the loan covenants and their enforcement will loosen up.  Combined with the optimism of strong backlogs this causes many contractors to take their focus away from some of the basics of great capital management practices.  

Fact 4.4:  When contractors are smaller; especially emerging ones the loan covenants and capital ratios that sureties work off of are significantly looser than when there are many millions of dollars at stake.  If you are a contractor planning to grow make sure you put great capital management policies in place early.

Fact 4.5:  When the economy tightens and contractors need the most help with cash flow banks and sureties will tighten their covenants, restrict lending and enforce much more rigorously. This cycle is what causes debt crises including the mid-1980’s and the recent one in 2010.

We are revamping our publicly available cash flow workshop that includes 18 techniques that contractors can use to accelerate cash flow. Stay informed of updates on release. 


Cash Flow Myth 4 - That's What Our Bank and Credit Line are For
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 Myth 4 - That's What Our Bank and Credit Line are For
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....

Business Operating Layer
Execution is the discipline of getting things done and is especially critical for contractors because we work in a highly competitive business with relatively low margins compared to the risks taken.
Bill Walsh - Planning the First 25 Plays
Construction success depends on both the ability to rigorously plan as well as the ability to quickly react to changing field conditions. This is similar to sports and a lot can be learned from the disciplines of great coaches.
Definition - Skill
The Ability to do something. Sometimes combined with performing to a certain level (standard / competency) and possibly the verification of that performance (certification).