Cash flow is the lifeblood of any business. When your organization is feeling financial stress and your banking institution or stakeholders need you to turn things around quickly, they will likely ask you to build a 13 week cash flow model for the business. While it may be overwhelming at first, learning cash flow management is a vital tool to understand and boost your business.
What is a 13-week Cash Flow Model?
Simply put, cash flow helps business leaders understand what cash is coming in and out of the business and whether they will have enough cash to meet their financial obligations. Knowing how current activities impact future cash flow helps business owners make informed decisions and move the business in the right direction.
Many businesses must invest in resources and cover personnel costs well before earning revenue. For example, a manufacturing company must buy raw materials long before producing their final goods. Because of this, relying solely on sales figures may not accurately reflect the available cash in the business. Using a cash flow model that takes factors such as overhead costs and manufacturing timelines into account can act like a crystal ball to guide financial decisions.
Let’s delve into everything you need to know about the 13 week cash flow forecasting process.
1. Definition and Purpose:
The 13-week cash flow model is a forecasting tool designed to provide a detailed overview of a company’s cash usage over a quarter of the year. This covers the general working capital turnover period. Unlike static annual budgets, this model allows for ongoing change, allowing businesses to anticipate and manage their short-term financial needs more effectively. This should be seen as a financial tool for your business. It helps you to manage your cash flow in the near future by charting cash sources and uses.
2. Why Use This Model?
The 13 week cash flow formula is a staple of financial management. For decades this tool has been used by business owners, CFOs, investors, Special Asset Group Officers, and more. Why 13 weeks? Over time the financial world has found that 13 weeks, or a quarter of the year, is the right fit for making impactful changes in a reasonably short period.
3. A Strategic Management Tool:
The goal of a 13 week cash flow is to give key decision-makers the information they need to make informed decisions. Working with trusted financial advisors or business turnaround consultants can help business people build the skills needed to make and use this financial tool. It transforms abstract financial concepts into tangible forecasts and scenarios, enabling better decision-making. When you’ve learned the ins and outs of cash forecasting you are better able to forecast future scenarios and have the data to back up your ideas when you present to stakeholders.
4. Building Self-Sufficiency:
As a trusted partner for distressed businesses, Newpoint Advisors knows how critical it is to build your financial self-sufficiency. Our goal is to help troubled businesses improve, recover debt, and save jobs. One of the key ways we do this is by making cash flow modeling approachable. We want your team to be able to learn from ours and become self-sufficient with your forecasting. This allows you to not only navigate your immediate financial challenges but also to become adept at managing your cash flow independently over the long term.
Introducing the Cash Flow Coach™:
At Newpoint Advisors Corporation, a Cash Flow Coach is not just a financial professional; they are your collaborative partner in cash flow planning. Our Cash Flow Coaches advise businesses on the development of a customized cash flow model for your company. With a focus on our unique planning tools, you’ll learn how to build your own 13 week cash flow model for continued use.
Cash Flow Launcher™: Your Ultimate Solution:
Cash Flow Launcher™ is a user-friendly 13-week cash flow forecast model, battle-tested and approved by financial institutions. Designed for entrepreneurs and managers, this Microsoft Excel-based tool empowers you to take control of your company’s cash flow. What sets it apart is that it’s not just a tool – it comes with the guidance of a trained Cash Flow Coach, ensuring you’re not just managing cash flow but becoming self-sufficient in the process.
Key Features of Cash Flow Launcher™:
- Several useful tabs for easy navigation
- Inputs and Instructions for simplicity
- Dashboard for a comprehensive overview
- Weekly Variance Reporting for proactive decision-making
- Sales and Collections tracking
- Purchases and Disbursements management
- Liquidity assessment for strategic planning
When to Use Cash Flow Launcher™:
- Short-term cash flow is uncertain
- Near-term cash flow visibility is needed
- Proactive management is essential
- Critical communication among stakeholders is required
See below several examples of Cash Flow Coach success stories.
Navigating Challenging Scenarios
Cash Flow Launcher™ becomes crucial in challenging scenarios, such as when organizations are growing rapidly, experiencing seasonal drops in revenue, or facing market uncertainties. It is a preventive and proactive tool in ensuring the financial health of a business, and can help you avoid needing business turnaround services.
Mastering cash flow management is crucial for the success and sustainability of any business. With Cash Flow Launcher™ and the guidance of a dedicated Cash Flow Coach™ from Newpoint Advisors Corporation, you can navigate the complexities of cash flow with confidence. Our user-friendly 13-week cash flow forecast model empowers you to make informed decisions and proactively manage your company’s financial health.
Take the first step towards financial stability and self-sufficiency. Sign up for Cash Flow Launcher™ today and unlock the potential for your business to thrive. To speak with a Cash Flow Coach™ and embark on this transformative journey, call 1-800-306-1250 or: