There are many reasons why businesses fail, whether it is a failing market or even a natural disaster. But a leading issue for many companies is that they face cash flow issues. Money is what makes a business run. If you don’t have the funds to pay off your suppliers and your employees’ salaries, then you will have to close your business down. The best way to avoid this fate is to get some emergency funding. Here are some tips on how you can do that for your business.
Building A Fund
The simplest way to have emergency funds is to have the money waiting already. During your company’s good times, it is always a good idea to start building an emergency fund. Set aside a specific percentage of your earnings into the fund. It doesn’t have to be that big. Even five percent of your revenue every month can start you on the path to a large enough fund. Various windfalls could go into your emergency fund, too. For example, if your business gets a tax refund, putting it all into the fund can help when you face an emergency.
Two important things to remember though. First, you have to remember not to touch it at all unless it is a complete emergency. Some business owners dip into their emergency funds too often then find it empty when they need it. Second, park the funds where they can earn some passive income so that they get that additional growth.
Getting Angel Investors
If your profitable business is facing a spot of trouble, then it might be a good idea to look for angel investors. They specialize in helping out businesses so that they can get a piece of profits in the future. For business owners who are willing to share, working with investors can be a good idea. It is better to lose some profits to someone willing to bankroll you than completely losing the business. Most investors can also offer loans at high interest rates for those who don’t want to give up control.
Look for investors who are interested in your industry and send them inquiries. You can also ask around with local colleagues to learn who might be interested in investing.
Get A Loan
Another source of funds for emergencies is borrowing money from lenders, whether they are banks or lending institutions. There are several loan types that you can get. A business loan is preferred since it usually has special considerations for businesses and often has a higher amount available to borrow. However, loans like these are not assured. You need to have a good plan to show how you will use the money so that the banks can be assured that you will be able to pay things off. Additionally, the banks will check your credit score and if you don’t have a good record, you have lower chances of approval.
Small businesses might only need to get a personal loan in Singapore to get them out of trouble. These are a lot more forgiving. Their main limitation is that you likely won’t get a large amount of money. Be sure that you will be able to pay it off so that you can avoid future problems.
Selling Assets
A business emergency can also be the time to streamline your business. If you want your business to survive, then you might want to consider selling off some of your business assets. For example, if your company has a car or two it is not using, then selling them off for a cash infusion can be a big help. Review your company’s assets and look at what you can sell without affecting your future performance. Asset selling can also help companies with issues of maintenance costs. Sell the assets that you cannot maintain in good condition and you can help your budget in two ways: less maintenance and more funds.
Government Assistance
The government is also very interested in seeing businesses succeed. There are several government assistance programs out there that can offer your business a loan or additional financing. In cases of disasters, they even give out financial relief. Depending on the circumstances, you might be eligible for their help. Ask local organizations or contact the local office to see how they might help you.
The bad times don’t always last that long. All your business needs to get over its current predicament is enough funding until it starts making money again. With the right approach, you can ensure that your company survives. Be smart and think about your emergency plans now so that you can implement them easily.
