Bain Capital Ventures’ Post

🧭 Introducing the Cash Flow Compass! 🧭 Did you know that on average, business owners are 42% overconfident in their cash flow control? Or that 91% of small businesses face cash flow issues? Our new Cash Flow Compass report reveals the realities of missed payments, lost profits, and staffing needs. Powered by a survey of over 750 U.S. small businesses, the survey reveals a major gap between cash flow perception and reality—and offers real tips to help small business owners get in control of their cash flow. 💪 🤔 Wondering where you stand? Take the Cash Flow Compass quiz to find out: Are you a Cash Flow Realist, or Cash Flow Optimist? 👉 Head to the link in the comments to take the Cash Flow Compass quiz, and access more insights and tips to control your cash flow!

The last few years have been difficult for business owners in almost every industry. No surprise there, right? The 2020s have heavily impacted finances and operations across the board, and economic uncertainty and inflation have left many business owners with a lack of cash flow and insufficient emergency funds. On a brighter note, it seems most businesses are looking forward with cautious optimism, making new plans for the future and looking to get funding to help with their goals. This information is significant for a variety of reasons— whether you’re a small business owner looking for relevant benchmarks, or if you’re an ISO/broker who is seeking data to back the conversations you’re having with clients. If you would like to download our full "State of Small Business" report and learn how our small business clients feel about business conditions in 2024, you may do so by filling out the form on this page: https://hubs.li/Q02yk02S0

Despite inflationary pressures, small business owners have shown resilience, adaptability, and optimism when looking ahead to the following year. Discover what other small businesses are saying – and how cash flow analytics enables lenders to understand business’ potential for growth better – in our recent Small Business Cash Flow Trends report, in partnership with OnDeck. https://brnw.ch/21wIjmq #smallbusiness

📊💼 April is Financial Literacy Month, and for small business owners, mastering financial literacy is key to success. Explore our guide to the fundamentals of financial literacy that every small business owner should know! 💰 𝐁𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬: Keep track of expenses, create cash flow forecasts, and set realistic goals to effectively manage finances and achieve profit goals. 📉 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐛𝐭 𝐖𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐲: Understand debt obligations, evaluate financing options, and prioritize debt repayment strategies to avoid financial strain and maintain a healthy credit score. 🚀 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡: Allocate funds for research and development, strategic marketing, and employee training to drive innovation, attract customers, and enhance productivity. 💡 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬: Navigate financial challenges and achieve entrepreneurial goals by understanding budgeting basics, managing debt wisely, and investing in business growth. Ready to take control of your small business finances? Our agents are here to help you navigate the complexities of small business finance and find tailored solutions for your unique needs. Contact us today to unlock your business's full potential and thrive financially! #FinancialLiteracy #SmallBusinessSuccess #BudgetingBasics #DebtManagement #BusinessGrowth #EntrepreneurialJourney 📈💼

Bank of America's Small Business Owner's Report is out for 2024. This report provides valuable insights into how businesses are implementing strategies for growth and staying profitable, based on information collected directly from business owners.   One key finding that caught my eye was that 55% of businesses reported higher revenue in 2023 than in 2022. This is great news for small business owners and shows that many are successfully adapting to the changing business landscape.   If you're interested in learning more, check out at https://lnkd.in/gjNECXf8

Register before 3/17 for a 25% discount! Cash is king in the world of business. 💰 Yet, many ventures falter due to poor cash management. Join us for an essential workshop led by SCORE facilitator, Steve Engelhardt, to master the fundamentals of cash flow management. Learn how to: 📊 Monitor your cash position daily 💡 Effectively plan and manage your cash flow 🔍 Differentiate between cash and revenue 🔑 Gain lenders' confidence with sound cash management practices Don't let lack of cash be the downfall of your business. Arm yourself with the knowledge to thrive! Register now to safeguard your success. #CashFlowManagement #BusinessSuccess #SCOREWorkshop #SCORESouthernColorado https://bit.ly/48YakiH

In today’s challenging times, business owners not only feel the pressure of the rising cost of living, but also the increased cost of doing business. What can you do to help your business owner clients 🤔? Join us for our new webinar: Cash flow planning for business owners on May 7, 2024 at 1pm ET 🗓️ to learn several cash flow concepts that can help your business owner clients get more life from their money, and more value from working with you. Register via Zoom👇 https://lnkd.in/gAH2z-24 #FinancialProfessional #FinancialEducation #CashFlowPlanning #CFP

If you are part of the 70% of business owners that are worried about cash flow, this is for you. Cash flow issues are a business killer. And a huge energy drain for business owners. But it's something that you can easily improve with a few easy changes in your business. Here's a scary stat: More than 80% of the businesses that fail, fail because of cash flow issues. I created my "Ultimate Guide to Improving Your Business's Cash Flow" to make sure you aren't part of that 80%. You have cash flow issues if: - You worry about which vendors to pa and which to put off - You don't know if you have enough cash this month to pay your bills - You are constantly chasing clients for money - You find yourself funding business expenses out of your personal account In this free guide, I share 10 areas of your business that impact your cash flow and explain small improvements in those areas can bring in cash faster. Go grab your guide at https://lnkd.in/gMiF622N and start putting an end to the constant cash crunch. #cashflow #smallbusinessfinance #cashflowmanagement #smallbusinesshelp #moneycoach

If you are part of the 70% of business owners that are worried about cash flow, this is for you. Cash flow issues are a business killer. And a huge energy drain for business owners. But it's something that you can easily improve with a few easy changes in your business. Here's a scary stat: More than 80% of the businesses that fail, fail because of cash flow issues. I created my "Ultimate Guide to Improving Your Business's Cash Flow" to make sure you aren't part of that 80%. You have cash flow issues if: - You worry about which vendors to pa and which to put off - You don't know if you have enough cash this month to pay your bills - You are constantly chasing clients for money - You find yourself funding business expenses out of your personal account In this free guide, I share 10 areas of your business that impact your cash flow and explain small improvements in those areas can bring in cash faster. Go grab your guide at https://lnkd.in/gMiF622N and start putting an end to the constant cash crunch. #cashflow #smallbusinessfinance #cashflowmanagement #smallbusinesshelp #moneycoach

Financial Literacy - The Hidden Key to a Profitable Business Sale Understanding key financial ratios is vital for any business owner, and among these, the Gross Profit Ratio stands out as one of the most essential. This ratio, which compares gross profit to net sales, reveals how efficiently a business is managing its production costs relative to its sales. In simple terms, it shows the portion of each dollar of revenue that exceeds the cost of goods sold (COGS). We cannot overstress that financial literacy is crucial for business owners, as a lack of understanding of the key drivers behind gross profit can lead to missed opportunities and challenges, especially when it comes to selling. Many business owners struggle to identify what impacts gross profit. For clarity, these can be any one or all of the following: pricing strategies, supplier costs, and production inefficiencies. Better profits are attainable with the simplest of knowledge and action. Improving gross profit isn’t about cutting costs—it’s about making informed decisions based on a solid understanding of your business’s financials. Actions such as adjusting pricing models, renegotiating supplier contracts, or streamlining operations to reduce waste and increase efficiency all depend on understanding what “levers” to pull. A strong Gross Profit Ratio is essential for cash flow, and it helps you attract buyers and secure a good sale price. On the other hand, a weak or declining ratio will be a red flag, and with due diligence being so thorough these days even small deterrents lower a business's market value.  For business owners looking to sell, an understanding of key ratios is not just important—it’s essential. Some simple steps now can help you identify and explain any issues, ensuring your business is in the best possible position for profitability. #BusinessValuation #FinancialLiteracy #BusinessFinance #KevinLovewell #NegotiaGroup #BusinessGrowth #BusinessSelling