Outsmart Cash Flow Problems With The Right Finance Solution To unlock growth within your business and build an asset of value, you need cash. Have you investigated the financing solutions that suit your specific needs and growth goals?

Did you know that SMEs with access to credit can grow faster and achieve optimal size sooner, while those with limited access to finance potentially remain stagnant and smaller in size? This is according to the Finmark Trust study, released in 2016. There are a number of research studies that confirm the link between access to finance and business growth, showing that increased access to funding increases revenue and job growth in SMEs.

Access to finance improves cash flow, which enables business owners to invest in business growth. According to FinFind's SA SMME Access to Finance Report, business expansion is the number one reason for businesses requesting funding.

"Working capital is essential for the day-to-day operations of a business," says Shayne Burnstein, director of Swypefin, which offers alternative funding solutions.

"More often than not, business owners lack sufficient working capital to meet their daily cash flow requirements or expand their operations. This can ultimately lead to the failure of the business. It's common for a business to borrow capital and by using the basic principles of leverage, they can invest in assets that generate higher returns."

The reality is that growing a business requires money. Capital is needed to fund the increased expenses incurred to prepare for and facilitate increased revenue growth. Businesses that secure funding can invest in hiring more staff, secure bigger premises, expand into new markets or new products and services, purchase additional equipment, vehicles and machinery, as well as fund larger marketing budgets, amongst other things.

Without access to finance the speed of business growth is reduced and, in many cases, the ability to achieve the potential of increased revenues, profits and job creation is jeopardised.

Making finance work for you

According to FinFind's SA SMME Access to Finance Report, the top six reasons that SME business owners request access to funding are to expand their businesses, for cash flow assistance, buying equipment, working capital, funding a contract and for property development.

There are many ways to use this capital, provided you understand your business needs and have a clear growth strategy. A strategic deployment of funds can be anything from investing in the right equipment that will help you grow your business to securing early settlement discounts — all of which have the potential to boost growth in your business.

An example of early settlement discounts can be found in the retail industry. "Currently retailers are trading under very challenging conditions. With VAT and the price of petrol increasing, consumers have tightened their belts," says Shayne. "Under these conditions suppliers are offering retailers trade discounts for COD payments. It often makes sense for them to borrow the capital to take advantage of the trade discounts, enabling the retailer to increase their margins."

Growth capital can be used in any industry and any-sized business, from a dentist or doctor's business to a clothing manufacturer. "Advancements in 3D printing technology enable dentists that historically relied on outsourcing a technician to make dental crowns, for example," says Shayne.

"This process typically takes a few weeks at a considerable cost. By borrowing capital to purchase 3D printing equipment, the dentist can bypass the technician and make the crown in an hour, allowing them to see more patients, which would significantly increase their turnover. As a business owner, you need to critically consider what will help you grow your business: Is it new equipment, bigger premises or marketing spend? What can you invest in that will grow your turnover and your profit margins? That's where financing makes sense."

Alternative financing solutions

Studies such as the CB insights study on fintechs, the World Bank Group (2017) on Alternative Data Transforming SMME Finance and the IFC's (2010) SME Banking Knowledge Guide show that fintechs are able to reduce many of the pain points and barriers to SME funding and importantly facilitate increased scale.

"By automating processes and gaining more insight into available data, fintech companies are able to make more informed decisions regarding the credit profile of clients," says Shayne. "We have developed an algorithm that looks at your previous 12 months' turnover in order to determine an amount of your future sales that we can advance to you," he continues, explaining how Swypefin's product works.

"Our repayments are based on a percentage of your turnover, which allows you the flexibility to pay less in the months in which your cash flow is constrained and pay more in your busier months. We do not tie up your assets as collateral. Our fee is fixed, transparent and pre-agreed upfront. You will never be liable to pay more than what is agreed upon. If the advance is settled early we offer a pro rata refund on the fixed fee depending on when settlement takes place."