The sudden closure of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) could have brought about a number of nightmare scenarios for the small to medium-sized enterprises (SME) that counted on them. Not being able to meet payroll threatening the viability of the companies being just one possibility.

The more common business situation, however, is when SMEs can foresee trouble coming but hesitate to act and are unable or unwilling to make difficult decisions. Remember, the best time to develop and implement a plan is before drastic actions are required. Wait and there’s a risk of losing everything, as happened with SVB.

BE PREPARED

You likely know that cash is the lifeblood of any business, but cash management and cash forecasting become especially critical when times get tough. Knowing exactly when revenue checks will arrive, when bills are due, and which payments are the most critical is essential to survival. A cash-flow contingency plan should be prepared in advance of the coming quarter and is referred to as a 13-week cash-flow forecast. We assist our clients with the preparation of this plan, and it can sometimes be the difference between business that survive and those that fail.

Relationships with lenders can also be challenging, especially in difficult times. Having a restructure plan in place and providing frequent progress reports helps maintain good  relationships. Lenders much prefer dealing with borrowers who are straightforward and open.

BE OBJECTIVE

The plan also focuses on difficult decisions that must be made and when to make them. Our team develops relationships to determine for business owners who and what can be depended on or can’t. We’re focused on ensuring the company’s survival and look objectively at  tough decisions to determine if/when to make them. If your business offers multiple lines of services or products, it’s important to know which offer marginal returns or use excessive hours of service personnel’s time. Determining which services or products are mainstays and focusing on them may be enough to turn around a flailing business.

When sailing through troubled waters, captains benefit from having steady hands at their side. TAP’s restructuring team has the expertise and experience to help navigate stormy seas, but not much can be done if we’re not on board.

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