I will talk only about Credit Crunch here and not Terrorism as that is not what we talk about here.  I have been brought up in a conservative indian family where credit or Loan is considered as a Curse and making expenditure or expanding business on credit is a complete NO NO.  Possibly I argued  with the elders in our family number of times against this topic.

I open this Post for a discussion and expect readers like you to post your comments on what do you think about

1. Credit Crunch Vs Liquidity Crunch ?
2. Is Credit crunch  a Myth or a Reality ?
3. Is Liquidity crunch a spill over of Confidense and Sentiments ?

‘In a recession cash is king’. It is an old saying and not without some wisdom. For when a recession strikes then asset prices fall – shares, real estate, just about everything you can buy – and the person with cash in hand can take the advantage

1. Set a budget at least six months ahead (Budget & Plan)
   

Monitor actual results against the budget and keep revising it – things change very fast these days and you need to be ready. Make sure you know your taxes, emergencies, insurance which you have to pay to avoid any last minute surprises. Avoid any defaults during these times as could risk your credit rating in longer term.

1. Regular management accounts to monitor your cash flow (Manage & Monitor)
   

Be on the Top of your accounts rather than it being on top of you. Manage and Monitor on a regular basis, even if it requires having a part time book keeper if required. Monthly is essential, weekly is better, daily is best

1. Check bank statements regularly and reconcile them. (Check & Validate)
   

Banks are managed by humans and they do make mistakes so keep an eye on the bank statements regularly to avoid any charges on your bank and control over the bank over draft. Overdraft is a critical and useful tool in such days.

1. Negotiate longer credit terms with suppliers (Negotiate)
   

Even 7 days increases in your credit terms could affect you but be justified don’t put your suppliers out of business, and don’t jeopardize your own credit rating. Take all cash discounts if you have cash and for annual payments go in for monthly Installments instead of one time payments. .

1. Make sensible use of credit cards (Credit Card Sensibility)
   

Credit card could be a good tool to get some extended credit for purchases but use them sensibly and ensure you plan in your cash flows so you do not have the burden of excessive interest. Never get in the cycle of Credit card finance as they are very costly.

1. Stock is not cash, it’s only potential cash. (Manage Inventory)
   

Stock is not cash it is only cash when it is sold and you do not earn if you have it on your shelf or your warehouse. Manage and control Stock levels as it could be the biggest portion of your asset which you could control and reduce. Never stock if you get it cheap as the markets are well informed and networked now a days so everyone could have the information at the right time.

1. Small Retail Sales should be in cash not Credit. (Cash Sales)
   

Small retails sales keep it always in cash no credit as there is a very cost for collection. So keep all small sales in cash to avoid any collection costs.

1. Do not refuse sales to small customers. (Small Customers)
   

Small customer might just give you the ready cash and clear up your dead inventory. Never ignore the small customer could be ready cash for you as well as clearing of old inventory.

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