4 tips to get cash into your business

There's lots of advice around about how small businesses should manage cash flow but what seems to be missing is advice on how to create some cash in the first place.

1. To get more cash a business needs to make more sales - obvious really. But rather than try and find new customers, how about trying to increase sales revenue from existing customers. This can be done by:

• increasing prices
• increasing the number of products bought in each transaction
• reducing the amount of time between purchases
• introducing complimentary products

2. Review your credit terms. If you have to give credit at all reduce the length of time you give customers to pay. If this makes you nervous about losing existing business, just introduce it for new customers.

3. Invoice quickly - daily if possible. Make sure your invoices are clear and accurate and contain information on how and when to pay.

4. Chase money you are owed on or before the due date, not after it.

Anyone feeling sorry for the banks yet?

With the increased scrutiny on how well, or how badly, banks are treating small businesses, is there more of a chance of getting funding for somewhat badly thought-through business ideas than ever before?

Many economists and politicians have blamed the onset of the credit crunch on irresponsible lending by banks and irresponsible borrowing by individuals. Is there a risk now that irresponsible borrowing by start-up businesses might just go un-checked?

Are banks just too scared of the fall-out to say 'no'?