Cash Flow This Quarter

The last quarter of 2008 is here. How is your cash flow?
And are you organized to increase it?

Here is how I handle and project my cash flow.

I've just launched Right Touch Marketing & Media to service the marketing and communication needs of companies -- from individuals to middle managers in corporations.

Positive cash flow is a challenge for all businesses, but it is especially criticial when starting a service company like mine.

Think in Categories

#1 Leads . . . how many leads do you have available? Are they warm leads or cold leads?

#2 Lead Meetings . . . how many lead meetings do you have set up in October, November and December?

#3 Proposals . . . how many proposals do you have going out the door? How many do you expect to go out the door during this quarter?

#4 Sales . . . how many sales do you expect to close during this quarter?

#5 Projects . . . is your company handling client projects effectively? This is the reason you're in business. Jobs that are done well can result in more leads through word-of-mouth referrals.

#6 Customer relations . . . this overlaps with the above. But staying in touch with customers/clients

#7 Evaluation . . . schedule a time to evaluate your company's overall operation -- from marketing to technical needs to customer relations.

There it is! That's all!

Certainly, implementation is tough. So go back and see what are your trouble spots? Do you have "power partners" who can help you -- whether from within or external?

For me, thinking in categories, or a complete cycle, can reduce the inner tension and worries and show me where I need to take action.

Here's to a successful October and a successful last quarter of 2008.