Meandering Business Waters
Our last newsletter was written by an exceptional intern. He highlighted the essence of water and how it relates to interning. Thinking back to it, I feel that so many expressions in business invoke the essence of water quite well. Let’s set sail to sea what we see…
Cash Flows
Does cash flow? Evidently it does, and so much so that in addition to a balance sheet and an income statement, there is always a statement of cash flows. Now exactly how does cash flow? It flows like a river between banks? Or, it flows into or out of your business through banks? The more it floods in and the less it trickles out, the more successful you are! So, it stands to reason that success is achieved when your business acts like a dam, holding cash flow in and keeping those sluice gates close to the spillways. In other words, keep that dam as closed as possible.
Now, with that excess dam cash, you might feel liquid. And, if you are liquid, then naturally you feel flush because you have funds that allow you to navigate the currents to go wherever you want to. If you are overflowing with it, you may think you walk on water. Others may say you are dripping in it. An old geyser might say you are drenched in moolah.
But what if your sluice gate is stuck and your spillway is overflowing and you run out of cash flow? You may find yourself lost at sea and in a forced liquidation. Then you will have to look at the waterfall payment structure, of course. That process is not a pool party. So, don’t drown in debt and do avoid being dead in the water.
You Soak
You are perhaps just drifting along in business – at least that is what you think. Business today is demanding and draining. And you are never just floating along. There is no more “row, row, row your boat gently down the stream” scenario anymore. If you think that then your business will eventually sink. Your business is riding a tide that is always either coming in oar going out, either rising oar falling, or either ebbing oar flowing. And with the climate the way it is these days, the changes are rapids.
No, no, you spout out? You know how to keep your head above water. In fact, you are always floating on cloud nine. You are the captain of your own ship - steering your way on a sea voyage beyond the horizon of profitability. You are soaked in skill and experience - no longer wet behind the ears. You are a rainmaker who showers success wherever you go. We should hail you with praise!
Okay, but still, the sea is so great and your ship is so small. You are but a drop in the ocean – second of a kind.
Well
Business is deep. No time for the shallow end. It is baptism by fire. There really are sharks in the water. Avoid the rough waters. Find the placid calm in the essence of water. Most importantly, be well.
Here's to you and your awesome future.
Until then, keep your feet on the board and keep riding your wave!
Robert J. Khoury
CEO Agile Rainmakers