Cash flows are the life’s blood of any business. That’s as true in the staffing industry as anywhere else. Unfortunately, this metaphor can apply to cash flow struggles as well — a problem can make your business light-headed or even send it into a death spiral.
This situation is especially common for staffing firms. High costs of business and an acute sensitivity to market changes can lead your company vulnerable.
The aftermath of the pandemic and the continued post-COVID uncertainties have contributed to this problem. Volatile times can play havoc with even the strongest company’s financial strength.
The key is spotting potential hurdles. That way, you can do your best to avoid them. Here are a few key reasons why staffing firms face cash flow struggles so often:
Four Reasons Staffing Firms Face Cash Flow Issues
Rising Expenses
Almost anything is better than the dark days of the pandemic. But the post-COVID reopening has created new challenges for staffing firms. Inflation sits at the top of this list.
Higher costs — especially for labor – have generated tough times for many small businesses. Keeping up with these lofty expenses can lead to cash-flow problems.
Late Client Payments
You aren’t the only one dealing with the choppy post-COVID recovery. Your clients operate under the same conditions.
Some of them have been forced to restart their businesses from conditions of a complete shutdown. Many of them burnt through their emergency cash supplies during the pandemic. They might not have the predictability or the resources they once did. As a result, you might not see payments on the same timely basis you experienced in the past.
Anecdotally, staffing firms have had to adjust to more lenient payment terms — offering an additional month (or even additional months) to fulfill invoices. From your perspective, that means you need a wider safety net. The added insecurity could put you in a difficult position if too many clients delay at the same time.
Unexpected Emergencies
A pipe bursts in your office. You get served with a lawsuit. Or, say, a global pandemic completely alters the way you do business for more than a year.
You can’t predict everything that will happen in your business. As much as you try to plan and mitigate risks, you can get hit with a terrible emergency at just the wrong time.
This uncertainty haunts any business. But the staffing industry has a heightened connection to underlying economic changes, especially in the labor market. This dynamic makes the current environment particular precarious for staffing cash flows.
What’s more, these challenges can put your entire business in jeopardy if you don’t have the proper cash reserves. That’s why you need the right break-glass-in-case-of-emergency systems in place. Having financing options can get you past the temporary rough spot and let you return safely to normal operations.
Aggressive Expansion Plans
You want to grow your business over time. That’s a crucial part of building a staffing agency that can become a real industry player – especially in an industry as fractured as this one. But expansion comes with risks.
It’s easy to overcommit to a buildup and find yourself short of revenue. After all, you have to spend money to make money. Unfortunately, you often have to distribute that extra cash first and then wait for additional sales to appear later.
Eliminate Cash Flow Issues By Partnering With Frontline Funding
The right funding partner can cover your back as you push your development plans. It can also give you the security you need to survive any cash flow hiccups that come up. Turn to Frontline Funding to get the peace of mind you need to achieve success in the staffing industry.
Contact Frontline Funding today to find out more.
