Field notes
When busy weeks still feel broke
Revenue can look healthy while cash timing fights you — three places we look before anyone talks about “working harder.”
A full booking sheet does not guarantee a comfortable bank balance. Materials ordered on Monday for jobs that invoice on Friday create a gap owners feel in their stomach before they see it in a report.
We start with supplier terms you already negotiated but may not use. Many dry-goods and trade suppliers allow a longer cycle if you ask; moving two large payments by a week can free payroll without cutting staff hours. Second, we check whether deposits sit in the same pot as operating cash — a common leak on construction and fit-out work. Third, we look at owner drawings timed to “when the till feels full,” which often means the day before rent leaves.
None of this requires a new personality. It requires a weekly cash list tied to dates, not vibes. That is the spine of our Cash Flow Stewardship consultation.