/ Business
How do I manage cash flow in a small business?
Forecast 13 weeks ahead, take deposits, invoice immediately, and keep a buffer of three months' fixed costs.
/ 01
The short version
Profitable businesses fail on cash flow, not on profit.
/ 02
What actually matters
- • Rolling 13-week cash forecast, updated weekly.
- • Deposits and staged payments on larger jobs.
- • Invoice the day work completes.
- • Negotiate supplier terms to match your inflows.
- • Build a three-month buffer before drawing more.
/ 03
The bit most people get wrong
Growth consumes cash. The busiest months are often the tightest, which surprises people every time.
/ 04
What to do next
Build a simple 13-week cash forecast in a spreadsheet this week.
/ 05
Where RIOT fits in
We're a small Colchester studio helping UK SMBs get cash flow right without agency waste or freelancer flake. If you've read this far and you want a second opinion on your specific setup, book a 20-minute call and we'll tell you honestly whether it's worth doing anything at all.
We work with clients across Essex, Suffolk, London and the wider UK — and remotely with brands abroad. No lock-in, no monthly retainer minimums, no pretending your problem is bigger than it is.
/ FAQs
Common questions
What software helps?
Xero or QuickBooks with a forecasting add-on.
Should I use invoice finance?
It's expensive — a last resort, not a habit.
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