Why the new year is the right time to reset growth and cash

The start of a new year often brings fresh energy and bigger ambitions. Many owners feel ready to push on after the Christmas break but the reality is that growth brings different pressures depending on where your business sits. That is something we see every week in our work.

We see a mix of businesses. Some owners are facing a plateau or decline and need to find a way to restart growth. Others are growing well in sales terms but struggling to support that growth from a cash point of view.

We can help both because we have the experience within our group and partners to provide the right support at the right time.

Here’s what that looks like in practice.

1. The declining or plateauing business

The starting point is always understanding why growth has slowed. Is it increased competition, a market that has softened, pricing pressure from buyers, rising supplier costs, weak marketing, gaps in sales skill or a mix of these?

Our approach is to spend time in the business and use real-world experience to identify the true causes. From there, we set out a clear action plan showing what needs to change to move the business from where it is to where it needs to be. It is practical and doable, not theory.

Bringing an outside view also matters. When you are deep in the day-to-day, some things are hard to see. Fresh eyes often spot missed opportunities, new ideas or simple changes that help put the business back on a growth path.

But growth comes with a price.

2. The growing business that is cash-strapped

We also see businesses doing well on paper but feeling tight on cash. Every new sale needs support – more stock, more staff, new kit – and those costs land before the cash does.

Internal issues can also add pressure. Debtor days can drift because follow-up is slow or uncomfortable. One £30m building firm we worked with had a strong order book but was short of cash. A closer look showed £500,000 overdue across several customers, with no clear plan to collect it. The issue was simple – slow follow-up and a lack of confidence in those conversations. After training the team, overdue payments dropped to £124,000 within two months. That change alone transformed cash flow.

When growth outpaces cash, the best time to act is before the gap bites. Short-term loans, invoice finance, asset-based lending, trade finance or supply chain support can all help. The right option depends on where the pressure sits. Stock-heavy firms need stock funding. Long payment terms point toward invoice finance. Larger or staged projects may suit asset-based or trade facilities.

How the right support turns things around

Working with the right people helps you spot growth opportunities earlier and flag cash pressure before it causes damage.

Through Tinderbox, we support businesses with growth ideas, actions and planning. Where funding is needed, we introduce the right lenders – those who understand fast-growing firms and those who do not – to find a solution that fits the work you are doing. We also identify internal issues, like weak cash collection and fix them through training and support.

Two simple points to end on:

1. If your business has stalled and you want to restart growth
2. If growth is there but cash is holding you back

Get in touch for a free chat about how we might help.  My email address is david.turner@tinderboxbd.com

David Turner
MD Tinderbox and Director of The Growth Experts