A small, family-run distribution business faced declining revenues and cash flow issues. SNB Consulting stepped in to streamline financial reporting, optimize operational processes, and provide strategic guidance that restored profitability and stability.
The challenge
The business had been built on hard work, long relationships, and the owner’s instincts. For years that was enough. But as margins tightened and revenue started to slide, instinct alone could no longer answer the important questions:
- Which customers and product lines were actually profitable?
- Why was cash so tight even in months when sales looked fine?
- Where was money leaking out of day-to-day operations?
Financial reports arrived late and were hard to interpret, so decisions were made on gut feel and bank balances.
Our approach
1. Get the numbers right, and on time. We streamlined the month-end close and rebuilt the reporting package so the owner received clear, accurate financials early enough to act on them.
2. Find where the cash was going. We analyzed receivables, payables, and inventory to show exactly where cash was tied up. Slow-paying accounts and excess inventory were quietly starving the business of working capital.
3. Fix the process, not just the symptom. We worked with the team to tighten purchasing, invoicing, and collections so improvements would stick after we stepped back.
4. Bring strategy back to the table. With reliable numbers in hand, we helped the owner evaluate pricing, customer mix, and cost structure, and build a plan focused on the most profitable parts of the business.
The result
The business regained control of its cash flow, restored profitability, and replaced uncertainty with a clear plan. Just as important, the family now had a monthly rhythm for reviewing performance and making decisions together.
What this means for your business
Declining revenue and tight cash rarely come from a single cause. More often, it’s a combination of late information, hidden inefficiencies, and decisions made without clear data. The good news is that each of those is fixable.
Feeling the squeeze? Book a strategy call and we’ll help you find where the pressure is coming from.
