Do you need to improve your business’s cash flow situation? Want to free up cash to pay down debt or even expand your operations? One of the most effective ways to improve your cash flow is to lengthen your payment terms with vendors and suppliers.
If you’re on net 30 with your vendors right now, why not try to get up to net 60? Or even net-90?
Adding time to your payable schedule is the equivalent of getting a short-term loan. You get to keep the cash in-house while you continue to collect revenue. That allows you to put your cash to use in ways that can add to your bottom line. How do you do it, though? If you’ve never asked your vendors for better payment terms, you may feel it’s unlikely to succeed.
That’s simply not the case, though, especially if you have a good relationship with the supplier. They value your business, which means they’re likely to at least consider the request.
Before you approach the supplier about lengthening your payment terms, sit down and formulate a plan. You may only get one shot at this, so it’s essential to be thoughtful about your strategy. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
Start now with good communication
What’s your relationship like with the supplier? Do you talk frequently? Do you have an open line of communication? The better your relationship, the more likely the vendor will consider the request.
Remember, the best time to negotiate better terms is when you don’t have an urgent need for them. Start investing in that process today.
Start building better relationships with all your vendors. Take their calls. Reply to their emails. Set up a meeting or conference call to learn more about their business and how you can work together more profitably.
Understand their business and speak their language
It helps to have an informed and intelligent conversation with them about your proposal. If you understand their business, you’ll be in a better position to explain why the proposal is good for them.
For example, let’s say you work with an IT company. Do you know which services generate the most cash flow for them? Perhaps they only care about your hosting and server needs, and the other services they provide are just loss leaders. Understanding their business can help you better negotiate with them.
Make your proposition mutually beneficial
If you have a great relationship with the supplier, they may be willing to do you a favor because they’re generous. However, they’re much more likely to bargain if they get something back in return.
Think about what you could offer in exchange for a longer payment term. Will the freed-up cash allow you to grow your sales, increasing your order volume from the supplier? Will you use that cash to pay down debt, increase margins, and move into higher-priced products?
Frame your proposal in a way that makes sense for both sides.
Have backups ready
Of course, there’s always the chance that your supplier won’t consider your proposal. Think about this outcome in advance and how you might respond. If the longer payment terms are critical to your plans, then you may need to have backups lined up.
Contact those backup suppliers in advance and see if you can get favorable payment terms from them. Then, you can use that information as a negotiation point. If you mention that a competing supplier has agreed to meet your terms, your supplier may be more willing to consider the proposal.
Be honest
This goes back to the point about having a good relationship with the supplier. If they’re genuinely a trusted partner for your business, there’s no point in lying about why you want the extended payment terms.
Tell them if you need better terms because you’re in a cash crunch. They’ve likely been in that same position before. They know what it feels like. What’s more, if they value your business, they want you to be successful. The last thing they want is for you to go out of business because that means they’ll lose a customer.
Honesty and transparency can go a long way in these conversations.
Be Reasonable
Some companies have net-90 or even net-never payment terms with their suppliers. They usually go by names like Wal-Mart or Home Depot. In other words, they’re massive companies that sell so much business that they can demand any terms they want.
Just because other companies have those kinds of terms doesn’t mean you’re in a position to ask for the same thing. If you’re at net 30 now, try getting to net 45 or 60. Don’t go straight for net-never. Your vendor isn’t likely to take your proposal seriously if it’s unreasonable.
Consider how much volume you order from the vendor and how that may compare to their other customers. Also, consider what’s expected in your industry. If those two considerations don’t support your proposal, your expectations may be a little unreasonable.
Make sure you’re talking to the right person
Finally, be sure you’re talking to the person who can decide. Your salesperson probably isn’t the right person. Unfortunately, they may not help pass you on to the correct individual.
Ask your contact who is responsible for deciding payment terms, and then reach out directly to that person. It’s probably the company’s national sales manager, COO, or CFO. They’ll know the company’s numbers and cash situation and be better positioned to consider your request seriously.
The great thing about improving vendor terms is that it can improve your cash flow without dinging your credit. Don’t pass up this option the next time you’re in a cash crunch.
More Resources
