The first week of a cash-flow crisis sets the tone for everything that follows. Panic wastes it; a calm, ordered week buys options.
Days one to two: see the real position
Get an accurate figure for the cash you have, the money genuinely coming in over 30/60/90 days, and every obligation with a date attached. You cannot make good decisions without this picture, however uncomfortable it is.
Days three to four: rank and protect
Rank obligations by consequence — wages, tax, essential suppliers and premises first. Protect the cash that keeps you trading, and identify which payments you can move, reduce or arrange.
Days five to seven: open conversations
Start talking before deadlines. Creditors, HMRC and lenders — including us — almost always respond better to an early, specific proposal than to silence. A short call now prevents an enforcement letter later.
For free, structured help through week one, Business Debtline gives free, confidential debt advice to small businesses and the self-employed at businessdebtline.org or on 0800 197 6026.
We lend only to UK limited companies and LLPs, and the loan is to the company with no director personal guarantee. As business finance outside the consumer-credit regime, it is not covered by the Financial Ombudsman Service or FSCS.
See also: Spotting early warning signs of cashflow trouble, How to prioritise which bills to pay first, How to talk to creditors when your business is struggling.