Understanding and managing working capital is essential for the success of any small business. Working Capital for Small Businesses, a 2-hour webinar, provides a comprehensive look at how businesses can optimize their financial health, improve cash flow, and secure the right funding to support growth. From calculating working capital to exploring financing options like lines of credit, this course equips small business owners with the knowledge they need to make informed financial decisions. Join us to learn practical strategies that will help sustain daily operations, manage short-term liabilities, and unlock new opportunities for expansion.
Agenda Below:
Introduction to Working Capital
- What is Working Capital?
- Definition and importance
- The formula: Working Capital = Current Assets – Current Liabilities
- Types of current assets (cash, inventory, receivables)
- Types of current liabilities (accounts payable, short-term loans)
- Why Working Capital is Crucial for Small Businesses
- Day-to-day operations
- Managing cash flow
- Funding growth and new product lines
- Key Financial Metrics Related to Working Capital
- Current Ratio
- Quick Ratio
- Cash Conversion Cycle (CCC)
Cash Flow and Working Capital
- Understanding Cash Flow
- Difference between profit and cash flow
- How cash flow impacts working capital
- The role of operating cash flow
- Strategies for Improving Cash Flow
- Speeding up receivables collection
- Managing inventory efficiently
- Extending payables without damaging vendor relationships
Financing Working Capital
- Sources of Working Capital for Small Businesses
- Internal sources: Retained earnings, owner investments
- External sources: Bank loans, lines of credit, investors
- Types of Credit for Small Businesses
- Lines of Credit (LOC)
- Seasonal loans (short-term)
- Bank loans (long term)
- Trade credit and supplier financing
- Qualifying for a Line of Credit
- Typical requirements (credit score, business history, annual revenue)
- How banks and lenders assess small businesses
- Differences between secured vs. unsecured lines of credit
- Personal guarantees and collateral
- Determining the Line of Credit max amount
Types of Businesses That May Qualify for a Line of Credit
In terms of businesses qualifying for a line of credit, small businesses, such as a local shop, cafe, or small manufacturing company, can apply, but lenders will typically look for the following:
- Business Type:
- Retail businesses (e.g., boutiques, cafes, local stores)
- Service-based businesses (e.g., home repair, salons, consultants)
- Manufacturing (if you plan to buy equipment or manage bulk inventory)
- Wholesale/distribution businesses
- Qualifying Factors:
- Creditworthiness: The business (or business owner) should have a reasonable credit score (usually above 650).
- Time in Business: Lenders may prefer businesses that have been operational for at least 1-2 years.
- Annual Revenue: Lenders might have minimum annual revenue requirements to ensure that the business can repay the line of credit.
- Cash Flow Stability: Businesses that can show stable or positive cash flow are more likely to qualify.
- Personal Guarantee: Many small business lines of credit require the owner to sign a personal guarantee, especially if the business is new and has no proven track record.
Case Studies and Real-Life Applications
- Small Business Success Stories
- Examples of small businesses that successfully implemented working capital strategies to launch new products
- How they managed their lines of credit and other financing sources
- Common Challenges and Solutions
- Issues that arise with managing working capital (cash flow shortages, unexpected costs, etc.)
- Solutions and best practices for overcoming those challenges
Conclusion
This course provides a foundational understanding of working capital, how it can be managed, and how small businesses can access a line of credit to support their growth, especially when launching new products. The goal is to equip small business owners with the tools to make informed decisions about their finances, ensuring they can sustain operations and capitalize on new opportunities.
Audience: It’s ideal for anyone seeking practical strategies to maintain liquidity, fund growth, and navigate financing options like lines of credit.
- Price includes live access plus 60 days OnDemand playback
- Extend your OnDemand playback access from 60 days to 120 days $99.00
- Additional Live Access $99.00 per person
Access: If purchased Live, you will have access to the live session plus 60 days. If purchased OnDemand, you will have access to training for 60-days from registration date.
Digital Download – $999.00: Receive a downloadable recorded version of the webinar to upload into your LMS. You’ll have unlimited access and can retain it indefinitely. Please note: The information presented is current as of the recording date. These are hot-topic webinars and content may evolve over time. We recommend checking back for future sessions, for purchase, to stay current with updates.
Recorded June 3, 2025
Instructor
Jeff Smith

Jeff Smith has been the Chief Lending Officer at Freedom Credit Union in Springfield, MA since 2013 and is in charge of managing the Commercial, Mortgage, and Consumer Lending portfolios, as well as t... read more.
