Operating Cash Flow is generated from:
โ๏ธ Revenue Growth
โ๏ธ Operating Profits
โ๏ธ Working capital efficiency
How does it work?
The formula for Operating Cash Flow (CFO or OCF) is as follows:
=Revenue
-COGS
-Operating Expenses
+Depreciation and Amortization
+Other non-cash items (e.g. gains/losses on assets sales)
+/ Changes in Working Capital
Hereโs how each of these components impact your ability to grow your Operating Cash Flow:
0๏ธโฃ Depreciation, Amortization and other non-cash items do not impact cash because no cash actually changes hands in those transactions.
1๏ธโฃ Revenue growth refers to the increase in your company's sales over time.
A higher rate of revenue growth generally leads to more cash flow, as more money is flowing into the business.
๐ฏ What drives revenue growth:
โ๏ธ Sales volume: the number of units sold to new and existing customers
โ๏ธ Pricing strategy: price increases for new and existing clients
2๏ธโฃ Operating Margin refers to the operating income divided by revenue.
A higher operating margin means that a larger proportion of revenue is being converted into profit, which can further be used to generate cash flow.
๐ฏ What drives operating margin growth:
โ๏ธ Reduction of COGS relative to revenue: better contractual agreements with suppliers, automation
โ๏ธ Reduction of Selling, General and Administrative costs relative to revenue: marketing, payroll, overhead, shipping costs
3๏ธโฃ Capital Efficiency refers to how effectively a company uses its assets and liabilities to generate cash flow.
If your company is capital efficient it means it is able to generate a higher return on its shareholdersโ investment and has better access to funding, which can help it generate more cash flow.
๐ฏ What drives capital efficiency?
โ๏ธ Efficient use of long term capital assets (PPE): your companyโs ability to generate profit from the operation of its assets (ROE)
โ๏ธ Efficient use of short term working capital assets: your companyโs ability to optimize its cash conversion cycle (Days Inventory Outstanding, Days Sales Outstanding, Days Payable Outstanding)
So here you have them, the 3 levers you have available to improve cash in your business:
>> Revenue
>>Operating Margin
>>Capital Efficiency
What would you add?
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