How well could your security business handle an urgent call for extra guards? What would that do to your cash flow management system?

Let’s face it. Some companies don’t hire the security they need until a crisis happens. Maybe the company gets robbed; maybe someone even gets hurt. Then, when they call your company to get the amount of security guards that they need, they need them NOW.

You’re happy about getting new business but you may not receive payment for your services for 30 days – or maybe even 45 – but your employees need paid every two weeks.

Is your security business fairly new? If so, are you struggling to find business funding? What about accounts receivable factoring?

As we recently reported, the Bureau of Labor Statistics is predicting a dramatic increase in the demand for security guards. This is encouraging news if you own or manage a security business; but, if your business is new, then you’ll probably face challenges in getting the funding you need to grow your business.

Fortunately, we have the business funding solution that you’ve been looking for: accounts receivable factoring.

Security guard demand is expected to grow 17 percent between 2006 and 2016. Can your current cash flow management system fund your growth?

There are growing concerns about crime and vandalism – and private security firms are taking over more and more of the duties previously performed by police officers. Because of these factors, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a greater than typical growth for the security industry; this predicted growth of 17 percent means that about 175,000 new security guard jobs will be created.

Another Ohio-based entrepreneur training program: JumpStart sponsored a 54-hour event for people wanting to start a high tech business.

I recently shared how I have been reading entrepreneur blogs and how encouraged I have been reading about the programs and initiatives taking place.

Well, here is another example: JumpStart, which is a Northeast Ohio-based program that “accelerates the progress of high potential, early-stage businesses,” hosted a sold-out entrepreneur training weekend in Cleveland. Similar events have been hosted, according to JumpStart, in Boston, Paris and Israel, but Cleveland had the highest number of sponsors. “Who knew, six years ago” the blogger writes, “we’d be setting the bar for the world in entrepreneurial energy.”

There are lots of great entrepreneur blogs and resources on the Internet. One of my early New Year’s Resolutions is to read more of them.

While looking at some blog posts recently, I found out about an interesting entrepreneur training program taking place right here in Ohio. In this program, the Youngstown Business Incubator and Youngstown State University’s Williamson College of Business Administration are partnering to begin an internship program in Youngstown, to help each participant become a successful entrepreneur.

A growing trend towards using American products means that light manufacturers may need to boost cash flow management to take on new customers.

According to Manufacturing.net, manufacturers could be receiving increased amounts of business; after a series of high-profile recalls from countries such as China, even the recession isn’t stopping businesses from choosing to outsource to American companies.

In challenging economies, it’s hard to predict cash flow. What is your cash flow management strategy for your Midwest business?

In more difficult economic times, your predicted cash flow situation may not materialize. Sometimes, Midwest businesses get better than expected news, such as when, in April 2009, Midwest business activity contracted at a much less severe rate than anticipated , thanks to a jump in new orders.

Cash flow management for light manufacturing firms can feel especially challenging during a recession. Avoid these three common fear-based mistakes.

According to Manufacturing.Net, “Smart executives keep a laser-like focus on the future and keep their fear in check. If you can do that, your firm can thrive and emerge from tough times stronger than ever.”

Smart executives also avoid these three dangerous mistakes:

To stay competitive, light manufacturers need the newest technology. To fund the technology, choose receivables factoring from MP Star Financial.

According to Manufacturing.net, “The reluctance on the part of manufacturers to adopt new technology can be so devastating to a company that it should probably be at the top of the list of reasons why manufacturers are finding it difficult to compete.”

Technological advances aren’t always cheap – and so many light manufacturing companies delay making the investment, and thus the vicious cycle begins.

Swine flu caused a huge upswing in demand for janitorial services. Does your janitorial business have a cash flow management system that can take advantage of sudden demand?

In Utah, schools that closed because of swine flu could not reopen until janitorial services thoroughly disinfected the buildings. According to ABC News, “new CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] guidelines are requiring the district to take extra measures to ensure every surface is free from possible contamination.”