Meetings, meetings! Any successful business man will no doubt spend a lot of time in meetings. Did you know you can use Sage accounting software to make them shorter, more efficient and perhaps even interesting?

We all have to meet with your bankers every so often. We often don't look forward to these meetings as we have to persuade the finance people to lend us more money at better rates. Well use your accounts software properly and you may find you do not need to carry as much expensive finance.

Cash flow is the key to a successful business. If you have computerized your accounts, you will be able to see exactly which customers are causing you some problems. Debtors who go over the terms of their agreements cost you money. You need to employ a good credit control policy in order to improve your finances. Customized Sage 50 reports will pinpoint those clients that need a quick phone call.

Lazy disorganized credit control gives your debtors the impression that you are a reliable source of cheap finance. They think they can afford to leave your invoices unpaid as you will ignore them. Not any longer. Get this area of your business under control and you may be able to pay off some of your own bank finances.

You can also review your creditor arrangements. Have you always paid your accounts on time? If so, you need to try to negotiate better terms with these suppliers. Either try for reduced pricing or longer terms to pay as either will help to improve your bottom line.

Bank managers often dread meeting small business owners or entrepreneurs. As a rule, these people often have great ideas but their accounts tend to be disorganized to say the least. Imagine your bank manager's face when you show up with your Sage instant accounts on your laptop.