{"id":3048,"date":"2025-12-19T06:42:21","date_gmt":"2025-12-19T06:42:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/optimising-working-capital-practical-guide-for-smes\/"},"modified":"2026-01-15T10:59:45","modified_gmt":"2026-01-15T10:59:45","slug":"optimising-working-capital-practical-guide-for-smes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/en\/optimising-working-capital-practical-guide-for-smes\/","title":{"rendered":"How SMEs can free up liquidity \u2013 optimize working capital"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"3048\" class=\"elementor elementor-3048 elementor-2264\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-392ba89f e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"392ba89f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2c28df2e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2c28df2e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How SMEs can free up liquidity \u2013 optimize working capital<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fb53092 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"fb53092\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7a1b9f9 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7a1b9f9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5d3d4c7 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5d3d4c7\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-003dfc4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"003dfc4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b><span lang=\"DE-AT\">My working capital is too high \u2013 what should I do?<\/span><\/b><\/p><p><span lang=\"DE-AT\">Excessive working capital ties up liquidity, increases financing requirements and raises operational risks. Active management is therefore a key success factor, particularly for SMEs with limited financing options. In this article, you will learn:  <br><\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"text-indent: 0px;\"><span style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; text-indent: -18pt; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Symbol;\"><span style=\"font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-language-override: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"> <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; text-indent: -18pt;\">What exactly is working capital?<\/span><\/li><li style=\"text-indent: 0px;\"><span lang=\"DE-AT\" style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; text-indent: -18pt; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Symbol;\"><span style=\"font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-language-override: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"> <\/span><\/span><span lang=\"DE-AT\" style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; text-indent: -18pt;\">What levers are available for optimisation<\/span><\/li><li style=\"text-indent: 0px;\"><span lang=\"DE-AT\" style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; text-indent: -18pt; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Symbol;\"><span style=\"font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-language-override: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"> <\/span><\/span><span lang=\"DE-AT\" style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; text-indent: -18pt;\">What risks should be considered and<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;\">Which key figures you can use to manage your working capital professionally.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p>The blog is available in both a fold-out and a full view. Enjoy reading!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8c4d807 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"8c4d807\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ef79c9d elementor-widget elementor-widget-n-accordion\" data-id=\"ef79c9d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;default_state&quot;:&quot;expanded&quot;,&quot;max_items_expended&quot;:&quot;one&quot;,&quot;n_accordion_animation_duration&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;ms&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:400,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"nested-accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-n-accordion\" aria-label=\"Accordion. Open links with Enter or Space, close with Escape, and navigate with Arrow Keys\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-2510\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" open>\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"1\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-2510\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> 1. What is working capital? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-2510\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-43c3da4 e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"43c3da4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a94cb60 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a94cb60\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Working capital <\/strong>is calculated as follows:<\/p><p><strong>Inventories + receivables \u2013 liabilities<\/strong><\/p><p>It describes the <strong>capital tied up<\/strong> in operational business that is necessary to maintain the business model.<\/p><p>There is often talk of <strong>core working capital<\/strong>. This can be supplemented by other receivables and liabilities. However, these items can usually <strong>only be influenced to a limited extent<\/strong>, as they are often subject to legal requirements and late payments can result in penalties or interest.  <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-2511\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-2511\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> 2. Optimise inventories \u2013 the biggest lever <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-2511\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2a0ad78 e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2a0ad78\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3f00cf7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3f00cf7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span lang=\"DE-AT\">In manufacturing companies, inventories are divided into three categories:<\/span><\/p><ol><li class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst\"><span lang=\"DE-AT\">Raw materials, consumables and supplies (RCS)<\/span><\/li><li class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst\"> <span style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;\">Semi-finished products<\/span><\/li><li class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst\"><span style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; text-indent: -18pt;\">Finished products<\/span><\/li><\/ol><p class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\"><span lang=\"DE-AT\">High inventory levels not only lead to tied-up capital and higher financing costs, but also to:<\/span><\/p><ul><li class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\"><span style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; text-indent: -18pt;\">Increased storage and handling costs<\/span><\/li><li>Obsolescence and depreciation risks<\/li><li><span style=\"font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-language-override: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"> <\/span><span style=\"font-size: 16px; text-indent: -18pt;\">Price and sales risks<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\"><b><span lang=\"DE-AT\">2.1 Targeted management of raw materials, consumables and supplies<\/span><\/b><\/p><p class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\">Proven optimisation measures include:<\/p><ul><li class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\"><b>Consignment warehouse <\/b>with suppliers<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\"><span lang=\"DE-AT\">For sustainable results, a structured analysis is recommended:<\/span><\/p><p class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\"><b>ABC analysis<\/b><\/p><ul><li class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\">A items: high value, low quantity \u2192 low stock levels, frequent replenishment<\/li><li class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\"><b style=\"font-style: inherit; text-indent: -18pt;\">B items:<\/b> medium value \u2192 regular review<\/li><li class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\"><b style=\"font-style: inherit; text-indent: -18pt;\">C items: <\/b>low value, high quantity \u2192 larger order quantities<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\"><b>XYZ analysis<\/b><\/p><ul><li class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\">X article: stable consumption, easily predictable<\/li><li class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\">Y-articles: fluctuating consumption (e.g. seasonal)<\/li><li class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\">Z items: irregular, hardly predictable consumption<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\"><b><span lang=\"DE-AT\">Combined ABC\/XYZ matrix (practical approach)<\/span><\/b><\/p><ul><li class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\">AX: Just-in-time, minimal stock levels<\/li><li class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\">AY: forecast-based procurement<\/li><li class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\"><b style=\"font-style: inherit; text-indent: -18pt;\">AZ<\/b>: <span style=\"font-size: 16px; text-indent: -18pt;\">individual single-item planning<\/span><\/li><li class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\">CX: large order quantities<\/li><li class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\">CZ: no stockpiling if possible<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\"><span lang=\"DE-AT\"> Important: Any optimisation must take supply chain security into account in order to avoid production interruptions.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\"><b>2.2 Semi-finished and finished products<\/b><\/p><ul><li class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\">Semi-finished products are an essential component, particularly in modular manufacturing and plant engineering.<\/li><li class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\">Finished products are considered particularly sensitive:<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\" style=\"margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: -18.0pt; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo7; tab-stops: list 72.0pt left 159.6pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New';\"><span style=\"font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-language-override: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';\">o <\/span><\/span>Reduced capacity utilisation worsens the cost structure<\/p><p class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\" style=\"margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: -18.0pt; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo7; tab-stops: list 72.0pt left 159.6pt;\"><span lang=\"DE-AT\" style=\"font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-ansi-language: DE-AT;\"><span style=\"font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-language-override: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';\">o<\/span><\/span> High inventories increase obsolescence and price risks<\/p><p class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\"><span lang=\"DE-AT\">Close coordination between sales, production and planning is crucial here.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\"><span lang=\"DE-AT\">Possible measures could include, for example:<\/span><\/p><ul><li class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\">Increase in inventory turnover (e.g. sales promotions for slow-moving items)<\/li><li class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\">Dropshipping in retail (direct shipment from supplier to customer)<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-2512\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"3\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-2512\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> 3. Optimise receivables \u2013 secure liquidity <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-2512\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4c5bb6b e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4c5bb6b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7c3fe01 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7c3fe01\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The amount of accounts receivable is largely determined by <strong>payment terms<\/strong>. These reflect market practices and negotiating power. <\/p><ul><li>Austria \/ EU: usually <strong style=\"font-size: 16px;\">30\u201390 days<\/strong><\/li><li>Asia: up to 240 days in some cases<\/li><\/ul><p>Long payment terms tie up capital and increase the <strong>risk of default<\/strong>.<\/p><p>Recommended measures:<\/p><ul><li><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\">Short, clearly defined payment terms<\/span><\/li><li>Define payment terms <strong>based on customer creditworthiness<\/strong><\/li><li>Consistent <strong>receivables management<\/strong> (dunning process, escalation levels)<\/li><li>Targeted use of <strong>discounts <\/strong>(effective but expensive)<\/li><li><strong>Factoring<\/strong> as an alternative, especially for customers with strong credit ratings<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-2513\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"4\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-2513\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> 4. Strategically managing liabilities <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-2513\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0ca1167 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"0ca1167\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2a589eb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2a589eb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst\"><span lang=\"DE-AT\">Liabilities are the mirror image of receivables. Basic rule: <\/span><\/p><p class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\"><b><span lang=\"DE-AT\">Payment terms for suppliers should be at least as long as those for customers.<\/span><\/b><\/p><ul><li class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\"><span lang=\"DE-AT\" style=\"font-size: 16px; text-indent: -18pt;\">Discounts are usually economically attractive<\/span><\/li><li><span lang=\"DE-AT\" style=\"font-size: 16px; text-indent: -18pt;\">Nevertheless, payment dates should be consciously managed with regard to balance sheet dates and key figures.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-2514\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"5\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-2514\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> 5. Key performance indicators for management purposes <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-2514\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6816ee9 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6816ee9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5242ec2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5242ec2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The most important key figure is the <strong>cash conversion cycle (CCC)<\/strong>. It shows how long capital is tied up in the operating process. <\/p><p><strong>Components of the CCC<\/strong><\/p><ul><li><strong>Days Inventory Outstanding (DIO) <\/strong>\u2013 Storage period<\/li><li><strong>Days Sales Outstanding (DSO)<\/strong> \u2013 Accounts receivable turnover<\/li><li><strong>Days Payables Outstanding (DPO)<\/strong> \u2013 Supplier payment terms<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>Overview of KPI<\/strong><\/p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>KPI<\/strong><\/p><\/td><td><p><strong>Formula<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p>DSO<\/p><\/td><td><p>(Receivables \/ Turnover) \u00d7 Days<\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p>DIO<\/p><\/td><td><p>(Stock \/ Turnover) \u00d7 Days<\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p>DPO<\/p><\/td><td><p>(Liabilities \/ Purchases) \u00d7 Days<\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p>CCC<\/p><\/td><td><p>DSO + DIO \u2013 DPO<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-2515\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"6\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-2515\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> 6. Manage working capital sustainably <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-2515\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5b962ac e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5b962ac\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-738f88f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"738f88f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst\"><span lang=\"DE-AT\">Effective management requires:<\/span><\/p><ul><li class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst\">Clear <b>target values<\/b> for each KPI<\/li><li class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst\"><span lang=\"DE-AT\" style=\"font-size: 16px; text-indent: -18pt;\">Regular reviews with those responsible, e.g. sales, supply chain<\/span><\/li><li class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst\"><span lang=\"DE-AT\" style=\"font-size: 16px; text-indent: -18pt;\">Understanding within the organisation that working capital is not purely a financial exercise, but rather an operational success factor<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span lang=\"DE-AT\" style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Aptos',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Aptos; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: DE-AT; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;\">Benchmarking with competitors or peer groups increases transparency. AI-supported analyses for inventories are particularly efficient in complex manufacturing processes and replace time-consuming manual evaluations. <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-2516\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"7\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-2516\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> 7. Conclusion <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-2516\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-802ff15 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"802ff15\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-989366d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"989366d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span lang=\"DE-AT\">Working capital is one of the biggest drivers of financing requirements, alongside fixed assets. <\/span>Targeted optimisation:<\/p><ul><li><span lang=\"DE-AT\" style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; text-indent: -18pt;\">Reduces capital requirements and financing pressure<\/span><\/li><li><span lang=\"DE-AT\" style=\"font-size: 16px; text-indent: -18pt;\">Reduces operational risks (obsolescence, bad debts)<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; text-indent: -18pt;\">Improves transparency and controllability<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p>The following factors are crucial for success:<\/p><ul><li><span style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; text-indent: -18pt;\">Clear prioritisation of measures<\/span><\/li><li><span lang=\"DE-AT\" style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; text-indent: -18pt;\"><b>Quick wins<\/b> to increase acceptance <\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; text-indent: -18pt;\">Sustainable anchoring within the company<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span lang=\"DE-AT\">After a successful optimization round, the focus shifts from further cost savings to <b>fine-tuning and consistent management<\/b>.<\/span><b><\/b><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-07fbcdf e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"07fbcdf\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ae48e5f e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ae48e5f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e027b2f e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"e027b2f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-26e77cd elementor-widget elementor-widget-elementskit-heading\" data-id=\"26e77cd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"elementskit-heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ekit-wid-con\" ><div class=\"ekit-heading elementskit-section-title-wraper text_left   ekit_heading_tablet-   ekit_heading_mobile-\"><h3 class=\"elementskit-section-subtitle  \">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\ud83d\udc49 Support with implementation\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3><h2 class=\"ekit-heading--title elementskit-section-title \">Would you like to sustainable optimise your working capital ?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<div class='ekit-heading__description'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p><span>CoFit Consulting GmbH supports you from analysis to implementation \u2013 in a practical, data-driven and implementation-oriented manner.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><br \/><\/span> <b><span>Please feel free to contact us for a non-binding initial consultation.<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5998e53 elementor-align-center elementor-widget__width-initial e-transform e-transform elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"5998e53\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInRight&quot;,&quot;_animation_delay&quot;:200,&quot;_transform_rotateZ_effect&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:0,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;_transform_rotateZ_effect_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;deg&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;_transform_rotateZ_effect_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;deg&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;_transform_translateX_effect&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;_transform_translateX_effect_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;_transform_translateX_effect_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;_transform_translateY_effect&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;_transform_translateY_effect_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;_transform_translateY_effect_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm elementor-animation-grow\" href=\"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/kontakt\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-arrow-alt-circle-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 8c137 0 248 111 248 248S393 504 256 504 8 393 8 256 119 8 256 8zM140 300h116v70.9c0 10.7 13 16.1 20.5 8.5l114.3-114.9c4.7-4.7 4.7-12.2 0-16.9l-114.3-115c-7.6-7.6-20.5-2.2-20.5 8.5V212H140c-6.6 0-12 5.4-12 12v64c0 6.6 5.4 12 12 12z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Contact<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-46dd145 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"46dd145\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4290328 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4290328\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Full article:<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-efd701d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"efd701d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>1. What is working capital?<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>Working capital <\/strong>is calculated as follows:<\/p><p><strong>Inventories + receivables \u2013 liabilities<\/strong><\/p><p>It describes the <strong>capital tied up<\/strong> in operational business that is necessary to maintain the business model.<\/p><p>There is often talk of <strong>core working capital<\/strong>. This can be supplemented by other receivables and liabilities. However, these items can usually <strong>only be influenced to a limited extent<\/strong>, as they are often subject to legal requirements and late payments can result in penalties or interest.  <\/p><div style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\"><hr align=\"center\" size=\"2\" width=\"100%\"><\/div><div style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\"> <\/div><p><strong>2. Optimise inventories \u2013 the biggest lever<\/strong><\/p><p>In manufacturing companies, inventories are divided into three categories:<\/p><ol><li>Raw materials, consumables and supplies (RCS)<\/li><li>Semi-finished products<\/li><li>Finished products<\/li><\/ol><p>High inventory levels not only lead to tied-up capital and higher financing costs, but also to:<\/p><ul><li>Increased storage and handling costs<\/li><li>Obsolescence and depreciation risks<\/li><li>Price and sales risks<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>2.1 Targeted management of raw materials, consumables and supplies<\/strong><\/p><p>Proven optimisation measures include:<\/p><ul><li><strong>Consignment warehouse <\/strong>with suppliers<\/li><\/ul><p>For sustainable results, a structured analysis is recommended:<\/p><p><strong>ABC analysis<\/strong><\/p><ul><li><strong>A items:<\/strong> high value, low quantity \u2192 low stock levels, frequent replenishment<\/li><li><strong>B items:<\/strong> medium value \u2192 regular review<\/li><li><strong>C items: <\/strong>low value, high quantity \u2192 larger order quantities<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>XYZ analysis<\/strong><\/p><ul><li><strong>X article<\/strong>: stable consumption, easily predictable<\/li><li><strong>Y-articles<\/strong>: fluctuating consumption (e.g. seasonal)<\/li><li><strong>Z items<\/strong>: irregular, hardly predictable consumption<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>Combined ABC\/XYZ matrix (practical approach)<\/strong><\/p><ul><li>AX: Just-in-time, minimal stock levels<\/li><li><strong>AY<\/strong>: forecast-based procurement<\/li><li><strong>AZ<\/strong>: individual single-item planning<\/li><li><strong>CX<\/strong>: large order quantities<\/li><li><strong>CZ<\/strong>: no stockpiling if possible<\/li><\/ul><p>\u26a0\ufe0f Important: Any optimisation must take supply chain security into account in order to avoid production interruptions.<\/p><p><strong>2.2 Semi-finished and finished products<\/strong><\/p><ul><li><strong>Semi-finished products<\/strong> are an essential component, particularly in modular manufacturing and plant engineering.<\/li><li><strong>Finished products<\/strong> are considered particularly sensitive:<ul><li>Reduced capacity utilisation worsens the cost structure<\/li><li>High inventories increase obsolescence and price risks<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><p>Close coordination between sales, production and planning is crucial here.<\/p><p>Possible measures could include, for example:<\/p><ul><li>Increase in <strong>inventory turnover<\/strong> (e.g. sales promotions for slow-moving items)<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>Dropshipping<\/strong> in retail (direct shipping from supplier to customer)<\/p><div style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\"><hr align=\"center\" size=\"2\" width=\"100%\"><\/div><div align=\"center\"> <\/div><p><strong style=\"font-size: 16px;\">3. Optimise receivables \u2013 secure liquidity<\/strong><\/p><p>The amount of accounts receivable is largely determined by <strong>payment terms<\/strong>. These reflect market practices and negotiating power. <\/p><ul><li>Austria \/ EU: usually 30\u201390 days<\/li><li>Asia: up to 240 days in some cases<\/li><\/ul><p>Long payment terms tie up capital and increase the <strong>risk of default<\/strong>.<\/p><p>Recommended measures:<\/p><ul><li>Short, clearly defined payment terms<\/li><li>Define payment terms <strong>based on customer creditworthiness<\/strong><\/li><li>Consistent <strong>receivables management<\/strong> (dunning process, escalation levels)<\/li><li>Targeted use of <strong>discounts <\/strong>(effective but expensive)<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>Factoring<\/strong> as an alternative, especially for customers with strong credit ratings<\/p><div style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\"><hr align=\"center\" size=\"2\" width=\"100%\"><\/div><p><strong><br>4. Strategically managing liabilities<\/strong><\/p><p>Liabilities are the mirror image of receivables. Basic rule: <\/p><p><strong>Payment terms for suppliers should be at least as long as those for customers. <\/strong><\/p><ul><li>Discounts are usually economically attractive<\/li><\/ul><p>Nevertheless, payment dates should be consciously managed with regard to balance sheet dates and key figures.<\/p><div style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\"><hr align=\"center\" size=\"2\" width=\"100%\"><\/div><p><strong><br>5. Key performance indicators for management purposes<\/strong><\/p><p>The most important key figure is the <strong>cash conversion cycle (CCC)<\/strong>. It shows how long capital is tied up in the operating process. <\/p><p><strong>Components of the CCC<\/strong><\/p><ul><li><strong>Days Inventory Outstanding (DIO) <\/strong>\u2013 Storage period<\/li><li><strong>Days Sales Outstanding (DSO)<\/strong> \u2013 Accounts receivable turnover<\/li><li><strong>Days Payables Outstanding (DPO)<\/strong> \u2013 Supplier payment terms<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>Overview of KPI<\/strong><\/p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>KPI<\/strong><\/p><\/td><td><p><strong>Formula<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p>DSO<\/p><\/td><td><p>(Receivables \/ Turnover) \u00d7 Days<\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p>DIO<\/p><\/td><td><p>(Stock \/ Turnover) \u00d7 Days<\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p>DPO<\/p><\/td><td><p>(Liabilities \/ Purchases) \u00d7 Days<\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p>CCC<\/p><\/td><td><p>DSO + DIO \u2013 DPO<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><div style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\"><div style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\"><hr align=\"center\" size=\"2\" width=\"100%\"><\/div><\/div><p><strong><br>6. Manage working capital sustainably<\/strong><\/p><p>Effective management requires:<\/p><ul><li>Clear <strong>target values<\/strong> for each KPI<\/li><li>Regular reviews with those responsible, e.g. sales, supply chain<\/li><li>Understanding that working capital is <strong>not purely a financial exercise<\/strong>, but rather an operational success factor<\/li><\/ul><p>Benchmarking with competitors or peer groups increases transparency. AI-supported analyses for inventories are particularly efficient in complex manufacturing processes and replace time-consuming manual evaluations. <\/p><div style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\"><hr align=\"center\" size=\"2\" width=\"100%\"><\/div><p><strong><br>7. Conclusion<\/strong><\/p><p>Alongside fixed assets, working capital is one of the biggest drivers of financing requirements. Targeted optimisation: <\/p><ul><li>Reduces capital requirements and financing pressure<\/li><li>Reduces operational risks (obsolescence, bad debts)<\/li><li>Improves transparency and controllability<\/li><\/ul><p>The following factors are crucial for success:<\/p><ul><li>Clear prioritisation of measures<\/li><li><strong>Quick wins<\/strong> to increase acceptance<\/li><li>Sustainable anchoring within the company<\/li><\/ul><p>After a successful optimization round, the focus shifts from further cost savings to <strong>fine-tuning and consistent management<\/strong>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How SMEs can free up liquidity \u2013 optimize working capital My working capital is too high \u2013 what should I do? Excessive working capital ties up liquidity, increases financing requirements and raises operational risks. Active management is therefore a key success factor, particularly for SMEs with limited financing options. In this article, you will learn: What exactly is working capital? What levers are available for optimisation What risks should be considered and Which key figures you can use to manage your working capital professionally. The blog is available in both a fold-out and a full view. Enjoy reading! 1. What is working capital? Working capital is calculated as follows: Inventories + receivables \u2013 liabilities It describes the capital tied up in operational business that is necessary to maintain the business model. There is often talk of core working capital. This can be supplemented by other receivables and liabilities. However, these items can usually only be influenced to a limited extent, as they are often subject to legal requirements and late payments can result in penalties or interest. 2. Optimise inventories \u2013 the biggest lever In manufacturing companies, inventories are divided into three categories: Raw materials, consumables and supplies (RCS) Semi-finished products Finished products High inventory levels not only lead to tied-up capital and higher financing costs, but also to: Increased storage and handling costs Obsolescence and depreciation risks Price and sales risks 2.1 Targeted management of raw materials, consumables and supplies Proven optimisation measures include: Consignment warehouse with suppliers For sustainable results, a structured analysis is recommended: ABC analysis A items: high value, low quantity \u2192 low stock levels, frequent replenishment B items: medium value \u2192 regular review C items: low value, high quantity \u2192 larger order quantities XYZ analysis X article: stable consumption, easily predictable Y-articles: fluctuating consumption (e.g. seasonal) Z items: irregular, hardly predictable consumption Combined ABC\/XYZ matrix (practical approach) AX: Just-in-time, minimal stock levels AY: forecast-based procurement AZ: individual single-item planning CX: large order quantities CZ: no stockpiling if possible Important: Any optimisation must take supply chain security into account in order to avoid production interruptions. 2.2 Semi-finished and finished products Semi-finished products are an essential component, particularly in modular manufacturing and plant engineering. Finished products are considered particularly sensitive: o Reduced capacity utilisation worsens the cost structure o High inventories increase obsolescence and price risks Close coordination between sales, production and planning is crucial here. Possible measures could include, for example: Increase in inventory turnover (e.g. sales promotions for slow-moving items) Dropshipping in retail (direct shipment from supplier to customer) 3. Optimise receivables \u2013 secure liquidity The amount of accounts receivable is largely determined by payment terms. These reflect market practices and negotiating power. Austria \/ EU: usually 30\u201390 days Asia: up to 240 days in some cases Long payment terms tie up capital and increase the risk of default. Recommended measures: Short, clearly defined payment terms Define payment terms based on customer creditworthiness Consistent receivables management (dunning process, escalation levels) Targeted use of discounts (effective but expensive) Factoring as an alternative, especially for customers with strong credit ratings 4. Strategically managing liabilities Liabilities are the mirror image of receivables. Basic rule: Payment terms for suppliers should be at least as long as those for customers. Discounts are usually economically attractive Nevertheless, payment dates should be consciously managed with regard to balance sheet dates and key figures. 5. Key performance indicators for management purposes The most important key figure is the cash conversion cycle (CCC). It shows how long capital is tied up in the operating process. Components of the CCC Days Inventory Outstanding (DIO) \u2013 Storage period Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) \u2013 Accounts receivable turnover Days Payables Outstanding (DPO) \u2013 Supplier payment terms Overview of KPI KPI Formula DSO (Receivables \/ Turnover) \u00d7 Days DIO (Stock \/ Turnover) \u00d7 Days DPO (Liabilities \/ Purchases) \u00d7 Days CCC DSO + DIO \u2013 DPO 6. Manage working capital sustainably Effective management requires: Clear target values for each KPI Regular reviews with those responsible, e.g. sales, supply chain Understanding within the organisation that working capital is not purely a financial exercise, but rather an operational success factor Benchmarking with competitors or peer groups increases transparency. AI-supported analyses for inventories are particularly efficient in complex manufacturing processes and replace time-consuming manual evaluations. 7. Conclusion Working capital is one of the biggest drivers of financing requirements, alongside fixed assets. Targeted optimisation: Reduces capital requirements and financing pressure Reduces operational risks (obsolescence, bad debts) Improves transparency and controllability The following factors are crucial for success: Clear prioritisation of measures Quick wins to increase acceptance Sustainable anchoring within the company After a successful optimization round, the focus shifts from further cost savings to fine-tuning and consistent management. Working capital is calculated as follows: Inventories + receivables \u2013 liabilities It describes the capital tied up in operational business that is necessary to maintain the business model. There is often talk of core working capital. This can be supplemented by other receivables and liabilities. However, these items can usually only be influenced to a limited extent, as they are often subject to legal requirements and late payments can result in penalties or interest. In manufacturing companies, inventories are divided into three categories: Raw materials, consumables and supplies (RCS) Semi-finished products Finished products High inventory levels not only lead to tied-up capital and higher financing costs, but also to: Increased storage and handling costs Obsolescence and depreciation risks Price and sales risks 2.1 Targeted management of raw materials, consumables and supplies Proven optimisation measures include: Consignment warehouse with suppliers For sustainable results, a structured analysis is recommended: ABC analysis A items: high value, low quantity \u2192 low stock levels, frequent replenishment B items: medium value \u2192 regular review C items: low value, high quantity \u2192 larger order quantities XYZ analysis X article: stable consumption, easily predictable Y-articles: fluctuating consumption (e.g. seasonal) Z items: irregular, hardly predictable consumption Combined ABC\/XYZ matrix (practical approach) AX: Just-in-time, minimal stock levels AY: forecast-based procurement AZ: individual single-item planning<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3022,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_canvas","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"disabled","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"disabled","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3048","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-increased-efficiency"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How SMEs can free up liquidity \u2013 optimize working capital - Cofit Homepage<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn how you, as an SME, can optimise your working capital, generate liquidity and reduce costs.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/en\/optimising-working-capital-practical-guide-for-smes\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How SMEs can free up liquidity \u2013 optimize working capital - Cofit Homepage\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn how you, as an SME, can optimise your working capital, generate liquidity and reduce costs.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/en\/optimising-working-capital-practical-guide-for-smes\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Cofit Homepage\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-12-19T06:42:21+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-01-15T10:59:45+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/dominik-luckmann-4aOhA4ptIY4-unsplash.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"640\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"430\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Manfred Schranzer\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Manfred Schranzer\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"10 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cofitconsult.com\\\/en\\\/optimising-working-capital-practical-guide-for-smes\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cofitconsult.com\\\/en\\\/optimising-working-capital-practical-guide-for-smes\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Manfred Schranzer\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cofitconsult.com\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/76b6620823aa6515bd902b19e2cfb971\"},\"headline\":\"How SMEs can free up liquidity \u2013 optimize working capital\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-12-19T06:42:21+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-01-15T10:59:45+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cofitconsult.com\\\/en\\\/optimising-working-capital-practical-guide-for-smes\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":2098,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cofitconsult.com\\\/en\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cofitconsult.com\\\/en\\\/optimising-working-capital-practical-guide-for-smes\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cofitconsult.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/12\\\/dominik-luckmann-4aOhA4ptIY4-unsplash.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Increased efficiency\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cofitconsult.com\\\/en\\\/optimising-working-capital-practical-guide-for-smes\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cofitconsult.com\\\/en\\\/optimising-working-capital-practical-guide-for-smes\\\/\",\"name\":\"How SMEs can free up liquidity \u2013 optimize working capital - Cofit Homepage\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cofitconsult.com\\\/en\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cofitconsult.com\\\/en\\\/optimising-working-capital-practical-guide-for-smes\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cofitconsult.com\\\/en\\\/optimising-working-capital-practical-guide-for-smes\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cofitconsult.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/12\\\/dominik-luckmann-4aOhA4ptIY4-unsplash.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-12-19T06:42:21+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-01-15T10:59:45+00:00\",\"description\":\"Learn how you, as an SME, can optimise your working capital, generate liquidity and reduce costs.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cofitconsult.com\\\/en\\\/optimising-working-capital-practical-guide-for-smes\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/cofitconsult.com\\\/en\\\/optimising-working-capital-practical-guide-for-smes\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cofitconsult.com\\\/en\\\/optimising-working-capital-practical-guide-for-smes\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cofitconsult.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/12\\\/dominik-luckmann-4aOhA4ptIY4-unsplash.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cofitconsult.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/12\\\/dominik-luckmann-4aOhA4ptIY4-unsplash.jpg\",\"width\":640,\"height\":430},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cofitconsult.com\\\/en\\\/optimising-working-capital-practical-guide-for-smes\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Startseite\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cofitconsult.com\\\/en\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"How SMEs can free up liquidity \u2013 optimize working capital\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cofitconsult.com\\\/en\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cofitconsult.com\\\/en\\\/\",\"name\":\"Cofit Homepage\",\"description\":\"Financial consulting for SMEs \u2713 Strategy development \u2713 Interim CFO \u2013 measurable results in weeks. Get a free consultation now!\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cofitconsult.com\\\/en\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cofitconsult.com\\\/en\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cofitconsult.com\\\/en\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"CoFit Consulting GmbH\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cofitconsult.com\\\/en\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cofitconsult.com\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cofitconsult.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/12\\\/Cofit-Logo-final_V1-2.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cofitconsult.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/12\\\/Cofit-Logo-final_V1-2.png\",\"width\":500,\"height\":500,\"caption\":\"CoFit Consulting GmbH\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cofitconsult.com\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cofitconsult.com\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/76b6620823aa6515bd902b19e2cfb971\",\"name\":\"Manfred Schranzer\",\"pronouns\":\"er\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/ba43e8709e3133ec8f1c6e2928f49857f610ee840722c24ef246accc52ad84ea?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/ba43e8709e3133ec8f1c6e2928f49857f610ee840722c24ef246accc52ad84ea?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/ba43e8709e3133ec8f1c6e2928f49857f610ee840722c24ef246accc52ad84ea?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Manfred Schranzer\"},\"description\":\"Manfred Schranzer ist CFO- und Transformation Advisor mit \u00fcber 20 Jahren internationaler Erfahrung in Industrie- und Technologieunternehmen. Er unterst\u00fctzt Eigent\u00fcmer und Gesch\u00e4ftsf\u00fchrer im Mittelstand bei Strategieentwicklung, Performance-Steuerung und Organisationsentwicklung \u2013 pragmatisch, umsetzungsstark und ergebnisorientiert.\",\"sameAs\":[\"http:\\\/\\\/cofitconsult.com\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.linkedin.com\\\/in\\\/manfred-schranzer-8981727\\\/\"],\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cofitconsult.com\\\/en\\\/author\\\/admin\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"How SMEs can free up liquidity \u2013 optimize working capital - Cofit Homepage","description":"Learn how you, as an SME, can optimise your working capital, generate liquidity and reduce costs.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/en\/optimising-working-capital-practical-guide-for-smes\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"How SMEs can free up liquidity \u2013 optimize working capital - Cofit Homepage","og_description":"Learn how you, as an SME, can optimise your working capital, generate liquidity and reduce costs.","og_url":"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/en\/optimising-working-capital-practical-guide-for-smes\/","og_site_name":"Cofit Homepage","article_published_time":"2025-12-19T06:42:21+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-01-15T10:59:45+00:00","og_image":[{"width":640,"height":430,"url":"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/dominik-luckmann-4aOhA4ptIY4-unsplash.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Manfred Schranzer","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Manfred Schranzer","Est. reading time":"10 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/en\/optimising-working-capital-practical-guide-for-smes\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/en\/optimising-working-capital-practical-guide-for-smes\/"},"author":{"name":"Manfred Schranzer","@id":"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/76b6620823aa6515bd902b19e2cfb971"},"headline":"How SMEs can free up liquidity \u2013 optimize working capital","datePublished":"2025-12-19T06:42:21+00:00","dateModified":"2026-01-15T10:59:45+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/en\/optimising-working-capital-practical-guide-for-smes\/"},"wordCount":2098,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/en\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/en\/optimising-working-capital-practical-guide-for-smes\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/dominik-luckmann-4aOhA4ptIY4-unsplash.jpg","articleSection":["Increased efficiency"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/en\/optimising-working-capital-practical-guide-for-smes\/","url":"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/en\/optimising-working-capital-practical-guide-for-smes\/","name":"How SMEs can free up liquidity \u2013 optimize working capital - Cofit Homepage","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/en\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/en\/optimising-working-capital-practical-guide-for-smes\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/en\/optimising-working-capital-practical-guide-for-smes\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/dominik-luckmann-4aOhA4ptIY4-unsplash.jpg","datePublished":"2025-12-19T06:42:21+00:00","dateModified":"2026-01-15T10:59:45+00:00","description":"Learn how you, as an SME, can optimise your working capital, generate liquidity and reduce costs.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/en\/optimising-working-capital-practical-guide-for-smes\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/en\/optimising-working-capital-practical-guide-for-smes\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/en\/optimising-working-capital-practical-guide-for-smes\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/dominik-luckmann-4aOhA4ptIY4-unsplash.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/dominik-luckmann-4aOhA4ptIY4-unsplash.jpg","width":640,"height":430},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/en\/optimising-working-capital-practical-guide-for-smes\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Startseite","item":"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/en\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"How SMEs can free up liquidity \u2013 optimize working capital"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/en\/#website","url":"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/en\/","name":"Cofit Homepage","description":"Financial consulting for SMEs \u2713 Strategy development \u2713 Interim CFO \u2013 measurable results in weeks. Get a free consultation now!","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/en\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/en\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/en\/#organization","name":"CoFit Consulting GmbH","url":"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/en\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/en\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Cofit-Logo-final_V1-2.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Cofit-Logo-final_V1-2.png","width":500,"height":500,"caption":"CoFit Consulting GmbH"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/en\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/76b6620823aa6515bd902b19e2cfb971","name":"Manfred Schranzer","pronouns":"er","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ba43e8709e3133ec8f1c6e2928f49857f610ee840722c24ef246accc52ad84ea?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ba43e8709e3133ec8f1c6e2928f49857f610ee840722c24ef246accc52ad84ea?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ba43e8709e3133ec8f1c6e2928f49857f610ee840722c24ef246accc52ad84ea?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Manfred Schranzer"},"description":"Manfred Schranzer ist CFO- und Transformation Advisor mit \u00fcber 20 Jahren internationaler Erfahrung in Industrie- und Technologieunternehmen. Er unterst\u00fctzt Eigent\u00fcmer und Gesch\u00e4ftsf\u00fchrer im Mittelstand bei Strategieentwicklung, Performance-Steuerung und Organisationsentwicklung \u2013 pragmatisch, umsetzungsstark und ergebnisorientiert.","sameAs":["http:\/\/cofitconsult.com","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/manfred-schranzer-8981727\/"],"url":"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/en\/author\/admin\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3048","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3048"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3048\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3665,"href":"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3048\/revisions\/3665"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3022"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3048"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3048"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cofitconsult.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3048"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}