What to do when cash flow gets tight? Survey on the first things executives check and prioritize (Survey by 'Linkthought Consulting', experts in cash flow and business turnaround)
A survey by Linkthought Consulting of 200 executives and self-employed individuals revealed that when facing cash flow concerns, 53.5% first check their 'cash balance'. The survey highlights practical responses to financial difficulties.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 3, 2026 at 23:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 3, 2026 at 17:10
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 21, 2026 at 04:38 (419h 28m after Collected)
Anxiety about cash flow doesn't suddenly grow huge overnight; it deepens gradually due to a combination of factors like sales fluctuations, payment delays, and fixed cost burdens. That is exactly why what to check first and what actions to take when things get tough are crucial points that influence management decisions.
Therefore, Linkthought Consulting (https://www.linkthought.co.jp/), specialists in cash flow and business turnaround, conducted a survey of 200 business owners, executives, and self-employed individuals. The survey covered "items to check first to grasp the situation when cash flow anxiety arises," "countermeasures prioritized when cash flow becomes tight," and "what is considered most important during normal times to prepare for worsening cash flow."
Looking at the responses overall, certain trends emerge regarding the confirmation items and actions prioritized when cash flow becomes difficult, as well as the everyday preparations kept in mind. Based on the survey results, this article organizes what executives try to grasp first and the direction of easily prioritized countermeasures when cash flow becomes severe.
Table of Contents
Survey 1: Items to check first to grasp the situation when cash flow anxiety arises
Survey 2: Countermeasures prioritized when cash flow becomes tight
Survey 3: What is important during normal times to prepare for worsening cash flow
Summary: Criteria for judgment when cash flow is tight, seen from the questionnaire
Q1. When you feel anxious about your cash flow, please select the items you want to check first to grasp the situation. (Multiple answers allowed: Note 1)
Note 1: This question allows multiple answers, but choices are limited to two. This is to more clearly understand the primary items people want to check to grasp the situation.
The most common response was "Cash and deposit balance (funds currently available)," accounting for over half at 53.5% (107 people). It shows that in situations where cash flow becomes difficult, many executives want to first check "how much money is on hand." Before making future projections, grasping the money that can be moved at this very moment seems to be the starting point for judgment.
The second most common was "Payment schedule for the next 1-3 months (salary, purchases...
Therefore, Linkthought Consulting (https://www.linkthought.co.jp/), specialists in cash flow and business turnaround, conducted a survey of 200 business owners, executives, and self-employed individuals. The survey covered "items to check first to grasp the situation when cash flow anxiety arises," "countermeasures prioritized when cash flow becomes tight," and "what is considered most important during normal times to prepare for worsening cash flow."
Looking at the responses overall, certain trends emerge regarding the confirmation items and actions prioritized when cash flow becomes difficult, as well as the everyday preparations kept in mind. Based on the survey results, this article organizes what executives try to grasp first and the direction of easily prioritized countermeasures when cash flow becomes severe.
Table of Contents
Survey 1: Items to check first to grasp the situation when cash flow anxiety arises
Survey 2: Countermeasures prioritized when cash flow becomes tight
Survey 3: What is important during normal times to prepare for worsening cash flow
Summary: Criteria for judgment when cash flow is tight, seen from the questionnaire
Q1. When you feel anxious about your cash flow, please select the items you want to check first to grasp the situation. (Multiple answers allowed: Note 1)
Note 1: This question allows multiple answers, but choices are limited to two. This is to more clearly understand the primary items people want to check to grasp the situation.
The most common response was "Cash and deposit balance (funds currently available)," accounting for over half at 53.5% (107 people). It shows that in situations where cash flow becomes difficult, many executives want to first check "how much money is on hand." Before making future projections, grasping the money that can be moved at this very moment seems to be the starting point for judgment.
The second most common was "Payment schedule for the next 1-3 months (salary, purchases...