Is cash flow more important than making a net profit?  It can be if a business owner doesn't have enough cash to pay the employee's payroll taxes.  How did your largest sales month ever turn into the hog that ate all of your cash?

This is typically divided into a few categories:

Short Term Problems -- These are times when the customers maybe late on one payment or on a one time expenditure uses a good deal of the cash. 

*  Note:  Most people think they are in this category until they crunch some numbers.

Systemic Cash Flow Problems -- These are rushes to the bank to make deposits before the payroll clears the bank.  This can be fixed by restructing the expenses or challanging the basic assumption of how the business generates or spends the cash.  In addition, its possible that the business isn't charging enough for its products.  (Time to get out the green eyeshade and calculator.)

Captial Improvements -- Large one time purchases of equipment and other outlays of cash that are going to be used to improve the profitability of the business.  Typically, this problem is best  suited to long term financing.

Market Downturn -- "These Tough Economic Times" reasons.  Others are cutting back on expenses and yours just happens to be one of those services that they aren't spending money on.  This requires a detailed look at the business, realistic goals, and possibly requires a downsizing. 

Spending is out of Control -- Typically, this is a formerly profitable business that needs to adjust to the Market Downturn as listed above.  Without strong changes in how the business operates, this could be the beginning of the end.