Inventory and suppliers
Japan's rice has gone from shortage to glut: stock bought out of fear is paid for twice
29 September 2026, 09:29
In two years Japan has gone from empty shelves to a rice surplus, and today growers are selling below the cost of production. It is the path of every stock built up out of fear, in business too: it is paid for once in cash, when it is bought, and a second time in the accounts, when the price falls.
Profit cannot be paid into the bank
20 September 2026, 17:38
A company can close the year in profit and not have the money to pay its suppliers. It is not an accounting paradox: it is a matter of timing, and it can be measured before it happens.
Your stock is your bank. But without the IBAN
Theory and practice
In a business, what seems “normal” is often what locks up liquidity. And among all the invisible blockages, there is one that keeps making itself felt without saying a word: inventory.
The purchasing department does not just place orders
Theory and practice
In truly well-organised companies, the Purchasing Manager is not simply someone who carries out tasks but a strategic role.
The companies that really grow are not the ones that work harder
Theory and practice
They are the ones that work best, because continuous improvement does not come from improvisation but from clear, shared and verifiable company procedures.
Optimising cash flows: much more than “getting on with the bank”
Theory and practice
Financial statements and performance indicators help us understand the health of the company, but there is another aspect that separates those who react from those who anticipate: the management of cash flows.
Why the cash flow statement is an essential tool
Theory and practice
The balance sheet and the profit and loss account say a great deal about a company.