Honeybees and their hives, just like humans and their companies, are very socially bound creatures with advanced social structures. They each have a hierarchy, specific job roles, and all are working for the same goal – to survive and thrive. The comparison also shares the difficulties of life. Environmental pressures can delay a supplier shipment or customer delivery just as inclement weather can limit the workers bee’s ability to harvest pollen. Even something as routine as seasonality affects both equally and life forces both to adapt or face extinction.
How a company (or a beehive) plans to overcome these difficulties is also quite similar. In the good times, companies leverage net terms to build up accounts receivable and current collateral while bees gather pollen and create honey for storage for later use. As both liquidate through the collections from the terms and the honey in the comb, both are sustained to keep the group moving forward. The system requires a perfect balance to operate without outside intervention. As CFO’s and Controllers attempt match the cadence of bills and billings, there can be small disasters that can disrupt a smooth and successful operation. Those delays have significant impact on the timing of deliverables which consequentially affects the receipt of payments. Any bump in the cycle can affect collections that in-turn strain cash-flow for payroll, accounts payable, and debt service.
Unfortunately, in nature, when disaster strikes, the hive cannot look for outside help to smooth the tough times. And, if the hive can’t take care of the problem on their own, they are doomed to extinction. Just like in nature, traditional banks expect companies to handle the problem by themselves. While their initial relationship provides a start, when disaster or a downturn happens and the company cannot rectify the problem, the company may be asked to leave. The forced exit could make the entire company fail.
Fortunately, in society, outside help can happen for businesses. If banks are the nature for businesses, then alternative finance companies, like Camel Financial, are the nurture. The rates are higher, but the personalized services are invaluable. This is because the data gathered and processed by Camel Financial occurs daily and reflects verified transactions unlike bank reporting that takes place once a month. Camel Financial learns how your customers pay giving us a detailed understanding of how to best assist the company. Further, once the company “hive” is back to full working order, Camel assists to placing you back in a bank.
If you know a company in need of some repair, introduce them to Camel Financial so we can help them get to full working order. We are firm believers in nurture over nature and have the capacity for thrive in your hive!
Honey “CrocPot” Ham
Ingredients
4-5 pound boneless, spiral sliced ham (make sure it’s pre-cooked)
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup honey
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/4 cup water or if you like it very sweet you can use Root Beer.
Instructions
Spray the insert of the slow cooker with cooking spray. Unwrap the ham and place it flat side down into the slow cooker.
In a saucepan, over medium-high heat, combine the brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, and water (Or Root Beer). Heat and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Pour the glaze over the ham.
Cover with the lid and cook on LOW heat for 5-6 hours
.
Every Hour during the cook time, take a baster, and pour some of the glaze over top of the ham.
Take the ham out and place onto a serving plate. At the end of the cook time the slices of ham should be noticeable so take a knife and finish cutting the slices. Use the glaze from the slow cooker and pour some over the ham slices.