Most managers think a lot about cash flow.
We forecast it, worry about it, discuss it with bankers, and constantly search for ways to improve it. There are, however, significant differences between cash and cash flow. One of these differences is that we all know what cash is, but people seem unable to agree about cash flow. Let me give you some examples. Author David B. Hilder reported on the disputes about cash flow between industry analysts and Charter Co., an oil-refining and insurance concern.