How to limit damage to your business by the coronavirus outbreak

Companies of all sizes should assess their cashflow situation and engage with their banks as soon as possible, in order to minimise the effect of the coronavirus outbreak

Similar to banks in the early days of the banking crisis, the initial pressure on companies will be on the liquidity rather than profitability front.

Having spent 30 years working with companies of all sizes in the area of treasury risk management, I have seen currency crises, dotcom and property bubbles, and “black swans” of all types.

Nevertheless, the advent of the coronavirus has been surprising, both in terms of the speed at which it has developed, and the extent of the damage that it could inflict on business if not managed quickly.

Treasury risk management is predominantly focused on ...