"Just remember, if more money comes in than goes out, we're going to be successful."

The primary inflow of cash for most businesses comes from the sale of goods or services, but inflows can also come from other sources. Proceeds from a bank loan or line of credit and collections on the accounts of customers to whom the business has extended credit are examples of other sources of cash inflow.

Cash outflow, the movement of money out of a business, most often results from paying expenses, such as the purchase of raw materials, finished goods for inventory and fixed assets. Salaries, tax payments and loan repayments are other forms of cash outflow.

Cash flow management is critical to the health of any business and, collectively, to the economy as a whole. U.S. companies forego the use of $460 billion a year as a result of inefficient receivables, payables and inventory practices, according to REL Consultancy Group.