I just saw an ad for one the titans in the financial services industry in the WSJ and the headline said "Many people are thinking about how they manage their wealth. So we have rethought the wealth management firm." A good ad in times like these in which they need to let folks know that they're listening. Given the economic environment of the past 18 months, many companies have opened their eyes and ears to understandable outcry and have been adjusting accordingly.

This reminds me of our work here at The Receivables Exchange (TRE). Except that, in our case, we have anticipated the need - what a rare event in business these days. We've rethought working capital in hopes that we could help small and mid-sized businesses rethink how to manage their cash flow. I'm sure our Founders would love to claim that they had the foresight of the credit crisis more than two years ago when they founded this company. Truth is - they simply thought that there was a better way for companies to fund operations and capitalize on growth opportunities. Nic, Co-Founder & President, knew that the majority of a company's cash flow is tied up in outstanding invoices and that there had to be a more efficient way to access working capital. Justin, Co-Founder & CEO, from his days at Lava Trading, knew that a transparent marketplace for receivables finance would create the medium to make it a mainstream tool available for the small and mid-sized businesses that don't have the advantages of the "big guys" when it comes to accessing affordable working capital - or these days any capital.JFK once said, "...in a crisis, beware of the danger - but recognize opportunity". While we know this to be true, we also know that this is not a sprint. Helping risk-averse finance executives to try something new and innovative with their financial management is not easy. Still, we think it is well worth the effort. We hear it every day from the very businesses we're helping to take control of their working capital and gain access to liquidity.

In fact, a recurring theme from our Sellers, small and mid-sized businesses, is that they feel when it¹s all said and done ­ the downturn, that is ­ that the credit crisis - might actually have provided them with a competitive edge that they wouldn¹t have gained otherwise. Many Sellers on the Exchange have learned that they can thrive and increase their cash flow by selling their receivables - the very asset that is causing them strain - without the added debt of a line of credit or other more traditional forms of financing. And, we hope to continue to help many more.

Laurie Azzano, SVP, Head of Marketing at The Receivables Exchange, an accounts receivable financing tool. The Exchange is the world's first online marketplace for real-time trading of accounts receivable. Find out how to trade accounts receivable.