No matter type of business you operate you've got to know how to keep your business alive during economic recessions. Anytime the cash flow in a business, large or small, starts to tighten up, the money management of that business has to be run as a "tight ship."
Pause Before Paying
Some of the things you can and should do include protecting yourself from impulse expenditures. We've all bought merchandise or services we really didn't need simply because we were in the mood, then we sort of "wake up" a couple of days later and find that we've committed hundreds of dollars of business funds for an item or service that's not essential to the success of our own business, when really pressing items had been waiting for those dollars.
Using Professionals
While you may think you cannot afford it, be sure that you don't "short-change" your self on professional services. This would apply especially during a time of emergency. Anytime you commit yourself and move ahead without completely investigating all the angles, and preparing yourself for all the contingencies that may arise, you're skating on thin ice. Regardless of the costs involved, it always pays off in the long run to seek out the advice of experienced professionals before embarking on a plan that could ruin you.
Your Financials
Your company's books should reflect your way of thinking, and whoever maintains them should generate information according to your policies. Thus, you should hire an outside accountant or accounting firm to figure your return on your investment, as well as the turnover on your accounts receivable and inventory. Such an audit or survey should focus in depth on any or every item within your financial statement that merits special attention. In this way, you'll probably uncover any potential financial problems before they become readily apparent, and certainly before they could get out of hand.
Advisory Boards
Many smaller companies set up advisory boards of outside professional people. These are sometimes known as Power Circles and once in place, the business always benefits, especially in times of short operating capital. Such an advisory board or power circle should include a lawyer, a certified public accountant, civic club leaders, owners or managers of businesses similar to yours, and retired executives. Setting up such an advisory board of directors is really quite easy, because most people you ask will be honoured to serve.
Once your board is set up, you should meet about once a month and present material for review. Each meeting should be a discussion of your business problems and an input from your advisors relative to possible solutions. These members of your board of advisors should offer you advice as well as alternatives, and provide you with objectivity. No formal decisions need to be made either at your board meeting, or as a result of them, but you should be able to gain a great deal from the suggestions you hear.
Joining Associations
By all means, join your industry's local and national trade associations. Most of these organizations have a wealth of information available on everything from details on your competitors to average industry sales figures, new products, services, and trends. If you are given a membership certificate or wall plaque, you should display these conspicuously on you office wall. Customers like to see such "seals of approval" and feel additional confidence in your business when they see them.
Free Advice
Whenever you can, and as often as you need it, take advantage of whatever free business counselling is available. Your local chamber of commerce or small business advisory will likely have numerous free publications. Most local universities, and many private organizations hold seminars at minimal cost, and often without charge. Take advantage of the service s offered by your bank and local library.
Direction Is Everything
The important thing about running a small business is to know the direction in which you're heading; to know on a day-to-day basis your progress in that very direction; to be aware of what your competitors are doing and to practice good money management at all times. All this will prepare you to recognize potential problems before they arise.
In order to survive with a small business, regardless of the economic climate, it is essential to surround yourself with smart people, and practice sound business management at all times.
Author: http://www.jamesburchill.com
kitchen deep cleaning Deerfield ..-- Beyond Cold Calling, "Warm" Calling and Sending E-mails --Many... Read More
Once you've decided to incorporate your small business the next... Read More
If you are a franchisee of a large franchise system;... Read More
Increase your profit potential by identifying ? and avoiding ?... Read More
Experts urge small business owners to "brand" their business ?... Read More
When is advice free and when should you charge for... Read More
As a practise gets larger & larger the associated problems... Read More
If you have a busy private practice, chances are you... Read More
If you own a mobile car washing, pressure washing or... Read More
Tammy, a skilled and gifted horticulturist, called me to discuss... Read More
In the summer, I can't drive two blocks without seeing... Read More
More sales and more profit. Isn't that what you want... Read More
One overlooked individual in the process of taking a company... Read More
Sometimes when you run a business you feel as lonely... Read More
Competition in the business world is often viewed as a... Read More
Why does research and education play an important part of... Read More
It is essential that you fully understand how the fuel... Read More
Whether you operate a chain of restaurants, a mom-and-pop convenience... Read More
Since you own a business you probably have liability insurance... Read More
Franchising Directory Sites-Paid Advertising, Lead Generation for FranchisingFranchising Directory Sites... Read More
Hogwash!That's what I say to people who tell me that... Read More
Imagine that you have operated a successful franchise business for... Read More
Outsourcing is the strategic use of outside resources to perform... Read More
Whether your target audience is in your neighborhood or across... Read More
Franchising is the fastest way to build small businesses, provide... Read More
interior house cleaning Highland Park ..TRUTH IN THE LAWN MOWING INDUSTRYWe do not wish to... Read More
Every business regardless of size needs a "Business Image Manual"... Read More
Approximately 200,000 new businesses are started each year. More people... Read More
How to do itPeople skim through newspapers and magazines and... Read More
One way to determine your companies mission statement is based... Read More
The Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) is a program that... Read More
As a solo entrepreneur or small business owner, one of... Read More
Ok, you have successfully accomplished your dream of being the... Read More
When pressure washing heavy equipment each piece of equipment has... Read More
A career coach could be simply defined your job seeking... Read More
It's Monday morning and Connie the Consultant sits in her... Read More
One major issue not being addressed right now in the... Read More
Want your small business to flip instead of flop?! Statistically... Read More
The success of your business is critically dependent on how... Read More
Data. Most people think it is a term relegated to... Read More
Technical writing services are employed to explain the details of... Read More
In the summer, I can't drive two blocks without seeing... Read More
It is most fascinating to study how entrepreneurs spot opportunity... Read More
Send handwritten notes. That applies whether you're a guy or... Read More
If you are worried about how many different business cards... Read More
1. Leadership Is Learned ? While many people appear to... Read More
IntroductionIt is widely recognised that Email and the Internet is... Read More
As a franchisor I am always asked by new and... Read More
Did you know that satisfaction is the number one emotion... Read More
In the 2003 Auto Laundry News Survey it was determined... Read More
Small Business |