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
family-safe home cleaners Lincolnshire ..What does it take to grow a business and run... Read More
Starting the blind cleaning business is one of the best... Read More
You know your prospects need what you sell. You know... Read More
Incredible as it sounds, you have a goldmine of free... Read More
If you discovered the bottom line in your business depended... Read More
Business Process Automation or BPA for short. This was a... Read More
Car wash businesses are unique to other businesses. In fact... Read More
As stability emerges in the Middle East there will be... Read More
Cash is King... That is what everyone tells us and... Read More
Unfortunately for all buyers, each selling organization and their individual... Read More
Pressure washing companies must look for customers in the retail... Read More
One of the most common issues that comes up for... Read More
A recent survey showed that only 28.7% of small business... Read More
The success of your business is critically dependent on how... Read More
Most folks in the pressure washing business are happier to... Read More
Small business success is very similar to learning to walk,... Read More
It's a strange anomaly.Most people who set out to start... Read More
What is a guru?A guru is a teacher. A mentor.... Read More
I started working with another new client last week. He... Read More
You can provide affordable health care plans to your employees.... Read More
The stock market is still on a wild roller coaster... Read More
If you are looking for a franchise opportunity, the choice... Read More
Anyone in business today realizes both the natural dependency on... Read More
Many physical therapists in private practice have the appearance of... Read More
Completion not Perfection Five Keys To Doubling Your Productivity and... Read More
maide service in Buffalo Grove ..It seems so long ago that I started my first... Read More
Support is critical for your small business survival. You may... Read More
Cash flow. To stay in business, you've got to keep... Read More
There are several well-known truck washes in the Great State... Read More
Business checks are available in many styles and varieties. They... Read More
Boston itself covers 50 square miles of concrete and traffic,... Read More
You've heard it before; we're living in an information age.... Read More
The success of your business depends on your ability to... Read More
Success is the desire of everyman on the face of... Read More
Senior citizens are generally not a large marketing segment for... Read More
The FTC, Federal Trade Commission, is considering modifying the franchise... Read More
Like most regulatory bodies in the United States, the Federal... Read More
Since you own a business you probably have liability insurance... Read More
1. Know Where You're Going ? Coach Herb Brooks had... Read More
You are selling your small business (business value under $1... Read More
Business Process Automation or BPA for short. This was a... Read More
Opportunities for home show businesses have never been more abundant.... Read More
American small business is again in transition. Many employees, now... Read More
Everyday more web based companies enter the business scene. The... Read More
As a specialist in getting restaurants open, it is surprising... Read More
So often small service businesses fail to exploit niches, which... Read More
If you're starting your own business or currently work for... Read More
Each day we hear of companies entering the franchising industry.... Read More
In the 2003 Auto Laundry News Survey it was determined... Read More
Q. I am a former pastor who left the ministry... Read More
Small Business |