Most small business owners can’t afford to think small. They always need to keep their mind on growth strategies to help them achieve long-term profitability. But becoming profitable in the first place often requires business owners to work long hours on a shoe-string budget. They don’t always have time to implement systems that will support them when they’re ready to scale. It’s not uncommon for entrepreneurs to use free or… Read more
As any bookkeeper will advise, it’s important for business owners to keep their personal and business banking separate. Separating your business expenses will make your annual tax preparation much easier, and ensure you claim all your deductions. But it’s also important to protect your personal assets should your business find itself in financial trouble. Another excellent reason to have a business bank account comes down to professionalism. As a small… Read more
When things are hectic, most small business owners wish they could find a way to get more than 24 hours into a day. Often, your ‘to-do’ list can get so long that you feel you never get to put as much attention into every task as you would like. It can also mean more time in the office or dealing with work issues after-hours – cutting into your free time… Read more
Too many businesses fall over because the owner has not established efficient business systems. This typically happens because the business owner is so caught up in the day-to-day running of the business that the fundamentals of good business management get forgotten. Often too it must be said that the owner simply doesn’t like bookkeeping or other administrative tasks, so these get put on the back burner. The symptoms are familiar,… Read more
When it comes to the overall success of your business, one of the most important decisions you’ll face is how to price for the work you do. Charge too much and you could scare away potential customers. Charge too little and you could run yourself out of business. Figuring out how much to charge is stressful, but it’s worth it. If your business doesn’t bring in enough money to pay… Read more
Every small business owner knows how challenging it is to cut down expenses without somehow compromising internal or external quality. Regardless of the nature of your business, the first step to reducing your overhead costs is to take the time to go through every single expense you have. Next, assess which ones are necessary for your business to operate smoothly, what can be trimmed down, and what can be eliminated… Read more
Nobody wants their business to fail. Although it’s impossible to predict the future with 100% accuracy, a cash flow forecast is a tool that will help you prepare for different possible scenarios in the future. In a nutshell, cash flow forecasting involves estimating how much cash will be coming in and out of your business within a certain period and gives you a clearer picture of your business’ financial… Read more
Why do a Health Check? Outsourcing your bookkeeping makes sense. It enables you to spend time doing the important work of developing your business and ensuring that you are not overwhelmed by “the Bookkeeping Monster”. However, this is your business and you are ultimately responsible for its health. One of the most dangerous things you can do is abdicate this responsibility to your bookkeeper. You have all heard the old… Read more
“Outsource your weaknesses.” So says start-up guru, Sujan Patel, when advising small business owners to get outside help for tasks like payroll and bookkeeping. And when you consider that 70% of businesses fail due to poor in-house financial management, Patel’s advice seems spot on. Unfortunately, many small business owners seek to keep costs low by doing everything themselves— unwittingly sabotaging the financial stability of their own company. If numbers aren’t… Read more
Customers Watch out for credit-worthiness of customers. If you are a service based business, try to get up front deposits and progress payments. If you are a product based business, check previous payment history of your big customers and negotiate better payment terms from them. Stock Closely monitor stock requirements. Check sales figures for trends and allow for some decline in sales compared to previous periods. Don’t get sucked into… Read more
Maintaining positive cash flow can be challenging for small businesses, whether you’re just starting out or have been running your company for years. The difficulty often comes down to waiting for clients to pay their invoices. One or two chronic late payers cost valuable time and money when you have to chase them down; if reliable clients also fall behind one month, the result can be devastating. These tips will… Read more
Healthy cash flow is important for any business, but particularly for small business owners in those first few “make it or break it” years. Business owners who set clear payment terms with their customers, invoice quickly, and follow up on late payment can avoid the dreaded cash flow crunch that can quickly put them out of business. These simple guidelines for setting payment terms can help you get paid quickly… Read more
Risk tolerance, time horizon, and asset allocation – you’ve dealt with these factors for a good part of your life, but now, in the face of retirement, they take on a more urgent and significant role. These factors – particularly tactical asset allocation – are vital to maximizing your assets before your retire in a few years’ time. A Different Take on Risk Tolerance and Time Horizon As your time… Read more
Freelancers in all industries deal with the same problems due to the nature of their work. Typically, freelancers are solo work-from-home contractors that manage every aspect of their business. If you’re thinking of dropping your career as an employee to begin freelancing, consider the following obstacles you will need to navigate. Unfortunately, problems beget more problems, and a shaky foundation quickly leads to a crumbly business, and many regrets about… Read more
If you’re like most small business owners, you spend the majority of your time managing daily operations, keeping customers happy, and looking for new ways to grow. Spreadsheets, cash flow analysis, and financial projections are probably not your first passion. However, measuring profitability, creating realistic budgets, and planning ahead for the future are crucial to your professional success. Follow these four tips to get a handle on the numbers, and… Read more