Do business concerns keep you awake at night?
For countless individuals running companies, there numerous responsibilities that can leave some getting little or no sleep.
From making sure one hires only the best and brightest employees to figuring out how best to market their brands, the daily tasks may seem like they never end.
That said the financial health of one’s company and its importance in the big scheme of things can never be taken for granted.
Whether one starts out with a lot of financial capital or they accrue it over time, maintaining a healthy financial outlook is imperative.
So, with a new year off and running, are you prepared to make these next 12 months your company’s best financially?
Don’t Take Your Customers for Granted
For your business to make financial health the norm year after year, it has to stay on top of all the important facets of what makes a company successful.
First and foremost, that means taking care of your customers (see more below).
Yes, there will be periods of time when business may slow due to the overall economy, customers watching their dollars a little closer etc. That said you need to make sure you have the financial backing to weather such stretches.
With that in mind, remember these three tips to keeping your business financially healthy:
- Funding – As mentioned a moment ago, there very well may be some points in time when your business is not bringing in the dollars like it was previously. If and when those times occur, will you be financially solvent to the point of where you don’t need to begin sweating just a bit? In the event the pressure is turned up a few notches, reaching out to financial providers is oftentimes your best move. While you may come across some horror stories on occasion of businesses taking out loans etc. there are a number of providers that are totally legitimate, ready to help a business like yours get through the tough times. Whether you turn to BlueVine or a similar company to help you with a line of credit or invoicing factoring, know that there is help out there. With the financial capital you need to keep your business afloat, you can rest easier in knowing that you will get through a rough period or two. With that in mind, always review your financial books to see where things stand. If you know there are traditionally tough times of the year when business tends to slow down, make accommodations ahead of time to get through them;
- Customers – Hopefully you never forget how important a role your customers play in your ability to keep your business financially solvent. Given many customers can be fickle, it is important to go out of your way to please them. Yes, you may grow tired of them at times, but it is much worse not having them in the first place. That said also do your best to keep your prices reasonable, especially if the bulk of your customers tend to be on fixed incomes etc. If you overcharge your customers in hopes of making an extra dollar or two, many of them will likely go to a competitor offering better rates. When that happens, you now have to scramble to figure out how you will make up that lost money.
Don’t Cut Out Marketing to Save a Few Dollars
- Marketing – Lastly, many businesses (especially smaller ones) may be tempted to reduce their marketing efforts in hopes of saving some money. Nine times out of 10, this is a bad move. While you should track where your marketing dollars are going and how they are working (or not working) in bringing in more business, slashing marketing is a no-no. Today’s shoppers have a plethora of options in most industries, so your brand’s voice needs to be heard. From using social media to offering deals that many customers will end up talking about via word-of-mouth, always keep in mind just how important your marketing efforts are to maintaining a financially healthy business.
As a business owner, what are you doing to keep your company financially healthy?