The report card for any business is its profit and loss statement and in order for the business to succeed, profit is determined by two categories, income and expenses. As all business owners know it is easier to adjust expenses than it is to increase income but for profits to show a significant rise, income should go up while expenses go down. Some businesses make the mistake when they are reducing their expenses of eliminating costs in some of the wrong areas.
Typically, one of the biggest items on any business expense sheet is payroll, often times making up 60 percent or more of the businesss expense line. Many businesses will automatically reduce their payroll expense when they have to increase the profit line. This may be a short term solution but it can cause long term ramifications. When a business has to layoff employees due to the lack of business, the employee suffers personally and the business suffers because the remaining employees have to pick up the slack.
Cutting an employees pay typically is never discussed, as this will not only ruin relations with that employee it can affect the morale of everyone else on staff. Businesses are advised that while it may provide the quickest reduction in expenses, cutting payroll should only be the last resort. There are going to be several line items in the controllable expanse account that can trim some debits off the account before sending people home.
Consider utility costs, for example, as electricity and natural gas prices have risen significantly over the past few years. Even if you do not have the money to go out and buy energy saving light bulbs and appliances provided in the business, there are some ways to trim a few cents a day off the utility cost. If you have unused areas in your facility, only provide enough heat to protect anything in the room and then close it down. Make sure all the lights are turned off in every unused room and keep watch for light bulb sizes that can drink electricity like water which are not necessary.
Maintaining your facility for the comfort of yourself, your employees and customers if applicable can help improve morale and the customer experience, but if you are closed at night, turn the thermostat down. If you can find it in your budget, buy and install a computer operated thermostat and set it to a lower temperature when no one will be in the building and turn it back up before opening the next day. Use the same common sense with the air conditioning. Use it when it is needed, but turn it off when it is not.
Your business rent is probably a fixed amount with little room for improvement, but utilities can save a little and office equipment and supplies can eat up cash that you might be able to use to avoid layoffs. Ordering from a catalog and having all your stuff delivered to the door may be convenient, but it is also going to be expensive.
Business finances and expenses can easily spin out of control and cause you, the business owner, and a lot of undue stress. So if this is you, how do you gain back financial control? The key to getting yourself back on your feet is to go over your business plan with a fine tooth comb or start your business plan from scratch. Begin with your budget and all of your expenses. Scour over your accounting records in detail. Record where your money goes. Who are you paying and what amounts? Are all of the expenses necessary or can there be cut backs or changes made for profit? Ask yourself these questions everywhere throughout your business plan.
Once you have gone through your business plan you may find that unnecessary money is being spent on business lunches or travels. Maybe there are other shipping options that are less expensive and just as dependable. These are the areas that can slowly get you back on track with your finances. Once you know whom you are paying and what changes are to be made, don't wait until tomorrow start them today.
If you are a business owner who is being swamped with credit card debt, get this under control. Speak to the credit card company and create a payment plan. Begin taking down these debts so that the interest rates aren't draining your budget dry. Perform this same method with your entire out going payments. If it still seems too overwhelming you can contact a bill consolidation firm. They can help you go over all of this information and create a plan to get you back on the right financial path.
The key is not to panic and don't just give up and become overtaken by debt and financial strife. There is a way out. It may be slow at first, but progress is often slow moving. In a world where we want it now, it can be difficult. So don't lose focus of your goal. The goals of gaining back your business life and control over your finances. You'll be able to lead a healthier and much more peaceful life once you are back in control of it. Don't wait and put this off until another day. Sit down in your office chair and get your business plan and accounting records in order. Review, study and give yourself the start to gaining back financial control. You can solve your troubles with a little motivation and want. Think about the relief that will come with being back in control? It almost makes you want to sigh aloud. Take that first step towards the path to financial control and a happier and healthier business life.
Both Obinna Heche & Dustin Heath Cannon are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.