Looking at what you want from your business
Posted on 03 Feb 2022
When you started your business, you probably dreamed about flexible hours and highly profitable, stimulating work. Ideally, you would've adopted best practice and documented those dreams in a succinct Business Plan. The plan would specify how much cash you need from the business, your role, and the hours you'd be working. In other words, what the business was going to deliver to you personally as an owner. But that was all before the world turned on its head and most plans went out the window. Whatever you previously dreamed of or planned for must be reconsidered due to the impact of Covid. It's likely that what you want personally from the business hasn't changed, it will probably just take longer than expected. Take the opportunity to reinvent your business to deliver what you want. Obtaining professional business advice now can be helpful in the long term. We can help with providing business advice and then implementation for Auckland businesses through the funding from Activate Tamaki Makaurau.? Monteck Carter is a registered supplier and the types of services we offer are:
- Business Planning, Strategy and Continuity Advice.
- Financial planning (Budgeting and Forecasting).
- Ongoing cashflow management strategies and reporting
Read our blog for more information on this funding here. Trimming what you need personally from the business for the next year or two can give you the best footing to recover. Consider the following:
- Can you still have the lifestyle you want with less cash strain on the business? A walk with friends, as opposed to a dinner out, is great for your health and easier on your wallet.
- Are there personal costs that can be avoided? Do you need that second takeaway coffee each day?
- Can you refinance your personal and/or housing debts to achieve lower interest rates or reduced principal repayments?
- Can you spend less on holidays or travel in the next 12 months?
- Can you modify your role in the business to reduce stress or workload?
- Will these needs be different in the medium term? I.e. can you hunker down for 12-months or until the business's profitability and cashflow improve?
The best way to reduce the cashflow strain on your business is to revise your personal budget. Your budget will identify potential savings you can make and provides a benchmark against which your actual spending can be tracked in the future. The Business Plan and budget can then be built around how the business can deliver the level of personal cashflow you need. Going through this process can be both empowering and enlightening at the same time. You'll be amazed at where savings can be made and will feel much more in control of your business. Contact us if you need help developing your Business Plan or budget, or need cashflow advice. 'You must gain control of your money or the lack of it will forever control you.' Dave Ramsey
