Jim is a small business owner who’s been watching the economy evaporate in front of his eyes. Stress isn’t the word to explain how he feels. With his wife staying at home to raise their youngest child, his business bears the entire financial burden of funding their mortgage and lifestyle. If the slowdown continues, not only will his nightly tossing and turning get worse, but he may also have a full-blown nervous breakdown.
Jim is fortunate to have a neighbor, Ken, who helps small business owners lead better lives by running better businesses. Since his business had gone so well for the past 10 years, Jim never felt he needed a consultant. Until now. His gracious neighbor Ken offered Jim two hours of his time gratis to share the “Top 10 Survival Tactics in a Tough Economy”:
• Cash flow is king
As a small business owner, you must know how your cash flows. This isn’t fancy accounting; it’s simply tracking how cash comes in versus how it goes out. Take two hours, and use your QuickBooks or check register to get a grasp of this monetary movement.
• Trim the fat
Many small businesses experienced a tremendous run in the last 10 to 15 years. Since they had good cash flow coming in the door, they allowed fat to accumulate in the things going out the door. Now is the time to look at where your money is going, and eliminate unnecessary items. This includes the business Hummer, that expensive copier lease and the T1 connection instead of basic cable modem. You may need to make some tough decisions about eliminating employees. It’s critical that you get your cash outflows to a manageable level ASAP.
• Look into the future
When clients and projects were rolling, most entrepreneurs believed that new business would materialize whenever things temporarily slowed down. Those times are gone. Analyze what money is coming in during the next three months, specifically from where, and when. Compare this to the new cash outflows that you assessed in the step above. If things are tight, that’s fine; if more is going out than coming in, trim more and find additional income. Do this exercise each month, always looking at least three months out.
• Get back to basics
When you first went into business, you may have had to fight and claw to make ends meet. Make a list of the things you did back then to bring in revenue. You probably moved away from many of those strategies when business improved. This is the time to aggressively return to them.
• Avoid the temptation of debt
It’s tempting to use debt and credit cards to borrow your way through slow times. Since no one knows how long this slump will last, borrowing may result in the demise of your business. Say “No” to using credit cards, the equity in your home, or any other borrowing. Resolve that you’re going to scratch and claw your way through this using the cash flows of the business. You’ll come out stronger in the end.
• Be ready for an emergency
You absolutely must have cash reserves, just in case. If you have any money right now, create an emergency fund that equals one, two or three months of your cash outflows. Put this in an account, and don’t use it unless it’s life-or-death for the business. This provides a cushion just in case something bad comes along at the worst possible time. If you don’t have cash now, do everything you can to build up such a reserve.
• Show your banker a plan
Your banker is probably as scared as you are. Show him a concrete plan for getting cash flows back in shape. Ask your CPA to help you format it. Once it’s complete, communicate to your banker clearly, and ask him to help you implement it. If you’re working with a quality financial institution, he’ll want to see you make it, and help you any way he can.
• Know who lays the golden eggs
Don’t forget who’s paying your bills right now — your customers. Although you want new business, it’s imperative that you keep your existing customers. Your competition is desperate, and they may try anything to get your customers. Call your clients yourself, ask them how they’re doing, and if there’s anything you can do to help them out. Ask if they’re happy with your service, and what can you do to provide them with an even better experience going forward.
• Work on the important things
Many business owners are in the same predicament as you. The ones who survive will do so because they’ll do the things above ASAP and get their ship righted. You must make time to work on your cash flows, and improve the customers’ experience now. Set aside a full day within the next week to work on the items above, without interruptions and excuses.
• Reduce stress
The difference between the businesses that will get through this slowdown, and those that won’t, has a lot to do with the quality of decisions. To make great ones, you must think clearly. When you’re stressed, it’s nearly impossible to make big decisions and show the leadership that’s needed to survive. Some suggestions to lower your stress level include: a daily 10-minute relaxation CD that walks you through deep breathing and stretching; yoga; exercise; and outdoor activities with your family. Anything that allows you to get your mind off things and relax is good.
Entrepreneurs have a sink-or-swim, do-or-die mentality. Focus on the right things, and you’ll get through this.
Jim left Ken’s house knowing he had a tough road ahead of him, but felt he had the necessary tools to face the challenges head on.
Thomas Houck is a speaker, author and consultant whose program, “Your CFO Advantage” helps business owners grow their businesses, reduce their taxes and lower their stress level. Visit his Web site and learn more at www.heritagebusinesssolutions.com.
This story was reprinted with permission from Contractor’s Compass Magazine, First Quarter 2010.
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