1. Small Business End Of The Year Budgeting Tips
Small business budgeting is a crucial process that can keep the wheels of the small enterprise turning every year. There are no magic dollars to balance the books in a tight economy, and there are no easy shortcuts to making your company’s books look better. But there are some simple things you can do on a daily basis to help your cash flow get the best traction possible. It’s not that difficult if you just take it one step at a time. Here are some budgeting tips for small business owners to get you started on a sound footing:
* Budgeting is best done in the springtime. As the New Year approaches and the sales and marketing budgets get rolled back in, it’s too easy to forget about the big picture. One of the reasons so many small businesses fail is because they were overly focused on the short-term versus the long-term. That means you need to put some thought into both the short-term and the long-term effects of your business plan. This includes all expenses and revenues, as well as an overall statement of where your company is headed.
* Budgeting is something everyone should be doing. It does not have to be done by the owner. But when you do it yourself, you’ll know what the numbers are day-to-day. This will help you control spending and ensure that you don’t have any unneeded operating expenses. It will also let you have a good idea of how to operate your business on a day-to-day basis. Find ways to keep your business electric costs down keeping lights on timers and asking employees to work a couple days from home so you don’t need to keep the gas heater on.
* Be realistic with your forecasts. Don’t expect your end-of-the-year statements to show you profits the next day. They’ll take time.
* Write everything down. Keeping track of expenses, income and revenue is vital to budgeting successfully. Start with your expenses and work through the business side. It will make it easier for you to see where you are spending most of your money. Then you can figure out where you are spending too much and change those areas. You can also opt for tools such as business expense tracker if you want to digitize your expense records
* Have realistic expectations. Some businesses assume they will always have steady income from customers. The reality is that things can go up and down, depending on the economy. So you have to adjust your expectations. Do not make this mistake. You need to cater to your local New York customers.
* Stick to the budget. It is effortless to say you’ll do this and then forget about it or never follow through. Small budgeting must start the year right. Always include an extra budget for any extra expenses that arise. And of course, make sure you pay the tax man!
* Get help. Budgeting is a necessary part of owning and operating a small business. However, you can save yourself all of the headaches if you get some help in the beginning of the year. That way you can be sure your budgeting works and you can enjoy more of the cash flow in your business.
* Take a look at the numbers. Start with an end-of-the-year review to see where your business is at and identify areas for improvement. Then start implementing solutions. This is one area where most owners complain they waste money.
* Look at your profit margins. Are they too low? Increase them during the year. If they are too high, try discounts or adding incentives. You can do this throughout the year until you are finally where you want to be at the end of the year!
* Remember what brought you to this point. You started a small business for a reason and there is a purpose for everything you do. If you don’t feel like you have made a difference this year, maybe that is a message you need to send to your customers. Your goals are important at the end of the year. That is why budgeting is so important when it comes to small business at end of the year.
This is just one simple step towards a more successful year and a better outlook for the future. At the end of the year, be honest with yourself and your family. Determine where you want to be and then work towards that goal. It is the best way to ensure success!
2. Fall Savings Tips
Fall season is just around the corner and many are preparing for the upcoming festivities. There are some great business savings tips you can use to ensure that your business runs as efficiently as possible throughout the fall. You may find that you have extra labor or product waiting until the warmer weather rolls around. If you have not yet begun to plan, there are some key ways you can save money before the first leaves fall from the trees
Many companies are opting for shorter sales schedules during the fall months. The end of the summer months typically results in higher sales volumes. However, once the heat dies down, there are usually fewer products or services to sell. A slower sale season can allow your company to better manage your inventory levels as well as being able to take stock of what you already have on hand. Many sales jobs require you to purchase a certain number of products per month or even per week.
Companies often take vacations or spend the summer traveling. They may not want to be stuck in their offices until after Labor Day. In addition, most companies realize that they have less staff in September when compared to earlier years. To save on the heating bill, many companies will turn off the building’s air conditioning and heat while their buildings are empty. This will keep their central Hudson electricity costs lower.
Many sales jobs are performed off-season in order to reduce employee expenses. Furniture stores, for example, often hold sales in October due to the popularity of the holiday season. Most companies also need to hire extra help with the change of seasons, which means that they need to hire sales employees who are available during every phase of the seasonal cycle. If you are employed in these types of positions, it is important to understand that these seasonal sales jobs will come with increased responsibilities. In the summer months you may need to work weekends and holidays. In the winter months, you will likely have to work all hours and all day.
Read also: 5 Simple Ways to Achieve Your Business Goals Faster
