The world of business has changed in ways that were unimaginable just a few months ago. The change has been coming for a long time. Still, with the recent pandemic, quick advances in the virtual office, sales, meetings, customer service, and other aspects of doing business have been thrust upon large and small companies alike throughout the globe. While this brought many technical and procedural challenges, it’s also changed the nature of business overhead costs.
What does the future hold for your small business finances? Positive cash flow is crucial for maintaining business operations and paying employees. If you don’t manage your finances appropriately, you risk cash shortages to pay your expenses when sales slow down. Fortunately, there’s a way to help you see ahead to prevent these issues and help your business grow. Here’s how you can predict a cash shortage and prevent it from affecting your business.
What is a solopreneur, and what kind of business can a solopreneur form or develop? The term “solopreneur” is often used interchangeably with "entrepreneur," "freelancer," "self-employed" or "small business owner,” perhaps since all of them will likely have to pay self-employment taxes and file 1099 forms. While any of these terms may be simultaneously valid for your business, there are distinctions between them.
For small business owners, cash flow may be a challenge during normal times. These are not normal times. The continuing COVID-19 emergency is putting at risk the survival of many small businesses. Now, more than ever is the time for all owners to engage in a new kind of planning; new ways of monitoring and projecting cash flow.
Do you know the cash break-even point of your business? My experience with small businesses is that It can take time for them to become profitable. Working with a cash flow projection for your business can help you figure out when you can expect to financially turn the tides. Here's everything you need to know about determining your company's cash break-even point.
Are you able to measure the effect on your cash flow if revenue decreases 10%-30% or more? Managing cash flow can be a challenge for many small businesses. In a cash flow statement, revenue is counted right away, even when it's not yet received from the customer. If your income decreases, there could be a delay in how it may affect your cash flow.
One question I pose to small business owners: "Do you have a six-month cash flow projection?" If not, you may have a difficult time determining how successful your business will be during this COVID-19 pandemic. A projection helps you maintain the relationships you have with loyal customers. It prevents the many problems resulting from a lack of cash.
I talk with small business owners who are struggling during this pandemic. One of the questions I ask is "Do you have enough in cash reserves to cover expenses for the next 30-90 days?" Why? These reserves are crucial to help you pay vendors and employees during a financial crisis. Here’s how to figure out how much cash reserves your business needs for the next three months.
As the economy slowly begins to recover from COVID-19 lockdowns, I talk with small business owners who are rethinking their business model. Now, more than ever is the time for all small business owners to engage in a new kind of planning; new ways of monitoring and projecting cashflow; including new models of business. Thinking outside the box - and planning differently - are the keys.
Cash flow may be a challenge during normal times but COVID-19 is putting at risk the survival of each business. Projecting the results of reduced income, even if temporary, will guide changes in spending priorities, billing, and business model. I advise my small business clients to adopt a proactive approach to managing their small business with the help of a CPA who can assist with financial forecasting.