When you run your own business, it is not always plain sailing. Many businesses are experiencing exactly this at the moment. Now more than ever, it is time to cut the business costs to help your business stay afloat. There are a few different things you need to consider when weathering tough times by cutting business costs.
You need to think about how much time you have to save money. It’s important to decide whether these business cost cuts need to be temporary savings or more of a long-term cut. Finally, you need to consider what business costs are essential and if there are still ways of cutting these essential business costs. These are all things that we look at in this blog post.
How Much Time Do You Have To Save?
Take a look at the financial buffer you have available for your business. How long will this last based on your current funds and the remaining income that you have? Also think about how long you have been in this financial situation and how long it will last. Will the peak season for your business start soon? Perhaps you have a grant or funding coming in soon? Look at your business over the last few years; does it look like business will pick up soon – if not, when will it pick up? You need to decide if your financial buffer is enough to keep you going, and for how long.
Do You Need To Make Temporary Savings Or Long Term Business Cost Cuts?
By understanding if you need to make temporary savings or long term cuts you will be better prepared for weathering tough times by cutting the right business costs. If your business is in pretty good health and you know that new income will be with you soon, then you just need to make savings that will bridge the gap in the short-term. It’s a case of reducing expenses on a temporary basis to keep the business going while you wait for the stormy weather to pass.
However, if the general costs of running your business are high or you are left with a very small chance to build up a buffer, it is well worth considering ways that you can reduce your costs on a more permanent basis. It may be easier than you think to permanently reduce these high business costs. Give us a call and we can review your business costs and look for ways that they can be reduced just by shopping around for new suppliers or better deals.
Which Business Costs Are Essential?
There are some things in business that you just need; regardless of how much they cost they are essential to the running of your business. For example, the internet, your website or your office rent. However, the premium magazine subscription or super fancy tools you rarely use, may be a great place for you to cut costs for your business. Think about those business costs that are essential, but also those that are ‘nice to have’. You may be able to reduce the essential business costs, with our help. Then, the nice to have costs could be cut all together, even if it is just for the short-term.
If you’re not sure what an essential business cost is, think how long your business could last without it. If it’s pretty much no time at all, then that is an essential business cost. You could shop around to reduce these essential business costs or reduce the amount you use. Look at our energy saving tips blog for some ideas of how you can reduce your usage, which can help reduce the costs.