From a personal perspective, we all have stages in our life where we strive to become the best version of ourselves, by improving our overall lifestyle in areas such as health, career, and relationships. Small business owners should take a similar look at their company and ask the same questions. Is my operation the best version of itself or are there ways to significantly improve it in the coming years?
You know your business better than anyone, and like your own life, you can dig deep to break down the areas that can be updated, enhanced, and made more efficient with some introspection, that can be converted into new processes that ultimately increase revenue and net profits.
Some examples to consider:
Overhead Costs
Whether it’s a fixed or variable expense, what areas of your monthly overhead costs can be better controlled without sacrificing quality and efficiencies? Possibly cutting back on expensive trade shows or business meetings where travel costs are high, especially in today’s market. Review everything, from current subscriptions to the employee health care plan for ways in which you might be able to save money while keeping their benefits at the same levels.
Capital Resources
Are their less costly financing options available in the market to restructure your current debt? Would a fresh infusion of working capital allow you to invest in new growth opportunities?
Updating Your Fixed Assets & Maintenance Programs
Is your plant & equipment still functioning at the same levels as when they were originally acquired? Are you spending too much on maintenance as a result of poor operating efficiencies?
Employee Performance Levels
Are you getting the same commitment and output from your staff since the days when they were first hired? Is there room to consider adding personnel in areas that would have a direct payoff to increased revenue or cost savings? Would additional incentives lead to more productivity and increased revenue?
Market Expansion
Are there unexplored markets that complement your key business focus that could lead to additional clients and services? Are you happy with the current market share for the sectors you are entrenched in every day?
These are just a few of the areas to consider when looking to create a new and improved version of your business. Take a deep dive with the knowledge and experience you’ve developed over the years to make improvements and continue to have success.