Small businesses cushion half the world’s unemployment issues. While a small business is easier to start, it’s more vulnerable during economic turbulence. If small businesses make up a greater percentage of the world’s business, then we ought to know how to save small businesses during unexpected changes. A bit of deconstruction would mean to know; what’s a small business? What’s meant by turbulence? How to save small businesses?
The present pandemic is the latest in a series of difficult events in recent history, including 9/11 and the 2008 crisis. All of these events have put the economy, and thus many markets and industries, under pressure. During these terrible times, some industries have suffered more than others to save small businesses. You are not powerless, regardless of how the epidemic affects your business.
What’s a small business?
A small business is characterized by the size of its employees. That’s why many sole proprietorships, freelancers, etc. are called small businesses. Whether it’s owning a retail outlet, or setting up a remote workspace online; any independently owned business that’s limited in size and revenue, usually funded by the owner is small. According to the United States standard, a small business employs less than 100 workers and generates less than $25million. A quick look reveals that people want to know how to save small businesses since they’re at greater risk during a major change.
What’s business turbulence?
Turbulent times in business can range from different economic policies to sudden changes like technology and even customer needs. Any sudden change that is capable of influencing or heavily impacting the global economy can be described as turbulence. This means that bigger businesses seem better equipped to withstand whatever comes along. The need to save small businesses arises as a result of them not being prepared to withstand sudden changes. Since they occupy a larger part of the economy. The effort to save small businesses during turbulent times is a collective one. One that involves both the business owner and the government.
Why save small businesses
A great start for knowing how to save small businesses is by knowing why we should save small businesses. They constitute a large percentage of local economies. It’s more like a network of local economic interdependence that’s self-sustaining. Small businesses employ not just the business owner but others in the community. The fact that these businesses generate lower revenue with small profit margins while providing meager income is proof of their vulnerability. Both governments and business owners must play their part respectively to save small businesses.
How to save small businesses
A big business differs from a small business in its possession of powerful ‘sails’ to keep it afloat, no matter the raging economic storm. Conversely, to save a small business, would require stronger masts to fortify the sails so that it floats with the wind. As the economic tides continue changing, technology advances. With novel experiences like the COVID-19, let us consider some strategies to save small businesses and stand a chance of maintaining the economic ecosystem.
Protect your business power
The power of every business is the cash flow. According to entrepreneurial analysis, 72% of small business failure is attributed to insufficient and mismanaged cash flow. To face it head-on, insufficient and improper management of cash flow is at the very base of all crises faced by small businesses. Cash flow is the totality of money that goes in and out of a business. To save a small business will mean creating ways to increase positive cash flow, and to properly manage it.
Government Grants/Aids
In turbulent times, a workable method of increasing cash flow to save small businesses is through government grants. Most governments understand the relevance of small businesses in every economy and the role they play in providing half the population employment. Most governments are eager to support small businesses, by granting them direct grants. A typical example is the ‘save small business initiative’ signed into law in the United States on march 11, 2021, and other world government grants to save small businesses from the COVID-19 pandemic. Small business owners should by all means lookout for such government grants/aids and apply accordingly.
Cash flow Management to Save Small Business
Having secured government aid, the next point is to properly manage this cash flow so that the reason for which it was obtained (save small business) is achieved. Online paystub generator come highly recommended to assist you with all financial documentation and payroll/pay stubs needs. Cash flow can be effectively analyzed to save small businesses by employing a standard financial statement and check stubs. This document will help you keep track of your business sources and usage of cash over some time.
To save small businesses, cash flow can also be effectively managed by sending out invoices early and following up with customers who haven’t paid up.
When a crisis occurs, stay proactive.
When a crisis arises, it is tempting to panic and cut back on spending. But doing so would be a mistake. Why? The logic is straightforward: the loudest voice is heard.
If your competitors are scaling back and reducing marketing efforts, but you continue doing business as usual, your firm will appear steady, secure, and powerful – a strong force for clients to rely on during difficult times. Furthermore, you will encounter less rivalry as others withdraw and reduce costs (for example, advertising spend) in a depressed market. Remember to stay market-aware and resist the impulse to make immediate sales unless your product or service is niche-specific.
Previous clients should not be overlooked as a possible source of money. Consider which of your previous clientele work in wealthy areas. They will have money to spend if they create money now. Determine how you can market your products or services to them right now, go further into their business, and ask for references.
Establish Long-Term Habits
Do not wait for a crisis to strengthen your business. Investigate the clients that are currently purchasing from you to determine how you might find more customers like them. Examine POS, sales records, customer patterns, website traffic, and any other data that can provide you with information. Expand your customer base by expanding vertically and horizontally into existing areas.
Create a diverse customer portfolio. Do not put all of your eggs in one basket, as the expression goes. If you do this and your primary target audience’s industry suffers a setback, you will find yourself in a difficult situation. Determine the various types of opportunities you can pursue to save your small business.
Online sales could be game changers for your company
Wouldn’t it be great if your company remained operating even after the actual facility closed? You may earn money 24 hours a day, even while sleeping.
It’s the simple things that set you unique as an owner who wants to save its small business. The correct online sales software may improve your customers’ online experience and ensure you keep selling even after your competitors are out of business.
There are limited and infinite games in game theory. Board games and school are finite games with fixed and established rules and players. For example, in order to graduate from college, you must finish a certain number of credits and courses. In contrast, business is an unending game. The regulations have changed — and without warning — with COVID-19. The purpose of business is not to win or beat a competitor, as it is in a board game. It is to outlast your opponents and keep playing.
Sail with the wind
It’s pointless to sail against the wind. Adaptability is key here to save small businesses. Small business owners can adapt by cutting out all repetitive tasks, embracing automation, and freeing up time for quality work. Things like invoice generations and customer invoicing are easily achieved with one click using Paystubsnow. That way, you get the task properly done, and save time/money. Besides with many businesses going online, it would be ineffective not to utilize technological efficiency. Sailing with the wind saves you a lot.
FAQS: How do small businesses survive?
Since small businesses have a limited profit margin, their best shot at survival is protecting cash flow, investing in customer relationships, and embracing automation in business.
Why is it necessary to create a change in times of turbulence?
Turbulent times in themselves come up through change. It’s only logical to create a change if one must cope.
