Small businesses often face cash flow problems. It's not a result of bad management, but simply the cyclical nature of a business.
You know the situation. At times you are so swamped with work, that you can't possibly get all of it done, without sacrificing sleep and adding extra numbers to the clock. At other times, you have no clients or workload and are considering a second and third job for the month.
Cash flow management is a discussion for another day.
Today, I want to talk about a couple of ways to reduce costs and overhead to keep your business operating in the black. Okay, at least in the grey.
When seeking services, consider the barter system. I discussed that time proven concept indepth yesterday. Not only does barter ease your cash crunch, but it also helps out your trading partner as well. The additional reference acquired can also help to attract paying customers.
Keep your overhead for furniture and equipment to a minimum.
Look to purchase used office furniture and equipment. While it's nice to maintain new computer equipment, it's certainly not essential to have a brand new desk and chair. Very nice used office furnishings can be purchased at used office furniture stores, auction sales, and even from classified ads in the newspaper.
In the past, I have used all of those techniques. I have even acquired nice used furniture at garage sales. In any case, isn't an antique looking wooden desk and chair nice to have anyway? I am sitting in antique arm chair right now, and the computer is on a garage sale purchased wooden dining room table that I use for a desk.
I like to practice what I preach.
Mostly.
The dining roon table makes a great desk for the computer, printer and scanner, monitor, and tower. The airiness of the table is very nice for cool airflow in the summer and for heat flow in winter.
Next to the table starring as a desk, is yet another antique table used to store papers, and office supplies.
Many businesses purchase used fax machines, copiers, and even electronics equipment to keep their expenditures down. The money saved can be used to grow and market the business instead.
Think about used office furniture the next time you plan to upgrade the business furnishings.
It will definitely help with the cash flow.
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