Shit’s Getting Real. Keep it tight.
Fuel, costs, pressure on clients. It all starts to show up in your numbers pretty quickly.
Most businesses quietly bleed profit. Often all it takes is a few small patches to stop it.
Before you go chasing more work or cutting prices, it is worth looking at what is already happening inside your business.
This is where I would start.
Look at your numbers properly
Start with your Profit and Loss.
Not just a quick glance. Actually look at it.
If you are using Xero accounting software, use your management reports. Compare months and look for:
costs creeping up
margins slipping
anything that does not quite make sense
If you cannot clearly see what is going on, that is the first thing to fix.
What are you paying for?
Go through every subscription.
Be honest:
are you actually using it
is it giving you a return
Software, tools, marketing, nice to haves. It adds up fast.
If you really want to make this easy, cancel your card and see what breaks.
You will very quickly find out what you actually need.
The rest is baggage.
Is this shit necessary?
What return are you actually getting from:
marketing
coaches or mentors
outsourced services
Would you spend that money again today?
If the answer is no or not really, it is time to cut it.
The same goes for the new Ranger, fishing rod or any nice to have tools.
Can you hire instead?
Now is not the time for an epic rebrand or big discretionary spend.
Whats your time worth?
Be honest about how your time is actually being used.
Cut the extra trips to M10 for dazzle or pencils.
Get organised so you are not constantly running around for things that should already be sorted.
It sounds small, but it adds up fast.
How much time are you spending:
chasing money
supervising admin
fixing things that should have been done properly
overseeing people who are meant to be independent
If you are constantly pulled back into the same areas, it is not just a people issue. It is a systems issue.
Are you doing things that take five times as long as they should because there is no clear system or automation in place?
Treat your time like gold. Every minute is money.
Do it once and properly
If the same issues keep coming up, it is not bad luck.
And it is not always your team.
More often, it comes down to how things are set up.
jobs not set up properly
information not shared clearly
no consistent process for ordering, tracking or handover
things getting missed and then fixed later
That is where time gets lost.
That is where things start to feel harder than they should.
Good people still struggle without clear systems.
Simple, consistent systems reduce mistakes, cut down double handling and take pressure off everyone.
If you are constantly stepping in, something in the setup needs tightening.
Get the system right, and everything else starts to flow.
Tighten up your cashflow
Cashflow issues do not usually start as big problems.
They build slowly.
A few late invoices.
A bit of hesitation to follow up.
Letting things slide because you do not want to rock the boat.
It adds up.
How consistent are you with:
sending invoices on time
following up when they are due
keeping visibility on what is outstanding
Are you using built-in reminders in your system, like Xero accounting software?
They are simple and effective, but only if your accounts are kept up to date.
If you are not regularly reconciling, you risk chasing clients who have already paid.
That is not a great look.
A simple, consistent approach to invoicing, reconciliation and follow-up makes a big difference.
Stay on top of it, and cashflow stays steady.
Know your numbers before you commit
It is very easy to say yes to work that looks good on the surface.
But if you do not understand your numbers, it can cost you.
Before you commit, ask yourself:
do I actually know my margin on this
have I allowed for all costs, including time
is there enough in it to make it worth it
Busy does not always mean profitable.
Taking on the wrong work just fills your time and ties up your cash.
A clear view of your numbers helps you make better calls.
Not every job is a good job.
Start saying no where it matters
If things are tightening, you cannot afford to be loose.
Where are you saying yes when you should be saying no?
staff grafting or dragging things out
people not pulling their weight
clients pushing for extras that were never included
absorbing cost increases or FAF
saying yes just to keep things smooth
It feels easier in the moment.
But it comes straight off your margin.
This also applies to your team. If someone is not pulling their weight, it needs to be addressed.
Not in a heavy-handed way. Just clearly and early. Carrying someone because they are a mate or because it feels easier in the short term will cost you.
The same goes for clients. Be clear on what is included and what is not. Hold the line when things move outside that.
Let’s be real and fair. Now is not the time to be a doormat.
You wouldn’t pay a Groomer to mow your lawns.
Stick to what you know. I can’t build a house for shit but this is what blows my hair back.
Get in touch and get it sorted.
