Saturday, August 1st, 2009
Developing a strategy and, subsequently, building a business plan based on that strategy are critical to developing the sound financial strategies.
Companies that take the time at the start to define a strategy and then build their business plan around it improve their chances for greater financial success. And department managers have an obligation to help build that success by understanding the strategy and their part in making it work—through the strategy each defines for his or her department.
Although you may not actually be involved (yet!) in forming your company’s strategy, the following discussion will put you there among the movers and shakers who determine that strategy. Then you’ll better understand the principles behind a business strategy.
Tags: business plan, cutting costs, interests, strategy
Posted in business patterns, business strategy, cash demand, financial principles | Comments Off
Friday, July 31st, 2009
Most enterprises have something called a strategy. Invading armies have one. Football teams have one. In most cases, just having a strategy may mean the difference between success and failure.
More than any other enterprise, a business needs a strategy. Why? Well, just consider what you’re trying to do and what you’re up against. You’re trying to get a share of the dollars out there. You’re competing with businesses that provide similar goods or services, yes, but also with any business at all, because the amount of dollars is limited. You’re risking economic changes as well—not only downturns that could threaten your financial stability and growth, but also upturns that could favor competitors ready and able to capitalize on them, especially if you’re not prepared. Then there are the other dangers, such as the potential loss of vital financial support, a key manager, or a valuable employee. Then, toss in the reaction of customers, which might mean a lawsuit that could sap your resources and damage your public image.
So, every company is facing tough challenges. That’s why every company needs a strategy. That’s often the key to a company’s financial success. Without an overall strategy, you’re less likely to meet your financial goals.
Even if you’re not responsible for running your company, you must first grasp the overall concept behind what the top managers are doing, just to be able to properly manage any part of that company. If you don’t understand the strategy behind the company, how much can you help it succeed?
Tags: business plan, cutting costs, interests, preserving cash
Posted in business patterns, business strategy, companies, funds, negotiationg | Comments Off
Friday, July 31st, 2009
Looking for ways to decrease operational costs runs hand-in-hand with looking for new and better ways to manage operations. Can the sales team cut down on the number of personal calls by making regular telephone contact instead? In addition to saving sales call time and money spent on automobile wear and tear, the new approach might give a definite market advantage by allowing staff to make more frequent contact. Done correctly, this can translate into better service at a lower cost. Then everyone benefits.
Inventory can be a cash eater if it isn’t financed. The company should pay the interest required to finance the inventory and keep its cash at hand. The company may need it. To make this clearer: In buying a car, you might have the funds to pay for it in cash, but by financing it, you keep your funds available in case you need them for some situation where it’s more difficult to borrow money than to use your cash. Of course, the company should also better control inventory quantities, to minimize its cash investment.
Tags: cutting costs, interests, payment plans, preserving cash
Posted in business patterns, cash demand, companies, funds | Comments Off
Friday, July 31st, 2009
If cash flow does become an issue, it’s obvious that the company will have to change the way it’s doing business if
it wants to survive. Does that executive plant service still come in once a week to water the ficus and all the other office flora? As a manager, you may have to cancel the service, buy a $2.98 watering can, and start doing it yourself—or maybe just get rid of the plants altogether.
That may seem a little obvious, but it’s amazing how many businesses fall into comfortable patterns during good times and don’t see them as unnecessary frills when cash becomes tight.
Tags: cash dynamics, cutting costs, payment plans, preserving cash
Posted in business patterns, cash demand, customer demand, developers, online bank | Comments Off