THREE SIMPLE STEPS TOWARDS A BETTER BUSINESS BUDGET

“We must consult our means rather than our wishes.” – George Washington

Preface: Your budgeting team should schedule a recurring meeting at the beginning or end of each month to discuss what’s going well, what needs to change, etc.

That’s the first thing you need to do.

1. The Costs You Count On

Once your meetings are set, and you’ve created a budget document (Excel®, Sheets, QuickBooks Online®, etc.), record income and fixed costs which you’ll revisit every month. Those two items are crucial to surviving and thriving as a business.

To start, income will largely include rental income and sales — this is why it’s important to nail down recurring customers or businesses who utilize your services. If you can lock them in as monthly buyers (subscription service, ongoing help, etc), you will have an easier time calculating revenue streams.

Next, record what fixed costs your business takes on every month. How much money does it take for you to survive? Pay rent? Pay employees? Setting this number will give you a monthly goal to reach, and will help your sales team go out and (hopefully) exceed that number.

2. The Variables That … Vary

You guessed the next item: what you can’t depend on from month-to-month.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t predict! This is where goal setting comes into play. I’m talking about realistic, measurable goals. A large reason you are doing this with other team members is to discuss, set and revisit goals every month. It will also give your business development team tangible numbers to go chase.

Want to hire a new employee in the second quarter? Great, write that expense down. Want to take your team on an end-of-year retreat? Write it down. When is your peak season, and how much more do you think you can make this year than last?

Again, variables pertain to income and expenses you can’t rely on from month-to-month, but you can predict … and isn’t business one big prediction?

3. Designate a Scribe

If you thought I was only going to mention your budget document once, think again.

It is crucial, as part of your new business budget, to have a place where you or someone on your team records each expense, variable and income source (let such items fill your Y-axis, while each month headlines your X-axis). Here’s a few to get started:

Income

• Product/Service Sales
• Loans
• Savings
• Rental Income and Other

Expenses

• Rent/Mortgage & Utilities
• Salaries
• Bank Fees
• Web Hosting
• Insurance

Variables

• Contractors
• Advertising
• Transportation/Travel
• Office Supplies/Furniture

Those should get you started, but only you will know all the items to include. After you add up your income and subtract your expenses, you’ll have an idea of where your business sits. It can be as sobering as it is enlightening.

Now don’t waste any more time if you have not created a business budget in the past! Your team will thank you for taking the lead, and it will help position them for success.

Up-and-to-the-right growth never happens without some bumps in the road, but with this tool you are at least driving in the right direction. Enjoy the ride!

Feel free to share this post with a business associate or client you know who could benefit from this weekly blog.

Warmly,

Janet Behm