Being your own boss can be rewarding, but it’s also incredibly challenging. That’s why it’s important to future-proof your hard work by taking steps today that will prepare your business for tomorrow.
When you’re running your own business, it’s demanding enough to keep up with the day-to-day, which means it’s easy to lose sight on the big picture. But without careful planning, your business might not be prepared for whatever the future holds.
Here are five essentials that every small business owner should factor into their business plan.
1. Give it structure.
Make sure you structure your finances so your personal assets and business assets are kept separate. As a minimum, you should have a separate business bank account and credit card, and pay yourself a salary. By untangling your personal finances from your business bookkeeping, you may even save time on administration.
2. Be prepared for the unexpected.
If anything were to happen to your staff, your equipment or your intellectual property, it could have disastrous results for your business. The concept of business insurance is a veritable smorgasbord of safeguards against unexpected events, with options ranging from vehicle and key person insurance to public liability and professional indemnity cover. No matter what type of business you have, your financial adviser can help make sure it’s protected.
3. Have an exit strategy.
One day you (hopefully) intend to retire – and a time may even come when you decide to leave the business earlier than expected. Regardless of when you eventually exit, it’s important to plan ahead so it can be done smoothly, with as little financial impact to the business as possible. Start thinking about succession management sooner rather than later – it’s a good opportunity to evaluate your business and identify its future leader.
4. Plan beyond yourself.
Even with a retirement succession plan in place, there’s always a chance your business could be faced with involuntary succession – for example, if you die unexpectedly. So as well as insuring your business, make sure you’re personally covered against death, disability and serious illness. You can also set up a legally binding buy-sell agreement that sets out how ownership of the business will be transferred in the case of involuntary succession. And to be certain your assets will be distributed to your chosen beneficiaries according to your wishes if you pass away, make sure you have a comprehensive, up-to-date estate plan.
5. Work to live, not the other way around.
Your business is a big part of your life, but it’s important to remember that there’s also life beyond work. Many small business owners find it hard to separate work life and home life, which can cause tension with their loved ones. So if you’re looking to secure your business’s finances, the team at SMART Business Solutions can help you remove some of the stress of business ownership.
We are also running monthly ‘Lunch and Learn Workshops” which are a perfect opportunity to learn more and network with like minded business owners. Check out our website for the next session. https://www.smartbusinesssolutions.com.au/events/
Want to grow your business & improve cash flow?
You need SMART solutions for YOUR business, not just annual tax compliance! Get the SMART team working with you. Call SMART Business Solutions today on 03 5911 7000 or reception@smartbusinesssolutions.com.au.
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