How healthy is your business?

At Altus, we are constantly surprised that a large proportion of small business owners don’t invest in the health of their business in the same way they would their own personal health and well-being.

We say “surprised” as ultimately it’s their business that provides them with the means to lead a healthy life. 

It begs the question as to what does “healthy” mean?

The answer of course is that it means different things to different people. That being said, we live in a world that is fairly regulated and benchmarked which creates precedents as to what is generally accepted as being healthy.

For those of us that see our GP and have a regular medical, we are typically informed about our blood pressure, cholesterol and so forth and how we compare to what is generally accepted. Typically we hear that we should drink less, eat better and exercise more and do that on a regular and consistent basis - which of course is all great advice. Those that follow that advice are more than likely to be “healthier”. So, when we crazily decide to come off the bench and participate in the office touch footy competition, it’s probable we will feel marginally better than if we didn’t follow such advice.

Our experience with SME’s is that the health check-up is not at the front of their minds and as consequence, they are generally not that healthy. Their touch footy experience usually comes in the form of something happening in their business - such as the need for finance, the entry of a business partner, or the sale of the business and it is during these events that their health is never more sorely tested.

Typically, the unhealthy SME is forced into boot camp to get fit very quickly, otherwise it simply cannot respond and keep up with the issue at hand. (Now for those of you that have been to boot camp will recall, it’s tough, demanding, time consuming and distracting and the smart ones amongst us learn from that and commit to remaining a little healthier. But irrespective, you either get fit or fail to achieve the outcome).

So, why would you run a business at sub potential all your business life? Being consistently healthier means you are more in control, hitting more objectives and making it look and feel easier. Plus it’s more profitable along the way!

We all know what it feels like to be unhealthy and similarly, we know what it takes to be really healthy – which one do you prefer?

Is your business healthy? Take our test to find out

1. Does your business financial performance reflect your strategy? If not, why?
2. Do you understand the financial metrics and trends of your business and are you able to articulate them?
3. Are the business's legal affairs in order?
4. Do you know and understand who your top 20 clients are and which market sector they belong to?
5. Are your business assets insured and its Intellectual Property protected?
6. Are all your compliance matters completely up to date?
7. Are the business's banking arrangements inside their covenants and have any been breached in the past? If so why?
8. Can you display a growing and profitable financial performance trend? If not, why?
9. What steps are you taking to ensure your business is innovating to stay competitive?
10. Do you have the right people, “on the bus”, doing the right thing?

Answered no to any of these? We'd like to help. Call or email  or your Altus Adviser.