Part 1 of 2: PITFALLS FOR A GROWING SMALL BUSINESS
In January 2019, I talked about financial and management pitfalls for growing small businesses at a professional networking group meeting. Here in Part 1 of the two parts, we first focus on each potential pitfall related to lacking strategic goals and skills. In Part 2 next month, I will list some pitfalls related to leadership, internal teams and professional advisory, as well as staffing, legal & insurance issues.
Please note that the lists are not exhaustive.
Pitfall – Lack of Strategic Focus
Not understanding your business’s financial model.
Getting bog down in daily work, fire drills, crisis management, etc. vs. being strategic leader – lack of leadership and strategic focus. Allowing fund raising, mergers, and other events to distract from focus on growing business.
Obtaining business partners, investors who are not a good fit for your organization – VC and other investors’ financial goals are different from founders’.
No succession plan or starting a plan too late. It can take 5- 7 years to implement a plan fully.
Pitfall – Financial Risks
Lacking strong financial and cash flow planning – budgets, multi-year forecasts.
Lacking financial capital and credit management – bank loans, private investors.
Lacking profitability –no strategies to minimize for taxes; poor lifestyle choices.
Putting all personal assets into one basket – the company.
Overvaluing Company – Many ways to value and view company – Asset Market Value, FMV, Synergy Market Value, Public Value, etc..
Pitfall – Lack of Financial Skills
Not understanding or utilizing financial statements, cash flow statement missing.
Unclear Business Performance Measurement – KPIs.
Accrual versus Cash Accounting – off book transactions.
Cash Flow versus Debt financing – financing growth, receivables, collections.
Confusing Profit Margin with Sales Mix.
Accounting processes slow or significantly behind.
No budgeting.
Poor personnel and inventory management.
To be continued in Part 2 in the next blog post.
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A2Z CFO, we keep your ship on course.