It’s a great feeling owning a small business, perhaps one that was started from scratch and has gradually developed. Not having to answer to bosses at work, who wouldn’t embrace modern thinking and having the freedom to make decisions and to adjust working hours to fit.

While it can be fun and exciting, it is very easy to get carried away and lose sight of the financial side of an operation. To continue to progress profits need to be made, and sometimes this is overlooked. Here are some of the ways that it can be turned around by using methods to save money.

Sitting down and taking time to write down all expenditure is a simple process Everything that is no longer required and costs money to maintain can be sold. It’s easy to buy items wanting to offer a professional persona to visitors and potential clients, but they won’t be impressed if you then charge them more to make ends meet. It might even mean buying a partner a Rabbit vibrator to replace the weekend away that was promised.

Check out any subscriptions that are no longer required, as well as other items during the thorough spending analysis. It’s then time to speak to those who supply goods that allow the business to operate. Is there any chance of renegotiating what is being paid, especially if an established customer? Get in touch with the utility companies, who may have different tariffs to help businesses, or maybe look at alternative providers if they won’t budge.

Consider the way the business is operating and think of ways to improve performance. Has it become a bit too familiar and flabby is certain aspects, and would a little extra effort turn into time being saved which can fit in extra customers? Increasing the client base through using free social media postings and taking time to research how they are most effective can save money against paid ads as well as them reaching a wider audience. Maybe cheaper premises in a better location might be an alternative while using the ultimate office move checklist.

Getting the most from any team can lead to improved results, so once valued employees are onboard, they should be looked after properly. While it might cost a little bit to arrange fun days or putting on a barbeque for them and their families to attend, it will be returned hugely in their commitment and productivity over the ensuing months.

If paperwork and admin is costing money, look at ways to go paperless, using digital apps for accounting. It also saves valuable time that can be spent on something more productive as it can be formulated on the go. Looking out for used items can also save money. Which might be spent instead taking the team paintballing to build extra togetherness.

Often simple common sense, a little belt-tightening and cutting back on being lavish can change the bottom line of any small business and see it progress.