10 Ways to Improve Profits in the Coming Year

As a small business owner, this is the time to take a closer look at your profit and loss sheets to determine how you can make the most out of this current economy.  In the U.S., the economy is thriving and expected to grow over the next few months.  Businesses are expanding.  The Federal Reserve has inched up interest rates, creating investment opportunities, and lenders are offering small business loans.  All of this points to a promising outlook for the coming months.

How Can You Increase Revenue and Profits in the Coming Year? 

For most companies, increasing revenue and profit margins is a goal.  Yet, there’s strong competition in most sectors.  Here’s a look at ways you can boost your profit margins without having to invest heavily.

1: Increase Pricing Marginally

Inflation is a key component of the current market.  As the U.S. consumer increases confidence in spending, it becomes possible to increase prices. Re-evaluate your current price points. Are you getting enough from each sale to build profits?

2: Don’t Overlook the Impact of Tariffs 

The ongoing trade war with China has many business owners worried about cost.  Plan now.  Tariffs are impacting nearly all industries including construction, retail, restaurants, and manufacturing to name just a few. Work with your team to understand the impact on your business’s bottom line, such as the higher cost of goods, and build those costs into your prices.

3: Get Rid of Tasks Not Adding Value to the Customer 

Take a closer look at what you are spending on within your profit and loss. Is each one of these expenses directly contributing to your customers’ needs?  Eliminate costs that do not contribute to customer value.

4: Review Competitor Prices 

Along with increasing your prices, take a closer look at what your competition is charging for services.  There are two things to focus on here.  If their prices are higher, why?  Are they offering something better for their product or service that encourages a higher price point?  Second, are your prices competitively aligned with theirs? If not, what can you do to offer something extra to your customer?

5: Reduce Overstock 

Carrying a significant amount of stock does not improve business operations and increases costs.  It can drive up waste when product is lost or forgotten.  It also hampers your company’s ability to keep inventory costs in line with your goals.  Pair down stock.

6: Find a Way to Increase the Value of Every Sale 

Provide some last-minute addition your customer could buy to enhance their product or service.  Ensure your sales team is speaking to each customer about this offer, right as they close the deal.  If you sell cars, offer an add-on feature for a certain additional amount.  If you sell professional services, determine if your customers could benefit from a monthly check-in or other add-on services.

7: Expand Product or Services Lines With Care 

Look for complimentary services and products that do not require a lot of investment to offer them to your customers.  What additional products or revenue streams could enhance what you already provide?  This may not require additional equipment or a large amount of inventory.

8: Build Your Team’s Skillset 

Beyond a doubt, in a sales-oriented business, your company cannot build revenue if your sales team misses their market.  Invest in sales training for the modern audience.  Focus on moving away from traditional methods toward more efficient and brand-building methods for sales.

9: Get Your Numbers in Line Now 

Hiring a team to help you explore your current profit margins is critical.  However, bringing on a professional organization to help with managing your books is only effective if you apply the information and insights they provide to you.  In other words, find a team you can sit down with and discuss opportunities you can apply right now.

10: Build Your Customer Base 

Use a variety of tools to help build your customer base.  Complete a market analyses to better understand who your target customer is.  Then, work to modernize your marketing efforts to attract that specific audience. When you do, you turn heads and capitalize on a new set of customers.

Building revenue and profits starts with knowing where you are specifically.  Review your prices, financial accounts, and books with care. Then, look for small ways to reduce costs that don’t contribute to your profits and build up services, products, and prices for those that help your company to grow.  Always have a focus on the bottom-line benefit of any investment you make.