Successful businesses sustain themselves by making money and earning a strong reputation. The first requires financial savvy, and the second stems from creating a company built on integrity and honesty. Combining these two could build a firm foundation on which to prosper. Many people may find character the easier element and business sense harder, requiring a more thorough understanding of finances. Revenue could increase in several ways though, even if you aren’t an accounting genius. Keep your eye on billing, and be open to reviewing ideas and information.
Log Billing
While you may estimate the price of work and products, that isn’t always enough. In the real world, obstacles get in the way, additional work occurs or hours run longer. Therefore, it’s prudent to document not only what you predicted a job would cost, but how much you really invested in the project. Take, for example, a plumbing repair. This work involves an inspection, parts and labor. When you provide the client the initial price point, you might think it will cost $100 dollars; however, if the fixture is more difficult to insert, your time increases, decreasing the profit margin. It’s best to evaluate your work regularly using software such as job costing in quickbooks enterprise.
Analyze Data
With consistent information in the computer, print out some records and grab a highlighter. Begin examining the numbers, looking for any losses. How often does this occur? Is there a pattern? You might find that labor charges should increase or that particular parts are harder to handle. Knowledge allows you to adjust your rates.
Find Customers
Once you’ve looked at the books, think about which tasks brought in the most funds. That is the job you want more often. Then, begin marketing to that demographic. This could mean building a social media account, offering referral bonuses to previous clients or running targeted ads.
Being good at your job is important, but to improve capital, you should also spend time analyzing your accounts. Make adjustments as needed, and appeal to groups that bring in the bigger payments.
