fbpx

COVID-19: Business Continuity and Survival

Your business is our business, and we are no different to yours during these challenging times. We want you to know you are not alone, and we are concerned about your health and well-being. 

We see ourselves as more than your Accountant. We believe that all businesses should thrive, and it is important to have someone in your corner during these times. We want to see that you are best positioned to make it to the other side of this pandemic. 

We want to assure you that Sharp Accounting is open for business as usual.  We are following government regulations and are ensuring that our staff follow recommended practices to ensure their healthy well-being, so they are available to assist you. We have tested our remote access systems, and we are positioned to seamlessly move to remote working.  You can be assured that we are ready to help, if needed. We will update you if changes occur to our normal operations and provide all the contact details you need to talk to us.

As business owners, these key areas should be addresses as a matter of urgency:

Core Actions Business Continuity 

From today, we all have one objective for our businesses: to maintain business continuity for at least the next 6-12 months. You will need to be proactive and make fast but informed decisions and implement decisive planned actions. Below are some practical measures that you can take today to assist in business continuity.

1. Break-Even Analysis

If you’ve not done this yet we suggest you turn your attention to it now.  You may get to break even by payroll reduction, new income streams, rent reductions, or any other way, but the purpose is to have a plan.  Without a plan you don’t have any preparedness on what to do when bad things happen. You will need to modify the plan as circumstances change.  No one ever regrets cutting early, and everyone wishes they had cut earlier.

2. Monitoring Current and Future Cash Flow

Cash is king, especially in times like this. It is crucial you monitor your cash flow at least weekly if not daily.  It will be of immense help to your business to know what is going in and what is going out of the bank account.  It is also a very good idea to review a quick, simple ‘In’s & Out’s report each Friday and turn this into a weekly ritual.

This will give you a good idea of the trend’s week-to-week and give you the raw information you will need to make decisions before you start to see major deficits.  Some of the decisions you will be making in the coming weeks will be on the fly, but you’ll need to be as across the core numbers (i.e. what is going in and what is going out of the bank account) as much as possible so that you don’t do anything rash.  And most importantly, so that you’re ready to bounce back when this ends – which it will.  

3. Business Action Plan – (6-12 months)

You need to be continually assessing the market environment and identify how your business can adapt. A sound business plan provides direction and confidence during difficult times and under heightened stress levels. It should also address:

If you need assistance with any of the above, please call us – we’re here to help.

Take the Time to Negotiate

Now is the time to start negotiating with key stakeholders.  These include: 

1. Banks

The Big 4 and other banks are offering extensions & deferrals of business, home loans and SMSF Loans if they are classified as a business loan.  Most are easily enough to apply for and can be done via the bank’s website. Regardless of your situation we implore you to at least look at these mechanisms in the event they are needed. 

2. Staff

Now might be the time to consider how you can restructure your workforce & labour costs.  Many employers need to reduce their workforce and do so quickly before cash flow dries up.  Some common questions you will have will be:

For advice regarding these types of questions we suggest you call your HR Consultant or call us, and we can put you in touch with good people who will help.

3. Landlords

After staffing expenses, rent is usually the next biggest expense. We now strongly encourage you to speak with your landlord about negotiating a reduction in rent or at the very least a deferral arrangement.  

Take comfort from the fact you cannot be ejected overnight as protections for tenants exist under various pieces of legislation Governed by the States & Territories.  There may also be protection provisions in your lease. 

For advice regarding these types of questions we suggest you call your solicitor or call us, and we can put you in touch with good people who will help.

4. Suppliers

One of your key stakeholder groups, your suppliers will need you now more than ever.  For this reason, we again urge you to negotiate your terms of trade where possible and especially to leverage on those key relationships particularly where they are long standing and beneficial to both parties.  This will likely take many different forms, but at this point anything that you can negotiate will be better for all concerned.  

5. Government Stimulus

We have prepared an overview and detailed analysis of various incentive measures that have been introduced by the government. Feel free to call us if you need anything explained. 

Communication is a Critical Tool

Communication through times like this is crucial.  Consistent clear messaging is the best tool to help bring clarity and focus.  This includes:

1. Staff

This is the time where things like daily updates and weekly meetings can really make a difference.  If you never done either, we suggest you instigate these immediately. It is important to communicate regularly what you are doing to protect the company, people’s jobs and their health.  

Be clear that the objective is to get the business to the other side of this pandemic in a strong position (life will go on) and that you will need good people for when the business starts growing again.  If you find yourself needing to communicate layoffs, ensure you outline that it is your responsibility to staff that the company is financially sound.

Right now, they need leadership and how you carry yourself will last longer than this pandemic.    

You also want to ensure that staff are following the recommended Workplace Health and Safety Practices such as frequently washing their hands, so their health and well-being is maintained. You cannot maintain business operations if your workforce becomes unwell. 

2. Lenders

If you feel it appropriate, communicate your plans for business continuity to your lender.  They are likely concerned about the risk in the small and medium business space right now and the aim should be no surprises for them.  Whilst some are offering extensions & deferrals of business & home loans, they should see competent management and planning being executed.

3. Clients & Customers

It is important to let your customers know where your business is at, particularly if you have on-going service relationships and deliverables.  Keep them updated regularly so that they have confidence in your business’ continuity.

4. Supply Chain

Communicate with your suppliers, as you are only as good as your weakest link.  If you don’t have the parts or services you buy to sell, you won’t be able to sell them.

5. The Market

Now could be the right time to identify opportunities for margin and customer growth.  Every downturn creates opportunities and we must spend time focussing on and identifying opportunities for margin growth and customer growth.  Communicate with the marketplace, focussing on:

Margin growth

Ideas could include:

Customer growth

Last but not least

Be Positive. Look after your health. Sleep, exercise and eat well. Maintain recommended hygiene practices and social distancing guidelines. Look after your mental health.  You could be going into some very tough months so do not be afraid to speak up. Talk to us, your peers, family or mentors. 

  1. Be kind.  
  2. Keep moving forward – this will pass. 

Summary

The main objective should be to maintain business continuity for at least the next 6-12 months.

We understand and fully appreciate that this is a tough time for all of us, and we are certainly not immune to some or all of the above.  We believe that all businesses should thrive and we are here for you in the good times and the bad, so if you find any of the above overwhelming or too difficult to face, please be assured that you are not alone.  

Please call as we are only too happy to lend a hand whenever, wherever we can.  

Finally, if you are uncertain about the future, it is best to talk to an expert early – don’t leave it too late to act.

Google Rating
5.0