{"id":12619,"date":"2022-07-28T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-07-28T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/?p=12619"},"modified":"2026-01-29T09:28:17","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T09:28:17","slug":"small-business-financially-fit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/small-business-financially-fit\/","title":{"rendered":"How to make your small business financially fit"},"content":{"rendered":"<header class=\"entry-header has-dark-background-color entry-header--has-illustration entry-header--has-illustration--generic\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__row row align-center\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-lg-7 col-xlg-6 entry-header__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"component component-single-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__misc text--subtitle text--uppercase text--small\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/category\/money-matters\/\" class=\"entry-header__link\">Money Matters<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"entry-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHow to make your small business financially fit\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"entry-header__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"single-post-details container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2022-07-28T10:00:00+01:00\">28 July, 2022<\/time><\/span><span class=\"reading-time\"> min read<\/span>\n\t\t<button\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\tclass=\"social-share-button button button--icon button--secondary js-social-share-button\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-title=\"How to make your small business financially fit\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/small-business-financially-fit\/\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-text=\"Please read this interesting article\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__share-label\">Share<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-label\" hidden>Copy Link<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\" hidden>Copied<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/header>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author has-dark-background-color alignfull\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"co-authors\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-author-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"entry-author\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/author\/tarryn\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/05\/Giebz_Family-session-119-scaled.jpg\" class=\"entry-author__image\" height=\"40\" width=\"40\" fetchpriority=\"high\" \/>\t\t\t\t<span class=\"entry-author__name\">Tarryn Giebelmann<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>We all know the basic rules of getting fit: eat less, move more, and push yourself a little harder every day \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=FbuaTq9Bp0s\">just 1% daily improvement<\/a> leads to massive gains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The same rules apply when you need to whip your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/size\/small-business\/\">small business<\/a> finances into shape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It won\u2019t happen overnight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It takes discipline and commitment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019ll be days when you fall face-first into a red velvet cake. It happens. Shake off the crumbs and try again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Through persistent effort and by showing up every day, the results from your efforts, discipline, and sacrifices add up to some serious muscle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s a finance fitness plan to get you going:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#set-anchor-link\">1. Set a goal<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#have-anchor-link\">2. Have a plan<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#monitor-anchor-link\">3. Monitor your progress<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#outsource-anchor-link\">4. Outsource to the experts when things get complicated, or you need a mentor<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#prepare-anchor-link\">5. Prepare for the off-season<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#more-anchor-link\">More financial wisdom from fitness<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"#gate-adbf67e7-f26f-4f58-a954-9e67147b2f85\">Download your free small business toolkit: a guide, business plan template and cash flow forecast template so you can boss your business<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"set-anchor-link\">1. Set a goal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIn three months&#8217; time, run 10km in one hour,\u201d seems like a reasonable goal for someone who <em>enjoys<\/em> running.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Me? I\u2019d be impressed if I managed 500m without coughing up a lung.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you set a financial goal for your business, make sure it\u2019s something you actually <em>can<\/em> and <em>want<\/em> to achieve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Consider your current financial situation, what\u2019s possible within your available resources and restrictions, and what opportunities exist to take you one step closer to your goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The golden rule of goal-setting is that they should be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-based.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Reduce operational expenses by 10% this quarter.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Increase market share by 5% by the end of Q3.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Save enough capital to open a second shop within two years.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Having a goal takes the guesswork out of decision-making, and it also makes it\u2019s easier to say no to the things that might shift your focus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"have-anchor-link\">2. Have a plan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I can\u2019t do 50 press-ups in a row. But five sets of 10 throughout the day sounds manageable. And smart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By creating a plan that outlines daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual actions, it will help you move in the right direction to achieve your SMART goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, to reduce operational expenses by 10% this quarter:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>What action can I take today to reduce costs?<\/strong> Ideas include not travelling to the office, not printing the 80-page document someone emailed you, and doing an audit of your subscriptions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>This week?<\/strong> Due diligence on contractors and consultants to which you can outsource specialist, non-critical, or mundane work that no one else wants to do or can do.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>This month?<\/strong> Migrate from on-premises to cloud-based systems. They\u2019re reliable, secure, and make managing your cash flow a breeze. With the right systems in place, you know exactly how much money is coming in, how much is going out, and what\u2019s due to you in future. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/sage-business-cloud\/accounting\/\">Cloud accounting<\/a> is the way to go.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>This quarter?<\/strong> Re-evaluate expenses based on monthly trends and insights delivered by your cloud accounting solution. For example, are you paying for licenses, services, or subscriptions that you don\u2019t use? Can you save money by revising your insurance policy? Can you renegotiate payment terms with suppliers?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>This financial year?<\/strong> Come up with strategic ways to &#8216;spend money to make money&#8217;. This could include upskilling yourself and your team, investing in content creation and marketing, or paying invoices early in exchange for a discount from your vendor.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember to revisit your goals regularly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As you get stronger, some things will get lighter. Set a new goal, change what\u2019s not working, and try something new to see if you get a better result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"monitor-anchor-link\">3. Monitor your progress<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Progress photos show muscle definition and body changes in ways that scales and measurements can\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They\u2019re visual proof that you\u2019re achieving your goals, and they\u2019re great motivators to keep going.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Data is also motivating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Slap a smartwatch on someone and they\u2019ll geek out on stats about their step count, active minutes, sleep quality, and stress levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/sage-business-cloud\/accounting\/\">Cloud accounting solutions<\/a> are like smartwatches for business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They deliver real-time, visual insights into your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/cash-flow-statement-financial-use\/\">cash flow<\/a>, budget, profit vs expenses, tax compliance status, and so much more \u2013 in the palm of your hand, whenever you need it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you know your critical numbers, it\u2019s easier to identify patterns and to understand what happened just before you went off course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And, since cloud solutions are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/speed-up-business-processes\/\">better at visualising data than spreadsheets<\/a>, you can look back at snapshots in time, showing how far you\u2019ve come and inspiring you to keep going.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"#gate-adbf67e7-f26f-4f58-a954-9e67147b2f85\">Download your free small business toolkit: a guide, business plan template and cash flow forecast template so you can boss your business<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"outsource-anchor-link\">4. Outsource to the experts when things get complicated, or you need a mentor<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There may come a time in your fitness journey where you either stop seeing results or set a new goal, such as entering a marathon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Self-motivation can get you there, but you\u2019ll get there faster \u2013 and get better results \u2013 if you work with experts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With a personal trainer, nutritionist, and physiotherapist making the important decisions, all you have to do is follow their guidance, lace up and hit the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As your business grows, it\u2019s wise to get expert input on big decisions regarding people, money, and strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Things like VAT, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/choose-cloud-payroll-software\/\">payroll<\/a>, and financials get complicated <em>quickly<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A trusted consultant that understands your business challenges and goals can guide you in making important decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The return you get in time, focus, energy, and peace of mind are priceless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"prepare-anchor-link\">5. Prepare for the off-season<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSummer bodies are made in winter,\u201d they say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But winter has its temptations: comfort food, warm beds holding us hostage, and a strong desire to hibernate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It takes a lot of willpower and discipline to get through the cold months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But fitness experts tell us that planning is the key to success. Schedule workouts and treat them as appointments, plan your meals, go to bed in your gym clothes (OK, maybe not that one).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For businesses, the &#8216;winter&#8217; period could include the December holidays, the quieter months of January and February when people have less disposable income, or it really could be seasonal \u2013 retailers don\u2019t sell many heaters in summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Knowing your numbers (see point 3) makes it easier to plan for the off-season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If data shows that sales always drop between April and June, for example, you can set a savings goal to cover the quiet period financially while you use the time to revisit your plan, change what isn\u2019t working, and get some rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"more-anchor-link\">More financial wisdom from fitness<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">You don\u2019t need much to get started<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There are thousands of free home-based workouts online. And wine bottles work just fine as weights in Pilates class (or so I\u2019m told).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some of the world\u2019s most successful people give away their knowledge and strategies for free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Find them and start there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">But you do need to push yourself<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Growth happens outside your comfort zone. Experiment, try new things, keep an open mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lean into the discomfort; there\u2019s power on the other side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">You are what you eat<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When it comes to content consumption, follow the 80\/20 rule. Limit things such as social media and Netflix binges to 20% of your free time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Spend the other 80% reading books, listening to podcasts, and learning something new.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember: 1% better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">But indulge your guilty pleasures occasionally<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Cheat days let us enjoy life\u2019s pleasures without guilt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You work hard. Splurge some of your tax refund. Invest the rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Rest and reward<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This entrepreneurial life is demanding and exhilarating. It\u2019s fast-paced and demands resilience and agility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Slow down. Breathe. Meditate. Journal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s when all the good stuff bubbles to the surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta gated-content\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">Small business toolkit<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Get your free guide, business plan template and cash flow forecast template to help you manage your business and achieve your goals.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#gate-adbf67e7-f26f-4f58-a954-9e67147b2f85\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Download your free toolkit<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__downloads\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t4,088 readers have downloaded this guide\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1282134863-1440x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"Man working on laptop at desk and looking at business priorities\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1282134863-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">Subscribe to the Sage Advice newsletter<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Join more than 500,000 UK readers and get the best business admin strategies and tactics, as well as actionable advice to help your company thrive, in your inbox every month.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#gate-b1a63862-3fa0-4a5e-bb67-c76b88bbc6b8\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Subscribe now<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1073797282-1-1440x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1073797282-1-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ready to give your business a winning workout? Discover five steps to get your small business financially fit to compete and thrive.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":793,"featured_media":11671,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_sage_video":false,"post_featured_image_hide":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[23,180,15],"business_type":[4],"lilypad":[],"context":[],"industry":[],"persona":[73,74,75],"imagine_tag":[109],"coauthors":[595],"class_list":["post-12619","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-money-matters","tag-bookkeeping","tag-business-performance","tag-grow-business","business_type-small-business"],"sage_meta":{"region":"en-gb","author_name":"Tarryn Giebelmann","featured_image":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1317054969.jpg","imagine_tags":{"109":"Small business"}},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Sage Advice UK","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12619","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/users\/793"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12619"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12619\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media\/11671"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12619"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12619"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12619"},{"taxonomy":"business_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/business_type?post=12619"},{"taxonomy":"lilypad","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/lilypad?post=12619"},{"taxonomy":"context","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/context?post=12619"},{"taxonomy":"industry","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/industry?post=12619"},{"taxonomy":"persona","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/persona?post=12619"},{"taxonomy":"imagine_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/imagine_tag?post=12619"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=12619"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}