The last thing any entrepreneur wants to do is go through the business closing process. In this day and age, many new business owners have to deal with the harsh realities of today’s economic turbulence. When times are tough, staying afloat as a business owner can be especially challenging. Oftentimes, it requires a keen eye for detail and a willingness to make difficult decisions — neither of which are skills most people are born with. Many entrepreneurs have had to consider closing their businesses during these times, and you may be in the same situation.
Every business is unique, which is important to remember when it comes to deciding whether or not closing your business is necessary. Chances are you won’t have to close your business, especially if you consider the following alternatives. Let’s look at these alternatives below and review some strategies that other businesses have adopted to successfully avoid business closure.
What can you do instead of closing your business?
Most entrepreneurs will only close their businesses as a last resort. Closing your business is not a decision that you want to make while panicking, as it requires a lot of rational thought. Before closing your business, you should consider your options and alternatives. We will discuss these alternatives in more detail below.
Consider downsizing and moving to a smaller space
If your business is struggling, consider downsizing and moving operations to a smaller space. Downsizing can be a pain — it requires careful planning and execution — but it may ultimately save your business. Reducing your staff and moving to a smaller space will save money and consolidate your resources. To do so successfully, you’ll need to reevaluate your current operations and figure out which resources and staff members are essential. This process won’t be easy, but it will be worth it.
Examine and compare the cost of filing for bankruptcy versus restructuring
While filing for bankruptcy may seem like the end of the line for your business, it might be the right move in terms of helping your business survive. By filing for bankruptcy, you may be able to restructure your debt and negotiate certain contracts — which should take a lot of weight off your shoulders. Of course, this isn’t a decision that you should take lightly. You’re going to want to weigh the pros and cons and meet with a financial expert before you jump into the process of filing for bankruptcy. You may want to save this as a last resort, but ultimately, if things have gotten really bad, it might help you turn your business around.
Explore options such as debt consolidation and debt settlement agreements
One of the main reasons an entrepreneur might consider closing their business is that they’re neck-deep in debt and unsure if they’ll ever be able to get out of that debt. Thankfully, if you’ve found yourself in this all-too-common situation, a couple of options are available to you. These options include exploring debt consolidation and signing a debt settlement agreement with your creditor(s). Debt consolidation involves combining all your debts so that paying them off is more manageable, which can help you save a lot of money on interest payments and late fees. Debt agreement settlements typically involve negotiating with your creditors to reduce the amount you owe. These options aren’t necessarily a quick fix, but they may provide much-needed relief.
Analyze the possibility of selling off parts of the company or its assets
It can be difficult for new entrepreneurs to let go of certain parts of their company. This may be especially true if you built your company from the ground up. However, if your business is facing severe financial difficulties, consider selling off parts of your company or its assets. If you decide to go this route, you’ll likely have a much easier time paying off your debts. You’ll also be able to generate more cash flow for your business, which will help to keep it afloat. If you’re thinking about selling certain parts of your company or its assets, you will want to analyze your company’s inventory and intellectual property thoroughly. This should help you determine whether or not some particular assets are worth selling.
Evaluate the potential of merging with another company
If you’re struggling to keep your head above the water as a business owner, it might not be a bad idea to merge with another company or seek out an investor. There’s strength in numbers, so it’s no surprise that when two businesses merge, the company often becomes more resilient. If you seek out an investor, you may be able to use the infusion of capital to pay off your debts or invest in the growth of your business. As with the other strategies on this list, you will want to evaluate any potential risks before merging businesses or finding an investor. Remember to review all financial statements and, when necessary, negotiate the terms of the investment or merger deal.
Research potential tax breaks or other government assistance programs
If you have a lot of tax burdens or tax-related debts that are causing financial difficulties to your business, you may want to seek support from a tax relief program. A lot of entrepreneurs struggle with a hefty tax bill, but tax credits and tax deductions can thankfully help you reduce this bill. Many tax relief programs — like the Internal Revenue Service Fresh Start Program — work hard to provide assistance to business owners who are grappling with back taxes and tax liens. If you decide to seek help from one of these programs, you might be able to settle your debts and get back on track in terms of your business’s financial health.
Ways to keep your business going through tough times
There’s nothing easy about running a business, and considering the current economic conditions, it’s no surprise that so many new entrepreneurs are struggling to keep their businesses afloat. Once again, every business is different, so there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. That said, there are some strategies you might want to keep in mind as you’re coping with the challenges of being a business owner during these times. Let’s take a look at these strategies.
Sweat the small stuff
When running a business, you’d be surprised how much of a difference the small stuff can make. While looking at the big picture is important, you don’t want to overlook smaller issues like poor signage and ineffective advertising, as these details can have a more significant impact than most business owners realize. By addressing the seemingly “small” issues with your business, you’ll be able to cover all of your bases, keep your customers happy, and, ultimately, help your business stay afloat.
Cut costs but not quality
If you compromise on the quality of products or services your business offers, your customers are probably going to notice — which means you might end up losing their business. It’s natural for business owners to consider reducing quality in order to save money, but you’ve got to take into account which costs will be smart to cut so that you can continue to provide your customers with the quality products and services they’re used to.
Review your staff
Payroll costs can make a huge difference, so you may want to consider reviewing your staff members if your business is struggling with money. In some cases, investing in a more expensive worker who’s significantly more productive might make more sense, as this type of worker will ultimately generate more revenue for your business in the long run. This process will take time, essentially a matter of quality over quantity. Review your current employees’ effectiveness, and make cuts and new hires based on people’s productivity and efficiency rather than how much it will cost to pay them.
In times of crisis, have access to cash
As a business owner, you’ll certainly benefit if you plan ahead and make sure that you have easy access to cash when times get tough. You may want to open a line of credit, and it can’t hurt to establish a good relationship with a banker, too. You might also want to consider dipping into your savings or liquidating any stock holdings you may have if your company is really struggling. Basically, it’s a good idea to build a safety net for your business, as you never know what’s going to happen.
Alternatives to closing a business: The bottom line
When times are tough, many entrepreneurs will consider throwing in the towel and closing their businesses for good. As a struggling business owner, you might feel like all hope is lost and like you don’t have any other options. The good news is there are plenty of alternatives to closing your business that you can at least take into consideration before making your final decision. If you’re interested in reading more about effective business strategies, check out some of the other information our site offers.