How to Save a Struggling Small Business

It’s not easy to admit your business is struggling. Not that it’s uncommon, mind you. It’s just hard for anyone to come to terms with seeing problems in their small business. Of course, struggling is very much a part of any business — that’s how you adapt and grow. But it can be hard to navigate the challenges that come with it. The good news is that you can always turn things around and avoid failure. It’s much easier to save a struggling business than breathe life back into one that’s already failed.

There are many strategies you can use to save your struggling small business. Naturally, some are going to be more suited to you and your business than others. Also, it’s much better to correctly implement a few strategies than to get caught up in the middle of a dozen confusing and even contrary “solutions.” That’s why I’ve tried to focus on the more vital steps you need to take to get your small business back on track. So, as you read the following strategies, try to see which ones are better to implement. Without further distractions, here are the most practical steps to saving your business.

 

Steps to Save a Struggling Business

It’s easy to list two dozens of “tips” on how to save your business. In fact, most articles on the subject offer just that. It may feel like you have more solutions to pick from and go through, but instead you may end up stretching your time and effort too thin. When I face a list of strategies to try but have no way to know which are more fundamental, I might make things even worse. So, when you’re deciding on the steps you need to take, make sure to choose the most vital ones.

Enter the Right Frame of Mind

You may think this is not really a step toward saving your company, but, in fact, it’s a critical part of it. Facing the challenges and pressures of turning a struggling business around isn’t possible without the correct mindset. As a business owner and entrepreneur, you need to cultivate and maintain a positive attitude, specially in times of crisis.

What you need to keep in mind at all times is flexibility. Being ready to accept and deal with change doesn’t come easy to anybody. However, when you’re trying to create a big change of direction yourself, it’s imperative to stay on your toes. If one of your business plan steps is not working the way it should, you should be agile and flexible enough to find a workaround and go from there. If you want to be quick about getting your business out of this uncertain situation, flexibility should be at the center of your mindset.

You also want to keep away from those negative thoughts, specially about giving up. When your business is struggling, there will be an almost irresistible temptation to cut your losses and just quit. If you don’t want to see the business you’ve worked hard for go down the drain, you’ll need to commit and recommit. These negative feelings will come back again and again, and it pays to have a way to keep at bay. Some business owners, for example, have found that reading about similar cases helps them stay positive and find inspiration.

The final element of your new mindset has to be objectivity. It’s hard to over-emphasize how many people fail to change their strategies because they have an emotional investment in their businesses. This is actually natural — everybody feels proud of their accomplishments and hates to see them changed beyond recognition. But taking this to a point where you can’t or won’t see the problems with your business is going too far. Remember, you’re a business first, and that means accepting the trends and forces of the market. If you cannot step back and assess the situation from a third-point of view objectively, you will probably not make it.

Write a Smart Business Plan

Chances are, you have a business plan already. So you may be thinking this step’s not for me. That’s actually not true. To overcome the problems your small business is facing, you’ll need to reconsider and rewrite your normal business plan. Ask yourself if your previous plan had any role in the difficulties you’re facing now. Even if the answer is “no,” you have to go back to basics when reconsidering your business plan. Review your marketing plan, cashflow, and products. Some areas will need more attention than others. Try to find and focus on those when rewriting your business plan.

Use All the Tools you Can

Nothing gets done efficiently without the correct tools. This is a universal truth that applies to any business. When it comes to optimizing your business and preventing it from spiraling down into bankruptcy, finding the right tools becomes crucial. You’ll need all the help you can get to manage and optimize your time and communications, so you can deal with the more important issues. There are different online tools you can use to help with the turnaround. RunSensible’s CRM system is an all-in-one master tool with features to help you manage time, communications, marketing, customer relationships, and more.

Find a way to Get More Funding

Having some funds at your disposal can go a long way when you’re trying to get your small business back on its feet. Finding the right source to get funding when your business is struggling may not be the easiest thing to do, but it may be easier than you think. Depending on where you live and what you do, you have more or less of a chance to get a loan from your bank. There are also other funds and loans designed for entrepreneurs, and I’m sure you’re familiar with some of them. Try to hit them up and see which ones match your conditions. Don’t assume that your business facing problems means that no one is willing to fun you.

Stay in Touch with your Customers

Have you been losing customers? Were you planning on a large customer base but it didn’t pan out? Don’t let that stop you from continuing to reach out to the customers you do have. Hearing about their needs and pains from customers themselves is an invaluable asset to reviewing your business plan. So, make sure to use your customer base as a source of advice. Of course, that doesn’t mean you should ask their advice on how to deal with your business problems.

 

Time to Save your Struggling Small Business

Okay, here’s the most crucial step of all — actually starting the turnaround. It’s easy to let the inertia carry you along as you wait for the “right time.” The only time to change things for the better, however, is this very moment. Also, it is never too late to save your struggling small business. Don’t let this negativity rob you of the opportunity to turn your business into a thriving success and an inspiration for other struggling businesses. So, do not hesitate. Go through the steps here and follow the ones your business needs more.