How to Reduce Business Debt

Running a totally debt-free business might not be possible, but reducing your debt is a wise move. Here are 13 things you can do to help lower the amount of debt your business carries.

Your business is no different than your home—too much debt can cripple you. Although it might be difficult to run a debt-free business, you should try to manage and reduce it as much as possible.

Use these 13 ideas to reduce your business debt: 

1. Know Your Numbers.

Don’t just be familiar with your numbers—know them. Knowing them means that you know the cost of each of your raw materials, labor, rent or lease costs, and everything else. Do you know what each item costs down to the penny? Do you know the interest rate on each of your debts? If you don’t, you’re probably paying too much for something.

2. Be Smart About Your Ordering.

Sometimes you stock a poor-margin item that gets people into your store, but as a general rule, if it’s not getting you to the margins that others in the industry report, it may not be worth your time. Sales that result in ultra-low margins are costing you money. Identify unprofitable sales and eliminate them or look for a lower price from suppliers.

3. Increase your Margins.

Speaking of margins, each industry has its own benchmark for what is considered strong margins. Do you know yours? Check with your industry trade group, but once you know it, make adjustments. You can raise your prices, lower your costs, or both. The goal should be to raise margins without raising your overhead expenses. What are others charging for the same item? Can you purchase more at a significantly lower cost without losing the savings to debt service?

RELATED: The Break-Even Point and The Break-Even Margin

4. Watch Your Inventory.

Like your refrigerator at home, some items tend to linger. Don’t put off ordering more of your popular inventory but look for the product that isn’t selling and liquidate it.

Inventory is probably where most of your money is tied up. You’re probably paying interest on that stale inventory that everybody forgot about. Don’t let it sit in your store unnoticed. Even if you move it at cost or for a small loss, liquidating is better than keeping the money tied up. Sell it online—eBay or Craigslist, for example.

5. Check Your Interest Rates.

Business owners are still enjoying an economic climate of low-interest rates. If you have older debt, it’s time to renegotiate the terms.

6. Talk About the Terms.

If you’re having trouble making payments, talk to the supplier about extending the terms. You aren’t going to save any money but lower payments may give you the financial room you need until the product sells.

7. Sell and Lease Back.

Do you have relatively new fleet vehicles or other larger items? Sometimes it makes sense to sell the items and lease them back. Payments might be lower. To gauge the payoff that comes from this strategy, you will likely need help from a professional crunching the numbers.

8. Ask Your Employees.

You were an employee at some point. You know that the people on the front lines will see things that the managers may not. Your employees know where money is being wasted. Ask them. They may be skittish about telling you for fear of retaliation. Explain to them why you’re asking and maybe offer a bonus to anybody who helps the company save money.

9. Be Tougher on Your Customers.

Don’t become that business owner that every customer hates but do insist that customers meet their payment terms. You probably won’t go to battle if payment is a few days late but when a couple of weeks go by, it’s time to start calling the customer to ask for payment. If late paying customers are a big problem, you may want to add a late fee clause to agreements you have customers sign before you begin work for them. Check with your local professional advisors to find out if there are any laws that regulate what late fees you can charge. Good business relationships happen when both parties feel respected and valued.

RELATED: Small Business Collection Strategies That Work

10. Reduce Staff.

Nobody likes to reduce staff, but if your business fails, the reduction in staff will be much larger. Sometimes you have to make tough decisions that negatively impact the few to protect the many. Are there employees you could do without? Could you consolidate positions by paying one person more rather than paying benefits for two employees?

11. Speak to a Credit Counselor.

Most credit counselors are consumer-based but some work with small businesses. If you’re having trouble negotiating better terms, a credit counselor might be able to help.

RELATED: Small Business Bankruptcy: An Option When You Can’t Pay Your Debts

12. Hire a Debt Management Company.

Debt Management companies come into your business and sniff out where you’re losing money unnecessarily. They may be expensive but worth it in the long-run.

13. Bring on an Investor.

If things are really bad, an investor can offer an injection of cash often in exchange for a piece of your company. In general, avoiding this option is best since it involves signing away a portion of your future profits but if times are really tough, it’s worth considering. However, finding investors is difficult. Don’t wait too long to start looking.

Bottom Line

Change what you can control. You have far more control over your expenses than your profits. You can’t make customers come through your doors but you can reduce costs. Concentrate on cost reduction and put that money back into servicing your debt.

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