Addison County Small Business Owners: Now is the Time to Prepare for a Recession

The mere idea of a recession is terrifying for small business owners. A recession can have a serious impact on your business, but there are steps you can take to help weather the storm. From reducing expenses and lowering debt to reconsidering your business designation and updating your marketing campaign, there are a number of ways you can recession-proof your company. Keep reading for some helpful tips from the Addison County Chamber of Commerce.

Lower Expenses and Pay Off Debt 

One of the best ways to prepare for a potential recession is to cut back on spending and lower your debt as much as possible. This will help you free up cash flow so you can weather any potential downturns. To reduce expenses, take a close look at your budget and see where you can cut back. You may need to make some tough choices, but in the long run, it will be worth it. 

You should also focus on reducing your debt as much as possible. This will help you lower your monthly payments and give you some breathing room if revenue starts to decline. Try digitizing your financial filings during this process so you can keep better track of your income and expenses. You can scan files and then delete the extra PDF pages to ensure you only keep the records appropriate for that specific file within your organizational system.

Rethink Your Business Structure

Another way to prepare for a potential recession is to reconsider your business designation. If you're currently classified as a C corporation, you may want to consider changing to an S corporation. This will allow you to avoid double taxation and save money in the long run.

Don't Get Rid of Your Staff

During a recession, SHRM advises that it's important to avoid layoffs if at all possible. This will help you keep morale high and avoid losing valuable employees. If you do need to make cuts, try to do so through attrition or voluntary buyouts first.

Re-Strategize Your Marketing Campaign

An effective marketing campaign can be vital during a recession. You may need to adjust your messaging or focus on different channels, but it's important to keep marketing during tough times. This will help keep your brand on your consumers’ minds and position you for success when the economy starts to rebound.

Automate Payment Procedures

One way to help ensure timely payments during a recession is to automate your invoicing process. This will help you stay on top of receivables and ensure that invoices are sent out in a timely manner. Automating your invoicing process can also lead to faster payments, which can help improve your cash flow during tough times.

Find New Ways to Bring in Money 

Finally, one of the best ways to prepare for a potential recession is to create new revenue streams. Headway explains that diversifying your income will help protect your business from any potential economic downturns. Look for new ways to generate revenue and build up reserves so you can be prepared for whatever comes.

Strategize and Implement Safety Nets

A recession can have a serious impact on your business, but there are steps you can take to help make it through. Start by reducing expenses and lowering debt as much as possible. Use online tools to organize and examine your possibilities. Then, take some time to update your marketing campaign to reflect current economic times. And, if possible, look for new ways to generate revenue and build up reserves so you can handle any obstacles you encounter. These tips can help you stay afloat no matter what happens next.

Looking for business support in Addison County? The Addison County Chamber of Commerce champions our community’s economic and cultural growth through networking, events, and advocacy. Become a member today!