As summer gives way to fall, many businesses begin their budget-setting processes for the upcoming year. This annual rite of passage can be stressful, contentious and, perhaps worst of all, disappointing if your budgets often fail to achieve their objectives.
The good news is that there are many ways to enhance your company’s budgeting process and improve the likelihood that you’ll get good results. Here are five to consider.
1. Optimize data
It’s not uncommon for a business to create its budget by applying an across-the-board percentage increase to the previous year’s actual results. However, this approach may be too simplistic in today’s uncertain economy and ever-changing marketplace.
That’s not to say historical results aren’t a good starting point. But keep in mind that some costs are fixed rather than variable. And certain assets, such as equipment and employees, have capacity limitations. What troubles many companies is the presence of confusing or conflicting information, which eventually hampers their budget’s efficacy.
The solution is data optimization. This is the process of refining how data is collected, stored, managed and applied to maximize efficiency and value. In the context of budgeting, data optimization involves steps such as removing duplicate entries, correcting errors and applying a standard format to strengthen accuracy.
2. Involve the entire organization
Traditionally, many businesses rely only on their accounting departments to devise a budget. However, this approach often “puts blinders” on a company, leaving it at a disadvantage. When creating your budget, seek input from the entire organization.
For example, your sales department may be in the best position to help you accurately estimate future revenue. Meanwhile, your operations or production managers can offer insights into potential staffing adjustments and expenses related to equipment maintenance or replacement.
Soliciting broad participation also gives departments a greater sense of involvement in the budgeting process. In turn, this can help enhance employee engagement and improve your odds of achieving budgeted results.
3. “Sell” it to staff
Good budgets encourage the hard work needed to grow revenue and cut costs. But targets must be attainable. Employees will likely become discouraged if they view a budget as unattainable or out of touch with current market trends — or reality in general. After years of failed attempts to meet budgets, workers may start to ignore them altogether.
If this has been an issue for your business, you might need to “sell” your budget to staff. Doing so centers on devising and executing a communication strategy that clearly explains each budget’s rationale and objectives. Tying annual bonuses to achieving specific targets may encourage greater buy-in as well.
4. Monitor cash flow
Even if expected revenue is forecast to cover expenses for the year, unexpected fluctuations in production costs can lead to temporary cash shortages. Slow-paying customers and uncollectible accounts may also inhibit cash flow.
The truth is, any unanticipated cash shortfall can seriously derail your budget. So, once yours is set, monitor all your cash flows weekly or monthly. Then, create a plan for managing any major shortfalls that may occur.
For instance, you and other owners may need to contribute extra capital. Or you might need to apply for a line of credit at your current bank or another one. Additionally, you might consider:
Bottom line: Don’t put a budget in place and expect it to run on autopilot. Keep a close eye on cash flow and make adjustments as necessary.
5. Get an objective opinion
Many companies’ budgets suffer from the old “because we’ve always done it that way” mentality. But with changing times, it’s important to get a fresh perspective and an objective opinion on your budgeting process.
We can help
We cab help your business strengthen its budget by showing you how to better analyze historical financial data, forecast future performance, identify cost-saving opportunities, integrate tax planning, and more. Contact us today to discuss how we can support your budgeting process.
