Right now, businesses everywhere are feeling it. Construction, hospitality, retail—you name it, they’re all struggling. Brick-and-mortar stores are losing sales to online businesses, but even online retailers are finding it tough. Supplier costs, utilities, and staff expenses all go up, while customers are more reluctant to part with their limited and hard-earned cash. The economy isn’t great, and if you’re barely making ends meet, you’re not alone.
There are a few things you can do to stay in control and avoid making things worse.
What You Should Do
1. Use the ATO as a lender
Yes, you read that right. If you owe tax, don’t stress about paying it all upfront. The ATO offers payment plans, and their interest rates are lower than what short-term lenders charge. They’re not predatory, and you can usually negotiate terms that work for your cash flow. Don’t ignore tax debts—but don’t rush to pay them at the expense of running your business either.
2. Look for government grants
There’s money out there to help businesses. For example, the NSW SafeWork Small Business Rebate gives you up to $1,000 for safety improvements.
Also, NSW Business Connect offers free government-funded advice on marketing, business planning, and more.
3. Keep your tax and financials up to date
Burying your head in the sand won’t help. If your books are a mess, you won’t have options when you need them. You can’t apply for loans, restructure debt, or even consider insolvency properly without knowing your numbers.
4. Cut unnecessary costs
Look at your expenses and be ruthless. Do you need all those software subscriptions? Can you reduce staff hours without hurting service?
One of the biggest costs for businesses is wages. If cutting shifts or streamlining operations helps you stay afloat, it’s worth considering.
5. Talk to your bank before taking on expensive debt
If you need cash flow, a proper business loan from a bank is usually a better option than short-term finance companies. Banks offer lower interest rates and better terms—if you have your financials in order, you’ll have a better chance of approval.
6. Diversify your income
If business is slowing down, think about what else you can offer.
- A construction business could take on smaller renovation jobs.
- A restaurant could do catering or meal prep services.
- A retail store could move into online sales or subscription boxes.
Adapting can help bring in extra cash while your main business slows down.
7. Keep marketing—just be smart about it
A lot of businesses cut marketing first when things get tough. Instead, focus on what actually brings in customers.
- Update your Google My Business listing – this is free
- Encourage word-of-mouth referrals.
- Use targeted social media ads, not broad expensive campaigns.
If people are still spending, make sure they find you.
8. Use this time to improve your business
The economy will get better. Right now, focus on streamlining your processes, improving service quality, and getting more efficient. The businesses that come out stronger are the ones that use downturns to fix their operations.
9. If things are really bad, look at all your options
If you’re struggling to pay your debts, don’t wait until it’s too late. Talk to an accountant or business advisor. You might need to:
- Restructure your debt.
- Negotiate with creditors.
- Consider insolvency—it’s not the end of the world, and sometimes it’s the best move to protect yourself and start fresh.
What You Should Avoid
1. High-interest short-term loans
Loans from companies like Prospa and Square are easy to get but come with massive interest rates. They can help short-term but could make cash flow problems worse in the long run.
2. Throwing personal money into the business
I see this a lot—business owners take out personal mortgages, dip into savings, or even borrow from family to keep their business going. Be careful. If the business doesn’t survive, you could lose more than just the business—you could lose your home or put loved ones in financial trouble too.
3. Ghosting your suppliers
If you’re struggling to pay suppliers, don’t disappear on them. Talk to them. Negotiate a payment plan—even if it’s $50 a week, it’s better than avoiding them and waiting for debt collectors to show up. Keeping good relationships can help you in the long run.
4. Burying your head in the sand
You need to keep up with all ATO lodgements, regularly check your profit & loss account and keep your accounting software up to date. Some business owners find it too stressful to calculate how much they owe ATO for each BAS and prefer to just ignore it. But this can snowball fast.
4. Losing sleep over it
Yes, this is stressful. But remember, your business is structured to protect you. If you’re set up properly, insolvency isn’t the worst thing that can happen. Businesses fail, the economy fluctuates, and you can start again. Don’t let financial stress take over your life.
Final Thoughts
Business is hard right now, but you do have options. Manage cash flow wisely, keep your financials in order, and look at all the support available. The economy will turn around—you just need to ride it out without making costly mistakes.
Disclaimer: This is general information, not financial advice. Every business is different—speak to an accountant or financial advisor to understand what’s right for your situation.
25 February 2025