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The First Step to Building Profits

November 9th, 2009 steve Leave a comment Go to comments

It is important to understand that in order to build profits, a profit must first be earned. If your business is a start-up or has been losing money, the main focus of all your activity is to make a profit.. not  just any profit, but a cash profit. Cash profit is where your cash balance is growing after you cover all your expenses whether they be paid daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly or annually.

If your business is not in a cash profit situation, you will not be able to stay in business indefinitely.  There will be a point when you run out of cash and you have to close your door. In the Proof of Concept article I mentioned Twitter as an example of a company whose business model is exciting but whose excitement will eventually die if it does not turn profitable.

One of the best ways to begin making a cash profit and then make even higher cash profits, is to develop a financial performance picture twelve months in advance. This financial picture is how you want you business to look financially a year from now. I always advise clients when doing this work to look at what the business has been able to earn in the past and then increase it  significantly.

Individuals  use a technique know as vision boards to focus on things they want including lifestyle improvements. The financial model of what you want your business to look like is your business vision board. “If you can see it you can achieve it.”

There is more to it than creating a picture twelve months out but that is a key starting point.  For purposes of building profits I do not advocate going beyond a twelve month horizon as there are two many variables.  However, when doing strategic planning a more forward outlook is appropriate.  For now we are focused on building profits near term.

Sending you energy of health, happiness, prosperity

Steve Pohlit

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About: Steve Pohlit is a CPA,MBA and has been the CFO of several major domestic and international companies.  Steve is a business owner and an expert business consultant focused on building profits and net asset value. He is very experienced with Internet marketing and social media marketing.  All articles published by Steve unless specifically restricted may be freely published with this resource information.

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  1. November 10th, 2009 at 07:37 | #1

    As A Grammy-nominated songwriter I was used to dealing in 3-minute increments and deciding on what song to write next only after finishing the one I was working on at the time.

    Planning 12 months ahead was unheard of to me and I suffered in my business starting out because of it. I couldn’t agree more with you. Planning is REALLY important for profits!

  2. November 11th, 2009 at 03:46 | #2

    I found this article very helpful. A rewarding read. Thank you!

  3. Mercedes Infante
    November 15th, 2009 at 13:10 | #3

    In start-ups as in all other business, I agree CASH IS KING!

  4. January 16th, 2010 at 21:56 | #4

    Thank you very much Steve.

    This was very good for me to hear with the start of the new year.

    Cheers,

    Izzy

  5. January 27th, 2010 at 13:36 | #5

    This article is very helpful. many thanks but this all is very hard. I am also running site http://www.artecasapk.com but not getting good response. please can any visit and give me some suggestions.

  1. December 24th, 2009 at 16:54 | #1