Some small businesses didn’t survive the pandemic, and others continue to struggle. Fortunately, many were able to pivot, strategize, and adapt to changes in the business climate to survive.
While for most business owners, planning and strategizing are second nature, using a disciplined approach to creating and executing on a plan is the key to thriving in challenging times. That’s where working with a professional financial planner comes in.
WHAT IS FINANCIAL RESILIENCE?
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused more than 4.5 million deaths worldwide and triggered massive economic disruption. During COVID-19, words like “resilience” have been used to describe our collective ability to withstand shocks and bounce back.
Traditionally, the term “resilience” has referred to the ability to weather life’s storms and setbacks. For business owners, financial resilience is the ability to bounce back from events that impact our personal finances.
Our investments, income, and assets can be significantly affected by the death of a spouse or loved one, as well as other big life changes such as divorce, disability, health issues, and unemployment. External events, such as economic fallout from a pandemic, a natural disaster, or economic recession, can also take a toll.
Resilience is about how well we can absorb, respond to, and adjust to these financial shocks.
THREE THINGS A FINANCIAL PLANNER CAN HELP YOU CONSIDER
The good news is, partnering with a Certified Financial Planner® professional can help your business stay financially resilient during challenging times. Together, you can think through the following three aspects of your planning efforts:
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Cashflow – Understanding what’s needed to run the business day to day and month to month isn’t always an issue. Knowing which expenses to cut, on the other hand, both within your business and personally, is crucial.
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Emergency Fund – You should keep three to six months worth of cash (depending on the type of business you own) to cover expenses in case of a business slow down or worse. Remember: in an economy-wide shutdown, these funds can be a lifeline, ensuring your business’ survival.
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Protection Planning – Businesses tend to be successful based on the owner’s skill and expertise. Having the right insurance coverage can help ensure that the business survives if you find yourself in a position where you can’t control every aspect of it.
WORKING WITH YOUR PLANNER ON AN ONGOING BASIS
If you’re a small business owner, a financial planner can help you create – and maintain – a comprehensive financial plan. Once it’s in place, meeting with them on a regular basis is critical.
Meetings with your planner will ensure that you’re still on target in the face of new challenges facing your business or the market. Talking through any underlying issues can also calm your nerves and fortify your discipline so you don’t make any sudden, detrimental changes.
Finally, don’t forget that knowing when to take a break or some time away from the business can be beneficial. It can provide a different perspective – or just a much-needed break during stressful times.
Iftikhar Mahmood is a Certified Financial Planner at CreateWealth Planning in Markham, Ontario.
