Author: Brent Szalay, Seiva

This article outlines the steps and provide you with the tools to do create a stability plan.  A stability plan will allow you to make clear decisions in the face of the kind of uncertainty we are currently experiencing.  It focuses on forecasting and managing your cash flow, as well as understanding the significant Government stimulus initiatives that you’re able to utilise. A key benefit of creating a stability plan for your business, is it will no doubt reduce the anxiety spurred on by the uncertainty of these times. Control and clarity to make swift decisions are what businesses need right now.

Firstly, the stress that what we’re experiencing at the moment is not normal. But, when we pause to reflect on our past, we realise we have all been through crises before. Loss of a business, loved one, relationship. The key point is, we have the ability to be resilient and pivot our way over this pandemic bridge. And, once we have a stability plan in place, we can start to open our minds up to what we want our business to look like on the other side.

The fact is, we don’t often get these breaks that provide us with space to look at our business with refreshed eyes and perspective. The likes of Uber, Slack, Airbnb, and WhatsApp were all created during the GFC. Doom certainly isn’t the only outcome of our current gloomy situation.

What does a Stability Plan involve? 

• Evaluating your cash flow position, considering a worst- and best-case scenario, is key for clarity.
• Analysing strategies that bridge any cash flow gap, such as:
  • Access to Government stimulus initiatives – understanding what they are,
    and how to access them.
  • Cutting costs, in line with your cash shortfall.
  • Considering a SME Bank loan (up to $250,000).
• Reviewing opportunities to change the way you ‘do business’ and generate revenue.
• Leadership; thinking about what you want your new normal to look like.

What are the steps to creating a Stability Plan?

STEP 1 – Evaluating your cash flow position

It’s important for you to understand the impact of COVID-19 on your business, as well as your personal position so you can make informed decisions as to what to do next.  To do this, you need to conduct a cash flow forecast to understand any revenue impact.

Assess your income – the key driver of your future cash flow. 

Income drives the ability to pay costs – i.e. staff, rent, etc. So, forming a view on any income adjustments will help you decide what to do next.

• Assess the impact on your sales over the next 6 months
• Forecast your likely sales (based on your best estimate), month-by-month, for next 6 months
• List your current projects – and consider how they’ll be affected
• Review projects in your pipeline – to see how they’ll be affected
• Talk with strategic partners – i.e. builders, Government, etc. – to assess the impact of the pandemic on their business operations
• Estimate the timing of your upcoming payments (not just when work is done).

Apply your existing cost base from your profit and loss (expenses) to your sales forecast. 

If you were to make no decisions on cutting costs, what would that scenario look like for your forecast?

Adjust your cash flow (non-profit and loss items) to capture all other outlays. Include items such as:

• Receivables and payables – what is the timing re: collection and payment
• Repayment of principal debt – i.e. any business loans
• Any existing payment arrangements with the ATO
• Capital expenditure – i.e. equipment, subscriptions, etc.
• Timing of your staff’s superannuation payments – quarterly v monthly
• Personal drawings (outside wages)

Adjust your personal cash flow to minimise overall spending. Some strategies to consolidate include the following:

• Defer loan repayments – speak to your bank
• Defer tax payments – speak with your accountant
• Seek rent assistance – speak with your landlord
• Defer capital expenditure
• Minimise discretionary spending – holidays, entertainment. 

STEP 2 – Analysing strategies that bridge any cash flow gap 

Now that you have evaluated your position, it’s time to analyse and implement strategies to ride out the storm. Your goal should be to neutralise your cash shortage, each month. To do this, firstly you should evaluate your Government stimulus, cost reduction and cash savings, opportunities.

Evaluate your Government stimulus opportunities

Apply what you’re eligible for to your cash flow model and then reassess your cash flow shortfall.

Evaluate cost reduction – opportunities

• Wages / contractors – staff
• Rent – speak to your landlord to defer / reduce rent
• Discretionary spending: i.e. entertainment, non-essential subscriptions, new projects, etc.
• Debt repayments – speak to your bank
• Tax – defer payment on tax
• Personal wages

Then apply any of these cost reduction opportunities to your model, before finalising it and making any big decisions. 

Evaluate your cash savings – opportunities

• Review your personal budget and take the same cost-cutting approach, as mentioned above.
• Bank – speak to your bank to defer payments
• ATO – speak to the ATO to defer payments
• Reduce / cut spending
• Rent – speak to your landlord
• Do you have any business cash reserves that you can contribute?

Once you analysed your opportunities to bridge your cash flow gap, list those you plan to implement into an action table. This is a key part of your management plan. Other important tactics to stay accountable to your plan are:

• Nominate and meet with an appropriate person to assess and reassess your cash flow forecast – weekly
• Adjust your cash flow model according to new information
• Work with external advisers to keep informed (such as your accountant)
• Look after yourself – take care during this stressful period.

STEP 3 – Reviewing opportunities to change the way you ‘do business’ and generate revenue 

You are encouraged to consider how you can create value and revenue differently. Look around and open your eyes. We’re already doing things differently as we’re forced to work from home and change our behaviours. For example, more and more people are shifting to regular online shopping, having their food delivered to their homes, consuming content online and conducting meetings via Zoom.

Take a moment to ponder these points:

• How could you provide your services differently?
• How have your client’s attitudes and needs changed in the present climate?
• Can you offer your skills and potentially partner with other businesses to create a new service offering?
• Can you take your offering online?
• Can you focus on building your community and content, improving your processes; all to generate future revenue after the pandemic?

STEP 4 – Leadership; thinking about what you want your new normal to look like 

Your responsibility as a leader is to look to the future and to put a plan in place for what you want your business to look like.  When was the last time you put pen to paper and articulated a 5-year vision for your business?  Have you been through the process of defining your businesses purpose i.e. why you exist?

Beyond being clear on your business vision and purpose moving forward, also ask yourself:

• Looking back to before the pandemic, how could your business have been better prepared?
• What have you learned from this experience and what can you do better moving forward?
• What new opportunities exist for you post-pandemic)?
• What have you learned from remote working?
• How have your client’s needs shifted, if at all?
• What new internal processes can you formally implemented on-going?

Once you have your stability plan in place, you’re encouraged to consider creating a Strategic Plan for your business, that outlines what you want your new normal to be post-pandemic.

In Summary

• A stability plan will help you make swift and informed decisions, to minimise this impact of these uncertain times
• Look for strategies to bridge your cash flow gap
• Continue to assess your cash flow weekly, as we’re in a rapidly changing environment
• Make sure you maximise the Government stimulus support
• Consider what do you want your business to look like post-pandemic.