Being able to access a small business loan is something that can boost your business, but not knowing how to manage it can result in something very negative for your company and finances. Many think that getting a loan is the last step in a long process to finance their plans, but in reality, it is only the beginning. By having a loan for your small business you will have to take care of other needs and be very responsible.
Therefore, learning how to manage a loan is essential for the success of your business and its growth.
Analyze What Is the Use That You Are Going to Give It
Before taking out a loan for your small business, be clear about what you are going to use it for, to define if it really is necessary to do so. Loans intended for an investment such as the purchase of a property or your own business, are those that allow you to generate additional income to pay. Planned expenses, such as vacations, entry to classes, etc., can be financed with savings if you save 10% of your income every month as soon as you receive it.
Check the Payment Options
At this point, several aspects must be verified, mainly the terms to be granted, as well as the expiration dates. This information is vital so that you can complete the settlement of your debt on time. Do not forget to also check if there are extra charges and what the interest rates are.
Stick to a Plan
Having a budget for your business will guide you to make financial decisions, especially if your business is using credit. Try to follow this planning and update it according to your needs and the economic moment that you are living.
Some indicators that will help you to clearly project the behavior of your money are interest, inflation, and the exchange rate; for example prices and the cost of raw materials are modified just because of interest. In the company, there must be someone responsible for following the behavior of these indicators in the media or on the website of a bank and making projections.
Track Your Incomes and Expenses
Keep a daily record of your income and expenses and try to maintain a balance between the inflows and outflows of money. You must classify the money outflows as costs and respect them. Nothing can come out if no profits have come in before. Take care not to spend excessively, but the most important thing is to increase sales income.
This flow of inputs and outputs is the basis for creating your payment strategy for your loan. This allows you to plan your payments and define your balance, that is: what debts are there immediately and with how much capital you have to settle them.
Execute a Financial Plan
Establish how you will use the loan money, make a list of needs and priorities marking the amount that you will grant to each one, in this way you can really see the expenses you will make and better organize the way in which you distribute the money.
Schedule Payments
Penalties for not paying on time can end up consuming your money, so organize very well the dates on which you have to make payments to avoid creating charges that will affect your economy. Obtaining a loan does not have to become a martyrdom, with good organization and planning you can make the most of the loan.
When you already have the loan, write down the payment dates so that you do not fall behind. Do not wait until the last day because if a complication arises you will not be able to comply. By paying your credit faster, you save many months and therefore “free up” your cash flow faster. That is: as soon as you pay the loan, you will automatically have additional money to allocate to savings or to achieve your financial goals.
Do Not Use the Loan Money for Private Purposes
When you are a small business owner and you are just starting out in this business world, it is likely that you will find it difficult to separate your business capital and your personal money. Making this differentiation is extremely key to being successful in your business and developing self-discipline.
Having a loan may generate a false sense of economic abundance and that is why you give in to make certain concessions, but it is a trap that can even lead to the ruin of your business.
Use the Loan Only for Its Purpose
Although it is already clear that you should not use the loan for your personal expenses, you should not use it to cover areas of your business that are different from the purpose for which you acquired it. For example, if you asked for a loan to finance a property, avoid using it to acquire inventory. Incurring in this can affect the finances of your business and uncomplete the budget of expenses that you had already planned.
Be Wise and Responsible
You do not have to fear asking for a loan as it can be a great help for your business. However, you should try to manage it very well so that it does not result in a negative and damaging experience for your finances.
If you make a financial plan, track all your expenses, and commit to using it responsibly for the objectives you have planned, you can be sure that you will make your business grow. Write what your business objectives are for this year and how a loan could help you achieve them; that will be the first step in making this important decision!
