Tackling debt key for 2015

Small business owners need to ensure their debt is working for, not against, them, according to Xero NZ's managing director Victoria Crone. 

 "When a substantial amount of expenditure goes towards servicing debt rather than investing in the business, small businesses struggle to grow and can often get into trouble when expenses and debt begin to consistently outstrip revenue," Crone says.

"As a small business owner, getting on top of your debt is one of the best New Year's resolutions you can make. More than a third of small business owners feel uncomfortable with their levels of debt, but taking a few steps to get things under control now can go a long way to making your finances easier to manage in 2015.

Xero offers some tips on how small business owners can get on top of their debt.

Get visibility over your debt: If you're managing your finances through spreadsheets, you probably aren't aware of all your debt obligations. And, if you're not aware of your debt, you can't make a plan to get on top of it. You need to have this information at your fingertips at all times. Using accounting software, like Xero, will help show what you really owe as well as working out your optimum level of debt for your business.

Prioritise your debt: Not all debts are created equal. Prioritise your debt by asking yourself "what would happen if I didn't make this payment?" The more unpleasant the outcome, the higher priority the debt. Payroll is usually the highest priority, because if your people aren't getting paid, they have no incentive to work. And, if they're not working, they aren't generating revenue to help you pay off the rest of your debt. The same goes for your top suppliers and business partners, although not to the same extent.

Renegotiate bank loan terms: You can renegotiate your bank loan depending on your situation. If you need more cash in the short term, you can ask for a higher interest rate in order to reduce your monthly payments – even though the overall repayment amount will be larger.

Work out a payment plan with your creditors: If you are having trouble paying off your creditors, talk to them before they come asking for their money. If you put together a clear payment plan, they will be more receptive. After all, it's in their interests for your business to succeed; if you go under, they get nothing.

Ask your biggest suppliers for a discount: Don't be shy. The people you buy from in bulk and / or have a long history with are great candidates for getting discounts. These discounts can add up, and the savings can go into paying your debts.

Cut short term costs: Accounting software gives you visibility of your largest outgoings, so you can see which costs to cut. For example, you could reduce the amount of office space you lease. Be sure to think carefully about where you cut costs – sometimes it can be counter-productive. If you lose your biggest customer because you cut your ability to serve him or her for example, you'll be worse off than you were in the first place.    Look for opportunities for more revenue:  Easier said than done – but it's not impossible. One way to get a short-term boost is to offer clients a prompt payment bonus. You'll lose a bit of revenue, but you'll have the cash you need to service your debt faster.