Change was never optional, but now change is essential. The world today, May 4, 2020; is not the same as April 4, 2020. And it is very likely the world will be even more different June 4, 2020. Are you ready?
Evaluate
Check your business plan. If your business model today looks the same as it did at the beginning of April, you’re in denial – and possibly headed for bankruptcy. As B4Ters, entrepreneurs and lovers of Jesus, we are wired to be optimistic. However, we need to get real, and test our assumptions about our customers and cash flow. If you’re selling primarily to other businesses, we need to assess 3 things:
- Is there, or will there be a drop in customers?
- Are customers going to be able to pay on time? If not, when?
- Are customers shutting down partially or completely? And is this going to last for few weeks or longer? One way to evaluate is to ask, “How many employees are your customers laying off?” The greater the percentage of layoffs, the longer will be their recovery.
Reevaluate
If there’s any change to these 3 questions—and I’ll wager there is—whatever revenue and sales cycle estimates you forecasted are no longer valid.
If we’re selling directly to consumers, what assumptions about sales are you clinging to and need to validate? What new financial metrics need consideration? Receivables—get on top of them. Days of cash left? You need to figure out your actual burn rate and runway in this new environment now.
Proverbs 18:15 teaches us, The intelligent man is always open to new ideas. In fact, he looks for them. Problems are opportunities, but we must plan ahead.
Take time to pray and consider these questions. Then press ahead with confidence because the two things we can count on are Jesus and change!
PATRICK LAI and his family have worked in SE Asia for over 37 years. His experience in doing business with Jesus has brought him to understand the meaning of work and worship in the marketplace. He started 14 businesses in four countries, six of which are still operating. Patrick and his wife, May, mentor and coach businesspeople working where there are few or no Christians. Check out Patrick’s latest book, Workship, now available in paperback and e-book.