When you think of your business, the first thing that comes to mind probably isn’t its balance sheet. You might be focusing on how to make your product better or how to develop better sales strategies; it’s easy to see why the assets section of your balance sheet might get lost in the shuffle. Yet the balance sheet contains essential information about your business that can help you succeed in countless ways. Here are five reasons why a healthy balance sheet is key to success.
A balance sheet is an important aspect of your business’s financial health. Lenders, investors and other organizations will take a look at it before giving you money. A strong balance sheet makes it easier for you to get additional funding for expansion, or even just for hiring new employees. That way, you can build on your previous success and keep working toward further growth. You should also consider keeping a stub balance sheet in your records so that if anyone ever asks about it later, you have all of your financial information organized and ready to go.
By having a strong and solid balance sheet, you can look ahead to an exciting future. With lower risk, you can more easily focus on creating opportunities and building your business. For example, if you’re trying to expand into new markets or introduce innovative products, it will be easier with less financial stress. After all, every company wants to stay afloat. A healthy balance sheet allows you to do just that.
Paying attention to your balance sheet is about more than just staying financially solvent. It helps you stay calm and in control of your finances, which can keep stress levels at bay—and we all know how much stress can affect our health. Studies have shown that people with high debt levels are more likely to develop heart disease and have a stroke, while also experiencing anxiety and depression at higher rates. In fact, some studies indicate financial problems cause even more distress than marital conflict, unemployment or death of a spouse. It’s important not only to avoid getting into credit card debt but also to maintain a healthy balance sheet by paying off any remaining balances every month.
When your balance sheet is in good shape, you can focus on things that matter more. If you don’t have to worry about money and debt, you’ll save time that would otherwise be spent fretting about your finances. You might even get creative and start making those long-awaited dreams come true—your partner, child or friends won’t have to wait much longer for their trip of a lifetime. A healthy balance sheet means fewer hassles: No one likes worrying about money problems. It frees up time and energy that could otherwise be spent on managing debts, calculating financial plans and strategizing ways to make ends meet. Instead of worrying about how you’re going to pay your bills next month, you can concentrate on what really matters—like spending quality time with family or creating something truly meaningful at work.
An aggressive business plan doesn’t work without financial stability. When your company’s balance sheet is strong, you have more flexibility and will be able to take advantage of opportunities as they arise. Growing your business with a secure cash flow means you can manage costs better, you can react quickly in times of crisis, and you won’t go under when unexpected expenses pop up. Most importantly, when your balance sheet is healthy, investors are more likely to partner with you.