From large corporations to small companies, all businesses face some kind of risk. Some business risks are minor and therefore easy to deal with. Some are more dangerous than others.
Business risk management is a trend that many entrepreneurs swear by. Millions of dollars have been invested by companies on it. So far, business risk management works as long as owners and employees collaborate well.
As a business owner, there are things that you can do to reduce business risks.
Here are 8 ways to reduce business risk:
1. Get insurance.
One of the best ways to reduce business risk is by getting insurance. Thanks to the thriving insurance industry, you can choose from many packages offered by different companies. Make sure that you do research to get the best deal though since some insurance agents might exaggerate their claims just to get your attention.
Getting insurance allows you to protect your business when an accident or natural disaster happens. It also gives you peace of mind because you know that you have something to fall on in case your business hangs by a thread.
An excellent insurance plan is something that protects your properties and employees. It also should have wide coverage.
2. Diversify your products or services.
Remember the expression – don’t put all of your eggs in one basket?
Whether you are offering products, services, or both, diversifying your business offerings is a great idea. Not only does this help you offer more options to your customers, but it also helps you have various streams of income as well.
Plus, diversifying your products or services help maintain the public’s interest in your company. It also can give you an edge over your competitors.
So if your business only depends on one product or service, then it’s time for you to offer more. In addition, always make sure that every new product or service you release is of high quality.
3. Limit your business loan.
Business loans are just so attractive that many businesses always take them. They may provide you enough capital to launch or expand a business, but they pose risks to your business as well.
If you cannot avoid getting a business loan, make sure that the one you’re getting is manageable and has the least interest. Compare plans from different banks beforehand, and make sure you can actually afford the monthly payments.
And don’t forget, only apply for a loan if you really need it. Otherwise, just focus on marketing your business. By doing this, you can eliminate one financial risk and increase your sales.
4. Know the law.
Business regulations may vary from one state to another. Some states implement the Personal Property Securities (PPS) Act. The PPS Act aims to protect personal properties by creating the Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR). These personal properties include vehicles, equipment, patents, and shares, among others.
If you buy, sell, or lease products or services, you must use the PPSR to record your transactions. Registering your properties under the PPSR allows you to reduce business risk by protecting your secured interest.
Using the PPSR also allows you to check if the business equipment you’re about to buy is stolen or has an outstanding balance.
5. Document everything important.
Always document important transactions in your business such as sales, tax payments, and operations costs. It is also important for you to make sure that your employees are documenting everything properly from signing cheques to balancing the sheets. On top of that, managing your documents with minimal errors is a must.
Doing so minimizes the risk of theft and fraud. It’s because documenting helps you track where your finances go. It also helps you identify whether your spending is actually appropriate or not. While it is true that many companies sometimes do not spend money wisely, you can still avoid it.
6. Hire significant employees.
You know what they say – employees are the backbone of a business. Without them, your business is going nowhere. However, there are many employees out there whose skills do not match their jobs. We know you have heard at least one person whose degree is not related to his or her job.
While there are some employees who do just fine with mismatched skill sets, there are many who don’t. As a result, these employees hate their jobs. This clearly affects their job performance. To avoid this, make sure that your employees’ skills match their jobs. If not, then you can give them other roles.
7. Build your reputation.
While achieving short-term success is great for your business, it’s more crucial to keep it running for a long time. You can do this by building your reputation. Having a great reputation lets consumers trust your company. Consequently, maintaining your business becomes easier.
As Harvard Business Review states, reputation is a matter of perception that leads to various positive effects. Businesses with a great reputation are seen as having more value. Their customers are more loyal, and the industry believes that these companies can deliver sustained earnings.
8. Protect your data.
Cyberattacks are on the rise, destroying many businesses worldwide. According to Harvard Business Review, these attacks do not only affect one business, but they also affect businesses in the same industry, too.
Protecting your company’s data can save you a lot of money in the long run. It can also protect your consumer’s data, which many states now require businesses to do. It’s like hitting two birds with one stone― one bird is the legislation, and the other being your customers’ trust.
Thanks to technology, protecting your data is now easy. You can hire a technician to secure your computers and set up a system that allows you to do online transactions safely. An ironclad privacy policy must be followed by your employees as well.
Reducing business risk should be one of your company’s top priorities. After all, you might not want to get out of business simply because you did not reduce the risks.
