We see it all too often in consulting, where the owner invests all of their money back into the business and never takes a paycheck themselves. Yet the owner is the driving force behind the company. I’m sure it’s because you’re scratching your head at the end of the month, wondering where all your money went. You’re working hard every day, but it’s just not cutting it, you simply don’t have enough.

There are many reasons why this might be occurring but today’s topic is about payroll.

Experts say your payroll should ideally be between 15% to 35% of the monthly income. That means if your company is generating $300,000 a month, your payroll should be between $45,000 and $105,000. This is a healthy range for a business. In some service-type industries, such as the medical profession, payroll can be up to 50%. What is your payroll?

If you’re setting up a new company from scratch it’s easy to set up a payroll structure right from the beginning that allows for this percentage.

But what happens when you’re ten years in and in a financial slump? Of course, as you care about your company your first instinct is for you not to take a paycheck. This is a sure way to become resentful and not want to come to work. What would happen if you stopped paying your employees? They would quit.

But you have a problem, not enough cash flow? What can you do?

Here are a few tips:

1. Evaluate Current Payroll Structure: Begin by thoroughly assessing your current payroll structure. Examine employee salaries, benefits, and incentives to identify areas where costs can be optimized without compromising employee satisfaction.
2. Review Staffing Levels: Analyze your staffing levels to ensure that you’re not overstaffed in any department or position. Look for opportunities to streamline workflows, eliminate redundant roles, or redistribute tasks among existing employees.
3. Implement Performance-Based Pay: Consider implementing performance-based pay structures that incentivize employees to excel in their roles. This can help align compensation with productivity and reduce the overall payroll burden.
4. Invest in Training and Development: Invest in training and development programs to enhance employee skills and productivity. A more skilled workforce can accomplish tasks more efficiently, potentially reducing the need for additional hires and lowering payroll expenses in the long run.
5. Negotiate Vendor Contracts: Review vendor contracts and negotiate for better terms or discounts wherever feasible. This can help lower costs for goods and services, freeing up funds that can be allocated toward employee salaries or other business priorities.
6. Seek Professional Advice: If managing payroll costs proves challenging, consider seeking advice from financial advisors or HR consultants who can provide expert guidance tailored to your specific business needs.

However, the best way to ensure that you never get into trouble financially is to monitor regularly. Continuously monitor your payroll percentage and other financials and make adjustments regularly. Review and fine-tune your payroll to ensure that you’re staying on track to meet financial targets while supporting your workforce effectively.

If you have any questions, or like to schedule a call with Kaeio, click here