TOPICS COVERED:
- Revenue (Year Over Year)
- Profitability
- Cash On Hand (Runway)
- Sales Pipeline & Future Revenue
- Customer Flow (New vs. Lost Customers)
- BONUS: Average Sale Per Customer
- Final Thoughts
1. Revenue (Year Over Year)
- Were you aiming to maintain revenue?
- Increase sales by a certain percentage?
- Expand into new markets or customer segments?
Understanding where you stand today can help determine whether adjustments are needed to finish the year strong.
2. Profitability
- Are expenses increasing faster than sales?
- Are certain products or services more profitable than others?
- Is growth helping or hurting overall margins?
Understanding this balance can help guide decisions about expansion, staffing, pricing, or operational changes.
3. Cash On Hand (Runway)
- What is your current operating cash balance?
- Have there been any cash flow challenges this year?
- How many months could the business operate if revenue slowed?
- Can the business comfortably support hiring, equipment purchases, or expansion plans?
Evaluating cash flow trends can also help determine whether tools like a business line of credit, treasury management services, or automated payment solutions could improve flexibility and stability.
4. Sales Pipeline & Future Revenue
- How much future revenue appears likely?
- How much is confirmed versus still uncertain?
- Are there potential gaps in projected income?
Understanding your pipeline can help you prepare for seasonal fluctuations, upcoming investments, or operational adjustments before challenges arise.
5. Customer Flow (New vs. Lost Customers)
- Are existing customers continuing to return?
- Is the business replacing lost customers consistently?
- Is the customer base growing, shrinking, or remaining steady?
Tracking customer retention and acquisition trends can provide valuable insight into customer satisfaction, business stability, and future growth opportunities.
BONUS: Average Sale Per Customer
- Introduce bundled services or products
- Add complementary offerings
- Refine marketing strategies
- Create promotions that encourage higher-value purchases
Small improvements in average customer spend can make a significant impact over time.
Final Thoughts
This article was written by Jessica Bruhn, Director of Treasury Services at Core Bank