“I’m booking solid revenues, but I need some tips on how to handle my inventory.”
You’ve already got a head start on a lot of people wondering how to run a small business if your revenues are “solid.” Congrats! For many entrepreneurs, inventory management takes a back seat to things like generating revenue, personnel issues, finicky customers, or raising financing, but it shouldn’t. Whether you’re in retail, wholesale, distribution, or manufacturing, our view is basically the same…
Effective inventory management is key to running a profitable business.
You’ve probably heard terms like “lean manufacturing” and “just in time” delivery – examples of streamlined inventory management techniques. Consistent with these techniques, we like to think of inventory as cash in transit. Every day you have inventory that is not being sold, your profit margin erodes. Here are some key tips to get your inventory strategy on track:
Get an attitude
Your attitude about inventory is the key to successful inventory management. Think about inventory as a wasting asset. Unless you are dealing with wine or single malt scotch whiskey, inventory does not improve with time. Inventory becomes less valuable with every passing day. It takes space, heat, light, power, handling, insurance and, of course, interest to carry. Every day you have inventory and no sales your profit margin will erode. So as you're planning how to run your small business, try not to carry any more than is absolutely ...
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