Business Education

3 Early, Subtle Signs Your Business Is Headed for Trouble and How to Deal with Them

Everyone in business should know the famous quote from Ernest Hemingway’s 1926 novel, The Sun Also Rises, spoken by the character Mike Campbell when asked how he went bankrupt.

“How did you go bankrupt?”

“Very slowly; then all at once.”

Now, the exact quote is actually, “Gradually and then suddenly.” Even though it’s commonly misquoted, no one really seems to notice. But that only bolsters the point. And, it demonstrates something profound. What’s frightening is that this can easily apply to just about any small business. Owners may not notice something is off until it’s too late. So, it’s important to be aware of the signs, no matter how subtle.

How Small Business Owners Can Spot the Quiet Warnings and Course-Correct Before It’s Too Late

Every failed business leaves clues. The problem? Most owners miss the quiet warnings until the damage is obvious. Spotting these three early, subtle signs gives you time to act before small cracks become craters.

Your Team is Quietly Disengaging

Conversations in meetings shorten. Ideas stop flowing in Slack. Top performers suddenly take every vacation day and stop volunteering for extra projects. This isn’t laziness—it’s quiet quitting. When people emotionally check out, productivity and innovation quietly bleed away.

Fix it fast: Schedule short, regular one-on-one check-ins (15 minutes every two weeks) with every direct report. Ask one simple question: “What’s one thing that would make your job 20% better?” Act on at least one suggestion per person within 30 days. Recognition, flexible hours, or even small process tweaks restore momentum before talent walks out the door.

Cash Flow Feels “Off,” but You Can’t Explain Why

Invoices are paid a few days later than usual. One or two clients stretch the terms. Your credit-card balance creeps up even though revenue looks flat on paper. These micro-shifts signal customers are struggling or your pricing is losing relevance—long before a true cash crunch hits.

Fix it fast: Create a simple 13-week cash-flow forecast in a spreadsheet and update it every Monday. Send friendly reminders seven days before invoices are due. Offer a 2% early-payment discount. At the same time, review your top five expenses and cut or renegotiate the ones that no longer deliver clear ROI. Small discipline here prevents big problems later.

Customers are Still Buying… but They’re Not Raving

Repeat purchase rates slip by just 5–10%. Net Promoter Score drops from “excellent” to “good.” Social mentions become polite instead of enthusiastic. These are early signs that your product or service is becoming “fine” instead of remarkable.

Fix it fast: Send a one-question survey after every transaction: “On a scale of 0–10, how likely are you to recommend us?” Follow up personally with every detractor within 24 hours. Then fix the root issue—whether it’s slow shipping, confusing instructions, or outdated features. Loyal customers are your best early-warning system; listen while they’re still talking.

Catch any of these signals early, and you don’t need heroic rescues—just consistent, small corrections. Most businesses that survive do exactly that: they notice the whisper before it becomes a scream. Stay curious, stay close to your team and customers, and keep your cash healthy. The difference between thriving and barely surviving is often just a few weeks of attention.

Want to Accomplish More?

Do you want your company to grow faster and earn more while spending more time with your family doing everything you started your business to do?

We can make that dream a reality. Give us 30 minutes, and we will show you how to get your life back. Skeptical? Good! Put us to the test.

You can call us for your free appointment at 480-636-1720, or, if you prefer, Waters Business Consulting Group to learn more about us and the services we offer.

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The Corona Virus is a Stark Reminder of How Businesses should Deal with the Flu

March 16, 2020 No Comments

As the coronavirus continues to dominate the news headlines, people grow ever-more concerned about its spread and possible contagion. While the risk of contracting the illness is very slight, it does help to raise awareness about the spread of common infections, like the cold and flu. And, this is something businesses need to be prepared for, particularly when employees start getting sick. Why Illness and Work just Don’t Mix Either an outbreak of a cold or flu strain can wreak havoc on any small business. Worse yet, in more ways than one. First and foremost is of course, the spread of it to other team members. Then, there’s the productivity hit that follows. With fewer people on the job, it’s more difficult to keep up and quality eventually begins to suffer. The threat cold-and-flu season poses to companies isn’t something to sneeze at. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the flu alone costs U.S. companies $10.4 billion in direct costs including hospitalizations and outpatient visits. The CDC also estimates up to one-fifth of the U.S. population will get the flu in a given flu season, and more than 200,000 Americans will be hospitalized with seasonal, flu-related complications. —Entrepreneur.com Even employees who can power their way through a sickness can’t bring their A game and that can make the difference in key situations. Plus, it encourages people to spread the illness to others without regard to employees’ health. How to Prevent the Flu from Spreading in Your Business The flu or a cold can be devastating to any small business. But, it’s better to handle it in a smart way than trying to go about business as usual. Here are some effective ways the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends businesses prevent the spread of cold and flu in the workplace: Encourage team members to get a flu vaccine. The CDC advises anyone who is 6 months of age and older to get an annual flu vaccine. (Remember, this is just a recommendation and not a requirement.) Develop and stick-with good sick leave policies. Create sick policies which encourage employees to take time off without fear of losing out on compensation or fear of reprisal. Advise sick employees to stay home for enough time. Anyone who gets a cold or the flu should not return to work until at least 24 hours after they get over a fever. This way, they aren’t a continuing source for infecting others. Allow well employees with sick family members to work (at home). Although the CDC says healthy employees with sick relatives can come to work, it’s not always a good idea. For instance, if a child or elderly parent is sick, their head won’t be in the game anyway. Provide proactive, preventative necessities throughout the workplace. Things like hand sanitizer, tissues, hand soap, and more preventative necessities should be readily available, all throughout the workplace. What other suggestions do you have to deal with a cold or flu outbreak in the workplace? Please share your thoughts and experiences by commenting! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

How Business Owners should Deal with Irresponsible Employees

June 9, 2022 No Comments

As a business owner, you are responsible for everything that goes on in your company – from the big decisions to the small tasks. This can be a daunting task, especially when you have to deal with irresponsible employees. These team members can cause serious harm to your small business, so it is important to know how to deal with them. In this article, we will discuss why irresponsible employees are harmful to small businesses and ways entrepreneurs can handle them effectively. Irresponsible Employees Pose Risks and Do Real Harm The first thing you need to understand is why irresponsible employees are harmful to your business. These team members often make poor decisions that can cost the company time and money. They may also put other employees at risk by not following safety procedures or by not completing their work properly. Irresponsible employees have a direct impact on productivity and the bottom line. Workers who shirk their responsibilities and rely on other staff to pick up the slack can also damage workforce morale. In a small business, just one irresponsible employee can create a culture of irresponsibility throughout the company, particularly if other workers see that the behavior is condoned or, worse, rewarded with promotions or plum assignments. Managers must act immediately to correct irresponsible behavior and promote responsible actions. —Houston Chronicle Small Business In some cases, irresponsible employees can even cause physical damage to company property. All of these factors can have a negative impact on your business, so it is important to deal with them quickly and efficiently. How Business Owners should Deal with Irresponsible Employees There are a few different ways you can deal with irresponsible employees. Obviously, there are some methods that are easier and more comfortable than others. Regardless, it’s necessary to course-correct bad behavior or it will only worsen and cause bigger problems. If you don’t deal with this particular situation, you’ll most definitely regret it later on at some point. The first step is to identify the problem and talk to the employee about it. It is important to be clear about what you expect from them and what the consequences will be if they do not meet your expectations. In some cases, you may need to give the employee a written warning or place them on probation. If the problem persists, you may need to consider firing the employee. But, before you dismiss an employee for good, it’s best to give him or her a real chance to make the necessary changes. Clearly set out your expectations and then let him or her come up with a game plan that will allow him or her to reach those goals. This way, it gives the individual the power to take responsibility and to control their own future. If he or she shouldn’t make real strides, it’s not your fault. Of course, it’s also advisable to help him or her along the way. If you provide the right incentives but do not accept unacceptable behavior, it’s far more likely that you’ll see substantial progress. Overall, you ought to notice a significant improvement through the evolution of your employee. Although, even such a well-planned, pragmatic strategy won’t guarantee success. Some individuals just don’t have the temperament or disposition to be a good fit for your organization. If that’s inevitably the case, it’s best for your business to let him or her go and move on. Dealing with irresponsible employees can be difficult, but it is important to do what is best for your business. These team members can cause serious harm to your company if they are not dealt with properly. By taking the time to understand the problem and by using the appropriate disciplinary measures, you can effectively handle these team members and protect your business from harm. What other suggestions do you have for dealing with an irresponsible employee? Please take a moment to share your thoughts and experiences so others can learn from your perspective. Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

Smartest Ways to Refresh Your Business Brand for the New Year

November 28, 2024 No Comments

The start of a new year brings a sense of renewal and opportunity—a perfect time to breathe fresh life into your business brand. Whether you’re looking to attract new customers, better connect with your audience, or outshine competitors, a brand refresh can be the key to staying relevant and impactful in an ever-changing market.