Unexpected Costs That Could Affect Your Business

October 20, 2015

No business owner has a crystal ball that predicts the future. That is why you must always keep your eyes and ears open. There are lots of unexpected costs that you will never see coming. However, there are expenses that most business owners overlook. With that in mind, we wanted to highlight some of the issues you might face. They often affect other company bosses, so you’re not alone. Learning about them and planning for them is essential. Maybe you need to leave some extra cash in your budget this year?
Employment tribunals
Regardless of how hard you try to employ the right people, sometimes you will get things wrong. You might end up with a worker who steals from your premises or slacks on the job. When that happens, you will have to get rid of the worker using standard processes. In some instances, they might be less than happy with your decision. That is why you might need to pay for employment tribunal advice. You can also find companies that will handle the entire process on your behalf. It can take a lot of hard work to get things right, and you need to focus on your business.
Government fines
All business owners should aim to operate within the law. Even so, you might make mistakes from time to time. Perhaps you disposed of some waste in the wrong manner? Maybe you failed to reduce your carbon emissions? There are a million and one reasons the government might charge your company. Make sure you always have enough cash in your budget to cover the costs involved. In most instances, fines will range from a few hundred pounds to many thousands. That is also why you need to make sure you have the right insurance policies in place. Some providers offer cover that means you never have to pay the charges outright.
Website updates
Google is constantly changing the way in which it ranks websites. You always want to appear at the top of relevant listings. So, you might have to pay for updates from time to time. It’s important you always employ the services of a web design company when new announcements are made. For instance, it is now a good idea to ensure your site is optimised for mobile and tablet users. At any point, Google could release an update that means you need to make significant changes. You’ll want to make sure there is enough cash in the bank to pay for it. Otherwise, you will lose out to the competition.
Presuming you manage to consider those unexpected costs, you will be in a better position than most. You wouldn’t believe the number of business owners who fail to cover all the angles. Do yourself a favour and always keep at least a few thousand in your accounts. If you don’t need it; great! If you do need it, at least you won’t have to get a loan from your bank manager. We wish you the best of luck moving forward. Let’s hope your business goes from strength to strength.

Mark Asquith

That British podcast guy, Mark is co-founder of Captivate.fm, the world's only growth-oriented podcast host. A Harvard, TEDx, Podcast Movement and Podfest speaker (amongst many more!), he's a wildly approachable Brit and Star Wars/DC Comics geek.

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