Real analysis for businesses navigating uncertainty. We share what we've learned from helping Sheffield companies build stronger financial foundations.
Our recent work with local businesses has shown some interesting patterns. Here's what we're seeing and thinking about.
Three years running, we've watched profitable businesses scramble in February. It's not about Christmas spending anymore – there's a deeper pattern here that affects how we should think about quarterly planning.
Last month, a client lost £12,000 because of a simple oversight in their supplier agreements. It reminded me why we spend so much time on what seems like boring paperwork. Details matter more than most people think.
The businesses thriving right now aren't necessarily the ones with the best products. They're the ones who figured out cash flow management before everyone else started struggling. There's a lesson in that timing.
After working with dozens of Sheffield businesses, I've noticed the companies that weather storms best share some unexpected traits. It's not always about having the most money in the bank.
Not monthly, not quarterly. Every Tuesday morning, they can tell you exactly where they stand. Most business owners check their bank balance daily but their cash flow projections monthly. That gap is where problems hide.
Everyone has a crisis plan. Few have a "everything stays exactly the same for two years" plan. Stability often breaks down during quiet periods when attention drifts, not during obvious emergencies.
The most stable businesses I've worked with keep their growth money completely separate from their operating expenses. Growth can wait. Payroll cannot. This separation creates clarity that prevents a lot of expensive mistakes.
Senior Financial Analyst
Korliss has spent eight years helping Yorkshire businesses understand their financial patterns. She specializes in cash flow analysis and has a particular talent for spotting problems before they become expensive. She writes most of our research pieces and leads our quarterly business reviews.
We've put together some tools based on the questions clients ask most often. Nothing fancy, just practical help for real situations.
This isn't another generic checklist. We built it specifically for the kinds of businesses we see around here – retail, manufacturing, and service companies dealing with Yorkshire's economic realities. Takes about 20 minutes and gives you a clear picture of where you stand.
Request Your AssessmentSimple spreadsheet that tracks what we actually care about. No complicated formulas or accounting jargon – just the numbers that help you sleep better at night.
The ten questions we ask every client every three months. These help you spot trends before they become problems and opportunities before your competitors do.
What to do when everything goes wrong. Based on what actually worked for businesses during recent challenging periods, not theoretical crisis management.