If you’ve just started a business, or have been in business for a while, but still don’t make enough money to earn a good salary, there are some important tasks you can complete to get you moving on the road away from debt and to business success.

The key tasks are not difficult to do, and when paired with a bit of motivation and concentration, they can be very effective.

1. Leadership

For your business to survive, you have to provide the leadership necessary to steer it in the right direction. And when you are hiring, make sure one of the main attributes you look for is leadership.

In order to get the most out of your employees and increase efficiency, you have to be able to inspire your workers. This requires leadership. Create time to mentor and lead your staff.

2. Employees’ support

Teamwork is a key business survival. If your business is to succeed, you need the full buy-in of your employees. You simply can’t do it all by yourself. Ask your employees for ideas such as how to cut costs and make more profits.

Essentially, you need to ensure that your workers remain focused and well-motivated. There needs to be clear contact between you and your staff. You can always call your accountant as well for advice while working to ensure that your business stays afloat.

3. Cash flow

The lifeblood of any business is cash flow. Cash flow is a vital indicator of market performance and a deciding factor in business survival.

All successful businesses have financial controls and track them every day. The fundamental concept for good entrepreneurship is this: spend only money that will bring in revenue. There are only two types of money in business: income and expense. So, if it’s not income, it’s the expense.

4. Contingency plan

Planning could save you a great deal of misery if a sales recession hits your business. Prepare a contingency plan that includes red signs to look out for, such as the absence of a large customer or a drastic cost increase.

Also, your contingency plan should include having good business insurance to protect your business from any rough patches and provide a cushion in times of difficulty.

5. Comprehensive financial records

Businesses that survive and last maintain accurate and comprehensive records. Through maintaining accurate records, you will know where your company is financially and the challenges you are facing.

Simply knowing the financial state of your business gives you time to come up with solutions to solve the challenges.

6. Marketing

Most small companies make the mistake of slashing or even reducing their marketing budget in tough times, but this is precisely where the small company wants the most publicity.

Consumers are always looking for something better to buy. Help them find your goods and services by putting your brand out there. Don’t give up on your marketing. Rather, improve and step up your marketing campaigns.

7. Sales

It’s normal for businesses to try to attract new clients, but marketing to current customers is quicker, simpler, cheaper, and more likely to yield results.

Come up with ideas to cross-sell them or market new products or services to them. Try giving a discount to drum up sales.

Also, consider increasing your prices marginally and try out other sales channels such as online social media. All these could make a huge difference to your bottom line.

It may seem bleak now, but your business can survive. Regardless of how dire the situation might be now; you need the above vital things to stage a successful recovery. Your business will not just survive but will thrive.