Three Key Metrics Every Small Business Owner Should Track
Emma, a small business owner of a boutique bakery, is at her breaking point. She launched her business out of passion, and while she’s delighted by the growing demand, she’s overwhelmed by the day-to-day pressures. Her mornings are filled with baking, her afternoons are spent dealing with suppliers, and her evenings are crammed with bookkeeping. Despite all her efforts, Emma is constantly unsure if her business is truly profitable or if she’s just scraping by. Cash flow is tight, bills pile up, and she rarely finds time to step back and look at the bigger picture.
Emma’s struggle isn’t unique. Many small business owners face the same challenges, often because they’re not tracking the metrics that matter most. Without a clear picture of her financial health, Emma is left guessing — a risky approach that can quickly lead to burnout or even business failure.
For small business owners like Emma, tracking the right metrics can make all the difference. Here are three essential metrics every small business owner should monitor closely to set themselves up for sustainable growth.
THREE KEY METRICS
Metric 1: Cash Flow
Cash flow is the heartbeat of any business. It represents the net amount of cash coming in and going out, which ultimately determines the business’s financial health. Without healthy cash flow, a business can quickly run into trouble — even if sales are strong. Many small business owners, like Emma, find themselves in a bind when expenses outpace revenue, leading to cash shortages that can disrupt operations or delay payroll.
Tracking cash flow helps small business owners understand where their money is going and when they might need to adjust spending or boost income. A regular cash flow statement reveals patterns, such as seasonal fluctuations, and helps owners plan for those lean months.
Metric 2: Profit Margin
The profit margin tells you how much of each dollar earned is retained as profit after expenses. It’s an essential measure of efficiency, showing how well a business is converting revenue into actual profit. Small business owners often assume that as long as revenue is growing, profits are, too — but that’s not always the case. If costs grow faster than revenue, profit margins shrink, which can jeopardize long-term stability.
For Emma, tracking her profit margin would reveal whether she’s pricing her baked goods correctly and covering all expenses, from ingredients to labor to rent. By calculating and regularly monitoring her profit margin, she can make informed pricing and expense decisions to ensure her business remains sustainable.
Metric 3: Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC)
Customer acquisition cost is the amount spent to attract a new customer. For a small business, each new customer requires an investment in marketing, advertising, and sometimes even promotions. Knowing the CAC helps a business owner gauge the efficiency of their marketing efforts and determine whether they’re spending too much or too little to bring in new customers.
Emma has tried various marketing strategies to attract customers but isn’t sure if she’s getting a return on her investment. By calculating her CAC, she would be able to see which methods yield the best results, enabling her to allocate her marketing budget more wisely. A well-optimized CAC can lead to higher profits and help Emma grow her customer base without overspending.
How Working with Terry Porter Can Help You Track and Improve These Metrics
For overwhelmed business owners like Emma, keeping track of these metrics can seem daunting. That’s where working with a coach like Terry Porter can make all the difference. With over 20 years of experience in counseling and six years in coaching, Terry offers small business coaching that includes customized tools, insights, and accountability. His Small Business Coaching Program, The Port, empowers business owners to:
- Identify Key Financial and Performance Metrics: Terry will guide you in selecting the most relevant metrics for your unique business and teach you how to monitor and interpret them.
- Create a Sustainable Business Plan: Terry’s coaching approach is rooted in setting realistic goals based on actual data, not guesswork. He helps small business owners like you build actionable plans for growth, stability, and profitability.
- Implement Realistic Action Steps: Tracking metrics is only part of the equation. Terry helps you develop an action plan that addresses what each metric reveals, equipping you with strategies to adapt to changing business conditions.
With Terry’s coaching, Emma could transform her bakery from a high-stress hustle into a well-managed business with a clear path toward sustainable growth. By focusing on these three metrics with Terry’s guidance, she’d regain confidence and clarity, allowing her to make informed decisions and reach her business goals faster.
Why Small Business Owners Should Reach Out to Terry Porter
Building and growing a business is challenging, especially when you feel like you’re shouldering the burden alone. Working with Terry Porter offers more than just accountability — it’s a partnership focused on empowering you to succeed. With Terry’s insight, small business owners gain not only clarity on their business performance but also the skills and strategies to reach their goals.
So if you’re ready to stop feeling overwhelmed and start taking control, reach out to Terry Porter for Leadership and Business coaching. He’ll help you transform the numbers into action, giving you the peace of mind and success you’ve been working so hard for.
Take the first step toward growth and stability by contacting Terry today. Your business — and peace of mind — are worth it.
