Why Listening to Advice Can Make or Break Your Business

Running a trade business isn’t just about turning up on site and getting the job done –  it takes smart planning, reliable numbers, and trade business advice you can trust. It’s about running the numbers, managing cash flow, planning ahead, and making sure the business is set up to support the lifestyle you’re working so hard for. Listening to advice can make or break your business – this isn’t a cliché, it’s the difference between growth and collapse.

That’s where your board of advice comes in: your accountant, advisor, solicitor, marketer, and sales expert. But here’s the truth: having the right advisors is only half the battle. The other half is listening, asking the right questions, and acting on the advice.

Trade Business Advice: The Difference Between Growth and Pitfall

Here’s exactly how to use advice properly in your trade business:

Step 1: Listen and Understand

When your accountant, solicitor, or advisor gives you advice, it’s not background noise; it’s a roadmap. Don’t just nod along. Slow down, listen carefully, and make sure you understand what’s being said. If something doesn’t make sense, ask questions until it does.

Think of it like a building plan. If you don’t understand the drawings, you’ll frame the walls wrong. The same applies to advice. Miss the detail, and the whole thing falls over.

Step 2: Take Action

Advice without action is useless. Too many businesses sit on recommendations without moving forward. If your advisor gives you trade business advice, such as, to tighten up cash flow, restructure debt, or review pricing, don’t put it on the “later” pile. Action is what separates the businesses that grow from those that grind to a halt.

Step 3: Analyse and Report Back

After you’ve acted, measure the results. Did sales improve? Did cash flow free up? Did the restructure make life easier? Then circle back to your advisors and share the outcome. This loop – advice, action, feedback – is where real growth happens. It’s not one and done. It’s ongoing fine-tuning.

The Foundation: Bookkeeping and Accounting Advice for Tradies

Here’s something that can’t be sugar-coated: all accounting advice is only as good as the numbers it’s based on. Rubbish in, rubbish out. If your bookkeeping is sloppy, your reports will be wrong. And if the reports are wrong, the advice will be wrong.

That’s why clean, accurate bookkeeping and accounting isn’t optional. It’s the foundation. It’s like having solid footings before pouring a slab. Mess that up, and no amount of clever design will save the house.

The Biggest Killer: Ignoring Cash Flow Advice

Most small business failures don’t happen because the work wasn’t there. They happen because cash dried up. Your advisor warns you about cash flow because it’s the lifeblood of your business. Ignore it, and you’ll be left wondering why you’re broke when the jobs are rolling in.

Wrap-Up: Your 5-Step Success Formula

If you want your trade business to thrive, here’s the simple formula:

1. Listen to your advisors.
2. Understand by asking questions.
3. Take action on the plan.
4. Analyse results and refer back for fine-tuning.
5. Keep your bookkeeping accurate, so the advice is based on solid numbers.

Do this consistently, and you’ll put yourself in the small percentage of tradies who not only survive but actually build the lifestyle business they dreamed of when they first picked up the tools.

Ready to grow your trade business the right way? 

Remember, listening to advice can make or break your business. Start building your support team, take action on expert guidance, and set your business up for long-term success. Visit robards.com.au and click the Consultation button for a no-obligation chat on how to achieve your business growth through advice with a trusted advisor today .

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