I’ll level with you. I receive a ton of email about my books, and Profit First is no exception. Oftentimes, business owners are reluctant to implement something new – even if it could very well be the saving grace of their business.
For this reason, may I suggest – just start slow!
It is human nature to feel overwhelmed when it comes to starting something new. The Profit First methodology, while simple overall, may feel like a whole lot of information coming your way at once. And as you read, you will have questions, and more questions.
Here are some simple steps to ensure you get traction in your business while reading Profit First:
- Step 1 – set up one bank account, and name that baby PROFIT. Now you know there are more accounts to set up than this. But you can do this one step within the next 30 minutes. And this one step is the point where the rubber meets the road!
- Step 2 – Transfer 1% to that Profit account. Now that may seem inconsequential, but as money in this account accumulates, ultimately you will have profit!
Other useful tips:
- It’s important to read Profit First all the way through. Questions will arise while you’re reading, and most of them will be answered as you continue on.
- Complete the assessment! I get email from readers saying the email is daunting because it’s going to tell the truth about your finances in your business. But, NOTHING is more empowering. Even if you see a ton of room for improvement, the assessment give you accountability and ownership – read, CONTROL – over your finances. And that my friend, is one of the best steps you can take.
- Avoid the boomerang effect – Some companies went all in, to fast, and lost sight of following the Profit First system, therefore going back to their old ways (yes, I’ve received emails regarding this, too).
- Know that there are over 300,000 companies who have implemented, successfully, Profit First. YOU CAN TOO!
- Email me! Let me know you are reading Profit First and that you’ve “drawn your line in the sand” (if you’re reading you’ll know what I mean!) and I will respond to you.
Lastly, I invite you to get the free resources for Profit First. From a Profit First One Sheet to finding banks to open your accounts in, it’s there waiting for you!
Remember – Profit is not an event. Profit is a habit!
-Mike
PS – We’re big on paying it forward. Want to get on board? Email us and tell us your story! We want to hear your Profit First testimonial. Email Jenna@mikemichalowicz.com, and we will share your story on our social media platforms so that business owners like you benefit as well!
I absolutely love Profit First because it works the way my brain works. It makes it so clear how healthy my business is and what I truly have to spend in my business. It also makes setting financial goals really easy. I recommend it to everyone.
Once you understand Parkinson’s law you can hack your own brain to think about Profit as an expense. We haven’t created all the accounts that Mike suggests but we did create a separate profit account with monthly payments into it and this profit payment is a line item in the expense account on our P&L. It confuses our accountant no end (!) but that profit starts to accumulate pretty quickly without you even realising it. Simple and incredibly effective.
I implemented Profit First fully at the end of last year after the third person told me that I should read your book. I adhered to its principles and process throughout 2020, and I have money in my profit and owner’s compensation accounts to use as I wish. I’ve been faithful to doing my allocations and paying bills only on the tenth and twenty-fifth. It has simplified my business, and I am amazed at how much more money I have in my accounts now. My 2020 year-to-date net income has increased 255% over 2019. I don’t quite understand how Profit First works, but it does. I’m enjoying the benefits of it and planning a month-long trip to Hawaii next year with my husband provided Covid-19 gives us our freedom back. I also found an amazing coach through Fix This Next. I’ve got this. Thanks so much, Mike.