MBA1833 Must Read: Simple Numbers by Greg Crabtree
Jul 19, 2021
auto_awesome
Greg Crabtree, a notable author known for his straightforward approach to business finance, shares insights from his book 'Simple Numbers'. He emphasizes the importance of setting a fair salary for business owners, linking it to sustainable financial practices. The discussion covers crucial concepts like profitability, company valuation, and the relevance of salary management. Crabtree's no-nonsense guidance helps entrepreneurs tackle their financial fears and encourages them to confidently embrace their business finances for growth.
Setting a fair market rate for the founder's salary is vital for accurate financial assessments and future investment opportunities.
Achieving a minimum of 10% profitability is essential for financial stability, guiding businesses in making informed growth decisions.
Deep dives
Understanding Salary as a Founder
Setting an appropriate market rate for the founder’s salary is crucial for the financial health of a business. Many entrepreneurs underestimate their worth and pay themselves less, which can distort the company’s financial records and affect future investment opportunities. The author emphasizes that founders should either pay themselves a fair salary or formalize their unpaid contributions through convertible notes to ensure their efforts are recognized in financial assessments. This approach helps ensure that profitability figures accurately reflect the cost of replacing the founder in the future.
The 10% Profitability Rule
The book introduces a pivotal rule stating that businesses should aim for a minimum of 10% profitability to maintain financial stability. This benchmark helps entrepreneurs determine their financial health, as a profitability margin below 10% risks insolvency. Conversely, a margin above 10% indicates readiness for expansions, such as hiring, with specific guidelines on how to adjust hiring based on revenue figures. By maintaining this profitability threshold, businesses can strategically manage growth while safeguarding against downturns.
Simplicity in Financial Management
The author advocates for a straightforward approach to understanding business finances, presenting concepts in accessible language devoid of complex jargon. Through simple tables and practical advice, the book encourages business owners—even those intimidated by numbers—to take control and fully comprehend their financial situation. With actionable insights like maintaining two months of operational costs in reserve, entrepreneurs can build a safeguard against unexpected financial challenges. This user-friendly format empowers business leaders to effectively communicate financial strategies within their teams and implement them seamlessly.
If your eyes glaze over when you think about accounting, today’s Must-Read is definitely for you. Simple Numbers is exactly what the title implies: a no-nonsense, straightforward guide to dealing with your business finances.
It’s one of the most valuable books we’ve ever reviewed, especially for people who just don’t enjoy the math of entrepreneurship.
Today, Omar explains why this book made such a big impact, and why he thinks pretty much every business founder needs to read it. Learn how to deal with the numbers comfortably and confidently, focus on what really matters, and grow your business in the most stable way possible. Click play at the top of the page!