Every business faces challenges, but when the issues start to pile up or progress stalls altogether, it’s time to step back and reassess. For small and medium-sized businesses, the early signs of struggle can go unnoticed until they affect cash flow, customers, or staff.
In this article, we’ll explain how to recognise business struggles early, prioritise what to tackle first, and explore the most common areas where things go wrong and how to get back on track.
Recognising the Signs That Your Business Is Struggling
Struggles aren’t always obvious. It’s not just about dipping profits or overdue bills. Some signs are subtle but significant:
- Staff morale is low, or turnover is rising
- You feel stuck working in the business, not on it
- You’re seeing customer drop-off, slower sales, or lower engagement
- There’s no clear path for growth or next steps
- The business depends too heavily on you personally
If any of these feel familiar, it may be time to step back and get a fresh perspective.
How to Prioritise What to Tackle First
Not every issue needs to be solved at once. Start by identifying what’s causing the greatest impact or holding everything else back. Ask:
- What’s urgent vs important?
- What’s impacting cash flow, staff, or customers right now?
- What can be changed quickly with the most significant benefit?
A structured prioritisation process will help you focus your time and energy where it matters most.
Here are 5 Common Business Problems and How to Resolve Them:
1. Cash Flow Constraints
Cash flow issues are among the most common reasons businesses get into trouble. If there’s not enough money coming in to cover your obligations, you need to act fast.
- Review and improve invoicing and collections
- Renegotiate terms with suppliers if needed
- Reassess pricing or overheads
Bonus insight: Read our guide on improving cash flow
2. Recruitment and Retention Challenges
Struggling to hire or keep staff can hold back growth. Often the issue lies in how roles are structured, how the process is managed, or how attractive your business is to talent.
- Clarify job descriptions and career paths
- Improve your recruitment and onboarding process
- Review culture, communication, and expectations
Bonus insight: Explore our blog on streamlining recruitment
3. Sales Performance Issues
If your sales team is missing targets or struggling to convert leads, the issue might be strategic, structural, or skills-based.
- Review your sales process and messaging
- Set clear goals and accountability
- Invest in training and tools that support success
Bonus insight: Read our blog on building a high-performing sales team
4. Ineffective Marketing
Good marketing doesn’t have to mean big budgets, but it does need focus. Poor targeting, unclear value propositions, or scattered efforts can waste time and money.
- Identify who you’re speaking to and why
- Use consistent, clear messaging across channels
- Focus on measurable outcomes
Bonus insight: Read our blog on marketing strategy for business development
5. Workplace Culture and Leadership Gaps
If people are disengaged, unclear on direction, or operating in silos, business performance will suffer.
- Revisit your vision and leadership style
- Set clear expectations and communication rhythms
- Foster trust and accountability across the team
Bonus insight: Read our blogs on building strong leadership and high-performing teams through strong workplace culture
Every business hits tough patches. What matters is how you respond.
At Advantage Business, we work alongside business owners to identify what’s really going on beneath the surface and create clear, actionable strategies to move forward. Whether you’re dealing with cash flow issues, team challenges, or unclear priorities, our advisers help you see the path through.
Is your business in trouble? Let’s work together to get it back on track. Contact us today for a free 30-minute discovery session with one of our experienced advisers, and we’ll help you understand how to implement the changes needed to turn things around.