You have likely heard a thousand times about how taking risks are the keys to achieving success. While this is true, J.S. Elliot reminds us that “Only those who will risk going too far, can find out how far it is possible to go.”
Sometimes, we need to take a second look at some of these risks before we take them because some risks can ground your business.
And, given that there are different forms of risks, like financial risk, strategic, compliance risks and so on, for today, we will just be looking at one of these risks, which is the financial risks. So, are all financial risks worth taking? Honestly, no one knows.
But there is a way you can at least predict and give your business a backup plan in case anything goes haywire with your financial investment. And that is through the use of financial risk management tools. But let’s not just jump down to that.
At least, let’s first take a look at what financial risk management is so that we can have a better understanding of how one can use financial risk management software or tools to make business decisions.
What is Financial Risk Management?
Financial risk management has to do with the early discovery or prediction of a potential financial pitfall that may occur in the future of a business or organization. And most times, this management can either be carried out by a specific department in a company or by using software.
Either way, the goal is always to prevent an institution from crumbling financially, either through debts, wrong investment, or financial leverage.
So, with that in mind, how can these financial tools be used in making business decisions?
Expenses
The very reason why a company’s financial status may hit rock bottom is when their costs are more than their income. That’s why any company that wishes to escape this financial trap must always make use of its financial risk managers to analyze every expense before making them.
For instance, before setting out to invest maybe in a new stock or redecorate the company structure, these team of financial risk managers must first analyze how such an expense will benefit the company financially, both in the short and long term. If it won’t, then the company will need to disembark from incurring such expenses.
Staffing
Another factor that often takes a toll on the finances of a company is when the employee’s total wages are more than what the company is generating monthly. So, using financial management tools such as HedgeGuard or Black Swan have the ability to analyze, and balancing a company’s wages, budget, and deficit through metrics that help the company decide on whether to release some staff, integrate some departments, or reduce salaries.
Outsourcing
In recent times, most companies have discovered the need to outsource most of their deals as it often promises to reduce costs and save time. However, not all outsourcing is cheap. I mean, they could seem to appear so at first, but in the long run, some outsourcing jobs may drain a company’s finance. So, before planning on outsourcing operations, a company needs to analyze the risk involved, by using its financial risk managers or an external risk management tool.
Just as Dave Ramsey, the American radio show host, and businessman said, “You must gain control over your money, or the lack of it will forever control you.” So, if you don’t manage your financial risk properly using the right financial management tools, your business may not live to tell the story.
