Recession Proof Your Business: 5 Strategies to Reduce Costs

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Published: January 19, 2023
Last Updated: March 5, 2025

Small business owners are struggling to make sense of the current economic state, with reports on a looming recession floating around. A majority think it’s just a matter of time, while some feel uncertainty as experts find it difficult to accurately predict what turn the country will take and when. Therefore, it is advisable to be ready to weather any upcoming storm. Just by what they do or sell, certain businesses are practically recession-proof. These companies meet basic needs such as food, clothing, housing, healthcare, and utilities. Whether they are in one of these fields or not, recession-proofing your business benefits you regardless of whether the recession affects you or not.

What is the Recession?

A recession is a significant decline in economic activity spread across the economy, technically two consecutive quarters of declining GDP. There have been more than 15 recorded recessions in the United Kingdom, each unique. Although recessions can last for several months or even years, their effects are often felt for a much longer period, and, unfortunately, there is no limit to how long they can last. The Great Slump was the worst in the United Kingdom’s history. Each recession happens for different reasons, and the next recession will have a catalyst of its own.

In times of economic uncertainty, it is important to ensure that your business is recession-proof to keep afloat during these hard times. Businesses are feeling the pressure to reduce costs and remain competitive. But how can you do this without compromising on quality? While it may seem difficult to reduce costs, there are simple and effective ways to do so. In this article, we’ll look at five easy ways to cut costs without sacrificing quality or service during recession times. Keep reading to find out more!

Five Easy Ways to Cut Costs During a Recession

1.     Evaluate your expenses and revenue:

This may seem like an obvious place to start, but it’s important to take a close look at where your business is spending money and find ways to cut costs while considering ways to increase revenue.

a) Reassess Expenses:

Reconsider your expenses, cut cost on overhead expenses wherever possible, and try to pay you the expenses of a month from the same month’s sales. One major expense for business is vendor/supplier payments. It is important to renegotiate contracts with your suppliers and vendors. This can be difficult but worth it in the long run. Here are a few tips to help you negotiate:

i) Do your research: Know what you’re willing to pay and what the market rate is for the product or service you’re looking for. This will give you a good starting point for negotiations.

ii) Be prepared to walk away: If the supplier or vendor isn’t willing to meet your needs, be prepared to walk away from the deal. There are plenty of other options out there, so don’t be afraid to look around.

iii)  Be firm: Once you’ve decided on a fair price, stick to your guns. Don’t let the supplier or vendor bully you into paying more than you’re comfortable with.

b) Consider ways to increase revenue:

In addition to cutting costs, it’s also important to focus on increasing revenue. Can you offer new products or services that will appeal to customers? Are there ways to increase prices without losing business? A way of doing so is by offering discounts and promotions; while it sounds counterintuitive, it can help attract new business and keep existing customers loyal. Introducing new products and services, which will cost you the minimal expense, will also help you generate more profit.

2.     Reconsider your hiring strategy:

Payroll is another place where a major portion of your business expense lies. First and foremost, freeze hiring for non-essential positions and only fill vacancies as they arise. You might also want to consider temporary or contract workers for certain tasks or projects. This can help you save on benefits and other costs associated with full-time employees. Also, look closely at your current staff and see if any positions can be eliminated or consolidated. If you do need to make some cuts, try to do so in a way that won’t disrupt your business too much.

Also, review your recruiting process and see if there are any areas where you can cut costs. For example, you might use social media more extensively to reach candidates or work with staffing agencies that specialize in finding qualified candidates on a budget.

3.     Reduce inventory:

If your business has a lot of inventory, it could be tying up valuable resources that could be used elsewhere. It may be wise to downsize less profitable and easily replaceable stock to maintain cash flow. However, careful consideration is needed as stockouts will lead to revenue loss and damage customer relations. It’s important to find a balance between generating cash and fulfilling orders. To make cash flow more robust while keeping popular items on hand, losing sight of less profitable or replaceable inventory is an option worth considering. Additionally, looking at the supply chain should also be factored in.

4.     Automation of operations and processes:

There are several ways to automate your business operations, from using software to streamline your accounting and HR processes, to investing in automated manufacturing equipment. By taking advantage of technology, you can reduce your operating costs and improve your bottom line. Of course, you’ll need to weigh the upfront investment against the potential savings when considering any automation project. But in many cases, the long-term benefits far outweigh the initial cost. So, if you’re looking for ways to cut costs and improve your business efficiency, automation should be high on your list.

5.     Take advantage of tax credits and deductions:

Taking advantage of tax credits and deductions can save you a lot of money, so it’s worth researching to see what you could be eligible for. There are a number of tax credits and deductions available to businesses, so be sure to take advantage of them. You may be able to claim deductions for things like office equipment, vehicle expenses, travel expenses, and more. It may take some time to go through all the different options, but it will be worth it in the end when you see how much you can save.

Useful Read: Business Expenses You Can Claim as a UK based Limited Company

Business Expenses You Can Claim as a UK based Limited Company

Bonus Point – Utilize Shared Services or Outsource:

In order to cut costs, many businesses choose to either utilize shared services or outsource certain business functions. Shared service is a model in which businesses share resources and expertise to reduce costs and duplication of effort. This can effectively cut costs, especially if your business is part of a larger organization that can take advantage of economies of scale. Outsourcing is another option for reducing costs and can be especially helpful if you outsource tasks that are not essential to your core business. For example, many businesses outsource their accounting or human resources functions. Due to their efficiency and cost-effectiveness, there has been a drastic rise in demand for virtual accountants and other virtual services.

Conclusion

It is no secret that the economy is always changing, and recession-proofing your business is important to ensure your business’s success and longevity. With so many potential sources of financial instability, it’s important to have strategies in place to help you manage your costs and keep your business afloat during times of economic hardship. You can effectively reduce costs and maximize your profits with the right strategies. Take a close look at your business operations and see if there are any areas where you can streamline or simplify things. From freezing hiring and renegotiating contracts to outsourcing non-core services and leveraging technology, each strategy will help you build a more resilient business model and ensure long-term success. By being proactive about cost-cutting measures now, you’ll be able to protect your business from financial hardship in the future. In case you are looking to outsource accounting and bookkeeping processes for your business to safeguard your business from recession, you can reach out to us today. We hope this blog has given you some helpful tips on recession-proof your business. Good luck!