Keeping your business sustainable and competitive is reliant on healthy growth year in year out and a robust plan on how you are going to deal with upcoming events. Staying open to new ways of operating is also crucial if you are to adapt your business to market changes in the future. With that in mind, if you are yet to start contra dealing for you could be missing out on a way of streamlining your operations and opening up new business relationships. Keep reading to find out more about this bartering phenomenon and the business benefits you could experience.
You could enter business with partners you would previously overlook
Budgets are something that all businesses have to deal with and unfortunately, they can get in the way of some companies doing business with each other. For example, if the service you offer is desired by smaller businesses, but only economically viable for you to do at scale, it can lead to the transaction falling at the first hurdle. This is where a contra deal can come in useful.
Say that your office is lacking certain supplies, from coffee machines to toasters, and a small white goods retailer gets in touch that are interested in your services. Their small size may mean that they do not have the budget to work with your company. In true contra-dealing fashion, you could offer some of your services in exchange for a new coffee machine! This is a good way to meet any capacity you may have and take the opportunity to upgrade your facilities.
Contra dealing could help in reducing your operating costs
The operational costs that come with running a business can be extremely burdensome in the long run. Mixing in a few contra deals could be a good way to reduce some of the burdens in your accounting department. Additionally, the rest of your team might find that they spend less of their time chasing invoices and more adding real value to your organisation. However, remember that you still need to record contra deals and run them through the same process you would a normal cash transaction.
Online contra dealing gives you access to a huge range of resources
In the past getting into the contra dealing game was difficult, particularly given the lack of proper channels that existed for people to barter through. Fast forward to the 21st century and the digital age has removed a lot of barriers. Online trading platforms now make it easy for your business to browse a market of potential contra deals.
Make sure you structure a contra deal correctly to reap the full benefits
Getting the most out of your contra deal should be high on your list of priorities. The main way to do this is to ensure the deal is properly structured. This will help you avoid any potential miscommunications and protect your business from a legal standpoint. Our blog on how to structure a contra deal talks you through the process and if you have any unanswered questions you can always get in touch with a member of our team.