My favourite calls – real talk, real problems, real solutions

This week I had one of those calls that come in unexpectedly from someone I’ve never met, who found me through Google or through someone who knows me. I love these calls.

There’s a brief courtship while you find common ground, encourage the caller to open up about their business, and then dive into the real issues they’re facing. I encourage them to talk about the outcomes they want and the steps they think might get them there.

I’ve kept a record of every professional assignment since founding Levi Consulting. I could write a book, but I haven’t yet. My former employer shaped me and taught me to frame my first meeting around three simple questions. I still use those questions today and I’m always happy to share them, free, with any younger professional who asks. I give my all in these calls.

Some of these calls turn into an assignment; many don’t, and that’s perfectly fine. I enjoy the challenge: listening, processing, and matching what I hear with my professional experience.

One of the calls this week came from someone in hospitality. (It could be any industry, but it was hospitality). Right now, it’s brutally hard to make a dollar in that industry, especially if you’ve already lost a few dollars and you’re fighting to get back to viability. My role is to listen, test the commercial strategies on the table, and if needed, bring in informal workout ideas, or, when it’s necessary, draw on my experience with formal options like Small Business Restructuring (SBR) for hospitality businesses.

Some Thoughts on Running a Viable Hospitality Business

Running a hospitality business (or any small business in any industry sector) today is not for the faint-hearted: costs keep rising, margins are slim, and customer expectations are high. Knowing your daily cash flow position, your break-even point, and your real margins is non-negotiable. A sharp 3-way forecast is essential. So is being prepared to have the tough conversations early and not when the money’s already run out.

When an informal fix won’t cut it, a SBR can be the right tool to clear the decks and reset. For example:

• A multi-site café group burdened by tax debt could use an SBR to negotiate with the ATO, keep trading, and wipe the debt clean.
• A restaurant carrying old supplier debt could restructure to protect jobs and hold onto its location.
• A catering business with legacy liabilities could do an SBR to pay creditors what it can realistically afford and move on.

Every small business owner deserves the chance to have an honest conversation about their options, without fear or sugar-coating. If you’re in difficulty, don’t wait until it’s too late. A simple phone call can change the trajectory of your business. If you need help working out what comes next, just pick up the phone.

How We Can Assist

David Levi is a Registered Liquidator and trusted problem solver. For over 20 years, Levi Consulting has assisted accountants, lawyers, company secretaries, company directors and advisors.

Contact David Levi on 0418 602 466 or use Contact Us.