--- title: HOW’S THE FORECAST LOOKING FOR YOUR BUSINESS? description: "Whenever we’re going on holiday or have plans for the weekend, we always check the weather forecast so we can plan accordingly. \n\nIt’s no different in business. The forecast tells us if there’s bad weather (poor cashflow) in store based on the direction we’re heading. \n\nYour forecast will tell you: \n\nIf you have enough sales in the pipeline to give you the desired level of profit for the year. \nWhether your margins are appropriate. \nIf you need to review your pricing or production processes. \nIf your business is running as efficiently as it could be. \nWhere savings can be made. \nWhether you should invest more to get a better return. \nHow much money you need to set aside for tax. \nHow much money you can draw out of the business each month without running short. \nHow much debt you’ll be able to pay off. \nWhether or not you’ll be able to meet all of the bank’s requirements. \nThe difference between a business forecast and a weather forecast is that, when the business forecast is showing bad weather, you can do something about it to make the sun come out. The forecast will tell you what’s going well and what’s not, so you can make adjustments to reduce the impact of bad weather. \n\nJust as you wouldn’t go hiking without checking the forecast, you shouldn’t run your business without an annual forecast. So, don’t live in your raincoat, waiting to get soaked – take control and talk to us about getting your forecast done so you know what to expect. \n\n“Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now.” – Alan Lakein" image: https://balanceca.nz/hubfs/blog-forecast-revenue.webp --- [![Ecom](https://balanceca.nz/hubfs/raw_assets/public/codfina/images/image_web/Logo_1.png)](https://balanceca.nz/) - [Home](https://balanceca.nz/) [![Ecom](https://balanceca.nz/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/codfina/images/image_web/startup.png?width=60&name=startup.png) Start-ups](https://balanceca.nz/start-ups) [![Established](https://balanceca.nz/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/codfina/images/image_web/establishedbusinesses.png?width=60&name=establishedbusinesses.png) Established Businesses](https://balanceca.nz/established-businesses) [![Agricultural](https://balanceca.nz/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/codfina/images/image_web/agriculturalbusinesses.png?width=60&name=agriculturalbusinesses.png) Agricultural Businesses](https://balanceca.nz/agricultural-businesses) - [About](https://balanceca.nz/about-us) - [Services](https://balanceca.nz/services) [![image](https://balanceca.nz/hubfs/raw_assets/public/codfina/images/image_web/services_1.png) Annual Accounting & Tax Services](https://balanceca.nz/services#nav_f4) [![image](https://balanceca.nz/hubfs/raw_assets/public/codfina/images/image_web/services_2.png) Business Support Services](https://balanceca.nz/services#nav_f4) [![image](https://balanceca.nz/hubfs/raw_assets/public/codfina/images/image_web/services_3.png) Business Development](https://balanceca.nz/services#nav_f4) [![image](https://balanceca.nz/hubfs/raw_assets/public/codfina/images/image_web/services_4.png) Business Planning](https://balanceca.nz/services#nav_m4) [![image](https://balanceca.nz/hubfs/raw_assets/public/codfina/images/image_web/services_5.png) Cashflow Management](https://balanceca.nz/services#nav_m4) [![image](https://balanceca.nz/hubfs/raw_assets/public/codfina/images/image_web/services_6.png) Accountability Coaching](https://balanceca.nz/services#nav_m4) [![image](https://balanceca.nz/hubfs/raw_assets/public/codfina/images/image_web/services_7.png) Succession Planning](https://balanceca.nz/services#nav_m4) [![image](https://balanceca.nz/hubfs/raw_assets/public/codfina/images/image_web/services_8.png) Organisational Review](https://balanceca.nz/services#nav_b3) [![image](https://balanceca.nz/hubfs/raw_assets/public/codfina/images/image_web/services%20icon-9.png) Governance](https://balanceca.nz/services#nav_b3) [![](https://balanceca.nz/hubfs/raw_assets/public/codfina/images/image_web/services-10-01.png) Specialist Māori Sector Services](https://balanceca.nz/services#nav_f4) [![](https://balanceca.nz/hubfs/raw_assets/public/codfina/images/image_web/11_Connections.png) Connections](https://balanceca.nz/services#nav_b3) # BALANCE Take control of your finances with BalanceCA, your trusted partner for all your accounting and financial needs. 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Tags: [Business](https://balanceca.nz/blogs/tag/business) --- ![Balance CA](https://balanceca.nz/hubfs/kamato-1.png) [Balance CA](https://balanceca.nz/blogs/author/balance-ca) Updated: June 05, 2023 Jan 20, 2024 5:50:12 PM --- Whenever we’re going on holiday or have plans for the weekend, we always check the weather forecast so we can plan accordingly.  It’s no different in business. The forecast tells us if there’s bad weather (poor cashflow) in store based on the direction we’re heading.  Your forecast will tell you:  1. If you have enough sales in the pipeline to give you the desired level of profit for the year.  2. Whether your margins are appropriate.  3. If you need to review your pricing or production processes.  4. If your business is running as efficiently as it could be.  5. Where savings can be made.  6. Whether you should invest more to get a better return.  7. How much money you need to set aside for tax.  8. How much money you can draw out of the business each month without running short.  9. How much debt you’ll be able to pay off.  10. Whether or not you’ll be able to meet all of the bank’s requirements.  The difference between a business forecast and a weather forecast is that, when the business forecast is showing bad weather, you can do something about it to make the sun come out. The forecast will tell you what’s going well and what’s not, so you can make adjustments to reduce the impact of bad weather.  Just as you wouldn’t go hiking without checking the forecast, you shouldn’t run your business without an annual forecast. So, don’t live in your raincoat, waiting to get soaked – take control and talk to us about getting your forecast done so you know what to expect.  > *“Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now.”* – Alan Lakein ![image](https://balanceca.nz/hubfs/raw_assets/public/codfina/images/image_web/Logo_1.png) ##### Balance Whanganui - [0800 480 062](tel:+640800480062) [06 348 0062](tel:+64063480062) - [whanganui@balanceca.nz](mailto:whanganui@balanceca.nz) - 10 Dublin Street, Whanganui, 4500 PO Box 670, Whanganui, 4540 ##### Balance New Plymouth - [06 769 5389](tel:+64067695389) - [newplymouth@balanceca.nz](mailto:newplymouth@balanceca.nz) - 141 Powderham Street PO Box 593, New Plymouth Central, New Plymouth 4310 ##### Balance Stratford - [06 765 6156](tel:+64067656156) - [stratford@balanceca.nz](mailto:stratford@balanceca.nz) - 199 Broadway, Stratford, 4352 PO Box 670, Stratford, 4352 Balance Official 2026. All rights reserved. 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