Mastering Performance Monitoring: Empower Your Business Decisions
In this episode, we focus on a habit that separates thriving business owners from those constantly stuck in survival mode—performance monitoring.
I’m Deb, a Profit First Professional, and I’m here to show you how a few simple metrics, reviewed consistently, can transform the way you run your business. Monitoring performance isn’t just for accountants—it’s a powerful leadership tool that helps you spot issues early, make informed decisions, and stay in control of your financial future.
I’ll walk you through a straightforward, time-saving system for weekly and monthly financial reviews, and explain how building this habit can give you the clarity and confidence to grow a business that supports your lifestyle—instead of the other way around.
About the Podcast:
This episode of the Financially Healthy Business Podcast shows why performance tracking isn’t optional—it’s essential.
I share how just a few minutes a week spent reviewing your key numbers can shift you from reactive to proactive. You’ll learn what to track, how often, and how to use that data to spot red flags before they become real problems. It’s not about spreadsheets or perfection—it’s about creating a rhythm that works for you.
By making this practice part of your routine, you’ll develop stronger decision-making skills, reduce stress, and create a business that thrives on purpose—not guesswork.
Each 15–20 minute episode in this podcast series gives you the tools, structure, and mindset you need to build a financially healthy business—one that funds your dreams instead of running your life.
Start tracking. Stay focused. Grow with intention.
Takeaways:
- In order to achieve financial confidence, one must adopt performance monitoring in their business.
- Tracking crucial metrics allows business owners to make informed decisions before any issues arise.
- Setting up a systematic review schedule is essential for maintaining control over financial health.
- Regularly reviewing financial performance empowers business owners to lead rather than merely react to situations.
Links referenced in this episode:
Companies mentioned in this episode:
- Accounts Ladies
- Accounts Office Academy
Transcript
Financially Healthy Business Podcast for business owners who want the confidence on cash flow that supports the life they actually want to live.
I'm Deb Halliday, Profit first, professional founder of award winning accountancy practice the Accounts Ladies and the Accounts Office Academy and author of how to Build a Financially Healthy Business. Learn how to take control of your finances, reduce stress and grow sustainably because your business should support your life, not consume it.
Let's get started. Hi, I'm Deb Halliday and you're listening to the Financially Healthy Business Podcast.
We're on episode nine of our book based series and today's topic is something most business owners ignore until things go wrong. Performance Monitoring. Now before you roll your eyes, this isn't about turning your business into a spreadsheet heavy corporate machine.
It's about keeping an eye on what actually matters so you can make smart, confident decisions before problems arise. In this episode, I'll walk you through how to track the right metrics.
Set up a simple system for weekly and monthly reviews and stay on top of your goals without getting overwhelmed. Lets get your numbers working for you. Why Tracking matters Imagine trying to drive somewhere without a sat nav map or signs.
You might eventually get there, but it'll take longer, cost more and leave you stressed and lost. That's what running a business without performance tracking feels like. Here's what I hear all the time.
I just go off gut feeling I know things are okay when there's money in the bank. I only look at the numbers at year end and then suddenly the tax bill hits or sales drop or cash dries up and they're scrambling.
Tracking is not about obsessing, it's about checking in regularly so you stay in control. Case Study Julie's K PI turnaround. You might remember Julie from earlier episodes.
She ran a product based business with decent revenue but zero clarity. We set her up with a weekly performance tracker.
Nothing fancy, just weekly revenue Ad spend Conversion rates Expenses Profit per product in just four weeks we identified one product that was selling well but barely making a profit. A Facebook ad that was draining cash. A price point that needed adjusting. She didn't need to work harder, she just needed better information.
That's the power of performance monitoring. What to track and why. Let's go through a simple list of what to track and how often.
Weekly Metrics Quick Check in Revenue in by product Service type Outstanding invoices Cash in Bank allocations Done Profit first Rhythm. This helps you stay present and proactive.
Monthly Metrics Profit and Loss Overview owners pay allocated vs needed marketing spend vs revenue generated conversion rates if applicable Client customer numbers Top three performing offers or services. These give you trends. Trends tell stories.
Quarterly metrics Progress toward financial goals Caps versus Taps if using profit first Debt repayment made Tax pot Check in profit distributions Tracking isn't about punishment. It's about seeing what's working so you can do more of it. Setting up your review system. You don't need a fancy dashboard.
Start with a simple spreadsheet or track a template. I've made one for you. The key is consistency. Here's what I recommend. Pick a weekly check in day. I like Friday mornings.
Book a monthly review slot in your calendar. Set a quarterly CEO day to reflect and reset. Use that time to look at your tracker, spot red flags, celebrate wins, and adjust your course.
Even 20 to 30 minutes a week will completely change your financial confidence. Mindset Shift tracking equals empowerment. Tracking isn't just for accountants or analysts. It's for business owners who want peace of mind.
Better decisions, faster growth, less panic. When you track, you stop reacting and start leading. You don't have to micromanage every number, but you do need to know your vital signs.
And once you build the habit, it's empowering. You'll spot trends earlier, feel calmer during downturns, and celebrate your progress more clearly. This week, your challenge is simple.
Set up your weekly review routine. Even 10 minutes every Friday is a powerful habit. Pick your top three metrics to start with. Don't overwhelm yourself. Just begin.
Next time, we'll talk about growth without burnout. There are lots of options for growth. It doesn't mean you have to work harder, just smarter. Thanks for listening. I'm Deb Halliday.
You're building a financially healthy business one smart step at a time. See you in the next episode. Thanks for tuning in to the Financially Healthy Business Podcast.
If today's episode episode helped you take a step closer to building a business that supports your life, share it with a fellow business owner. Follow the show or leave a review. It all helps to get the message to the people that need it.
Head to how to Build a financially healthy business.co.uk and explore the tools, resources and online programs. You didn't start your business just to survive. You started it to thrive.
