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"turnover is vanity, profit is sanity"

what exactly does this mean. Thanks I head it on dragon's den.

Comments

  • If you're running a business you may have an impressive amount of money coming into your business but if you're profit margin is low and/or running costs are high it will affect how much you make.

    A similar expression used by golfers is "Drive for show, putt for dough"
  • Thrugelmir
    Thrugelmir Posts: 89,546 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    The full saying is "Turnover is vanity, profit is sanity but cash flow is king".

    Majority of businessess fail through a failure to prepare detailed cashflow forecasts, and business plans. Rather than a lack of profitability or sales.

    Increased sales whilst welcomed do create problems for a business.
  • There is also "Profit Is A Myth, Cash Is Reality"

    This means that you may be selling stuff and making, say, 50%, 75% or 100% profit margin but until you actually have the money in your hand profit margin means nothing.
  • GavB79
    GavB79 Posts: 751 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts
    Turnover = £100m. Costs = £99m.
    Turnover = £10m. Costs = £1m.

    Amounts are fixed, no scope for change. Which would you prefer?
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