📊 Lesson 8: Stock, Money and the Weekly Numbers

Count the stock

Once a week, count what you have and write it down. Stock is money sitting on a shelf; the count tells you what is selling, what is dead and what to buy. A product that has not moved in eight weeks is not stock, it is a loss waiting to be admitted — bundle it or sell it off.

The reorder point

For each product that sells, know how many you sell a week and how long the supplier takes. Reorder when you have that many weeks left plus one. Running out of your best seller costs more than carrying a little extra.

Money separate, numbers weekly

Business account for the business; pay yourself a fixed amount from it. Every Monday, ten minutes: money in, money owed to you, orders, repeat customers, the one thing that went wrong. After four Mondays you will know the business better than most people know theirs after four years.

When the tools pay for themselves

A store when the messages cost more hours than the plan; a till when the counter and the store disagree on stock; a helper when the packing routine exists for them to follow. Upgrade when the time saved is worth more than the cost, not when you feel tired.

Homework

First stock count done, reorder points written for your top five products, and the Monday numbers started. Then take the assessment and claim the certificate.

✅ Do this now — step by step

1. Count all stock this week and write it in one sheet.
2. For the top five products, write weekly sales and supplier lead time, and the reorder point.
3. Open the business bank account if you have not; set your weekly pay.
4. Do the Monday numbers for four weeks before deciding on any new tool or hire.

⚠️ Mistakes to avoid

• Buying new stock while old stock sits unsold.
• Mixing the business money with the house money, then wondering where the profit went.
• Hiring a helper before there is a routine to hand them.

🇯🇲 How it plays out in Jamaica