The goal of any business is to improve its net margin. Also called the net profit margin, this profitability metric is the most comprehensive evaluative ratio used in corporate finance. By dividing net profit by total sales, the net margin reflects a company's ability to turn revenue into profit after accounting for all the expenses of running the business, including taxes and debt payments.
When a company's net margin exceeds the average for its industry, it is said to have a competitive advantage, meaning it is more successful than other companies that have similar operations. While the average net margin for different industries varies widely, how businesses can gain a competitive advantage remains constant, whether theyincrease sales or reduce expenses. Its also crucial to use the right tools, such as the best accounting software currently available, to ensure no mistakes are being made.
Key Takeaways
- Net margin measures the profitability of a firm by dividing its net profit by total sales.
- A firm has a competitive advantage when it's net margin exceeds that of its industry.
- Companies can increase their net margin by increasing revenues, such as through selling more goods or services or by increasing prices.
- Companies can increase their net margin by reducing costs (e.g., finding cheaper sources for raw materials).
Boosting Revenues to Improve Net Margin
Improving the net margin through increasing revenue is generally the most popular option. Businesses can increase sales income by raising the price of products or by selling more of them.
However, businesses must be wary of alienating customers with inflated prices. If demand for the product isn't high enough, an ill-timed production surge can leave valuable inventory depreciating in a warehouse, damaging the bottom line. A prudent pricing strategy must take into account what the market will bear in terms of supply as well as price.
While increasing sales revenues is beneficial to the bottom line, it serves as a double-edged sword when it comes to the net margin. Increased revenues leadto increased profits, but they also meana larger figure at the bottom of the net margin equation. Because the net marginformula divides net profit by sales, the benefit of additional revenues is somewhat offset when using this metric. The best strategy is to focus on increasing sales and decreasing expenses simultaneously.
Reducing Costs to Improve Net Margin
Some of the greatest expenses a company incurs come from the day-to-day running of the business and the production of goods for sale. Operating expenses can be reduced by relocating headquarters to a cheaper part of town, leasing smaller factory space, or reducing the workforce.
However, all of these options can have an important impact on the intangible assets of a company, such as public perception and goodwill. Another way to control costs is to find cheaper sources for the raw materials needed to manufacture goods. On the other hand, if a company starts producing inferior-quality products to cut expenses, it is likely to lose many of its customers to competitors.
To reduce the cost of production without sacrificing quality, the best option for many businesses is expansion. Economies of scale refer to the idea that larger companies tend to be more profitable. A large business's increased level of production means that the cost of each item is reduced in several ways. Raw materials purchased in bulk are often discounted by wholesalers.
Also, higher production levels mean that the costs of advertising, research, development, depreciation, and administration are more spread out. Funding expansion can be an effective long-term strategy for improving the net margin because it increases production capacity, drives higher sales volume, and reduces the average cost per item produced.
FAQs
Companies can increase their net margin by increasing revenues, such as through selling more goods or services or by increasing prices. Companies can increase their net margin by reducing costs (e.g., finding cheaper sources for raw materials).
How can a company improve its margins? ›
How to improve profit margin
- Track efficiency. ...
- Develop sales strategies. ...
- Increase customer retention and lead conversion. ...
- Evaluate revenue streams. ...
- Reduce costs. ...
- Invest in development. ...
- Eliminate low-performing goods. ...
- Inspire staff.
What are some of the ways a company can increase its contribution margin? ›
Based on the contribution margin formula, there are two ways for a company to increase its contribution margins; They can find ways to increase revenues, or they can reduce their variable costs.
What strategy could help a company increase net profits choose the answer? ›
Raise Your Average Sale
If you're seeking to maximize your revenue, one of the most effective strategies is increasing the average value of each sale (unless you're selling items below their cost price). By focusing on this aspect, you can significantly increase your profits.
How to achieve net profit margin? ›
Net Profit Margin = Net Profit ⁄ Total Revenue x 100
Net profit is calculated by deducting all company expenses from its total revenue. The result of the profit margin calculation is a percentage – for example, a 10% profit margin means for each $1 of revenue the company earns $0.10 in net profit.
How can a company improve its net margin? ›
Companies can increase their net margin by increasing revenues, such as through selling more goods or services or by increasing prices. Companies can increase their net margin by reducing costs (e.g., finding cheaper sources for raw materials).
How can a company improve operating margin? ›
The operating margin can improve through better management controls, more efficient use of resources, improved pricing, and more effective marketing. In its essence, the operating margin is how much profit a company makes from its core business in relation to its total revenues.
What decisions can you make to improve your contribution margin? ›
Reducing fluctuating costs can dramatically increase your contribution margin, giving you more to spend on fixed expenses or to take as profit. The lower your overall costs, the more you stand to make on each sale, so keeping your variable costs as low as possible makes sense.
Which would increase the profit margin? ›
As mentioned in the previous point, the quickest way of increasing your profit margin is to reduce your costs while increasing your sales prices at the same time. Obviously, increasing prices could result in reduced sales volume as your customers look elsewhere for alternatives.
How can a business improve its gross profit margin? ›
Businesses can improve their gross profit margin by increasing prices, reducing cost of goods sold, or boosting sales volume. To begin with, one of the most straightforward ways to improve gross profit margin is by increasing the selling price of the products or services.
1. Four ways to increase business profitability. There are four key areas that can help drive profitability. These are reducing costs, increasing turnover, increasing productivity, and increasing efficiency.
How to increase the profitability of a company? ›
Steps to improve profit
- Prepare a budget. ...
- Focus on your profit margins. ...
- Review your business's bottom line performance. ...
- Benchmark your business's performance. ...
- Assess the effectiveness of cost management measures. ...
- Evaluate business productivity. ...
- Develop new business strategies. ...
- Reduce your error rate.
How can a company maximize profit? ›
Tips to maximize profits in business
- Conduct market research. ...
- Implement value-based pricing. ...
- Implement intelligent pricing strategy. ...
- Focus on high-margin products/services. ...
- Closely monitor costs. ...
- Invest in marketing wisely. ...
- Improve cash flow management. ...
- Use a smart pricing tool.
What are possible ways companies can increase their contribution margins? ›
One way is to increase prices, change suppliers or find lower-cost raw materials, and reduce production costs. Additionally, companies can produce goods that offer higher contribution margins, or invest in research or development to create more innovative products or services that generate higher profits.
How to increase profit margins? ›
4 Ways to Improve Gross Profit Margin
- Streamline your product offering. While all product lines may be profitable, it's unlikely that all will yield the same margins. ...
- Renegotiate with suppliers for better deals. ...
- Upsell to existing clients. ...
- Increase efficiency and productivity.
How can a company ethical improve net income? ›
By protecting the company from legal issues, reducing any risk to the brand, and by improving the overall reputation of the company, business ethics can actually improve a company's profitability.
What makes profit margin increase? ›
As mentioned in the previous point, the quickest way of increasing your profit margin is to reduce your costs while increasing your sales prices at the same time. Obviously, increasing prices could result in reduced sales volume as your customers look elsewhere for alternatives.
How do you maximize profit margin? ›
Cost reduction is a traditional approach to how to improve profit margin. Scrutinising expenses and streamlining operations can free up capital that directly enhances the bottom line. However, it's crucial to cut costs intelligently to avoid impacting the quality of products or services.
How can a small business increase profit margin? ›
Tips For Small Business To Improve Profit Margins
- Streamline Operations. ...
- Increase Prices. ...
- Focus on High-Margin Products and Services. ...
- Reduce Overhead Costs. ...
- Invest in Your Team. ...
- Implement Cost-Effective Marketing Strategies. ...
- Improve Cash Flow Management. ...
- Seek Customisable Finance Solutions.
What is one way a business could increase its gross profit margin? ›
These include: Reducing its operating expenses without lowering sales prices. Increasing its prices without increasing the cost of doing business.