What Profit % Should You Watch?
Watch a simple margin trend weekly so you catch problems early.
Who This Is For
- You do not know what “good” looks like.
- You only review results after month-end.
- You want one number that keeps you honest.
What To Do This Week
- Pick one metric: gross margin % (most useful).
- Track weekly trend, not %.
- If it drops for 2–3 weeks, act on one cause.
FAQ
Gross or net?
Gross is faster for diagnosis. Net can lag and hide the real leak.
What is a “good” number?
Industry varies. Start by improving your own trend consistently.
What if numbers are messy?
Use a rough margin estimate weekly, then improve accuracy over time.
Do I need daily tracking?
Weekly is enough for most SMEs.
What triggers action?
A sustained decline, not a one-week blip.