A couple of years ago, we spoke to a business whose finances were a mess.
They had a bookkeeper they adored — loyal, trustworthy, had been with them forever. But she was in her seventies, often off sick, and the accounts were slipping further and further behind.
The leadership team knew it wasn’t sustainable. The business was exposed to all sorts of risks: VAT deadlines missed, cashflow unmonitored, big decisions made without up-to-date numbers.
And yet… they did nothing.
Not because they didn’t care. Not because they didn’t understand the risks. But because inertia — that quiet, invisible enemy — had taken over.
Their “temporary” sticking plaster had become their permanent plan.
“Inertia” whispers: Better the devil you know.
It tempts you to wait and see.
It convinces you that doing nothing is safer than making a tough change.
But here’s the truth: inertia is not safe. It’s self-sabotage.
Because messy money management means:
- No clear cashflow, so you’re constantly anxious about what’s in the bank
- No reliable numbers, so you’re guessing your financial situation
- No robust forecasts, so you miss opportunities or walk straight into risks
And inertia magnifies every single one of these. The problem doesn’t go away when you ignore it — it grows quietly, until one day it erupts into a full-blown financial crisis.
That’s why I say the most dangerous decision a business owner can make is the decision to… do nothing.
The good news? If you know that your financial management needs to be upgraded and professionalised but you haven’t done anything about it, you don’t have to stay stuck.
At Insight Associates, our outsourced finance department acts as your in-house accounting function.
We’ve built turnkey systems and processes that can be up and running in your business from day one.
We don’t drown you in jargon or inaccessible numbers. We work alongside you, explaining everything in plain English, and giving you the tools to make better financial decisions with confidence.
Clients are always surprised by how quickly inertia is broken…
…and how much lighter they feel once the numbers are reliable and they have a partner who understands finances, working besides them.
Their biggest regret? That it took so long to make the shift.
So if you know your financial function needs upgrading, don’t let inertia make the decision for you. Don’t wait for the VAT man, the bank manager, or an unexpected cash crunch to force your hand.
Call me or one of my specialists today on 01279 647 447 or just email garry@insightassociates.co.uk to arrange a consultation.
Break inertia. Take back control. Grow with confidence.
Warmly,
Garry
You might also like: Transforming your financial mindset – Insight Associates Limited
