Following on from our most recent blog article on the advantages and disadvantages of business growth, a question followed that inspired our next article.

This was, how do you calculate business growth to understand the results better for the business?

In reply, we discussed the terminology of ROI which means return on investment, and how best you can calculate this for your business.

Return on investment (ROI) is a financial metric that measures the return or profit generated from an investment relative to the initial cost of that investment.

It is a fundamental tool for assessing the performance and profitability of various investments, projects, or initiatives in your business.

The ROI formula is straightforward in terms of our following calculation:

ROI = (Net Profit / Initial Investment) x 100

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how you can calculate ROI for your business too:

Step One: Determine Net Profit:

Calculate the net profit generated by the investment. This should consider all revenue generated and subtract all costs, including both the initial investment and ongoing operating expenses.

The formula for net profit is:

Net Profit = Total Revenue – Total Costs

Step Two: Calculate the Initial Investment:

Determine the total cost of the initial investment. This includes any capital expenditures, such as equipment, facilities, or software, as well as any other costs incurred at the beginning of the investment. It does not include ongoing operational expenses.

Step Three: Use the ROI Formula:

Once you have the net profit and the initial investment amount, plug them into the ROI formula:

ROI = (Net Profit / Initial Investment) x 100

Step Four: Express ROI as a Percentage:

The ROI is typically expressed as a percentage. This percentage tells you how much profit you’ve earned for every pound invested.

A positive ROI indicates a profitable investment, while a negative ROI suggests a loss.

A ROI example can be found as follows based on a customer example:

Let’s say one of our customers invested £2,700 GBP in a marketing campaign for your product, and the campaign generated £11,400 GBP in additional revenue while incurring £500 in marketing costs.

To calculate the ROI, I would complete the following calculation:

Net Profit = Total Revenue – Total Costs

Net Profit = £11,400- £500

Net Profit = £10,900

Now, use the ROI formula:

ROI = (Net Profit / Initial Investment) x 100

ROI = 400%

ROI is a simple metric, and it does not account for the time value of money or the duration of the investment.

If you require a more detailed analysis, you may want to consider other metrics for the payback period in reference to time. These alternative options are as follows:

  • The internal rate of return (IRR)
  • The net present value (NPV)

These are to be used if your investments have complex cash flow over a period of time.

But ultimately how to calculate your return on investment is by a simple calculation to demonstrate the positive or negative impact each investment has within your business.

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