| 1. Set goals using the SMART goals guidelines: | | | | as their own accountants and tax preparers, and all of |
| S specific, simple | | | | these jobs are in addition to what you are in business |
| M measurable, meaningful | | | | to do in the first place, whether it be designing web |
| A achievable | | | | pages, selling clothes, or interior decorating. |
| R realistic, responsible | | | | Delegating means that you will have more time and |
| T timed (how will you know when you are there?) | | | | energy to focus on what it is you do best and want to |
| With a clearly defined direction, you are able to | | | | do most - which will translate into increased success |
| develop a strategic plan for your business growth. | | | | for your business. Delegated tasks can be performed |
| When you operate from a plan, (as opposed to the | | | | by technology, virtual assistants, or even bartered for. |
| seat of your pants) you are better able to prioritize | | | | Be creative with your delegating and don't let your |
| your time, make effective and informed decisions and | | | | fears of losing control, costs, or lack of patience for |
| monitor your progress. | | | | the training process keep you from creating a more |
| 2. Time Optimization - Learn to manage the time | | | | efficient business. |
| munchers: | | | | Theodore Roosevelt said, "The best leader is the one |
| - E-mail / instant messaging / text messaging | | | | who has a sense to pick good people to do what he |
| - Phone | | | | or she wants done, and enough self-restraint to keep |
| - Interruptions | | | | from meddling with them while they do it." |
| - Multi-tasking | | | | 5. Business Performance Measurement (BPM) - |
| - Boredom with mundane or dreaded tasks, which | | | | Where are you? How are you doing? Where are you |
| leads to | | | | going? How will you know when you are there? |
| - Procrastination Understand the difference between | | | | Why measure? |
| Important and Urgent tasks. | | | | - demonstrate positive results |
| Important tasks help us achieve long-term goals, or | | | | - demonstrate time and money savings |
| have other long-term significance. | | | | - identify and measure efficiency and effectiveness of |
| Urgent tasks may need immediate attention to avoid a | | | | actions |
| crisis, but are not necessarily important in the long term. | | | | - set appropriate targets |
| Schedule time for planning and include strategic action | | | | - monitor control |
| steps (important tasks) in your schedule, as well as the | | | | - drive improvement that is aligned with goals and |
| routine business practices and activities. Stay focused | | | | objectives |
| on your strategic goals to keep from regressing to | | | | - maximize effectiveness of improvement |
| daily acts of trivia, (urgent tasks) which may produce | | | | By setting goals and developing best business |
| nothing, they just make you feel active. | | | | practices (standardizing your processes) you will |
| Don't mistake activity for productivity. | | | | create benchmarks from which to measure from. |
| 3. Best Business Practices - Simple, streamlined | | | | Start with a strategic assessment, identify key |
| procedures and processes for the most efficient and | | | | performance indicators and develop a continual |
| effective way to accomplish a task. Developing and | | | | process improvement strategy. Test any changes in |
| following a standard process has several key benefits: | | | | process or procedures on a trial basis so you can |
| - consistency | | | | evaluate the progress without risk of reducing |
| - saves time | | | | productivity or profits. Implement permanent changes |
| - saves money | | | | when the tests prove successful. |
| - prevents errors 4. Know Your Strengths - Delegate | | | | Follow these 5 strategic steps and increase your |
| the rest. The typical sole proprietor who doesn't | | | | profitability, productivity and be more efficient with your |
| delegate is her own manager, marketer, sales person, | | | | time and energy. Give your business a distinct |
| PR specialist, product or services developer, fundraiser, | | | | competitive advantage with the ability to forecast and |
| bookkeeper, human resources department, | | | | plan, using measurable data - not guesswork. |
| receptionist, secretary, and gofer. Some even serve | | | | |