What happens when you take your own advice (Part III)

This is Part III of a four-part series on “what happens when you take your own advice.” (Part I, Part II ). In the middle of a re-brand of my existing business, my husband and had the opportunity to open a fine art gallery (see www.evolvethegallery.com). To minimize the disruption to my existing business and maintain my clients’ needs, I relied heavily on my established systems and the same tips, tools and techniques I encourage my clients to use. Including:

Collaboration with complementary businesses is a must. A great way to collaborate with other businesses is to have them contribute to and sponsor your event. They get the exposure and you get the added help, product or service. You always want to enhance the value of what you are providing your clients. Look for hidden and creative opportunities in your local communities.

There is a small movie theater (The Guild Theater) across the street from our gallery. As part of our inaugural opening, we wanted to show movies that went with the theme of our show. The movie theater was looking for new ways to draw traffic and increase their presence in the community and we needed a cost-effective way to provide film-screenings. We invited the manager over for a tour of the galley and discussed the benefits of collaborating. It was a win-win. So much so, they offered to do the film screenings every Friday for a month at no cost to us and we did the same by offering the screenings to our guests at no cost. Yes, free double-feature film screenings for a whole month (and access to the theater for two complimentary panel discussions on Saturdays to boot! How’s that for collaborating and keeping it local!)

Never underestimate the power of 6 degrees of separation. Connections can put a business on the map quicker and faster than “word of mouth.” Everybody knows somebody who can help somebody. Through six degrees of separation, we were honored to have philanthropists, museum curators, the Mayor and a Senator either attend our private preview reception or come by for a private tour. In addition, when we attended a book signing and discussion at the Thelma Harris Gallery, we met fine art Master, Richard Mayhew, and Bernard and Shirley Kinsey (whose personal art collection is now on exhibit at the Smithsonian). During our due diligence, we visited many galleries to see how other owners operated, looked for ways to distinguish ourselves, ways to collaborate, yielded wisdom from the experts, acknowledged their mistakes and made some good friends along the way. Thelma was kind enough to welcome us into the industry with open arms; which included introductions to art legends. The Kinsey’s are the ones who advised us to contact Senator Price’s office (see Part II).

On the day after one of our panel discussion we received a beautiful book reflecting 38 phenomenal years ofBen F. Jones creative works. There was no note, just the autographed book and a business card. When we called Ben to thank him and find out how he had heard about us, he simply said he read about our opening in a blog (The Black Art Project). After a delightful conversation, needless to say, we were humbly honored and floored. The Internet has made it a small world and you never know who knows who.

Always capture your leads, follow-up and keep in touch. Every business should have a platform for engaging and capturing leads. This could be a sign-up for newsletter box, link to a landing page, CRM system or even a link to your Facebook fanpage. For live events, it could be a registration sheet, sign-in sheet or guest book. Don’t pass up the opportunity to introduce potential clients to your product or services, share upcoming events, specials, etc. via newsletter, e-blasts and online updates. Staying top of mind is crucial. People want to know “what’s next?” and “what’s new?” CAVEAT: Do not overburden new clients and your connections with unnecessary emails and updates. It is a major turn-off and you will soon see your numbers decrease instead of increase. Be relevant, informative and resourceful.

To date, the gallery has been extremely well received in the community and we continue to be amazed at how fast the word is spreading and the wonderful people we are meeting. However, now that the “fanfare” of the grand opening has worn off, it’s time for the real work to begin; the work of maintaining and sustaining a business. There is no way I could have opened a second business without having functional systems in place with my existing business; Simplicity Mastered. The chaos and confusion would have been insurmountable and I would risk losing my clients.

Never underestimate the power of Simplicity. When your operations are organized and streamlined, it makes it easier to introduce new products/services and test new ideas. It helps you manage information and stay focused on your priorities and objectives. It also makes stepping away, less disruptive.

There’s a reason why my business is called Simplicity Mastered. There is a reason why I specialize in simplifying business processes. Owning a business doesn’t have to be hard. But it does need to be functional and productive. And it needs to be effective, efficient and done smart. There is a reason why overwhelmed and frustrated business owners call me to help them be mentally and intellectually organized to grow. I keep things practical, realistic and utilize existing resources. At some point, you have to put knowledge to work and startdoing. You are responsible for your business; the good, the bad and the ugly. It will grow or fail by your action or inaction. Make a commitment to make better business decisions today. That includes asking for help. We could not have accomplished all that we have without asking for help.

Next week, I will share with you some of my “silly mistakes,” “brain freezes” and “forget me NOTs.” NOTE: I never said the opening of a second business went off without a hitch. ☺

If you need help NOW! Get help here

WANT TO RE-POST THIS ARTICLE ON YOUR BLOG OR USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE, E-NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? You may, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:

For over 18 years, Simplicity Mastered™ founder and CEO A. Michelle Blakeley has owned or managed small businesses and nonprofit organizations. Expert in her field, Blakeley personally guides her clients out of their Business Brain Freeze™ to streamline operations, increase return on investment, and attain quantifiable results. Forbes.com and FinancialPost.com each recommended her as one of 30 Women Entrepreneurs to Follow on Twitter, joining the experts who know that Blakeley is a master at growing small businesses … and doing it with “Simplicity.”

What happens when you take your own advice? (Part II)

Last week, I started a four-part series of articles on “practicing what I preach.”  The same advice, techniques, tricks and tools I suggest to my clients, I used myself to open an art gallery in about 60 days. If you missed the first article, start here

For those who read last week’s post, let’s continue…

When you operate more than one business, it is important not to mix them. Your business profiles should be separate. Keep them separate. They should each have their own brand, systems, websites, social networks, etc. You don’t want to confuse your existing clients. Especially, when the two businesses are completely different. This can be difficult because you naturally want to share your excitement about your new venture with your current clients. You can make an announcement once you’re ready to open your new doors, but limit conversation about the new venture with your existing clients. Formally introduce them at the appropriate time.

Systems are important. Running two businesses is not something I would suggest to anybody. However, if the opportunity arises, you can make it more manageable with systems. As a small business owner wearing multiple hats, you have to have systems. They allow for you to maintain some sort of organization. Since I already had a business as a Micro Business Therapist, it was important not to just disappear off the face of the earth. There is a lot of energy and years of work put into that brand; not to mention clients who need me. Having functional systems in place allows you to take breaks, test new ideas, measure your efforts, start new ventures, etc.

Use technology to your advantage. Schedule tweets and updates via sites like Hootsuite, allow clients to schedule appointments on their own via sites like Setster, schedule your blog posts a few weeks out, use your calendar to schedule and manage tasks and stick to it, automate your billing with sites like Freshbooks, setGoogle Alerts to keep up with important information (your name, your business name, trends, topics, people, other businesses, articles, events, etc.) There is a lot of technology available to support small business owners. Search for what you need and use it. When you are sick, absent or on vacation, it is important that you stay in touch with your base (via Constant Contact, Vertical Response, etc.). This can be difficult at times, but when you have systems and technology, it lessens the disruption in your business. (more technology resources here)

What do you want to be known for? What is your brand? Knowing who you are and where you fit in your industry is key. Branding starts with the name of your business, the look of your business, the style and feel of your business, the client experience, the whole of your business; including you and how you operate.

We opened a contemporary fine art gallery that exhibits evocative art in an intimate and private venue. My husband just de-installed our first show. He patched the holes, repainted the walls and was preparing to install the next show. The next day, I received a call from the Senator’s office requesting a private tour of the previous show. (I had called his office and sent a personal invitation three weeks prior). Anyone in the art world knows how tedious and time consuming it is to install and de-install shows. Some thought we should just have the Senator come back next month during the new show. Did we re-hang the show and invite him to come by? Or did we tell him it’s too late, the show was over and come back and see us next month? Not only did we re-hang the entire show; but we invited him and his staff members over for a private tour and lunch. Needless to say, we had a phenomenal time and it gave us an opportunity to set the foundation to collaborate with the Sentator’s office for next year’s events. Going the extra mile certainly paid off. Never underestimate the potential for opportunities in going the extra mile. Always remember your brand. If you are branding yourself as someone who provides an exceptional client experience, going the extra mile should be an everyday event.

Marketing is always a comprehensive element of small business. Don’t confuse comprehensive withcomplicated. Every small business owner should be able to manage minimal marketing techniques. Marketing basics include: website, social media platforms, press releases, free/paid ads, postcards and most important, a clear and consistent marketing message. Your brand/marketing collateral needs to look and feel professional.

Sometimes it’s not about what you do, but how you do it. We held a private preview before our grand opening and sent out 75 (plus one) custom invitations to key individuals. It only takes a few people to spread your good news when you have the right people in place. We were very careful and selective about who we invited to the private preview. This worked so well, their over-excitement generated calls to the gallery for additional invitations and some just “crashed.” We ended up with a full house and about 300 people passed through that night. When you are marketing, have a purpose, have a plan and make sure you are speaking to the right audience.

Social media is the small business owner’s best friend. It is the quickest most effective way to get the word out for a new business, new product, new service, new event, …new anything. Your connections can help move your message along the pipeline faster than a speeding bullet. Use them wisely. Take advantage of the technology, but don’t take your connections for granted. Be respectful of their time and space. Don’t overburden them with frivolous and multiple activities.

Stay tuned, next week, I’ll tell you how we got a local movie theater to sponsor our film screenings for a full month!

If you need help NOW! Get help here

 

11 Friends You Haven’t Met; But Need to Know

We all talk about collaborating to expand our business and generate more leads. How often do you actually do it? We all talk about connecting and cultivating relationships. How often do you take the time to have dialogue?

I wanted to take this opportunity to share with you some friends who could truly make a difference in your business. These women are professional, insightful and inspiring.

Collectively, they can provide you with a wide variety of assistance and resources for your business including: creating and perfecting your elevator pitch, human resources, cultural diversity, sales and marketing, lifestyle, branding, non-profit/community engagement, networking, social media, beauty and lifestyle.

1. Barbara Lopez with Brightfarm Introductions – Barbara masterfully helps you create an introduction to your business that reflects your specialty and your personality. Her capacity to ensure that your introductions are fresh and memorable is exceptional.
2. Deena Pierott with Mosaic Blueprint – Deena has a connection for whatever ails your business. Although she is a cultural diversity expert, her vast and dynamic social network of women, urban entrepreneurs and corporations is built on collaboration.
3. Ayesha Mathews-Wadhwa with PixInk – You are your brand and Ayesha’s brand development ensures that your brand identity and personal values are not only in sync but clear and well defined. Her brand cultivation genius helps discover what makes you unique.
4. Natalie MacNeil with She Takes On the World – Home of all things “women entrepreneur.” Natalie features successful women entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship articles, valuable resources, and a free directory for women-owned businesses. She has received numerous awards and mentions for her work and blog content and is a constant source of fresh ideas and encouragement.
5. Sylvia Browder with Browder Consulting – Sylvia empowers women to achieve success through entrepreneurship. In addition to running her own consulting practice, she volunteers as a SCORE counselor and provides women entrepreneurs with the resources and tools they need for continued success. Her support for women entrepreneurs is personal and heartfelt.
6. Adrienne Graham with Empower Me! and Fearless Networking. This power broker provides a variety of platforms that enable women to maximize the value in their networks and connections. Adrienne is all about the power and empowerment of women entrepreneurs and the author of “Go Ahead Talk to Strangers: A Modern Day Guide to Fearless Networking.”
7. Yolanda Webb with E’Lon Beauty – Yolanda publishes an amazing and unique online beauty magazine. Her magazine not only presents all that is beautiful on the outside, but her publication also nurtures the inside beauty of all women.
8. Patricia Weber with Professional Strategies – Pat is the consummate sales coach for introverts. She understands the anxiety and apprehension introverts have in operating their business and skillfully coaches them through practical communication, sales and networking techniques.
9. Jacintha Perrera with Island Getaways – This is not a “fly by night” travel service. Jacintha is a travel expert specializing in South Pacific getaways and special interest retreats. Her customized travel expeditions are once in a lifetime experiences. Be sure to check out her travel blog and virtual tours. When you need to getaway, you need to contact Jacintha.
10. Crystal Martin with Crystalwashington.com – Crystal is a social media and social networking guru. Her simple tips and tools will get you up to speed with effective and efficient marketing strategies that will enhance your capacity to meet and acquire appropriate clients.

Please take some time to explore their sites and introduce yourself. I’m sure each of them will welcome you into their fold with a warm smile and kind word.

WANT TO RE-POST THIS ARTICLE ON YOUR BLOG OR USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE, E-NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? You may, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:

A.Michelle Blakeley is the Founder and CEO of Simplicity, Inc.; a progressive small business development firm. She manages her clients’ business expectations and prevents information overload via Micro Business Therapy™ and Micro Business Action Plans. She is featured in Forbes.com and the Financial Post as one of 30 Women Entrepreneurs to Follow on Twitter, the host of Simple Truths for Women Entrepreneurs on BlogTalkRadio.com and author of the NEW e-book: “Get it Right and Move Along… a collection of practical tips, tools and techniques for small business owners.”

5 Ways to Erase Daily Procrastination in Your Business

According to Real Simple magazine’s survey of 10,000 readers, the average daily to-do list has 5 to 9 tasks on it. Only 5% of the readers are productive for 3 hours during a 9-to-5 workday as a result of web-related distractions. According to the Procrastination Research Group, based on some figures, it is estimated that as much as 95% of the people are prone to procrastination. Amongst them, 20% of them are chronic procrastinators.

Procrastination is generally defined as avoided tasks or activities that need to be accomplished. Poor time management and procrastination can be a direct result of having unreachable goals, having to meet others’ standards, disorganization or the inability to handle the task. Below are ways to erase daily procrastination in your business.

1. Use the first hour or two of your day to work on things that require your attention or have deadlines. Accomplishing necessary tasks will invigorate you to do more.
2. Inspire yourself with insightful reading. Read at least one business article daily and take action. Try implementing a new idea. Don’t just read about it, but do.
3. Afternoon organization can make the next day easier. Take 15 minutes at the end of each day to think about tomorrow’s priorities. Knowing what needs to be done at the beginning of each day gives you focus and direction.
4. Break large projects or tasks into smaller activities and schedule them on your calendar as appointments. Do them in 30-minutes, 1-hour or 3-hour time blocks. You wouldn’t interrupt a scheduled appointment, so don’t allow unnecessary interruptions when working on your projects.
5. Don’t make lofty goals. Be reasonable in your expectations of yourself, your time and your commitments. Overextending yourself can cause you shut down. Be practical and realistic.

It’s always helpful to identify the source of your procrastination. Take some time to think about why you are putting things off and then try one of the above techniques. Procrastination can really be a struggle and challenge for small business owners, especially when they are simply overwhelmed and unsure of their next move. Take it one step at a time and be conscious of your actions AND inaction.

WANT TO RE-POST THIS ARTICLE ON YOUR BLOG OR USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE, E-NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? You may, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:

A.Michelle Blakeley is the Founder and CEO of Simplicity, Inc.; a progressive small business development firm. She manages her clients’ business expectations and prevents information overload via Micro Business Therapy™ and Micro Business Action Plans. She is featured in Forbes.com and the Financial Post as one of 30 Women Entrepreneurs to Follow on Twitter and the host of Simple Truths for Women Entrepreneurs on BlogTalkRadio.com.

Your business skills have an expiration date

It’s never too late to learn something new. Honing your business skills can help you maximize productivity and attain goals by providing strategic insight and applicable techniques. Don’t just take the time to learn something new. Knowledge unused is wasted. Implement what you learn and share it with others.

It doesn’t matter how you acquire information and new knowledge. However, it does matter that you actively pursue it and utilize it for the benefit of you and your business. Your business is a journey and just like with any trip, you see new things, learn new things and bring new things back with you. Make the most of your journey. Don’t just be a tourist; get to know the people and culture of where you are.

5 ways to hone your business skills:

1.     Take a class online, live or via phone. Most of the time, these are cost-effective ways to acquire new information on a wide variety of topics. They are also convenient in terms of location and access.

2.     Connect with a mentor. The wisdom that you gain from someone who has walked the walk is priceless. You can learn from their experiences and mistakes. You can expand on what has worked for them. Most importantly, you have emotional support and encouragement.

3.     Read business magazines, books and reports. These are quick, yet powerful ways to discover quick tips, tools and techniques that will increase your knowledge and resources.

4.     Join a business association related to your industry. Association memberships keep you aligned with best industry practices and legislation.

5.     Sign up for a business retreat or convention out of town. Getting out of your “territory” and meeting new business owners is refreshing. You can see how things are done in other areas, expand your market base, collaborate with new connections and break the monotony of your daily routine.

Don’t get left behind. Failing to refresh yourself and ideas on a regular basis is a sure way to not only kill your creativity but dull your business senses. Use the venues above to keep your finger on the pulse of your target market, industry and relevance of your business. Your business skills are directly related to your business success.

WANT TO RE-POST THIS ARTICLE ON YOUR BLOG OR USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE, E-NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? You may, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:

A.Michelle Blakeley is the Founder and CEO of Simplicity, Inc.; a progressive small business development firm. She manages her clients’ business expectations and prevents information overload via Micro Business Therapy™ and Micro Business Action Plans. She is featured in Forbes.com and the Financial Post as one of 30 Women Entrepreneurs to Follow on Twitter and the host of Simple Truths for Women Entrepreneurs on BlogTalkRadio.com.

Claim your business… and claim new clients!

One of the new small business trends for 2010 is to re-engage local business owners. Many small business owners are making a shift in their marketing and networking strategies from the online community to the local community. This can prove to be beneficial and strengthen collaborations among small business owners. Establishing joint ventures and referral programs has always been viewed as a solid marketing strategy. To enhance your local marketing efforts you should claim your business profile on Google and Bing.

There are 3 fantastic benefits to claiming your business:

1. Let’s your local community know who you are

2. Your satisfied clients can post rave reviews about your services

3. Organically increase your search engine optimization

By adding your business profile to sites like Google and Bing you make it even easier for your local community to find you. More people search locally on Google than anywhere else. Think yellow pages, but via search engine and there is NO COST. When someone does a search for your type of product or service, you increase the chances of them finding you in the results.

When you claim your Google or Bing business profile be sure to make it as complete as possible; this includes: verifying your address, phone number and hours of operation. You can also add things like: your logo/photo, brief bio, website, email address, top five categories you would like to be listed in (you can even create your own to refine your niche), payment options, videos, coupons and post real-time updates. What better way to get your basic business information in front of local potential clients?

The best part about claiming and adding your profile to Google and Bing is that you can have your satisfied clients and energetic fans post reviews directly to your profile. Just like you see reviews for restaurants, auto repair shops, stores, movies, etc. potential clients can read rave reviews about your product or services. You can request clients submit a review as part of your quality control program. Instead of sending them a survey simply ask them to submit a review to your profile. You can then add those reviews to your website.

See the results yourself. On Google, you can see how many times people have viewed your listing, what actions they took, and where they came from in your local area. Google and Bing improve your chances of showing up in local search results using information about your business from all over the web. Your reviews will improve those search results as well.

With all that being said, there are a couple of caveats. In our world of instant technology, a bad testimonial or review can spread like wild fire, particularly in a local area. Please be mindful of your clients’ experience. You should always focus on client service first and not the sale. Client service speaks volumes over a poor product. If and when you receive a bad review, take action immediately. Contact the reviewer directly, inquire about the source of their dissatisfaction and attempt to make amends. Also, be wary of scrupulous business owners who attempt to claim your business. They will add a profile with your business name, but their business address in attempt to get your potential clients to their location or call. Ensure your business information is updated and accurate on a regular basis.

Claim your business profile AND claim new clients.

p.s. Yelp has also been mentioned as a search engine to post and claim your business profile. However, there have been some recent concerns about their business practices. You can read one of the stories here.

WANT TO RE-POST THIS ARTICLE ON YOUR BLOG OR USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE, E-NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? You may, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:

A.Michelle Blakeley is the Founder and CEO of Simplicity, Inc.; a progressive small business development firm. She manages her clients’ business expectations and prevents information overload via Micro Business Therapy™ and Micro Business Action Plans. She is featured in Forbes.com and the Financial Post as one of 30 Women Entrepreneurs to Follow on Twitter and the host of Simple Truths for Women Entrepreneurs on BlogTalkRadio.com.

So What Are You Saying?

Just because someone needs your products or services, doesn’t mean they will automatically enlist your help. Many business owners falsely assume that a great product or service will mean instant sales. Seasoned small business owners will recognize the absurdity in this. People need to relate to you before they buy from you. There is a mental process that takes place in which they need assurances.

Active listening – Listen to what they are telling you. Be sure you understand what their needs are and what their desired outcome looks like. Don’t automatically assume you know or understand what their problem is. Don’t put the cart before the horse and start selling before you’ve had an opportunity to connect.

Your capacity – Know what you CAN do for them and what you CAN’T do for them. It is better to be honest and upfront about your abilities than to jeopardize your reputation with complaints and poor products and services. Clearly explain to them how you can assist them and how your product or service will benefit them and meet their desired outcome. Reflect on their concerns and find the details in their conversation that allow you really connect with them.

Why You? – Clearly explain what it will be like to work with you. Between the yellow pages and the internet, surely they can find someone else to fit the bill. So, why should they choose you? What makes you so special? Do you guarantee your product or service? Do you offer follow-ups? What will their client experience be like? What type of customer service program do you have? This is where you exude confidence in your ability to surpass your competition in key areas that are important to the potential client.

The Closing – always exude confidence in your ability to solve your clients’ problem. This is not the time to be shy. Ask for the sale. If you are unsure you can help them, they are unsure you can help them. Give them reasons to act immediately and share in your confidence.

When you fail to clearly communicate with potential clients, you’ll end up with a lot of people saying they’ll THINK about using your products or services, but NEVER actually hire or use you. No sale is ever really guaranteed. You simply can’t afford to take your clients for granted, nor can you assume potential clients will automatically use your products or services just because they need them. If you need a new washer and dryer are you going to buy from the first person that has one available or are you going to do a little research and see which one best fits your needs? This goes the same for your clients and potential clients.

Give them the RIGHT reasons why they should use you, connect with them and close the deal with confidence and assurance in your ability to meet their needs and exceed their expectations. There is an art to engaging potential clients and it starts with active listening and clear communication.

Submitted by A.Michelle Blakeley

Simplicity, Inc. |Because you don’t have time to waste.™ |866.927.5888 x1

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Your Time is Valuable, Network the Smart Way

With so many social networking sites and events to attend, it is difficult to know which ones will bring you the most value. Not all groups and networks are the same and to help grow your business, you’ll want to be connected to more than one. However, time is money and you can’t afford to aimlessly attend networking events or spend valuable hours online. Before you attend your next networking function or sign-up for that new social networking site, set some ground rules for yourself. Know what it is you need and expect in return from your participation.

Each networking group may offer you something another does not. The more you know and understand your needs as well as well as your clients needs, the faster you can recognize real opportunities to connect and make a sale. Be prepared to not only connect with potential clients, but with potential power partners (businesses that provide complimentary products or services) as well.

Consistency in attendance and contribution is key for ensuring people have an opportunity to get to know you, what you have to offer and how they can help you.  For online venues, make sure your profile is updated regularly, contribute to discussions and reach out to participants. For live venues, always be prepared with business cards, offer to meet for coffee or a conference call to continue your discussions and learn more about each other; and keep in touch.

1. Participants – Know beforehand if there will be potential clients (those that match your client profile) in attendance. For online venues, are the members geographically located near you and does that matter? How many leads or referrals can you anticipate from your networking efforts per month? Just as important as potential clients is connecting with potential collaborative business partners. You can find this out ahead of time by reviewing the membership roll or directory.
2. Opportunities – Know beforehand how many will be in attendance or how many are members? For live venues, will there be an opportunity for you to give your elevator pitch or speak to the group? Also, are the same people showing up each week or month? Is the group stagnate or constantly looking for ways to grow and expand? For online venues, do they include platforms that will allow you to directly connect with potential clients and collaborative business (i.e. live chat, IM, etc.)? Depending on the amount of potential clients and collaborative partners, you will need to determine how much time you have to devote to connecting and cultivating relationships with members.
3. Benefits – is there a membership fee? Take advantage of the free trials; but use them when you have an adequate amount of time to really go through and utilize the site. Find out about all of the member benefits. You need to be able to justify the membership fee with the likelihood of generating actual sales. You should track your conversion rates as well for benchmarking purposes. In addition, do they allow for corporate sponsorships for increased exposure? For online venues, can you cross-promote or advertise your business on their website? Does the networking group promote referrals to members?
4. Time – For live venues, when, where and how often do they meet? How will that affect your current workload? Online venues are generally more flexible with time. You can log-on at your convenience. However, again, consistency in regards to your presence and participation is imperative.

Get back to basics and focus on the fundamentals of operating your business. Ensure your business tasks and activities are revenue generating or conducive to the growth of your business.

 

http://amichelleblakeley.wordpress.com/

10 Ways to Measure Your Time Effectiveness and Efficiency

It’s true that what we focus on tends to expand. When we watch the clock, time moves at its slowest pace. However, when we are conscious of what actions, tasks and activities we give out time to, we have more of it. If you don’t know how your time is spent, keep a time log for one week. Track how much time you spend on each activity throughout the day. Once the week is done and your notes are complete, sit down and analyze how you’ve been spending your time and make the appropriate adjustments. You should be able to identify pockets of time that are being misused on the phone, on the internet, with non-clients, too much networking, in front of the TV, sleeping, chatting on non-relevant, etc. That’s not to say you shouldn’t be doing these things, but you do want to make sure they are not stealing valuable time.

Conduct an honest evaluation of yourself and your daily work habits. An honest reflection on your daily work habits will reveal exactly “who, what, where, when and how” contributes to your productivity or lack thereof. Ten ways to measure your time effectiveness and efficiency, ask yourself:

1. Am I being productive or just active? Know the difference.
2. Am I inventing things to do to avoid the important tasks and activities?
3. What are my non-negotiables? (i.e. how late am I willing to work, do I really need to attend 3 networking events a week?)
4. Are you willing to train your unconscious with new techniques? If I keep doing what I’ve been doing, I’ll keep getting what I’ve been getting.
5. It takes longer not to write things down than to write them down. My plans, goals and activities don’t need to be complicated, but they need to be written. That which is written, gets measured.
6. What have I learned and am I willing to correct what needs to be corrected? This should include mistakes that should not be repeated. Get it right and move along. Time allocated to actually serving clients earns money. Time allocated to administrating and soliciting clients, costs time and money.
7. What am I currently doing? What actions have worked? Not worked? – Detail the effectiveness of specific tasks. Did each task achieved do what was intended to support the larger goal? Detail actions taken that did not provide the expected benefits.
8. What progress has been made, if any, by my current system? Does this system work for me? Does it meet my needs?
9. What adjustments to my plan are necessary for maximum results?  What can I plan to do differently? What should I do less of, more of, and what should I stop doing altogether?
10. What should I add to my plan that I now realize is missing? 

These questions used to measure your effectiveness are critical to not only establishing a functional system, but getting rid of time consuming non-revenue generating activities and maximizing your work efforts; while strengthening your business. And finally:

• Deal with procrastination – “what if I do it, what if I don’t”
• Establish a standard starting format
• Plan and schedule
• Delegate and trade
• Break down projects
• Set and calendar deadlines
• Consolidate like tasks (i.e. return calls, checking phone/mails, emailing/filing, answering letters, sorting

 

 

 

How to Get 80% Out of Your Day

We’ve all heard about the 80/20 rule – 20% of the day is spent on productive activities, 80% on non-productive. To shift this so that 80% of your day is spent on productive activities and 20% on non-productive activities we need to first determine your priorities. At a very basic level, you should ask yourself? – What if I do it? What if I don’t? Understand that:

• If it’s important and urgent, it may be considered a crisis … these activities almost always costs more.
• If it’s unimportant, but urgent, be careful, these activities can be deceiving. You can get caught up in these types of activity fairly easy and they are usually what consumes the majority of unorganized micro/small business owners time.
• If it’s important, but not urgent, it can be planned appropriately. You can put it on your to-do list or if it has a deadline, put it on your calendar.
• If it’s unimportant and non-urgent – it is likely a time waster. Delegate it or get rid of it.

You should consider what is more valuable to you, to perform the act or pay someone to do it for you? (i.e. non-revenue generating activities, appointment setting, travel arrangements, meeting arrangements, marketing campaigns, website maintenance, etc.) What is your hourly rate and what would it cost to have someone else perform the same activity?

Learn how to be more selective with your time.

• What activities take the majority of time during the day?
• What activities should be give more time?
• What activities should be given less time?

Build a high-impact week by time-blocking your high priority tasks. You can also schedule “client block” time to ensure the revenue generating activities of tending to your clients’ needs get completed with the appropriate amount of time and attention. There is a variety of software and platforms that track specific work performance—tasks, assignments, responsibilities, milestones, goals and deadlines:

• http://www.nozbe.com/gtd/signup
• https://www.mailstreet.net/
• http://www.ringcentral.com/
• http://www.jifflenow.com/