Small business owners wear many hats. In fact, they often wear ALL the hats! They are, in turn, the book keeper, IT specialist, strategic planner, customer service agent, project manager, logistics specialist, business development expert, social media planner, and sales manager.
Or rather, they think they are. All too often one or more of those roles are left undone – usually because of time constraints, and sometimes because the topic makes the small business owner squirm.
Are you a small business owner who wears several hats, but leaves a few off because they aren’t comfortable? Here are 3 tips to help you juggle the hats in 2013.
It’s a Process, It’s a Process, It’s a Process
If you’re a regular reader you remember our post way back in July that explained EVERYTHING is a process. It also taught you that simple processes are the best – not only do they save you time and energy, but they can help get rid of that “I’m so overwhelmed!” feeling shared by many small business owners.
So Tip #1 for juggling your small business hats: examine your business processes. You have them. They’re everywhere. Which ones are taking up too much of your time and energy? Can you simplify them? Get rid of them?
Which brings us to our next tip.
Where is your time best spent? Ideally, the small business owner should focus on business development and sales, right? That’s where the money is, and the money is what will keep your business going (and pay your mortgage!). Do you find yourself spending too much time on the other hats that don’t generate any revenue for you?
Tip #2 for juggling your small business hats: outsource where ever possible. If you can hire a book keeper who is expert in that field and who will save you time, identify potential savings for you, and keep you out of jail – isn’t that worth it? Consider it an investment in your sanity, and an investment in the financial health of your business.
Management by Avoidance Is Not a Good Thing
What about those hats that don’t fit because they’re not comfortable? Perhaps you really don’t “get” the social media boom but you know it’s important for your business. Maybe you know a little about process improvement but it’s not your thing and it drives you crazy to think about it. And a business plan? “Ugh!” you think. “Stay away from me with all those templates!”
Many small business owners simply ignore those tasks with which they are not comfortable. And in so doing, they miss out on business opportunities that could significantly grow their business.
Tip #3 for juggling your small business hats: If you aren’t the expert, find someone who is and hire them, even for a short time.Click to Tweet
It’s really not rocket science, but it does require a little thought. Let’s recap:
- Organize your business processes.
- Outsource activities that take time away from your business development work.
- Don’t ignore critical business activities because you don’t like them. Hire experts.
By following these three tips you can make sure your small business is well organized for 2013. Who knows, your small business might even become a big business!
Tell us about your small business process solutions at info@whiteboardconsulting.ca/staging or on Twitter @whiteboardcons using #betterfastercheaper.
Until next week,
Ruth.