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Let Go a Little and Help Your Business Grow
Introduction
Every business owner is only human, and as much as I try to fool myself otherwise that includes me! This is true however much, as small business owners, we may want to think that we are super-human and can do it all; the practicality is that we simply can’t. And, moreover, if we do try to do it all it can end in disaster.
Analysis
Chances are if you are running a small business you are aware of your strengths, but it is also imperative that you assess your weakness. This includes assessing the strengths and weaknesses of any staff you may have working for you.
It is important, when running your small business, that you focus on what drives you - your passion and your strengths. This is the best way to move your company forward and to help your business to succeed.
The best way to work out the strengths and weaknesses within your business is to carry out a SWOT analysis (I talk more about the reasons for doing this here). Once you have considered your strengths and weaknesses you will be better able to focus on the things you are good at, and outsource those that are your weakness.
Outsourcing is a great way to reduce your workload; not only does it enable you to find people who are experts to complete the work required, but it also means you are not having to talk on more staff when the necessity for work is fluctuating.
Keep the fundamentals for your business within your company, and make sure that you are in control at all times, but being in control doesn’t mean having to do everything yourself! Outsourcing is a great way to allow you to regain control over areas of your business, and personal, life that had perhaps been neglected due to the sheer workload involved in running your own business.
We all start our own businesses because we have passion and drive, this can easily become lost in the day to day monotony of paperwork and tedious tasks, yet employing full or part-time staff can be expensive and risky. Outsourcing offers the perfect balance, to help you regain balance!
Conclusion
Letting go of the mundane tasks within your business, either by outsourcing them or bringing a specialist team member on board, is a great way to bring your focus back to why you originally started your business, and to give you the time to drive your business forwards towards success!
Events
- Marketing Thought Leaders: A Conversation with Julia Fajgenbaum May 25 @ 11 am PT
- The Do’s and Don'ts of Small Business Marketing May 29 @ 11 am PT
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6 Comments
In the end it mostly comes down to prioritize your tasks and be able to value the importance and difficulty of what you have to do, its time and effort requirements.
Done that, it'll be a breeze to decide what you have to address personally, and what can be delegated effectively.
Hi Gabriele,
Thank you for your comment. When you put it like that is all sounds very easy, but you and me know prioritizing tasks is not as easy as that, for once the customers always 'get in the way' or there are just too many 'rabbit holes' to tempt you.
VB, Stefan
Yeah I now realize I wrote it in a kinda "easy" way, of course prioritizing tasks is one of those activities that are easier said than done :)
There is some great stuff... Take the time to read it !
What you are discribing is exactly what is happening here with my husband. He feels he has to do it all and it is really causing problems with the business and family. How do I get him to see this himself and give him some advise on how to handle some of these issues?
Thanks,
Denise
Denise,
Often family members are the last folks people in business are willing to listen to. As a start, I make sure that my clients take 1 day with their spouse/partner and put aside other time for the rest of their family. I ask the family members to write a list of things they'd like to do on those days. Spending time with family is very energizing. But when you're working 24/7 you forget that.
He has to feel the pain in order for him to do business differently. I've had clients hire me because their family gave them an ultimatum -- business or them.
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