| One of the most common complaints that small | | | | to avoid telemarketers, too!--- Automate and |
| business owners have is lack of time. What most | | | | DelegateWhen those routine tasks start taking up |
| don't realize, however is that their lack of time | | | | valuable money making time in your schedule, it's |
| stems from a lack of organization. But with a few | | | | time to either automate or delegate.It's all a |
| simple tips - that you can implement immediately | | | | matter of how you use your time - make money |
| - you can literally add hours to your day.--- Putting | | | | or waste money. You can earn money each hour |
| Things In Their PlaceFirst and foremost, you | | | | by performing work or you can waste money by |
| should live by the motto, "A place for everything | | | | doing every little thing yourself. There are several |
| and everything in its place". When you are finished | | | | options you can look into in this area.Software - |
| with a piece of paper, a brochure or any other | | | | There is software available today that will do |
| physical document - file it. What usually happens is | | | | practically everything! GoldMine or ACT can |
| that you finish using a piece of paper, | | | | automate almost all of your contact information, |
| "temporarily" put it in a stack and then have to | | | | e-mailings, prospect follow-ups, appointments and |
| spend two hours cleaning up after yourself once a | | | | much, MUCH more. Outlook is an exceptional 'Day |
| week. Or, you may leave it in a stack and spend | | | | Timer' type tool that can help with scheduling as |
| two hours a day digging through the mess to find | | | | well as email. SystemWorks can automatically |
| what you need.Create a filing system that works | | | | maintain your computer's "inner workings" and |
| for you personally and then use it! Perhaps you'd | | | | automatically update your virus protection. There's |
| like a filing cabinet? There are also expandable | | | | a program to do practically anything you |
| folders and numerous other filing systems. | | | | need.Assistance - I know the first thing most |
| Choose the one you like, create a folder for it | | | | small business owners scream is "I can't afford an |
| and put it where you can find it again if need | | | | assistant"! Maybe not one that comes to your |
| be.--- I'll Be Right ThereHow many times a day do | | | | home and spends eight hours a day with you, but |
| you say (or think) that? Especially if you work | | | | you CAN afford a virtual assistant, a college or a |
| from home, you probably have plenty of | | | | high school student.A virtual assistant is someone |
| interruptions that take valuable time out of your | | | | who handles projects or duties for you "virtually" |
| day. If you're a work-at-home parent with young | | | | from their computer. Perhaps you need to have a |
| children, it may be a bit more difficult to end | | | | report proofread. Just email it to him/her and, |
| interruptions all together, but these tips will help.1. | | | | once it's done, they'll email it back to you. Virtual |
| Set "office hours". As much as possible, let your | | | | Assistants can also schedule appointments, follow |
| family know that between 8am and 11am, you'll | | | | up with clients, return routine email inquiries and |
| be working. Then again from 1pm until 6pm you'll | | | | perform numerous other tasks.You can also |
| be "in your office".(Or whatever hours work best | | | | check with the career development or job |
| for you.)2. Ignore your email. Well, partially, | | | | placement offices of local high schools and |
| anyway. Unless you're expecting some urgent | | | | colleges. They often have students who are willing |
| message, don't stop what you're going to run | | | | to work in exchange for a small fee or for the |
| check your messages each time you hear the | | | | experience itself.Whatever you do - make the |
| "bell" ring. Decide on the time frame that works | | | | most of your time. Being unorganized not only |
| best for you and then check your email at certain | | | | wastes hours of your day that you could be |
| times during the day. (Perhaps every three hours | | | | making money, but it also is a tremendous stress |
| or so.) During the rest of your work time, turn | | | | producer. Getting your office, your schedule and |
| your email software off so you can resist the | | | | your day in order can make for a much more |
| temptation to check each message as it arrives.3. | | | | fulfilling and profitable business.Diane C. Hughes * |
| Screen your calls. These days most people have | | | | ProBizTips.comFREE Report: Amazingly Simple |
| voice mail or an answering machine. Unless you're | | | | (Yet Super Powerful) |
| expecting a call, let the machine get it. Just as | | | | Ways To Skyrocket Your Sales And Build Your |
| with your email schedule, you can set aside time | | | | Business |
| during the day to return calls. This is a great way | | | | Into A Tower of Profits! |