Have you been Missing out on good Opportunities to increase your revenue? Times are tough right now and most small Business owners can’t afford to miss out on even one opportunity to make a sale, keep a customer, or form a strategic alliance with someone who might be able to facilitate new opportunities. Unfortunately, however, we see people everyday who are doing just that!

Recently I’ve spoken with several of our clients and prospects who’ve mentioned they’re Answering Phones, doing paperwork or handling follow up calls. Why? Well, the answer is obvious. It has to be done. Although it’s true the work has to be done; are you really the one to do it?

This is just one example of ways that Small Business Owners can miss opportunities and lose business. Over the next few weeks we’ll be discussing other opportunities you may be missing and I’ll show you how to take advantage of a few very simple tools that we use to ensure our client database continues to grow.

The first thing I’d like you to do today is ask yourself this one question. “What brings in business for me?” Is it networking, sales calls, and marketing tasks? Or do you make more money when you’re answering phones and reading emails?

Make a list. On the left side list all the tasks in your business that directly generate revenue.
Example:
Sales calls
Networking
Client contact

On the right side list all the tasks that are necessary but that won’t directly increase your revenue.
Example:
Answering phones
Calling vendors
Researching information for your newsletter

Once you’ve finished, take a closer look. Are you personally managing the right list? If you find yourself mainly accomplishing tasks on the right then you’re Missing Opportunities. If you aren’t selling, marketing, networking and increasing your connections then you are effectively working yourself right out of business!

Your challenge today is this. Consider where the potential for income lies in your business.
Then take five minutes and make your list. Don’t have time? Well, then close your doors and hang a “For Sale” sign on your office door because if you can’t find five minutes to think about how to generate more revenue you’re in real trouble!

Normally my blog posts are designed with quick answers to our client’s most pressing problems. Today, however, I’d like to leave you with this one assignment. Simply make a list of the things that will generate income for your business. Think about it. Are you doing tasks that you should be delegating to others?

If you’d like some personalized help with your list simply send me an email at [email protected] and I’ll arrange for one of our experienced Virtual Services Representatives to give you a call. She’ll provide you with a free consultation to discuss your business needs and help identify some areas where you may be missing opportunities. She’ll work with you to organize your list and then help you evaluate the types of things you could be doing to generate more revenue today.

Are you missing opportunities to earn more money and build your business? You’re not alone! Please join me over the next few weeks as I discuss possible missed opportunities and how you can take action to avoid them!