I'm the first one to admit that organization doesn't come easy when you're tackling many things at the same time. This article will discuss ways on how to keep organized for business growth.
Write down your goals
It helps to write down your goals. What are your next steps to building and nurturing your business? It is easier to keep track when you have something written down as a reference. Prioritize so that you don’t feel overwhelmed and make sure you don’t jump from task to task without a solid direction.
Writing desk
For all you writers out there, keep what is most important by your desk area. Things like pens, pencils and a pad are essentials. Ask yourself what motivates you to keep writing then keep those things nearby. Check out this awesome Geena 3 Drawer Dark Brown Wood Writing Desk. Also, a well-lit area is essential for your eyes; like this LVL Rechargable Touch Sensor LED Table Lamp with 3 Dimmable Levels,3W Office Lamp with USB Port works best. It can mean the difference between a sluggish brain versus an energized and stimulated brain. Live plants can also help clear the air and boost your spirit. With the above, I also like to keep inspirational quotes by my desk that help me stay focused.
Analyze your competition
What is your competition up to these days? It is okay to replicate what's working for them in your own business. Many businesses share what hasn't worked for them. How can you use that to your advantage? Perhaps doing it a different way for your business might help you achieve the level of success they were unable to.
Organize important papers
The type of important paperwork you want to organize is the following:
- Account receivable and account payable documents
- Checkbook any financial statements
- Online login information and passwords
- Insurance documents
...and trash anything unneeded.
The above documents should be easily accessible as tax season rolls around. There are also many finance tools to help you keep track of the essential elements regarding your business:
- BudgetSimple
- Mint
- Wave
Administrative tasks
Most business owners have the Microsoft Office program installed on their computers, but if you don’t, the annual subscription can be a bit pricey. Here are some other free options that work great:
- GoogleDocs
- OpenOffice
- CutePDF
- PrimoPDF
Google hangouts
It can be lonely to work from home sometimes. Even if you don’t have a Business partner consider getting a friend or fellow boss to “Hangout” with you so you can cheer each other on and hold each other's hand. I use Google Hangouts to keep in touch with my book distributors and we chew the rag from time to time. It's a lot of fun.
Social media
I know that adding a few extra minutes to your social media posting routine can get overwhelming. However, social media isn't going away anytime soon so with that being said, you should utilize social media for your business needs. Determine what days during the week will benefit you. After finding a set routine, network until your hearts' content.
Monitor your business website analytics
Always get insight into your real audience, up-to-date statistics, and real-time feedback. Using Google Analytics, it allows me to know where on my site people are spending the majority of their time, what are my most popular blog posts, and what things I should consider fixing. If you haven’t already, make sure you set up a free account and get your website linked as soon as possible. Be aware of how your business is growing.
Back up your files
This is an important activity you don't want to go without. Run a computer backup of all your files to be done on your drive or server. There's nothing like losing very important documents due to the lack of a backup that will otherwise take a long time to recreate. Depending on the type of work you do, always perform a backup of your files at least twice a week.
De-clutter
Shred, remove and empty out anything you no longer need to use. Invest in an AmazonBasics 17-Sheet High-Security Micro-Cut Paper, CD, and Credit Card Shredder for your small business needs. This shredder works wonders for my business and the best part of this shredder is that it even shreds my expired credit cards within seconds.
Slow down
We all want to be Jack and Jackie of all trades. However, in doing so, we get tired. Therefore, focus on the top 10 most important things to do and then move the rest to the next day. It's Okay if you don't get to accomplish everything in one day. Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day either. Take breaks and make time for yourself so that you can come back energized with more ideas and ready to work.
I think the most important thing to remember is that you'll always make progress when you put in your best effort to figure out ways to business growth, and organizing is a start!
Can you add to the above article How to Keep Organized for Business Growth? Please share by leaving your comments below.
About the author: Sonia Colon is writer/publisher of My Fashion E-Mall Blog. She is also an owner at Books About Me. Sign up for the newsletter and never miss a powerful business marketing article plus receive a FREE eBook on ‘How to Rock Your Business with A Blog’.
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