Business management is about two things: productivity and profit. Productivity drives your profit. So, it’s important that you’re able to maximize your productivity as a business so that you make more money. To do that, you have to take a long, hard look at how you run your business and, to some degree, live your life. Here are 5 habits that kill your business productivity.
1 – You’re Not Getting Enough Done Before Lunch
It’s true that not everyone is a morning person. It can be much harder for some of us to function in the morning. If you want to be more productive, get more done before lunch time. You don’t have to schedule every minute of your morning, but you can make a conscious decision to get more done before lunch. Doing this will supercharge your day and make you feel more successful. When you feel better, you do more.
There are a couple of easy things that you can do to get more done before lunch. One option is to choose the easiest or less brain-power consuming functions of your day. If administrative tasks come easily for you, maybe you choose to do a few of those in the morning. You could check and respond to emails. You could finish up a couple of easy tasks.
Your other option involves what is commonly known as frog eating in the productivity industry. Have some things you really dread doing? Do them first. As awful as it seems, the rest of your day will appear to go amazingly well. You’ll feel better because you were able to get those monster tasks out of your way. You’ll be more productive all way.
2 – You’re Multitasking Too Much
In a world that prizes multitasking, there’s just one little problem with it. We tend to drop the ball on things or we are spread so thin that we are unable to do our very best work. When we have to go back and work on projects and tasks a second time because we neglected a component or because a client complains, we lose valuable business productivity.
Slow down and take the time to prioritize your list. Make sure that you’re giving yourself enough time to meet deadlines.
3 – You’re Focusing on Volume Instead of Value
It’s easy to see why so many business owners think in cases of volume. The more services you sell, the more you’ll make, right? Well, maybe. Yet, to maximize your business productivity you should focus on value.
What tasks are on your to-do list that are high value? What do you have to do that’s going to add to your bottom line? You are better off by focusing on the activities that will provide more value to your business. It’s not always about how much we can get done. It’s about what we get done that actually helps the business.
4 – You’ve Given Yourself Too Much Freedom
It’s great to own a business. It gives us a lot of freedom, but sometimes we end up with too much freedom. It’s the American Dream to own a business and be free from the shackles of traditional hours. However, if you’re not doing business when your target market needs you, you’ve given yourself too much freedom.
Regardless of what service you provide, you must be available when your clients and potential clients will need you. If you aren’t available, they’re find a new provider.
Don’t hold on to the idea of coming in late because you’re not a morning person. Don’t hold on to other bad habits that you continue to indulge because you own a business. Those habits can directly affect your success.
5 – You Won’t Let Go
We’re not able to do it all. When your business starts to grow, you have to be able to let go and trust certain areas of your business to other people. Check out our guide on how you can hire an Office Manager. You can also choose to work with virtual professionals, such as Clients A.R.M., in order to continue to grow your business without taking on the expense of a full time employee.
You can’t focus on the main areas of your business if you’re covered up in administrative tasks. As a business owner, you must make the decision on where your time is best spent.
For more tips that are specific to your industry or your business, contact Clients A.R.M. We’d love to hear from you!
