Owning and running a small business can feel like you’re running a marathon – forever. So much of the work will fall on your shoulders alone and this can make things feel unnecessarily complicated and stressful. It’s important for small business owners to look for ways they can simplify the way they do things, both in business and in their personal lives.
Here are four easy ways that you can start simplifying things, take back some of your time and still see huge success in your growing company.
Get Your Money in Check
The financial side of business can be terrifying, especially for those of us who aren’t naturally mathematically inclined. Money can be one of the biggest sources of stress for business owners, especially when they’re not 100% sure of what’s going on.
First of all, make sure to separate your business and personal finances – this is the easiest way to remove some of the stress and confusion that might arise when looking at your accounts. Next, use tools and apps to help you with budgeting and forecasting. This is an affordable way to get some assistance, but if you really need help, seek out a pro.
Use Helpful Software
Failing to take advantage of the technology that’s available to us is considered a crime in the business world. There are so many apps, websites and software programmes out there that can make every step of running your business just that little bit simpler and easier.
Invest in budgeting and accounting programmes, time tracking apps, a good collaborative communication platform and CRM software to help you manage various aspects of your business. You can even use the internet to help you seek out courses and even free advice that could help improve your business.
Create Systems and Routines
When things get chaotic (as they do), having systems set in place and routines to fall back on is a real lifesaver. Have a working system for everything that you do in your business, from taking orders, production and delivery to handling customer complaints. Having systems for every business function will not only help keep things running smoothly, but it will also assist new staff settle into roles as your company grows.
Keep in mind that even setting a personal daily routine can help you to be a better business owner – so don’t neglect your own habits in favour of overworking.
Outsource When You Need Help
Even though you might try, you simply cannot do it all. The sooner you realise that it’s okay to get help, the better off you and your company will be.
Make sure you outsource tasks that waste your valuable time or that you’re simply not capable of completing yourself. This could be anything from menial admin tasks to the graphic design that you simply can’t wrap your head around. In some cases, hiring full-time staff might make sense, but in other instances, you might find outsourcing to be the more affordable and effective solution.
