Maybe you’ve recently set up a small business that has been doing better each day, or perhaps you’ve been trading for a while but still haven’t made important changes to the way you go about things. When it comes to any kind of business, the organization is essential- but when you’re a one-man-band, you absolutely need to be getting the most out of your working days. If you plan ahead and make some of the following changes, you’ll be better equipped to put your time and energy to its best use. Here are some ideas.
Set your working hours
When you run a business, particularly when you’re running it by yourself, it’s easy to completely lose yourself to it. From answering emails in bed to taking client calls during family time, working on your website during dinner time and responding to social media inquiries day and night- you might find that your working hours are all of the hours that you’re awake. While this might appear to be the most productive way to be, it can actually be the exact opposite. It can lead to mistakes and burnout, instead, it’s far better to set your working hours and stick to them. That way you’re able to get yourself into ‘work mode’ and pour your energy and concentration into things effectively. Once you’re finished you’re able to take a proper break and clear your mind, making mental space for other things. Not only is this better for your mental health, but going in each day with ‘fresh eyes’ can help you to better spot mistakes, think of new ideas and be generally more inspired in your work. Decide what your working hours are, and once you’re finished for the day make it a habit to stop what you’re doing.
Give your workspace a makeover
Having a suitable space to do your work is vital for business success. Whether it’s a home office, a workshop, a garage, or any other kind of workspace, spend a bit of time getting it in order. Find good storage systems to keep things organized, give everything clean and tidy, have a think about the best use of the space so that you can easily move around if you need to. Since we’re going into a new year, now is the perfect time to do a full stock take, work out exactly what you have, and write lists of what you need to purchase. Look to replenish things like stationery, printer ink, envelopes, and other essentials that you might be running low on. That way when you return in January it’s a smooth transition, and you’re not slowing yourself down having to chase these things up mid-job.
Get organized with your finances
The financial side of running a business can be perplexing. Chances are you started up your small business doing something you enjoy and that you’re good at, your knowledge of business accounts, taxes, and more is probably limited just like most people! But keeping accurate records, submitting tax returns on time, budgeting your money, and balancing the books are all absolutely vital to the proper running of a business. If you’re unsure of how to go about things then find yourself an accountant, don’t bury your head in the sand when it comes to your finances as you could cause your venture to fail. From overspending on materials that will cut into your profits, to racking up fines and charges due to late tax, bad financial decisions and planning are something to avoid. If you’re doing your own finances then purchasing software that easily allows you to track spending and profits will save you time.
Improve your vehicle
Is your vehicle an important part of your business? Whether you need to travel around to meet with clients, or use it to move and transport items around if you rely on your car or truck in any way then upgrading to something reliable might be a smart move. If you don’t have a huge amount to spend upfront then financing deals are probably the way to go, this allows you the chance to drive something newer and more reliable while spreading the cost, just be sure to work out how this affects the rest of your budget. Depending on what your business does, you could look into various custom options, for example, brands like Ford give you the option to build and customize a truck based on your specific needs- click here to find out more.
Invest in your website
A good website is so important for modern day businesses. But there are lots of reasons why you might not have one. Perhaps you mainly sell through social media, or perhaps you have a basic site setup and aren’t sure how to go about making it better. A good website design can be costly, but it’s a fantastic investment in your business and will help you to continue to improve and grow. Don’t be afraid to spend the money making your website as good as it can be, if you don’t then you could be seriously limiting your business’s potential both now and in the future.
Look into outsourcing
Finally, running a business alone can be tough, especially as things start to snowball and more and more work is coming in. As a solo business owner it won’t always be possible to keep up, but hiring your own employees might not be a possibility for whatever reason. Instead, outsourcing certain tasks or even full departments to other businesses enables you to put your time to its best use and take off the pressure of jobs you don’t enjoy or may not have the skills for. This could be anything from marketing and blog writing to website design, finances or anything else. Do some research into different companies you could hire to help your venture run smoothly.
What upgrades will you be making to your business in 2022?