Terri Ramsey Beavers Small business ownership can be a thrilling challenge, but it’s also an incredibly demanding role. Whether you manage your company from a home office or have a brick-and-mortar storefront, tending to the needs of your business 24/7 is no small feat. Even with the best intentions and planning, complications and roadblocks are inevitable. Moreover, depending on the size of your venture and how many people you employ, you may find yourself juggling even greater responsibilities in the future. If this sounds like the environment where you can thrive as an entrepreneur, read on for our expert advice on keeping your small business running smoothly as often as possible.
Establish a Rotating Calendar Schedule
It may seem like an unlikely solution, but keeping a rotating calendar schedule for your business can be incredibly effective. This can be especially helpful when juggling multiple responsibilities and prioritizing your time based on their importance. Making your calendar available for all employees to view can also help foster a sense of transparency that promotes smooth operation and trust. Allowing employees to see what’s coming up in the next few weeks can help if they need to plan their schedules or know when they’ll be expected to complete specific tasks. For example, suppose you’re scheduling meetings with clients or other events.
Use other services for product packaging, delivery, and other tasks
Whether you own a store or provide a service, you may need to supply product packaging and shipping for your customers. If you’re short on time or don’t have the necessary equipment or skills, consider outsourcing these tasks to a third-party vendor. If your company ships products, you’ll want to partner with reputable shipping companies to ensure they arrive on time and in one piece. You can also ensure that you are paying a fair amount for this service by getting freight shipping quotes for your SMB, for example, from the company’s website. In many cases, you may also want to partner with a third-party provider to handle customer service. Many entrepreneurs simply can’t take the volume of inquiries their businesses generate, especially once they start growing. Outsourcing these types of tasks can be a huge help in staying organized, maintaining a high standard of quality, and ensuring your company operates as efficiently as possible.
Automate Tasks with Technology
Many entrepreneurs are reluctant to embrace new technologies for fear of getting tied down or overwhelmed by the latest gadgets and software. However, several tools are signed specifically to help make managing your business as easy as possible. For example, if you have trouble keeping track of your company’s finances, consider investing in a business accounting software program. This program can be beneficial for managing your finances and generating reports on your earnings and profit. If you run a brick-and-mortar store, you may also want to look into investing in inventory management software. These programs can help you track your inventory, orders, and other aspects of your business.
Keep track of and manage your business finances
Managing your business finances can be daunting for any entrepreneur, but it’s essential to help your company succeed. While you may not be able to become an expert on accounting in the span of a few months, there are some things you can do to keep your finances organized and help reduce stress. If you’re managing your books manually, consider investing in a business account that offers online tracking and recordkeeping. This will allow you to remotely access your business accounts and easily track your earnings and expenses, reducing the time you spend manually managing your finances. If you have a brick-and-mortar store, you’re likely required to submit monthly or quarterly tax reports. Consider hiring an accountant to help reduce the amount of time you spend on recordkeeping.