How are you running your business? Wide open, controlled chaos, scattered......or all of the above.
In most cases we are trying to keep ourself a float. We really don't have time to think about the future. It is hard to think ahead.....Plan for the ever changing world we live in.
But we have too! We have to be proactive and adapt. Are you placing yourself and employees in a position to grow for the future? To do that you have to place everyone in a learning environment. A mechanic couldn't fix the oil leak without the proper tools. Your managers can't manage without the tools. As a owner you have to provide them with the tools of training, knowledge, books, and etc to allow them to succeed. The higher success rate your team has the greater chance your company has to grow and prosper. No one has all the answers. What will you do or provide to make your team better?
Yep.......by now you are growing frustrated because all you have processed is the $cost$ to send individuals to classes. Do not get stuck on the cost. Look for free tools. Did you know there are a ton of podcast that are free? There are tons of podcast on leadership, management, communication, and etc.... These are great tools to share with your team. Lead by example of listening to and carrying out the recommendations of tool.
Andy Stanley has a great Leadership podcast that is free!
Friday, March 25, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Networking......
Networking................
Is networking lost? No it is not lost but face to face networking is gone. Look I am networking through Facebook, Twitter, and Blogging.....but how many times are we talking face to face. Seldom. Why????
Because we can reach people faster through mass networking versus the time it takes to build a face to face relationship. The time it takes to call someone, get them on the phone, check calendars, make an appointment, meet, and build a relationship allows someone else the opportunity to exchange a dozen emails. They are one email from completing the deal......
One would think we have progressed and simplified the networking process making life easier. I would agree except for the over load of spam and fraudulent networking that has created this uneasy feeling that this must be a lie..... I have been looking online for a used car and I am overwhelmed at the number of people that say send us a money order and we will send you the car for free........really!!
Have we created this technology so fast we didn't plan how to police? I have a new HOA Management company and social networking should be an affordable source of marketing but how do you market without creating that question.......are they for real or is this a scam.
As hard as it is, Face to Face is still very important and is my preferred choice. I started my company based on the importance of solid relationships and I know building relationships face to face will take longer but in my mind they will last longer......
How will you network? Do you network for fun or business? What works for you?
Is networking lost? No it is not lost but face to face networking is gone. Look I am networking through Facebook, Twitter, and Blogging.....but how many times are we talking face to face. Seldom. Why????
Because we can reach people faster through mass networking versus the time it takes to build a face to face relationship. The time it takes to call someone, get them on the phone, check calendars, make an appointment, meet, and build a relationship allows someone else the opportunity to exchange a dozen emails. They are one email from completing the deal......
One would think we have progressed and simplified the networking process making life easier. I would agree except for the over load of spam and fraudulent networking that has created this uneasy feeling that this must be a lie..... I have been looking online for a used car and I am overwhelmed at the number of people that say send us a money order and we will send you the car for free........really!!
Have we created this technology so fast we didn't plan how to police? I have a new HOA Management company and social networking should be an affordable source of marketing but how do you market without creating that question.......are they for real or is this a scam.
As hard as it is, Face to Face is still very important and is my preferred choice. I started my company based on the importance of solid relationships and I know building relationships face to face will take longer but in my mind they will last longer......
How will you network? Do you network for fun or business? What works for you?
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Time!
Owners,
Have you run out of time? Does the day overwhelm you? If so, you are like so many small business owners. I have been in this boat where the days just run together. I was caught in this last week where I didn’t realize it was Friday and thought it was still Thursday. The sad part, I was more concerned that I had lost a day than realizing it was almost time for the weekend.
In the good days, we would just recommend hiring another worker to maximize your time and efficiency, but in this market you are working so many hours just to make things stick together. Who has funds to hire another person? We all wish we could hire more workers…..our economy would be much better if we could.
So, what do we need to do to make things easier? I have talked about working hard is just part of the business but working smarter is also part of being a small business owner. Prioritize and work down. Most would say start with the most important and knock them off the list, but most of the time the most important take the most time. If this is the case then you would never get to the small things and they will continue to stack up. Trust me I know. I have had many things stack up because the “larger, more important” things took priority. This is new to me….but I am working through it. I am not saying this will change your life and way of living, but if what you are doing isn’t working try something new.
I started something this past week. The first hour of each day in which we have no meetings I have made this “Task Hour”. How much can I get done in that first hour? Because if I wait until the end of the day I am so overwhelmed and burned out I will put it off until tomorrow and then it is a trickle-down effect. I have challenged myself to do this for 30 days. I will let you know how I do in 30 days.
Small things make a difference………..
Have you run out of time? Does the day overwhelm you? If so, you are like so many small business owners. I have been in this boat where the days just run together. I was caught in this last week where I didn’t realize it was Friday and thought it was still Thursday. The sad part, I was more concerned that I had lost a day than realizing it was almost time for the weekend.
In the good days, we would just recommend hiring another worker to maximize your time and efficiency, but in this market you are working so many hours just to make things stick together. Who has funds to hire another person? We all wish we could hire more workers…..our economy would be much better if we could.
So, what do we need to do to make things easier? I have talked about working hard is just part of the business but working smarter is also part of being a small business owner. Prioritize and work down. Most would say start with the most important and knock them off the list, but most of the time the most important take the most time. If this is the case then you would never get to the small things and they will continue to stack up. Trust me I know. I have had many things stack up because the “larger, more important” things took priority. This is new to me….but I am working through it. I am not saying this will change your life and way of living, but if what you are doing isn’t working try something new.
I started something this past week. The first hour of each day in which we have no meetings I have made this “Task Hour”. How much can I get done in that first hour? Because if I wait until the end of the day I am so overwhelmed and burned out I will put it off until tomorrow and then it is a trickle-down effect. I have challenged myself to do this for 30 days. I will let you know how I do in 30 days.
Small things make a difference………..
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