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5 Tips for Running Your Small Business Efficiently
If you’re just getting a new business up and running or feel your company needs a tune-up, there are many ways to streamline your tasks. Statistics show that 85% of employees are not engaged at work, but working smarter and not harder can increase focus. By tweaking the way you operate, you can save yourself time and focus on the things that really matter. Here are five tips from Midcentury Preservation Society to get you started.
- Get Organized
Getting your documents, inventory, and workspace in order is paramount to the amount of mental clarity you experience. If you have difficulty keeping track of things, you will become buried in searching and clutter. Start by digitizing your papers. Use a scanning app to produce high-quality, searchable scans of documents. Text recognition means you can type in any key phrase in a document and pull it up quickly. Then, you can get rid of the physical congestion in your office.
Good organization is about more than your physical space. Once you’ve gone through the papers and organized your office space, use your calendar to schedule regular time for upkeep and to keep track of your daily schedule. Keeping your mind and schedule organized will help you to keep your space tidy, too.
- Solidify Your Business Structure
If you are a sole proprietor, you don’t always have to register your business officially. However, doing so can offer you lots of protection and make filing taxes easier. Look at how to start an LLC, or Limited Liability Company. An LLC will protect your personal assets and make filing taxes easier. Each state has different rules for filing, so be sure to research your specific area. In addition, you can use an online service to get professional support and expedite the process.
- Find a Community
In today’s individualized world, it’s easy to think you can or need to do everything on your own. But having support can help you navigate challenging times and get advice from others who have more experience. It can also provide networking opportunities and a chance to provide mutual help to other budding entrepreneurs.
Joining your local chamber of commerce is an excellent place to start—your local chamber of commerce advocates for policies that help small businesses in your area. Many chambers have large memberships and events that members can attend to connect with one another. You can also dramatically improve your networking by getting the word out via social media.
- Communicate Clearly
Excellent communication is the key to thriving relationships, business or otherwise. Studies show that poor communication can result in a failure to complete projects up to 44% of the time. Thankfully, there are lots of tools available that help teams stay on the same page. Apps like Trello, Evernote, and Slack help teams communicate and share deadlines and documents. Which app will work best for you will be determined by how big your team is, among other factors. Many of these apps have free basic features that allow you to try them with no risk.
It’s also important to communicate clearly with clients and vendors. You can use an invoice maker to create customized invoices with your logo and company specifics. Start with one of many template options, and change the font, text, and colors to match your needs. Then, there will never be a question about who owes what amount and for what good or service.
- Foster Creativity
It’s easy to get stuck in rote thinking patterns when you complete the same tasks every day. Making an effort to brainstorm and think outside of the box can help you be more innovative. One simple trick is changing your environment. For instance, if you work from home, even