SME's, Partnerships, Licensing, Developments are
all very fine and commendable, but like all business they
need to be efficient and stable.
Here are a few free tools that I have found very
useful over the years.
As a starter remember this fundamental:
Turnover is vanity, profit is sanity.
Next:
This SMART Tool should be applied at the start of
any project
SMART
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Relevant
Timely (this is the step that is so often fudged.
Determine the real length of time needed at the beginning
and rigorously keep to it.)
Using your time wisely is also crucial.
Each day, plan to do all your urgent and
important "A" tasks first,
Then as many "B" tasks as time will allow.
A tasks are such items as putting the fire out in your waste paper bin, medical emergencies, time critical reports and events. "B" items left over from last review.
B
tasks Strategic planning, goal
setting, working toward goals, research, building
relationships, preventative activities.
C
tasks These should be delegated
wherever possible: Other peoples problems and
questions, interruptions, failing to delegate time
consuming but fun tasks, non critical meetings.
D
tasks Trash them, automate them out of
your system: Unwanted emails, phone calls, video
games, social media, web surfing.
I
have found that getting into a routine of planning
the next days activity just before shutting up the
'office' is the most productive way of working.
This
little pad is what I use:
Finally,
but probably remember your customers. everything
you do should be geared to satisfying their needs
and continually improving every part of your
business.
John Harriyott