I have broken some of my own rules over the past few months. I have been totally focussed on working ‘in’ my business, rather than ‘on it’. It’s what I bang on about to my own clients and yet I found myself falling into the same trap of being busy but no necessarily productive – and the result? -well the same result I would have predicted for you. It’s gone quiet.
And so here I go on the merry-go-round of the peaks and troughs of business.
To be fair to myself, I have been a little obsessed with gathering research for my #AnitaRoddickLegacy project, gathering stories for the book, talk about working now for a very long term pay-off (publish date eta 9/2018). But I have to keep chipping away – and it’s fun!
I am also finding myself easily distracted at the moment by my temperamental bees and Maggi the super cute potty lamb. But you may agree, these are all, just excuses.
The habits of highly effective SME’s are just that – habits!
A regular mix in your week of working ‘in’ and ‘on’ you business. Working in – means doing the work it takes to satisfy your clients and your obligations (selling, fulfilling, admin, tax etc.). The working on – is the marketing – adding to your knowledge, building your sales pipe-line, writing blogs ;), communicating with new or potential clients.
The habits in your week should include:
- Communicate: Schedule planned social media posts, add as you go; write content for blogs / email newsletter content, pick up the phone and talk to a valued customer
- Learn: However you like to take info – listen to a podcast while you are driving, open your google alerts emails and see what’s there worth reading
- Network: plan to get out and meet some new people – add to or post a question on one of the forums you are part of
- Market Research: what exciting things are going on in your industry – here or oversees; what are your competitors up to?
- Cash-flow: Have all invoices been paid? What expenses are pending – is it time to negotiate new deals?
- Set Goals: What do you want to achieve this week, this month, this year?
- Write / review lists: Put the most important and the least favoured task first – Eat that frog
So now this blog is written, I have ticked something more off my list and I feel great about that! What are you going to do?
