As a small business owner, you have to juggle plenty of different tasks each day. As the saying goes, so much to do, so little time. But rather than drowning in work, delegating tasks and focusing on productivity can make the to-do list more manageable. But how do you know if you and your team are being productive? Ask yourself the following questions to determine how effective your process is.
Does the task align with my goals?
Whether the goals are short-term, such as for the day, or long-term, such as goals for the entire year, focus your efforts on tasks that contribute to those goals. Once you identify the purpose, you’ll be able to gauge whether or not the tasks align with them.
From that purpose you need to set clear and attainable goals for yourself. As you put tasks down on your calendar, it’s important to make sure they align with your goals. At work, it’s common for people to say “yes” to every task given to them. This is especially true if the task comes from a higher up. If these tasks aren’t helping you or the company move towards the right objective you should think twice or speak up, says Small Business Trends.
Who’s involved in this task?
You might be tempted to do everything yourself, but that’s never the answer. Ask yourself who else can be involved and who else the decision-making affects. When scheduling meetings, involve all parties. It can be challenging to find a time that works for everyone, but going in with topics planned.
Am I the best person to complete this task?
For some things, such as hiring, financial planning and getting Dublin Small Business Insurance, you’ll need to do them yourself. However, if you’re drowning in other daily tasks and someone else would be able to take over, ask them. After all, you do have employees for a reason.
Is this the best time to complete this job?
Regardless of how alert you usually are, there’s going to be times during the day when you’re not your sharpest. Ask yourself if this is the best time to complete that sales call, conduct a meeting, or review financials. Sometimes it’s best to wait until you have adequate time and energy to get it done.
What is my contingency plan?
You’ll need a back up plan in case you need more time or something took longer than expected. For this reason, it’s a good idea to leave open slots in your calendar when planning your day to accommodate for these hiccups.
About Haughn & Associates
Founded by Michael Haughn in 1986, Haughn & Associates is a full-service, family-owned, independent insurance agency based out of Dublin, Ohio. H&A strives to provide the best possible price and unique insurance solutions across a myriad of industries, including construction, IT, Habitation & Commercial Property, Agriculture, and Engineering. Devoted to providing the best of business insurance, life and disability insurance, personal insurance, employee benefits, and bonds, H&A is proof that success lies in long-standing client relations and satisfaction. To learn more about how H&A can be of service to you, contact us at (877) 802-2278.
