Most small business owners have every intention and desire to have their company running on all cylinders, but sometimes those best intentions can actually get in the way of the company’s success. If you suspect your business could be running more efficiently, or generating better numbers, let’s take a look at some well-intentioned pitfalls that small business owners stumble into, and things you can do to improve your operations.
Not Taking Advantage Of Automation
It’s true that a personal relationship with your customers matters, but if you’re choosing to forego automating your sales process altogether, you’re likely missing out on a chance to convert valuable leads.
Keep in mind, automated sales emails can be personalized to your liking and can keep those conversations alive that would otherwise have dwindled out without a prompt follow-up.
Don’t think of it as a hands-off sales approach – rather, try to view automation as a way to stay attentive to your hard-earned leads, while letting you dedicate your personal focus to those that are ready to make a purchase.
Trying To Do Too Much By Yourself
Most small businesses don’t have the luxury of employing a dedicated expert in every field of work. So this leaves small business owners with two choices: seek outside help, or try to DIY. For some, the DIY approach seems like a great way to save money and stretch a limited budget, but it actually ends up costing much more time and money in the long term.
A sloppy DIY job can also significantly hurt your business. For example, designing your own logo may seem like a quick and easy job, but a poorly-designed, ineffective logo can undermine your company’s chances at success from the very start.
The best way to approach tasks outside of your expertise is to outsource them to a trusted freelance professional or agency.
Asking Your Team To Do Too Much At Once
The term “multitasking” has somehow taken on a positive connotation, even though it’s actually proven to decrease the quantity and quality of work we can perform as humans. The fact is, our attention doesn’t support multitasking and our attempts at it result in mistakes and sloppy work.
If you want things done well and quickly, you should encourage your team to place their focus on one task at-a-time and try to eliminate distractions. You’ll be surprised at their increased level of efficiency and quality of work.
Saying “Yes” To Everything
The hustle culture we live in tells us we can do more if we just work more hours and fit more into our schedule. The reality is, you only have so many hours in a day to dedicate to your business. And, in terms of your schedule, more just means you have less time to spend on doing things that truly matter for the success of your business.
If you’re going to increase your productivity, as well as that of your business, you should try to say “no” to any last-minute and unnecessary distractions throughout the day. This may feel difficult at first, but soon you’ll start to value your time and expect others to do the same.
Not Asking Your Team For Insight
Chances are, as a small-business owner, you work with a tight-knit, dedicated team that understands the ins and outs of your business. Their insight, particularly into their specific role in the company, can be key to improving your business operations.
You should take the time to ask each team member about his or her greatest challenges on the job and work together to make appropriate changes. In most cases, you’ll be able to offer at least some degree of help and achieve increased satisfaction from your employee.
By improving your team’s work environment and supporting their individual roles, you’ll gain efficiency across your whole organization and foster a more positive work culture.
Final Thoughts
Any small business could use an increase in productivity and sales, and we hope these tips help you achieve just that. In most cases, the key is to work smarter and optimize on your existing processes. Remember to take advantage of automation and outsource work to trusted professionals to maximize on your time and impact.
Whenever possible, discourage multitasking and clear your schedule of any extraneous appointments throughout the day. Finally, communicate openly with your existing team members to find out specific ways to minimize their stressors and increase their efficiency. You’ll be left with a dedicated and resourceful team that will drive your brand to its future success.
