Do you spend enough time learning for business?

How much time to you honestly spend learning how to improve your business? The answer is probably NOT ENOUGH.

Most of us just go about running our business in “the same old way”, because we just don’t have the “time” to learn anything different and never consider improvement. But, there are more innovative ways to successfully improve your business.

Firstly, with all the advances in technology, help is only a keystroke away. One helpful tool is softwareadvice.com – this website helped thousands of organizations find the right software to help them run their business smoother and more successfully. Another business lifesaver would be to attend a Webinar – http://www.cfids.org/webinar/what-is-a-webinar.asp – so much more effective and efficient than sitting in a classroom all day; in a couple of hours you can learn a lot about taking your business to the mobile level. Web-based live-training can rival live in-person courses in content retention and learning application. Webinar training exceeds live courses also in ease of access and lower costs. A great example is: Monday June 6th, a live and FREE event called “How to Rapidly Grow Your Business With New Social Media Strategies.” The free seats are limited to the first 1000 people. Be sure to go here and secure your seat now before they’re gone: http://bit.ly/iTRjZ

AND, let’s not forget MARKETING to improve your business; no matter what avenue you use, marketing is like paying your bills on a regular basis and is the key to success for your business. So, devote time to marketing your business; because it is an intangible, most people don’t take the time they should to market their business, but then, their business doesn’t grow. The average business owner doesn’t really know how to market, but one way you can learn is by using your network of business associates and mentors – try asking the question on Facebook and see how many instant helpful responses you will get. Also, there are many online courses that offer simple marketing skills for all levels of business experience. Regardless of how you improve your skills, you need to commit time to marketing – the “time” spent will be well worth the effort.

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Posted in: Entrepreneurs,Facebook,Mentoring,Small Business Marketing Tools,Social Media,Webinars

My favorite multi-tasking tools are mobile!

Grocery shopping at the super market is my least favorite thing to do, but unfortunately, I have to eat (I guess – although I might lose some weight if I didn’t) so therefore, a couple of times a month I have to make the jaunt to the Super Market and spend endless time shopping and handling each item at least 6 times – 1) take it off the shelf and put in the basket 2) take it out of the basket and put it on the check- out counter 3) take it off the counter and put it back in the basket 4) take it out of the basket and put it in the trunk of your car 5) take it out of the trunk and carry it into the house, 6)take it out of the bag and put it away – whew – I’m tired just writing about it!! Personally, I have much better uses for my time than dragging myself up and down the length of each isle and standing in endless lines. Every spare moment is precious to me and I can’t see spending time in the Super Market waiting to be checked out. So, I‘ve been thinking – possibly, The advantages of shopping on-line significantly outweigh the disadvantages – especially in a money and time saving consideration. These are the points I’ve come up with:

• · You can see the total price of your shopping cart at any given moment which gives you the opportunity to make changes to your order.
• · There is no spontaneous or impulse buying – especially one of those items at the end of the isle put there purposely to entice you; you can really stick to your shopping list.
• · You can check your inventory right in your home and not have to guess if you ran out of something and avoid unnecessary buying.
• · Avoid Super Market “tricks” which draw us in. You are shopping from your home in a controlled environment.
• · Comparing prices of similar products is easy and convenient.
• · You can change your mind and eliminate items or add – you can see the dollar balance before you check out.
• · Get your shopping done very quickly – none of that endless walking around the store and dodging other shoppers to boot.
• · You can decide when you want to place your order and when you want your order delivered – arrange it according to your own schedule.
• · With the high prices of gas today – a big one is saving on Gas!! You can also include car related expenses.

Even though you may sometimes lose out on special pricing and spend a bit more on items, it will still be, in the long run, economically and financially sound to shop online

Remember – shopping online can be done anywhere – from your smartphone or even iPad – you can build your list during the week and set the delivery date you prefer – can’t get more efficient than that. Multi-tasking has never been easier. We are all so busy running our lives that it is so great when we can find a few tasks to set on “Auto Pilot”.

There is so much available to us in keeping our lives organized: Scheduling Twitter comments using web-based applications like Tweet Deck or Hoot Suite are truly fantastic. It’s a wonderful way to get your social media feeds out there in a timely, efficient manner.

Okay then – what’s your favorite way to multi-task; what kinds of systems do you prefer to keep yourself organized whether on or offline? AND, of course, then have more precious time to enjoy with your children and family or just yourself doing the things you enjoy.

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Posted in: Administrative,Mobile Apps,Multitasking,Small Business Marketing Tools

Sound business advice comes in small packages

“Be respectful, and they’ll respect you back”, “Do the right thing ; even if you really don’t want what the reward is” she said. Thats what she learned.

While my daughter was assisting me during a 3 night photo event for her sports league, it occurred to me how children learn & process what’s occurring in their environment.

I asked her what she learned from our duties as photo coordinator(s), and I honestly was not expecting THAT to be her response. Wow!

Sometimes in business as a service provider, we find there are instances where we have an idea for a client. Even if this is not our expertise, we want to share it with them to get their opinion.

The “reward” as my daughter put it , may be the acceptance of your project idea (just be careful and have a backup plan to fulfill it), and the respect of your client for being forward thinking!

In life, we are constantly learning. Sometimes we are just too busy to realize it. Slow down, and think about your day. You just might get a good tip from someone unexpectedly along the way.

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Posted in: Creative Thinking,Mentoring,Volunteerism