Where I live on Hayling Island, snow doesn't feature very often in our weather forecast. So when the first sprinkling of this winter arrived yesterday morning, I knew it would mean chaos on the already icy local roads. And of course I had 2 meetings in the diary, both arranged before the current bad weather started. Fortunately both parties happily agreed to postpone until conditions improve and I've been to able to stay in the warm (and once again count my blessings that I work from home!).
As I read the tweets and Facebook updates posted by other local fellow business owners online, I could see that many of them had made the same sensible decision, even though for some it meant a loss of income.
What I noticed most were the little comments about unexpectedly having time to do other things. For example, instead of being where they would have been but for the bad weather, they were now able to catch up on tasks in the office. Some were returning phone calls; replying to emails; tidying the office - or in my case - writing this blog post.
For all small business owners, going out to meetings and networking events is important. But just occasionally, it's a good idea to set aside time to spend on those little jobs that tend to build up while we're out and about. After all, you can't always rely on the snow to keep you in the office!
If you've had some unexpected time in the office recently because of the bad weather, how did you spend it? Please share in the comments below :)
I don’t think anyone will disagree when I say that time is the most precious asset of any small business owner! Using it to best effect means we need to constantly guard against anything - and anyone - who could potentially waste any of this limited resource.
So when the phone rings, or you get cornered at networking events, and someone utters the words “Could I just pick your brains for a minute?” - alarm bells should start ringing. Loudly.
If you’re a coach, consultant or trainer, your brains have cost you a lot of time, energy and money to develop. You’re in business and people should pay for what’s in those brains!
You’ve probably already come across that group of people who don’t seem to realise that we’re in business to make a profit and to pay our bills. It’s true we enjoy doing what we do, but working for ourselves also means taking total responsibility for earning every penny, but this group don’t think like that. I accept that there are subscribers to my newsletter and readers of this blog who are members of that group and who will never hire me, but that’s OK because I genuinely enjoy sharing what I write here.
Now, if you have a blog and a newsletter, perhaps a podcast or teleclasses too - then you’re already providing great free resources for all to access, so don’t feel guilty if you don’t say yes to every request for free advice.
I suggested in a recent post that it’s sometimes better to make your prospects wait. Well, to weed out time-wasters, who may not immediately be identifiable as such, you need to adopt a similar process. Here’s what I mean.
I invite all my newsletter subscribers to a free Marketing Makeover consultation call - which they only find out about if they read the follow-up emails. Next, I ask them to answer a few questions about their business, which requires a bit of work on their part. I’m only interested in working with business owners who are serious about succeeding and prepared to make the effort.
What I’m suggesting is that you treat the ‘pick your brains’ enquiries the same way. Say that you don’t have time just now (don’t fall for the ‘it’ll only take a minute of your time’ wheeze, because before you know it 30 minutes will have disappeared). Invite them to book an appointment a couple of days away (try using an online scheduler like Tungle.me) and only AFTER they have answered your introductory questions, which are on a page of your website you can easily direct them to.
While this may not deter all time-wasters, it does seem to discourage the ‘brain-picking’ variety! Don’t worry about putting off genuine enquirers; when people are serious about their business they’ll be happy to answer a few questions in return for some of your precious time.
I’d like to add that there’s obviously a big difference between sharing ideas and advice with friends and colleagues you value and respect, and the one-way information leech of time-wasters.
How do you discourage time wasters? Please share in the comments, and if you found this post helpful - a retweet or share would be appreciated :)
Most business owners I have the pleasure to work with are brimming with ideas for all manner of new products and services they want to develop. This is a typical and positive characteristic of all entrepreneurs - but it can also prove to be a flaw that leads to failure....
Unfortunately, many brilliant ideas don’t see the light of day because their creator got bored or lost interest, and moved on to the next brilliant new idea. Hardly anything gets finished and that’s such a shame.
At the other end of the personality spectrum are those very practical people who stay quietly focused and diligently work through all the minute details. They get the the job done.
Successful entrepreneurs are those who have the self discipline to see a project through to completion, or they team up and work with people who do. At the very least they outsource some of the detail work.
If you have a file stuffed with half-finished projects, it could be that you have this entrepreneurial flaw ….. hmm …. what are you going to do about it?
Have you noticed the growing number of local networking groups lately? They’re popping up all over the place, like mushrooms!
I was chatting with a client the other day who works very closely with small businesses and holds regular networking events for them. She said she’s noticed a sharp increase in how many people are showing up each month, possibly an indicator of the difficult economic times we’re in.
Networking can happen whenever one person meets with another, and the best networking often takes place at conferences and seminars during the coffee breaks! More formal business networking tends to be structured, and there are several different flavours to choose from, depending on your preference:
Referral Groups
These groups meet regularly, usually for breakfast. Membership is paid and restricted ie, it ‘locks out’ competitor businesses so that only one member per profession is represented. Each meeting follows a set agenda, usually including a 60-second ‘pitch’ and a call for any referred business. There are variations depending on individual group direction. Probably the best known groups are BNI (Business Networking International) and BRX - a UK based operation which is currently enjoying something of a revival.
Speed Networking
This is a business equivalent of speed dating, where you go along and play business musical chairs! Some events are free and some charge. You get an specified period of time, typically anywhere between 2 and 6 minutes, to meet someone new, exchange business cards, say what you do and then hear what the other person does. When the time is up, you move on to someone else and start again. It is possible to make 10 or even 20 new contacts at these events. My personal dislike about these events is that they tend to get so noisy that I have trouble hearing what the other person is saying - and I hate having to shout to make myself heard! However, every event I’ve been to (either as facilitator or just to take part) has been well attended so they’re obviously popular.
Networking Clubs
Closed, member only groups which meet regularly. Monthly lunches are popular, as are after working hours evening buffet-style events. Formats vary and may include a guest speaker or a short training session. Chambers of Commerce have been holding such networking ‘mixers’ for many years and such a meeting was my first rather scary experience of business networking! Several women-only groups have been established around the country and there are different membership networking clubs for just about every taste.
Free Networking Events
Some are completely free, others charge a nominal fee for refreshments (plus a bit for the person organising) and you need only pay for those meetings you actually attend. Events can be at any time of day and are usually more relaxed affairs than the other groups. Formats will be decided by the organiser and may include any of the elements already mentioned. While such free events are often a good introduction to business networking, it’s my experience that most people attending, lovely though they are as individuals, turn up with the sole intention of selling and are rarely interested in buying from anyone.
With such a diverse choice of networking groups, it can be hard to know which to join and the decision will depend on your own business circumstances. Often you will be able to go along to an ‘open’ or ‘visitor’ meeting which most groups hold quite frequently as part of a new member drive, and I recommend you ask to do this for any group you’re considering even if such an event isn’t advertised.
You may be interested in this short report: “Why do Business Owners Need to Network?” - click here for a copy.
Have I missed any groups? Which do you find work best for your business? Please share in the comments below.
I was reminded by a fellow coach, client and good friend that it’s nearly 8 years since we arranged her first business coaching call. When she kindly tweeted this to me at the weekend, I was immediately transported back in time to recall some of the great conversations we had in the early days of marketing her coaching practice.
It’s funny because in those days I didn’t really regard myself as ‘qualified’ to coach anyone about their marketing - I just passed on the useful tips I’d picked up. In those days it was from reading all the books I could lay my hands on!
And I’d never have dreamt back then, that people would be seeking me out today to teach them how to use the internet, especially social media, to market their businesses.
I suppose there’s still a residual memory from all those years ago of not believing I’m qualified in marketing that holds me back from promoting myself as I know I should.
But that belief is completely out of date now! I have nearly 8 years more experience for one thing ;) Eight years more experience of coaching, of being in business, of studying marketing and of teaching others how to market. When you look at it like that, it seems really silly to still be believing in something that probably wasn’t even true back then!
Are you still holding onto a belief about your abilities that is no longer valid? Do you avoid growing your business because that little inner voice is making you doubt how brilliant you really are?
It’s time to consign outdated limiting beliefs to the dustbin of the past where they belong. After all, running a small business presents enough challenges every day without you adding any more!
Over the next few days, check the messages you’re giving yourself (it’s OK, everyone talks to themselves like this!). Be aware of any that are unhelpful or which stop you from taking an important step into unknown territory. Ask yourself if the message is true, or whether it has outlived its usefulness. Ditch anything that isn’t empowering you!
Don’t forget to let me know how you get on and get in touch if you need any help with this.
And as for the client who started off the train of thought that inspired this post, I’m so proud to have played a very small part in her wonderful journey to success. (I’m also incredibly chuffed that she remembered!)
Just because I’m a coach doesn’t mean I run my business perfectly - I wish it did! But I think I’m just like any other small business owner in that there times when I feel I could conquer the world (well, my little corner of it anyway) and times when I wish I could crawl under the duvet and stay there for at least a fortnight. So my business is a constant work in progress, just like yours ;)
The way I coach is by combining what I’ve learned with what I’ve experienced and what has worked for me and/or for clients. Theory is all well and good but unless it’s backed up with personal experiences, then it isn’t tested or proven which could result in spending far too much time experimenting with something that has no chance of success.
Being in business today means you don’t have the luxury of time to try out new systems that may or may not work. If you’re a regular reader of this blog, or a newsletter subscriber, you’ll know I love sharing what works and am constantly on the look-out for new technology and tools that will help as many people as I can. Recently I was looking back through some client time management questions and came across a few common themes I want to share with you today.
Carrying your to-do lists and plans in your head
You are not a memory expert!! Much as you might like to think you have your schedule clear in your mind, writing it down on paper or typing it into your electronic organiser of choice will ensure you deal with what’s important and maximise your productive time each day.
Waiting to have a clear diary before starting that important project
Oh look, there goes a flying pig! Well it’s just as likely to happen isn’t it? I know from personal experience that waiting for a clear window of time means that important projects (most likely the ones that will lead to increased revenue!) keep on being pushed back by more urgent appointments and activities. Don’t wait for that clear diary, just get started - today!
Changing track too often during the day
This can happen if you don’t have a written plan for your day. You jump from one task to another, depending on what’s urgent or who’s shouting loudest. The main problem with this behaviour is that it takes a while to gather your thoughts and necessary resources to set off on each new task, and that ‘recovery’ time is multiplied every time you change track. Grouping similar tasks together results in a more efficient use of time.
Micro scheduling your day
This is the opposite of not having a written plan! Cramming your daily diary so that every waking hour is accounted for isn’t a good idea either. Life has a habit of turning up with something unexpected that will throw your micro-schedule out of the window and leave you constantly chasing to catch up with yourself. Factor in some ‘contingency’ time to avoid this happening, you’ll actually be more productive.
Poor filing & office housekeeping
Whether it’s pieces of paper or documents in computer folders, if you can’t find them quickly when you need to, poor ‘housekeeping’ is probably the culprit. A little time spent keeping on top of the admin and filing each week will increase your efficiency - and save hours tracking down important documents. (Ahem, confession time - this is an area I’m working on at the moment!)
What cautionary - or inspiring - time management tales do you have to tell?
