Latest Articles
- How to Get the Most Out of a Business Health Review with Your Accountant
While working with my clients and as Program Manager of the Entrepreneurial Assistance Program I have a common theme presents itself. How do I figure out how my business is doing? As a business owner I need to know the answer to this myself. So when I meet with my accountant, I want to give him the most up to date and accurate information. Thus providing the data he needs to help me make sound financial decisions. Your accountant can do this for you but they will need “information”.
- Planning For Success
So why is planning important? Without it you will waist a considerable amount of money, time, and resources. You can’t get where you want to go if you don’t know where you want to end up. Working with clients I usually find businesses that have grown ad hoc and call me when their inefficient back office operations are hampering growth. By developing a business plan you can prepare for growth and potential risk or problems. Therefore you are responding to your environment not reacting. Also, having a solid plan gives you a tool for making decisions.
- 10 Key Factors in Choosing Customer Relationship Management Software (CRM)
One of my favorite topics we teach in class is how to compile information that can be used to make smart business decisions. What usually comes up during class is many start-ups and existing companies know they need a tool to help them with collecting and using information but do not know where to start. This article’s focus is the ten key factors to help you choose the right Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software for your company.
- 10 Tips for Creating a Data Goldmine
I have been working with many clients who have their information in a database but are unable to get the information they want or know where to find it. Usually the culprit is a series of issues that come together to create the perfect storm of inefficiency. The tips below will help you to prevent this storm and maximize the information in your database to increase productivity and profits.
- How to Make More Money in 2012 with Data Driven Decisions
I have mentioned in many of my articles about metrics. Things we use to measure success and how far you are from reaching your goals. Data is much more than that – it is a valuable tool to make solid business decisions. It also helps you to save as well as make money. Below are some of the metrics you can use to help grow your bottom line in 2012.
Effective Delegation
Most business owners are resistant to delegating their work to an assistant or bookkeeper. Part of this is a control issue and the other a time issue. As a professional organizer I hear I can do it quicker myself. What is not accounted for in this equation is the time taken away from generating income. The easiest tasks to delegate are those that are either non client facing or you dislike the most.
Bookkeeping and administrative tasks are the easiest to get off your plate. Pay the money for a qualified bookkeeper. This will free up a considerable amount of time. Check with your accountant who would be a good fit for your business and needs. If they do not have someone to recommend Certified Public Accountant Paul Rafanello, at 845.986.8776 or at http://www.prcpa.biz, is an excellent referral source.
The other important component of this equation is the administrative functions. Some of these include:
Receptionist
Email Screening
Mailer prep and send
Shipping
Composing correspondence
Filing
Prep for bookkeeper
Scheduling appointments
Maintain customer database
The tasks vary depending on your business and needs. Having a list of tasks gives you the skeleton for a job description and a measure for what the person is expected to accomplish. The key is to properly train the person on the front end thus saving time on the back end. Also, work with a staff agency to review what you expect and what skills a qualified candidate would need. Another route would be a virtual assistant. This may be more cost effective than hiring staff. If you consider using a virtual assistant conduct a thorough interview of the company. Personal information about you, your company, employees and customers will be communicated to this assistant if utilized for administrative functions. As a result, make sure that confidentiality, identity theft and data protection are part of their services.
The goal is to get off your plate as many non client facing and administrative duties as possible so you can do what you are good at making money.