Running a small business does not mean that your workload is comparatively small. In fact, on any given day, you’ll likely have hundreds of tasks to complete – from monitoring your finances to replying to client emails. As a result, it’s easy to presume that as your business grows – so should your to-do list.
However, such a belief is actually counter-productive when you want to grow your business. In fact, as your business grows and expands your days should become more straightforward – as you should have a plan in place that allows you to navigate your daily operations with ease. At this stage, you’re no longer relying on guesswork to get you through – as you know exactly what your customers need and how to give it to them.
This doesn’t stop the fact that there’s more work to do as your business expands – it just means you need to find more effective ways of managing it. After all, you’re only human. There’s only so much work you can do in a day without feeling stressed and overwhelmed. While stress is often considered a product of a successful professional life – it does not have to be that way. You don’t have to go through stress to find success, and you should always take care of your mental health.
With that in mind, here are three ways to grow your business, without growing your workload.
Grow your team.
If your business has been a solo venture for some time, it’s only natural to have some reservations when it comes to onboarding staff. After all, you may be concerned about finding the right talent, or handing over responsibility to someone other than yourself. However, it’s hard to deny the benefits of hiring new staff. Not only does each hire bring new thoughts and perspectives to the table, but they also help you to better manage your workload, as you’re no longer trying to do everything yourself. This means that you can focus on the aspects of the job that you genuinely enjoy or are good at, while delegating other duties to your qualified team.
For example, if handling your businesses finances gives you a headache, hiring an accountant or fractional CFO means you no longer have to spend hours staring at spreadsheets. This also reduces the chances of you making mistakes that cost your business money in the long run, such as filing your taxes incorrectly or not getting a hold of your cash flow.
However, while finding the right employees is important, holding onto them is crucial. In a competitive job market, this can be easier said than done. As such, you should also be willing to invest in your employees and their development. For example, you should provide them with plenty of opportunities for growth and professional development while working within your company. This means refining their CVs and skillset, whereas you’re gaining employees with better abilities overall – meaning it’s a mutually beneficial endeavour. When employees feel as though their employer is investing in them and their growth, they are more likely to stick around as opposed to seeking employment elsewhere.
Outsourcing.
Another way in which you can lighten your workload while you grow your business is through outsourcing. After all, this gives you the chance to hand over duties to experts, without the fees associated with hiring a full-time employee. Furthermore, there are hundreds upon hundreds of business related tasks that can be outsourced. For example, you could work with a managed IT support service to “add value to your business, keep you competitive and ensure client satisfaction.” You can also use these services to improve your cybersecurity protocols. This is particularly important when you consider the fact that smaller businesses are often the victim of cybercrimes, as it’s believed they will not have as much structure in place to protect them.
To put it simply, outsourcing provides you with the opportunity to better utilise your own talents, and those of others outside of your company. This means that you can equip your business for success, regardless of your individual skills. The more work you can delegate to outsource hires, the more focused you will be on the tasks that fall onto your to-do list. This will improve your overall productivity and efficiency, while also keeping stress at bay.
Utilise technology.
If you’re on the lookout for long-term success, your business has to keep up with technology. Not only will it help you achieve maximum efficiency and meet the needs of the customers, but it will also help you to better manage your time and workload. This is because technology can be used to speed up otherwise time-consuming tasks such as daily administrative duties. For example, you could use technology to send out automated emails to client enquiries, which may answer some of the more common questions you receive, while letting them know you’ll reach out to them directly soon.
Software and technology can also be used to help you improve your timekeeping skills, which will within itself heighten productivity. As a result, you’ll feel less overwhelmed by your daily workload as you’ll finally feel as though there are enough hours in the day to do everything you need to do. For example, you could download an app that lets you know when certain deadlines are approaching, so you’re able to prioritise your workload and focus on the more pertinent tasks, as opposed to losing hours to disorganisation each day. Or you can find UK mailing equipment that automates repetitive office tasks like sorting and postage, freeing up more time for high-priority responsibilities. Investing in the right tools creates a more efficient, less stressful work environment.
Final thoughts.
To put it simply, you do not have to overextend yourself to grow your business. In fact, you should find that you’re able to sit back and relax a little the more your company expands, especially if you’ve laid the right foundations and have a solid team surrounding you.
It’s also important to note that nothing – not even the glowing success of your business – should come before your mental wellbeing. If you are feeling overwhelmed or overburdened, it’s perfectly okay to take a break and focus on yourself and your wellbeing. In fact, it’s the right thing to do.
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