A wise man once said “Bite off more than you can chew and then chew like crazy!”. Great in theory. Maybe not so great in practice.
Studies have shown that common qualities of successful or aspiring entrepreneurs are passion, enthusiasm and an abundance of energy. Our brains are in overdrive, soaking in inspiration, constantly thinking of new ideas, ways to improve our businesses and increase our revenue. We get so caught up in the excitement of a new idea, nurturing that little baby, feeding off the adrenaline of the hope and excitement of new opportunities this may create for us. Like a new car, or a new relationship or a new pair of shoes, we become consumed by the brand new shiny idea, developing a burning passion and desire to get our new baby off the ground and nurture it to success.
But what happens to the old faithful 9-5 business that’s chipping away and paying your bills in the background? This diversion of passion from the old faithful to the brand new shiny idea may be exciting in the short term but just like a watched pot, if you take your eyes off your main business then IT WILL boil over and things will start to unravel.
As entrepreneurs and business owners we must continue to fuel the fire of creativity with new projects and new ideas, but we must also pay respect to the loyal clients we have worked hard to welcome on board and build trust with. New client acquisition is a lot more expensive than client retention from a financial point of view, however loss of trust and faith of existing clients will cost you a lot more in the long run. Reputation is everything in business, so it pays to ensure that yours is kept intact at all times.
Here are three top tips to help keep our ideas, thoughts and focus on track for long term business success:
- GET ORGANISED
As business owners, we are often pulled from pillar to post, juggling multiple balls at a time. In order to keep your sanity, keep your clients happy and find time to keep stoking your creative fire, take some time to get organised. Create a schedule at the beginning of each month, allocating even time to client work, admin, new business development, and creative outlet. Colour code it if you want, print it out and place it within easy viewing distance of your work station. This visual reminder will not only keep you on track in completing tasks, but it will give you something to look forward to.
- WRITE IT DOWN
Don’t rely on your memory to remember all of your ideas, thoughts and to-do list. Write it down. Sounds simple, but you’ll be surprised at how much lighter you feel after getting in the habit of writing your thoughts down as they happen. Go to your favourite stationary shop and grab a notebook, then keep it with you at all times. Keep it next to you on your desk during the day, then move it to your bedside table at night.
- OUTSOURCE
Most new businesses owners don’t realise just how much goes in to setting up and running a business. Aside from creation and delivery of our core products or services, there’s administration, accounting, telecommunications, IT, branding, marketing… the list goes on. With a never ending to-do list, we can easily spread ourselves too thin, and lose sight of why we started our businesses in the first place. Outsourcing the tasks we aren’t skilled in or don’t enjoy can free up much needed time to get back to the core of why you started your business in the first place. While it is an investment, it is a worthwhile one, as it will free you up to concentrate on the things you love doing, and enable you to be more productive in driving your business forward.
Don’t waste all of your hard work by losing focus now. Before you start dropping all of those balls you’ve been madly juggling, prioritise the tasks you love, and make a list of the tasks you could potentially outsource. Our business is supporting businesses such as yours, with marketing and promotion services. We live and breathe marketing, and we develop tailored, strategic plans centred on your core business offering, making sure your business is being seen and embraced by your target customers.
Give us a call on 1800 249 056 or email info@impactmarketingservices.com.au. We’d love to work with you.
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