Time Saving Tips for Small Business Owners

Many small business owners often claim there is never enough time to get everything done in their day.

While we can’t create more time, we can manage our time better.

From developing routines and making business process improvements to minimising interruptions and overcoming procrastination, there is sure to be a time management strategy that will work for you.

Here are some other techniques to help you better manage your own time:

1. Plan your day

Take the first 10 minutes of every day to plan what you aim to get out of the day. Plan to spend at least 50 percent of your day engaged in the thoughts, activities and conversations that produce most of your results.

2. Schedule a time to answer email and return phone calls

Practice not answering the phone just because it’s ringing and e-mails just because they show up. Disconnect instant messaging. Don’t instantly give people your attention unless it’s absolutely crucial in your business to offer an immediate human response.

3. Qualify your leads

Don’t let potential customers; clients and contacts waste your precious time with needless meetings and phone calls. Make sure they’re worth your effort by qualifying them first. The key to doing this is asking them the right questions around their budget, timeline, problem they need solved, level of urgency etc.

4. Know what you want to achieve

Knowing what you want out of each meeting, call and point of contact can help you direct the conversation more strategically and get the information you need to make it happen. Having an agenda will help keep you on time and on topic. It will also ensure that – even if a meeting or call doesn’t turn out to be what you thought it would – you’ll be better equipped to notice when it’s taking a turn, and identify any opportunities to sell alternate products or services in the moment.

Remember that it’s impossible to get everything done. Also remember that odds are good that 20 percent of your thoughts, conversations and activities produce 80 percent of your results.