The Top 5 Secrets of Great Multi-Taskers

1. Single Home System

Every day, the average professional spends far too much time hunting down supplies and information. The result is a sharp and unnecessary cut in productivity. Having a single home for everything in your workplace is the simplest, most effective step you can take toward efficient multi-tasking. From the stapler, to your keys, to your file of important contacts, give every item a single spot and always replace it there after use.

2. Lists, Calendars, Spreadsheets

Mental organization is just as essential as physical organization, and using lists and planners is the easiest way to keep track of your hectic life. Your To Do List ought to be king—start each day by writing out a detailed list of your prime objectives. Update your calendar regularly and keep it in a highly visible space. Track inventory, profits, clients, etc. with electronic spreadsheets so that you never have to waste time guessing over important figures.

3. Take Note

Neglecting to make notes out of pride is rather silly. Real proof of intelligence is a consistent and reliable system. Anyone who has to juggle tasks all day knows that leaving a paper trail means you’ll never be lost, and they take notes at meetings, in training, and even when they are on the go. Carry a notebook with you for strokes of genius that you don’t want to forget and always write down new concepts for reinforcement and reference. Even taking notes while on the phone can be an effective way to retain new information and leaving sticky notes in your workspace as personal reminders will help you stay focused.

4. Group

When planning your schedule, group tasks mentally by location, people involved, level of intensity, and nature of work. This will help you decide which tasks should be done in what order, and how some tasks can even be taken care of simultaneously.

5. Adapt

In a demanding work environment, you must learn the art of adaptation. This means learning to channel stress into positive energy so as not to miss a beat. Teach yourself to mentally re-arrange tasks, substitute priorities, and cut losses. Truthfully, there may never be enough hours in the day, so it’s up to you to decide what is essential, what can wait, and what must be sacrificed. Practice this by numbering each item on your daily task list from 1-3, with 1 being the most important. This will train you to think in terms of priorities.

An Opportunity for Growth

There was more unpleasant news from the BBC business coverage today. The TUC has warned jobseekers that for each advertised open position, there is an average of 10 hopeful employees.

From the BBC,
“The trade union body said the ratio - which applies to unemployed people who are claiming jobseeker allowance - had more than doubled over the past year.

The TUC said that while 10 unemployed people were chasing every advertised job in January of 2009, a year earlier it was only four per vacancy.”

Because employers must now look over heaps of CVs, it is difficult for even the most outstanding candidates to get much attention. Because every employer emphasises different skills and experiences, there is no guarantee that any one CV will impress when it counts.

Meanwhile, a 10-country Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) study by researchers from Babson College, London School of Business, and the Kauffman Foundation, has found that going into business for oneself is one of the most effective ways to help grow the economy.

From SmallBusinessNotes.com,
"The GEM report provides conclusive evidence that promoting entrepreneurship and enhancing the entrepreneurial dynamic of a country should be an integral element of any government's commitment to boosting economic well being," said Paul Reynolds, GEM project coordinator and a professor at both Babson College and the London Business School. Adds Michael Hay, a GEM project director and professor at the London Business School, "GEM endorses the argument that entrepreneurship makes a difference to economic prosperity and that a country without high business start-up rates is risking economic stagnation. Countries that are able to replenish the stock of businesses and jobs and have the capacity to accommodate volatility and turbulence in the entrepreneurial sector are best placed to compete effectively."

Not only does today’s entrepreneur have the chance to take his or her professional life by the reigns, but also the opportunity to generate new jobs and revenue streams for others who have been hit by hard times. We are truly grateful to today’s business leaders, and encourage you to consider the positive impact you may make by putting your natural skills to good use as an entrepreneur.

Separating Life and Work: Tips for New Entrepreneurs

Going into business for yourself, even as a franchisee, means taking on a great deal of personal responsibility. It also means that as you start to thrive and succeed, you are the first person in line to reap the benefits of success. However, along with the power and responsibility of professional independence comes the temptation to work for as long and often as it takes to meet your goals. While that determination should be celebrated, it is also necessary to limit the amount of energy you give to your professional life. Not doing so can lead to exhaustion, decreased productivity, and general dissatisfaction. Luckily, there are some fairly simple ways to ensure that rapid professional growth enhances and complements a rich personal life.

Set Boundaries. Establish business hours and keep to a firm schedule. After hours and while away, leave messages on your answering machine and e-mail to notify clients of when you will return. Maintain personal phone lines, e-mails, and other contacts when possible. On weekends, only check into work matters periodically or when absolutely necessary. Of course, working for yourself will require additional time commitments in the beginning, but always work toward a schedule you can be happy with. Also, do provide clients an emergency contact so that they may reach you under extenuating circumstances.

Surround Yourself with Positive People. In both life and business, it’s important to know what kind of people encourage you to do your best. Working for yourself gives you the chance to determine whom you will interact with on a daily basis, and this can be a tremendous asset. Schedule lunches with people who inspire you and only go into business with those you trust. After hours, meet with friends and family who will cheer you on and listen to your triumphs and concerns.

Enjoy Your Success. All work and no play is a tempting scenario for entrepreneurs on the verge of great success. Growing your business will push you to want to achieve more, and some people get sucked into the cycle of aggressive progress. While it is wonderful to feed off of the adrenaline and satisfaction of a job well done, try to constantly touch base with your initial motivations and life goals. Spending more time with family and friends, volunteering, travelling, and being able to afford certain luxuries are all privileges of the highly successful, so don’t be afraid to celebrate!

Identifying Entrepreneurial Allies

You can greatly increase your visibility in today’s market by establishing close ties with other entrepreneurs. But beyond simple networking, you’ll need to get assertive and creative in partnering with other businesses if you hope to see substantial growth. So how do you turn a contact into an ally?

Know what your clients want. What does your business offer to clients in the larger sense? Self-improvement, comfort, education, safety? Get to know what motivates your clients and you’ll have a major advantage in seeking them out.

Seek out similar and complementary businesses and services. Once you know what your clients are looking for, consider who your indirect competition may be. For example, at TopMatch, our clients are looking to enrich the overall quality of their lives, so they can often be found at gyms, salons, and taking classes. Who else can give your clients something they want?

Come up with a deal that’s triply beneficial. Not only will you need to consider what promotions will be good for you and your potential clients, but you’ll also need to consider how to make it worth the while of your potential business partner. How will your promotion in their publication, lobby, or locker room help this business? Will you offer to advertise their service on your website, recommend their business to clients, or give them referral incentives? Often these details can be negotiated over time, but be sure you have some incentive built into your initial partnership proposal.

Track success. Award small discounts or incentives to reward new clients willing to mention how they found out about your business. You can do this when they sign up or make a purchase, or through a longer voluntary questionnaire.

Maintain and expand your presence. Seek out other opportunities, and check in with current business partners. Consider using new marketing materials or strategies over time to keep the attention of your partners’ returning clients. Whether you’re placing fliers, sponsoring an event, or giving out prizes, try tweaking your approach from time to time so that your ads continue to get noticed.