Whether you have an Etsy, eBay, or Amazon shop or you own a neighborhood grocery store, being organized can make the difference between an every-day struggle and learning and maintaining a regular and consistent profit. However, because small business owners wear many hats and have a multitude of responsibilities, it can be difficult to retain organization and order. Even so, there are many resources you, as a small business owner, can use to improve your business, enhance your productivity, and increase your organization.
Sorting Emails: The simple act of sorting your emails immediately after reading can save you loads of time in the future. Your emails will be easier to find when you need them, and they can be categorized accordingly. If you're already behind on sorting your emails into the right folders - whether they are client, vendor, or personal emails - spend an afternoon or even a weekend getting caught up. Once you're brought up, it only takes a few seconds to continue down the path of organization.
Tasks and Calendar Events: You have two basic options when it comes to keeping a calendar. One is you can keep a physical calendar in a pocketbook, on your wall, or even placed right on top of your desk. The second option is an electronic or virtual calendar. This can be setup on your phone, in your email, or on your computer. Creating and maintaining an electronic calendar gives you the option to set reminders, create to-do lists, and schedule meetings and appointments in just a few seconds. The second part to this is saving your to-do lists and calendars. These are good reference tools that you may need in the future. For instance, if you need to remember when you started on a project or when your client first contacted you, you just have to look through your calendar and you'll know the answer.
Inventory System: Depending on the type of business you run, you may need to keep track of your inventory. Purchasing and using a simple inventory system can save you time and your sanity. You can find a system that allows you to input barcodes, product descriptions, product pictures, and even units of measurements.
While small business owners are a lot more hands-on than some large business owners when it comes to running the business and handling the smaller tasks and details, there are ways to increase organization without wasting time. And finding that balance is imperative to the success of any business, whether large or small.
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