Are You the Weakest Link?
- Tuesday, August 17, 2010
You know your business plan inside and out. Your finger is on the pulse of the industry in which you work. If you are a small business owner, you probably spend most of your time on the big picture and rely on your staff to take care of the rest. I’m talking about day-to-day operations such as running the accounting department, troubleshooting equipment problems, or managing software upgrades.
You have great people working in your company. But would you know how to do everyone else’s job if you had to step in and do their job? Could you train a new hire in a pinch? If not, you may be the weakest link in your company.
I see this in a lot of client offices, the boss doesn’t know what it takes to do a particular task, and they think it can be done faster but don’t really know how to do it themselves. Being in the dark about the process of getting business done can cost you more than a few sleepless nights.
What’s the answer? Take time to familiarize yourself with each area of your company’s operations. Have your staff write down the procedures and problems they deal with on a regular basis. Create "job audits" by having employees keep track of what they do and how long each task takes, know what they do daily, weekly, monthly, and so on. As your business grows, more procedures, documentation and clear guidelines are needed. Should someone call in sick or quit abruptly, you don’t have to be the “the weakest link.” Instead, you’ll be the “temporary bridge” while you wait for help to arrive. Stay nimble and stay prepared.Labels: job audits, office procedures, weakest link
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Creating Balance
- Tuesday, August 3, 2010
I recently found out a good friend has cancer. First, there is shock and then the worry. How could this happen? I just saw her, she looked fine. Then I got the news that another friend from church passed away yesterday. It makes you stop and think about how quickly things can change. I have to ask myself, am I living my life as fully as I think I am?
Times like these underscore the need for balance. I get caught up in the process of work, results and efficiency, and seldom have time for anything else. I've got a terrific 'work plan' for work. But maybe I lack a plan for life itself. There's never enough time left for friends, for exercise or for down time. The idea that everything could suddenly stop because of serious illness or death has made me revisit my life's 'work plan.'
I need to create balance . . . for body, mind and soul. My 'to do list' will just have to include those things that will benefit my personal being.
Life is short. As they say, we only do this once. When you work, work hard, when you live, live to your fullest potential. This is going to be my new plan.Labels: balance work and life, your fullest potential
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