Is Networking Overrated?

As a business owner we have all heard the importance of making time to network.

But is it really necessary?

If you have all your ducks in a row and business is coming in the door and everything is smooth sailing then what is the point? And who has time for that anyway? 

Well if you're a lifestyle entrepreneur and if you aren't sure check out last week's post about that topic then networking is extremely important. As a lifestyle entrepreneur networking is all about making friends and building honest authentic connections with people. Since most lifestyle entrepreneurs work from home or are location independent then carving time out to mix & mingle may seem cumbersome but it is crucial. There are a myriad of ways to network with others such as online via virtual conferences, in person at specialized meetups, local chamber organizations or through volunteerism.

Have you ever found yourself in need of a professional endorsement or a key connection to that "right" person? We all have. I bet you were thinking I wish I would have kept in touch with "fill in the blank". Don't be that person who only reaches out to others when you need something. Get out there make friends and build lasting relationships with other professionals. According to Rishi Chowdhury of the Business Insider, "Your net worth is only as good as your network." Now that's food for thought!

What do you think about the whole idea of networking? Is it overrated, a lost art or necessary in your world?

I Am Not Making Money

Photo Courtesy of graur razvan ionut|Freedigitalphotos.net

Photo Courtesy of graur razvan ionut|Freedigitalphotos.net

Does this sound like you? "If I had more time to market I know I could increase my bottom-line. I am so frustrated that my business isn't making more money and I feel like throwing in the towel. This isn't the dream I had in mind when I started my business and it is turning into a nightmare". These are the thoughts of a very unhappy entrepreneur.

As a small business owner I understand that trying to do everything all at the same time AND take care of your marketing efforts to win new clients is a lot of work. I am exhausted just thinking about it. 

But there is a way to make your dreams a reality.

The first order of business is to recognize that you are having a problem. The second order of business is to get some help. Let other professionals such as a bookkeeper or a virtual assistant into your business life.

Do not be fooled into thinking you can do everything that you need to do to keep your business afloat. Start making money by making an investment in a business partnership today. So are you drowning? Tell me what is keeping you from making money in the comments below.

Keep It Sunny!

The Future Is Very Bright For Small Business In 2015

photo courtesy of iosphere|freedigitalphotos.net

I love the idea & reality of being a small business owner. There is no feeling better in the world than being able to take your idea or thoughts and put them into action. I am optimistic that the small business industry as a whole will continue to go on an upswing. I am not alone. According to an article on smallbiztrends.com "Fifty-eight percent of small business owners expect growth in 2015". So are you doing all that you can to ride into the sunset with other small business owners? Here is a short checklist to ponder and put into action:

Have your team in place: Make sure you have your core partners in place such as a CPA, lawyer & business office operations manager.

Make sure your paperwork is up to date: This includes any applicable licenses, certifications or governmental regulatory paperwork that needs to be submitted on a regular basis.

Make sure your skills are up to date: You are only able to deliver world-class service to your clients if you are staying abreast of the latest trends & tools in your industry.

This is a very short list, but a great starting point to make sure your business is a success in 2015. In the meantime, here are some note taking software tools to keep your thoughts organized in one place.  Next post I will talk about what other items should be on your "to do" list before 2014 comes to a close.

Keep It Sunny!

 

Do You Have Enough Time To Do Everything In Your Life?

Photo courtesy of BimXD/Freedigitalphotos.net

Photo courtesy of BimXD/Freedigitalphotos.net

This post will take 1 minute to read

Are you just too busy? The answer is most likely an exasperated "YES".  You probably don't even have enough time to read what I am typing. :)  So thank you for taking time out to read this. I noticed on certain sites like Entrepreneur.com they tell you how long it will take you to read an article. I love this idea and it helps me to determine whether or not I will read it. I usually do. So I may start to use that for my future blog post but I digress.

Is Time Slipping Through Your Fingers?

The one thing you can do right now to gain more time in your life to do everything that you want to do is to prioritize items and put them on your calendar. So, I guess that is two things. If things don't land on your calendar, then most likely it will not get done. Have you heard of the phrase out of site, out of mind. Well, that is very true. I use Google Calendar to schedule everything in my life, business & personal. Then I sync it to my phone so I can get reminders of the appointments that I have on my calendar.

How do you prioritize and make more time in your day to do everything you want to do in your life??

Keep It Sunny!

 

No Employees Wanted

Image courtesy of Ambro/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image courtesy of Ambro/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

As a solopreneur or small business owner the idea of running your business without employees probably has crossed your mind on occasion. The questions you might have pondered quietly are "Is this possible? Why should I consider this and how can I do this?"  Well, it is possible. Many companies have successfully adopted this business model. And it is on the rise. According to Forbes.com "One third of Americans are freelancers (17 million people), contractors and consultants right now and there will be more of them than full-time employees in six years. Also, "Employers are saving more money hiring freelancers because they don’t have to pay benefits and they are looking to hire experts who can complete specialized projects."  Why should you consider this? There are many reasons why it could make sense to shift from the idea of having employees to working with freelancers or partnering with vendor companies to provide support. Entrepreneur.com cites three good reasons:

a) The business does not have employees available to perform the tasks.

b) Demand is uncertain.

c) The job requires a specialized skill that the company lacks or the business owner doesn't plan to specialize in.

Whatever your reason you might want to consider trying out this business model in your company for a short period of time to test it out to see if it is something that can help you to be more efficient and gain more revenue for your company. Of course we can assist you in one-on-one virtual assistant business support and connecting you with other service providers that you may need. Share your thoughts on this new way of doing business below.

Keep It Sunny!