There is a quote that resounds with all entrepreneurs and it says: “you can do everything, but why would you want to?” This is more true than I can possibly express. We know as a business owner you have many skills and talents and those are the reason why you have a business in the first place. There is bad news though … you can’t split yourself across multiple avenues and there are very good reasons why. Read on to find out more.
1) Delegation
The way I see it, a business should be divided in two. You have the business owner (you), who is taking care of strategy, growth, client relationships, marketing and high-level tasks that are going to drive your business forward. And then you get the other side … administration and operations. This is where business owners make the mistake and trust me, I completely understand why. You built this business with (most likely) blood, sweat and tears. It can become very difficult to hand over tasks to someone new, but the key here is without delegation, you are going to burn out and stretch yourself thin, rendering yourself too exhausted to be the best you can possibly be in your life and your business. So delegation really is key and your first step to time-freedom.
2) Disorganisation
The last thing on a business owner’s mind when it comes to business is staying organised and this is not for a lack of trying. You are constantly deciding between income-producing tasks and administrative tasks. Unfortunately the answer is obvious … income-producing tasks will always take priority, which makes total sense. There is another problem area that arises though, and that is, your business has to be functioning at an optimum level on the back-end, so that your business can run efficiently and effectively, again … this is not a job for you as the business owner. This is a job for an admin professional, especially a remote Virtual Assistant who specialises in this field.
3) Lack of Processes and Procedures
A key to operating your business at an optimum level – is to always have processes, systems and procedures in place for your business. It does not matter how small or large your business is, this will always be crucial. Your staff, outsourced contractors and clients all need to know what process to follow, what procedures are in place and which systems to use at all times, to avoid chaos, confusion and ultimately a loss of income.
4) Lack of a Work Life Balance
Having a business of your own, probably means that you work as many hours per day as you possibly can. You are trying to ensure your business is successful and one that will be around for future generations. One of the biggest mistakes I see with my clients is the dedication and many hours invested in the business, mean that their personal lives are non-existent. Whether it be lack of sleep, no time for gym, no time to eat healthily, very little time with your family … all of this results in you not being at your top performance. Taking care of yourself is what is going to ensure the success of your business, without a doubt. Which brings us to our final and crucial solution to achieving all of this…
5) Outsourcing
If you are not sure how to navigate all of the points I have mentioned above, I have a very simple and effective solution to offer. Instead of employing a team of staff that you are responsible for (especially during these economical unstable times), why not hire these functions out to a Virtual Assistant? A Virtual Assistant is someone that works remotely from her own location, charges retainer packages and does not require you to take care of any employee-related responsibilities, such as: providing office space and equipment, stationary, tax responsibility, annual leave, maternity leave, benefits and bonuses. You only pay for the work you require done. The amazing news is that Virtual Assistants aren’t just administrative or secretarial. For example, I provide crucial niche skills, such as: Private Security Administration, Financial Services, Human Resources Services, Operations, Processes and Systems Services and so much more.
If this sounds good to you, take a look at how much more a Virtual Assistant can help you create organisation and relief to the chaos you are currently experiencing in your business.