Here at Team Double-Click® it's nothing uncommon for us to have a dozen or more projects in progress at once. We have big goals and that means lots of steps need to be taken in order to achieve them. Just like many of you, we've been forced to tighten our belts and cut back on staff in order to combat the rising cost of living. Although we probably have more tasks to do now than ever before; we have fewer people to do them. Clients are always asking me how we manage to get it all done and keep our sanity. The answer to that is very simple; we have a plan.
There was a time many, many years ago when I would jump into projects head first and try to get it all done myself. It didn't take long, however, before my business, my home and my sanity began to suffer as a result! There are only 24 hours in a day and one person just can't do it all! That's when I sat down and created a plan. It's a plan we still use today. It worked for us then and it still works for us now. Below are a few simple things that we've done and that you can do too in order to cut costs and still get your projects completed on time!
Prioritize
Decide what makes you the most money and what only you can do. If your business will only grow when you're out networking and talking to clients then you absolutely MUST do these things!! Maybe it would be nice to have some extra flyers or a cool PowerPoint presentation on hand but those things can probably wait. Unless you're really efficient and skilled at doing those things you'll probably end up spending tons of time trying to make them look good. In the meantime you aren't out doing the things you know will bring in more money for your business.
Use the right tools
There are a lot of simple, free tools available that you can use to get organized. Below are just a few that I highly recommend
Online Meeting Software - http://www.dimdim.com
Need to schedule more time with potential clients but no time or money for travel? Dimdim is a free web conferencing software that allows you to deliver synchronized live presentations and share voice and video over the internet. Expand your network globally and meet with your clients at no cost to you!
Note Taking Software - http://www.jott.com
Do you have post it notes and note pads all over your desk? Jott is a talk to text application that allows you to call a number, speak your notes or messages and have them automatically sent to the right people via email, text or web updates. This can save a ton of time, help keep you organized and is absolutely free!
Project Management - http://www.project2manage.com
Project2Manage is a free project management solution that allows you to keep projects organized, assign tasks, post messages and manage to-do lists. It's easy to use, free and an absolute must have for any virtual office!
Ask for help
This is the hardest for me to do. I don't like admitting when I can't do something. I don't like admitting I'm not superwoman. The reality is, however, that if I want to accomplish the thousands of tasks I've set out for myself then I need some assistance. To be perfectly honest, there are some things that I shouldn't be doing at all. Some things I'm just not good at and if I insist on doing them myself then they won't get done well and in many cases they won't get done at all. And while I'm wasting tons of time trying to do them; my business isn't growing.
Hiring a good virtual assistant is one of the easiest and most cost effective ways to get the help you need and still come in under budget. A virtual assistant will allow you to hire an expert in marketing, sales or general assistance and keep you on track with your deadlines.
If your multi-tasking has gotten out of control then it's time to take action. Prioritize, get the right tools in place and hire a virtual assistant to save you money and get things done.
If you'd like more information on how a virtual assistant can help save your business money, give us a call at 888-827-9129. One of our experienced Virtual Services Representatives can provide you with a free consultation today!
About the author:
Gayle Buske is the co-founder, president and CEO of Team Double-Click®, the country's foremost virtual staffing agency and VirtualAssistingUSA. As the head of a virtual staffing agency with over 57,000 virtual professionals in its pool, Ms. Buske is uniquely qualified to aid clients' growth through virtual outsourcing as well as speak to the ins and outs of the industry. Gayle enjoys spending her free time with her husband, business and life partner, Jim, their daughter Madison, practicing Yoga, reading, hiking, flower gardening, and playing with the family's three dogs and three cats.
VirtualAssistingUSA provides virtual assistants a place to upload their profile and advertise their services to small and home based businesses. Virtual Assistants at VirtualAssistingUSA are given access to affordable training, marketing and billing assistance for their business. Visit VirtualAssistingUSA's website at http://www.virtualassistingusa.com to get help with your virtual assistant business.
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