Business owners and entrepreneurs are constantly striving to fit more into their days and be even more productive day by day. However, the amount of time they have each week is finite. There are only two options for making one’s day more productive:
1. Efficiently utilizing the time you have.
2. Delegating so you can use the time most productively.
Business systems can be created to support both actions, so you do not have to choose one or the other. You and your fellow entrepreneurs can use both options to get the most out of every day and leave on time at night.
In a recent interview, CEO of Business Success Consulting Group, Adi Klevit, and Owner of BrainSHARE Business Mentors, Joe Siecinski, discussed time management, time blocking, and how business owners can build systems to support efficiency and growth. Learn valuable lessons from their interview by listening to the entire discussion, and read on to find some key takeaways they shared.
Five Keys to Building An Effective Time Management System
1. Plan ahead
You have business goals, but have you set your five-year, three-year, one-year, and quarterly goals? Do you know what it will take to achieve those goals?
Take time to plan ahead and break down your company goals into manageable chunks. Doing this allows you and your team to focus and build the systems you need.
2. Define the jobs you do
Many business owners perform more than one job. They are a CEO, marketer, salesperson, manager, and product builder. By defining your jobs or titles, you can better determine which require time-dedicated blocks and which must be delegated.
3. Set up a basic framework
So many productivity “hacks” or daily morning routines tell you, “This is how a millionaire starts the day.” But, often, they do not carry on through the whole day and share the basic framework of a successful entrepreneur.
So, while you may have a beautiful morning routine that prepares you for the day, you may need a better framework for the rest of the day.
Try setting up a basic framework for your day. Build a morning routine that works for you, of course, but also include when you will have breaks during the day, when your uninterrupted planning time will occur, when you will get a chance to have lunch, and what time the work day ends. You can even plan your end-of-day routine if that helps you prepare for the following day.
Building a basic framework does not begin and end with a morning routine. Make sure to create a consistent structure around the rest of your day, too.
4. Build systems
Creating a system for your time management process can help you build the framework mentioned above and provide a foundation for future projects to which you and your team must dedicate time. So, make a system for your time management as one of your initial business systems.
5. Create accountability
Establishing accountability can be incredibly difficult for a business owner. After all, your employees are supposed to be accountable to you – you are the ultimate accountability figure. However, including accountability in your time management system is often vital to ensuring you keep using the system. Here are a few places where business owners and entrepreneurs can find accountability partners:
- Professional associations.
- Fellow entrepreneurs/business owners.
- Friends and family.
- Professional platforms.
- Conferences/conventions.
- Within an existing network.
No matter where you find them, an accountability partner can keep you on track and help you follow your systems. Additionally, the reciprocal nature of partnership may give you more ideas for building a better process.
A Note About Business Processes
There are many reasons to build business systems. They are valuable in helping with:
- Time management
- Supporting delegation
- Increasing efficiency
- Providing a consistent product to your customers
However, not every process stays in use, even when the business owner wants them to be utilized. Here are five things you can do to keep processes up-to-date and used by your team:
1. Make the systems accessible to the entire team.
2. Review them every six months and when technology changes occur.
3. Set up an accountability system to ensure they are applied correctly.
4. Track metrics to ensure processes are working and to track process changes in the event that the processes stop working.
5. Keep the team involved in building and documenting business processes.
Finally, if it’s difficult to find time to build a business process, don’t worry! The team at Business Success Consulting Group is here to help. Get in touch here and schedule your free initial evaluation. We are here to support your business growth.
