Tag : planning

Wichita Small Business Owners: Here Are Some Productive Things To Do When You’re Not Busy

Posted by Dave Mace at 6:59 pm

Top 10 Things To Do When You’re Not Busy

When you’re a small business owner, there are some rare moments when you’re not busy doing your job, or several jobs, or someone else’s job. So, when you’re not up to your “you-know-what” in alligators, here are 10 small business tips for things you can do to improve your small business marketing, management and financial prowess. You might even discover some ways to save or make some money for your small business. Heck, everyone needs some time to stare at the proverbial belly button.

Small business thinking time is fun!

So, here they are:

1. Read an online article or blog post about something that will improve your business.
2. Call some customers you haven’t seen in awhile.
3. Take a nap.
4. Work on your social network. Work the phone and your Facebook page.
5. Walk around the shop or office and connect with your employees and teammates.
6. Revisit your three-year strategic plan.
7. Call a supplier contact and pick his or her brain on industry trends.
8. Make a list of three things that will make you a better small business owner.
9. Take some time off and spend it with your family or other special people.
10. Try to find ways to save $500 per month in your business.

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Snow on spring break is like business difficulties; you can plan, but bring a shovel

Posted by Dave Mace at 9:44 am

We are enjoying some beautiful weather right now, but we all know how that can change.

When you live in Kansas you come to expect a little snow in late March. I coach my son’s soccer team, and last year, our first weekend’s games were postponed due to flooded fields. The following weekend, games were postponed on account of snow. It can be fun to play football in the snow. In fact, a snowy Super Bowl might be fun. But soccer? Not so much.

By the same token, you probably aren’t surprised as a small business owner when you experience ups and downs.

Trouble is, business downturns can be as difficult to forecast as a snowstorm. (We know how reliable snow forecasters are!) But you CAN plan. You CAN have a strategy.

You can make sure there is gas on hand for the snowblower. You can make sure you have a good shovel. You can stock up on snow melt. You can lay up food in the fridge and the pantry. But once the snow hits, the real work begins and you have to start digging out and getting on with life.

The same is true for your business. You can save. You can put employees on call. You can trim hours. You can cut spending. But when things start getting rough, your creativity and resources can become stretched to the limit.

General Colin Powell said, “No battle plan survives contact with the enemy.” Nevertheless, it pays to have a plan. It’s sort of like taking a trip to someplace you’ve never been. Along the way, you might encounter obstacles and detours that render parts of your map irrelevant. But I bet you’d rather have that map than a blank sheet of paper.

But getting back to the snow, you will encounter unexpected storms in life and in business. So, now it’s time for one of my favorite business adages:

ECONOMIC TRENDS AND COMPETITION DON’T RUIN BUSINESSES. POOR MANAGEMENT RUINS BUSINESSES.

Bottom line: You can stand around and complain while the snow accumulates at your feet or you can start digging. Better yet, consider throwing down a little snow melt while the sun is shining in case of a storm. Take that approach with your business and you’ll be more likely to succeed.

And who knows? You might even get to enjoy a little downhill sledding!

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