by Larry Reed | Nov 15, 2022 | Franchising
Have you heard the term running around like a chicken with its head cut off?
An entrepreneur’s day can be complicated, hectic and full of surprises. As a small business owner, you wear many different hats, every single day. It can be easy to lose track of time, feel unproductive and lack creativity from time to time. These situations can be amplified by disorganization or poor time management.
It may be time to sit back, re-evaluate your current time management abilities and create a new system that works more efficiently. Here are a few tips to help you manage your time effectively as a busy entrepreneur.
Make a List
The first step is to make a list of everything you have to do. Create separate lists for business-related and personal tasks.
Time management is about how you handle your personal time, as well as time spent working. Doing this well can also create a better work-life balance.
Sort Your Priorities
After you’ve made a list of everything that has to be done, begin sorting each item by priority. What has to be done first, or what has a deadline?
If there are larger tasks that will take a lot of time, break them down into smaller, more manageable tasks and prioritize those accordingly.
Prevent Procrastination
Procrastination happens to the best of us. Putting a task off until the very last minute is not only a recipe for stress and frustration, but it can throw your current to-do list out of whack.
Instead of procrastinating, break projects into smaller tasks, nip thoughts of procrastination in the bud and congratulate yourself when you’ve been proactive when you normally would have pushed a task to another day.
Delegate When Possible
Where can you outsource projects? Take a look at your to-do list and figure out which tasks can be delegated to others.
You may also need to consider outsourcing the job to a freelancer. The key here is to take tasks that you don’t personally have to do and have others complete them, taking the pressure off your shoulders.
Rest
Time management isn’t always about going, going, going all the time. Taking time for rest and relaxation can create a better work-life balance and put you in a better mind frame to be productive.
Rest is important and should be a regular part of your routine to help you reset.
Ready for assistance on your franchising journey? Get in touch today to get the support and guidance you need to be successful!
by Larry Reed | Nov 2, 2022 | Franchising
Company culture is one of the most influential factors when it comes to employee retention and overall growth. Dissatisfied employees cost companies billions of dollars in lost revenue each year, and up to one-third of employees do not feel engaged at work.
That’s why company culture is so important.
As a small business owner, there are many things you can do to create a positive work environment for your employees. A positive company culture can increase productivity, improve employee retention and boost your organization’s reputation.
Read on to find out how you can create a positive company culture in your business today.
Recognize Achievements
When a goal is met or an employee has been working exceptionally hard, there should be some recognition for those achievements. Something as simple as a shout-out during a meeting can have a significant impact on employee morale.
When employees feel appreciated and engaged, they are more likely to produce results and be productive in the workplace.
Make Meetings Worth Attending
The phrase this meeting could have been an email is painfully familiar for most employees. Instead of conducting the same old, monotonous meeting, improve your workplace gatherings.
Every meeting should have a clear objective, allow time for input and produce results. Conducting smaller meetings, with fewer employees, can allow more opportunity for questions and discussion compared to larger, full-team meetings.
Be an Example
As a leader, it is your job to demonstrate the qualities you want in your workplace. Encourage open communication by leading discussions and allowing feedback.
When there are achievements within the company, celebrate them. Show your employees that their successes are important and won’t be swept under the rug. Also, be the prime example for behavior standards.
Setting an example for work-life balance is incredibly important. If the boss can work hard, be productive and still have a satisfactory existence outside of the office, so can the employees. The benefits of creating a solid work-life balance are endless and include increased productivity.
Creating a positive company culture is beneficial to your business. Employees will feel more engaged with their work, and productivity will increase. When valuable employees enjoy their work environment, they are more likely to stay with their company long-term.
Ready to explore franchising options? Get in touch with me today to get started!
by Larry Reed | Oct 15, 2022 | Franchising
Stepping away from the corporate grind to run your business full-time is exciting, but there will also be obstacles that you’ll inevitably face. Sometimes, it’s a challenge to stay on task when there isn’t a boss or colleagues nearby to remind you to. Other times, the long days seem to drag on.
Entrepreneurship is defined as starting a business, risks included, with the intention of turning a profit. Beyond that, entrepreneurs wear many hats to make the business run. That being said, it can be easy to lose sight of your purpose and let your personal well-being take a back seat to the business.
When you’re feeling burnt out and unmotivated to keep doing the work to make your business succeed, these tips can help you refocus on the reasons you became an entrepreneur in the first place.
Create Balance
When your to-list seems never ending, it can be easy to push everything else aside. While entrepreneurship is a 24⁄7 gig, it is important to create work/life balance.
Balance could mean being home for dinner every night, exercising or a stop at your favorite coffee shop. Whatever it means to you, finding balance can help prevent burnout in your entrepreneurial journey.
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
Even when you’re busy, it is important to take care of yourself. Eating a balanced diet, getting fresh air and moving your body are all important to staying healthy.
When you forget to take care of yourself, mentally and physically, you’ll likely lack energy and become unfocused on your work.
Surround Yourself With Inspiration
More than half of America’s entrepreneurs cite being their own boss as a main reason they started their own business to begin with. Remembering why you started your entrepreneurial journey can help keep you focused on your goals.
Additionally, surrounding yourself with motivation—both professional and personal—can keep you on the right track. If you enjoy podcasts, find one that inspires you to focus on your goals or reminds you to take care of yourself. These regular small bits of motivation encourage you to keep your eye on the prize.
When you need support in your franchising journey, I can help! Get in touch today to get the guidance you need to be successful.
by Larry Reed | Oct 3, 2022 | Franchising
Entrepreneurship is a journey that many begin, but not everyone continues. From starting a business from the ground up or purchasing a franchise, being your own boss comes with pros and cons.
Depending on your professional goals, franchising may have the perks that you desire for your entrepreneurial journey. So, is owning a franchise right for you?
Perks of Owning a Franchise
While there is a long list of benefits of joining a franchise, here are a few key perks that can help you decide if franchising is the right decision for you:
Brand Awareness
When you purchase a franchise, chances are you are joining a known company that has experienced some proven success. By becoming a franchisee, you are joining a business that has built-in brand awareness. Instead of starting a brand from the ground floor and hustling to create awareness, that step has been done for you.
Don’t think this means that running a franchise is easy—there are still many hats that a franchisee has to wear to keep the business running successfully.
A Support System
Purchasing a franchise means you’ll likely receive initial training and ongoing support for your business. When a company decides to franchise, it is important to maintain consistency throughout the different locations. This, in turn, increases brand awareness and creates a desirable, consistent experience for customers.
The level of support received from your franchisor varies and depends on many aspects of the business. Ongoing corporate support is one of the biggest reasons that entrepreneurs choose franchising over starting their own business.
Lower Startup Costs
More often than not, purchasing a franchise is less expensive than starting a company from scratch. Franchises also tend to bring in revenue more quickly than new businesses, due to ongoing corporate support and brand awareness.
For an entrepreneur, running a business can be an exciting endeavor. When deciding how to begin the journey of business ownership, consider the perks of purchasing a franchise.
Ready to start your franchising journey? Contact me today to assist you with your entrepreneurial goals!
by Larry Reed | Sep 15, 2022 | Uncategorized
The social media trending topic, “quiet quitting,” has been getting quite a bit of buzz recently. But what exactly is this phenomenon, and how does it influence the workplace?
In essence, quiet quitting is not even quitting at all—it’s the concept of doing your job, setting boundaries and leaving work at work. When companies expect their employees to work overtime and go above and beyond, this concept seems almost foreign in the modern workplace.
Today, workers are rethinking the work/life balance. As a franchise owner, how can you appeal to your employees and retain them, while still building a productive, lucrative business?
Encourage Boundaries
As an entrepreneur, it is likely that the traditional 9–5 does not appeal to you. But as an employee of a company, that may be exactly what your staff signed up for.
Whether your employees are able to work a flexible hybrid schedule or have a more rigid daily schedule, being able to tune out when not working is important.
By encouraging your employees to switch off when they aren’t working, you are championing a better work/life balance. Creating healthy boundaries has been shown to increase employee satisfaction, reduce the chance of work-related burnout and improve productivity.
Prioritize Mental Wellness
What does mental health have to do with your employees? For one, it can influence attitude and positivity.
A person who has poor mental health may lack a can-do attitude and not feel positively about their job.
By prioritizing your employees’ mental health, you are creating a culture that cares for the health and well-being of employees and their families. Actions such as encouraging vacations, as opposed to encouraging PTO payouts, help employees de-stress, reset and come back to work refreshed.
Keep Morale High
Working to boost morale in the workplace can keep employees engaged and motivated. Simple things like expressing your appreciation for your valued employees, recognizing their achievements and encouraging professional development can go a long way in any workplace.
Retaining valuable employees takes effort and dedication on leadership’s part. As a franchisee, you are responsible for ensuring employees feel valued, appreciated and encouraged under your wings.
For more guidance and support for your franchising journey, get in touch today!
