9 tips for time management in business
As a business owner, one of your most precious resources is time. It often feels like there’s just not enough of it. While you can’t magically create more hours in your day, you can use the existing ones more effectively by leveraging proven tips for time management in business.
Read on to learn more. As you do, keep in mind that you can also save time by getting your business insurance from a company focused on providing a convenient and efficient online sales and service experience.
How effective time management strategies benefit your small business
Before diving into our list of time management tips, let’s consider why managing your time effectively is so important. First, leveraging time management strategies helps you be more efficient and productive. In other words, you get more done in less time. That makes it more likely that you’ll hit your business goals.
To manage your time effectively, you also have to sharpen your focus and improve how you prioritize tasks. As a result, you tend to avoid getting bogged down in less critical activities.
Businesses that use their time wisely also typically have happier customers. That’s true for several reasons, including that those companies meet deadlines and build strong customer relationships, which can have the added benefit of opening the door to new business opportunities.
And finally, people at companies with good time management practices tend to have lower stress, improved well-being, and better work-life balance. As a result, those businesses generally find it easier to attract and retain good employees.
Time management for small business owners: actionable tips
Want to get more done with the limited time you have? Use these nine tips to get more from your minutes:
- Plan your day in advance. Take a little time at the end of each workday to plan what you’ll do the next. A digital task management tool can help you stay organized, but even a crude to-do list scribbled on a sheet of paper provides valuable structure. If today gets away from you and you don’t have time to make a list, craft your agenda first thing tomorrow morning. Of course, you might have to deviate from your daily plan at times, as business has a way of rearranging priorities without warning! Still, having an idea of what you need to accomplish is essential.
- Prioritize your activities. While it’s true that all tasks need to be completed eventually, it’s crucial to tackle them in order of importance. Otherwise, you can have a “productive” day but leave critical items unaddressed.
- Set SMART goals. The acronym is for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This type of framework can help you create clear, reasonable objectives with defined deadlines.
- Delegate. As a business owner, you’re probably familiar with the advice, “If you want something done right, do it yourself.” Unfortunately, holding too tightly to words of wisdom can leave you stretched thin. Plus, you’ve surely hired good people, and trusting them to do good work makes them even better employees.
- Practice time-blocking. Reserving chunks of time for specific types of tasks helps you get into a rhythm that can increase your productivity. For example, if you have several administrative tasks on your plate (draft a job description, evaluate applications, review and file new insurance policies, etc.), focusing on those items in one time block can help you complete them more efficiently. Treat these time blocks like appointments you cannot miss.
- Learn to say no. Politely decline demands on your time that don’t align with your business goals and priorities. This leaves more time for essential tasks.
- Leverage technology. From project management software to video conferencing platforms, there are many tools available for streamlining your workday. Do some research to find the ones that work best for your business.
- Minimize distractions. Actions like checking notifications on your phone or chatting with coworkers can eat up valuable time. Staying connected is important, so you should set aside time for that. But when you need to be productive, consider turning off notifications (or simply ignoring them), asking coworkers to connect with you later, etc.
- Take regular breaks. It might seem counterintuitive when you’re looking to improve time management for your small business to take breaks. But the reality is that the longer you work without pausing to clear your mind and refresh your body, the less productive you are. Your breaks can be brief, but it’s crucial to take them.
Persistence is essential
When it comes to time management for business owners, persistence is essential. It might initially seem like your efforts are consuming more time than they’re saving. However, time management tips that feel foreign at first soon become just part of how you manage your business. That’s when the benefits of effective time management really kick in.
Save time with biBerk business insurance.
Carrying adequate insurance is crucial. Without it, property damage, lawsuits, or other unexpected expenses can devastate a small business. However, researching coverage, getting quotes, and buying policies can feel like a huge drain on your time.
That’s why we do things differently at biBerk. You can find information on the types of insurance we offer, the kinds of businesses we cover, and the markets where we operate on our website to get yourself up to speed quickly. If you have any questions, our licensed insurance experts are happy to answer them.
Next, you can get free, instant policy quotes on our website. Ready to make a purchase? You can do that online, too, with coverage active as soon as the next day.
What’s more, if you suffer a loss, you can also report a claim on our website. And our focus on attentive service means you won’t waste time trying to connect with us. We’re here and eager to address your issue so you can stay focused on running your business.
So, leverage the tips above to manage your time effectively, and contact us to insure your business efficiently!