Productivity Tips for Small Business Owners

How can busy small business owners take back their time and get the most from their working day?

MINIMISE INTERRUPTIONS

• Turn off your mobile phone.
• Shut down your email.
• Turn off notifications.
• Tell your colleagues of your plans for the day and ask they leave you alone.
• Activate Do Not Disturb on your calendar.

HUDDLE MEETINGS (5-10 minutes)

• Schedule a time to have a daily meeting.
• Allow team members to say what they are doing for the day.
• Discuss challenges.

WORKING SPACE

• Allow staff to work elsewhere if possible (this could be going to a café).
• Consider separate offices, rather than open plan.

KNOW YOURSELF

• If you know your strengths, weaknesses and working preferences, you can understand your staff better.

SET GOALS

• What do you want to achieve (specific goals).
• Tell everyone.
• Revise it regularly.
• Put a timeline on it.

EAT AN ELEPHANT ONE BITE AT A TIME.

• Work out what is needed to achieve your goal.
• Is it necessary?
• Learn to delegate.

These tips originally appeared on Employsure’s Better Business Podcast. Download the episode here.