BUSINESS CORNER
WORK SMARTER, NOT HARDER!
responsibilities and an increased workload. While this may seem unfair, it is also an opportunity to show the boss just how good you are at managing your time. Remember, it’s not good enough to just work hard. You must work smart too. Ever wonder why some people consistently outperform
S
their peers? In a nutshell, these individuals have learned to manage their time more effectively. Time management is all about discipline and organization. To begin, take a look at your desk. If there are piles of unrelated papers everywhere, go through and organize them into projects by order of prior- ity.
Discard anything that is not important. The goal is to
finish your day with a clean desk. Any project that remains unfinished is a high priority for the next day. Large projects may require a more focused approach which is known as "project management." Project management is the science of organizing the com-
ponents of a project, whether the project is the development of a new product, the launch of a new service, or a marketing campaign. A project isn't something that's part of normal business operations. It's typically created once, it's tempo- rary, and it's specific. As one expert notes, "It has a beginning and an end." A project consumes resources such as people, cash, materials, or time, and it often has funding limitations. For business owners and managers, some projects are
complex and may require the assistance of others, both inside and outside of the business. Initially, the ultimate goals and objectives of the project must be clear. Next, determine what tasks need to be performed to accomplish the goal. Finally, assign these defined tasks to capable individuals, and estab- lish a reasonable time-line for completion.
Simply stated,
goals must be specific, measurable and achievable within a given time frame. Project management software is available at a nominal
cost. A good online resource can be found at http://online-
project-management-review.toptenreviews.com - this web- site compares 14 different programs that cost less than $100. For more sophisticated projects, Microsoft Project 2010 is helpful. Download a free trial at
www.microsoft.com/proj- ect/en/us/
try-buy.aspx. In summary, if you are not achieving the results that you
want, revisit your business plan. It is not something that you develop once and then set aside. The plan is a living docu- ment that must change as conditions change.
www.Score.org has a business plan outline for both new and established businesses. Go to the Score website and click on "business
PULSE MAGAZINE ---------- 32
o much to do, but so little time? With businesses downsizing and laying off employees, those who remain are often required to assume additional
tools". The site also offers other useful templates in excel for- mat, including start-up expenses, 12-month cash flow, and profit & loss projections. Remember, project management only works when some-
one takes ownership of the project. It is the responsibility of the owner and/or manager(s) to assign the tasks and time- lines, and to oversee work until completion. Studies have shown that with proper time and project management, pro- ductivity can be increased by as much as 25 percent! Project management provides a “roadmap” that is easily
followed and leads to project completion. Once you learn how to best avoid the bumps and potholes, your team will start working smarter - and not harder and longer - to achieve company goals.
The volunteer counselors at the Naples Chapter of
SCORE can assist you in developing a business model that works. Contact them at
http://naples.score.org.
ABOUT THE WRITER:
GRAY POEHLER is a volunteer counselor with the Naples Chapter of SCORE, a nonprofit organization that offers free counseling to America's small business- es. To learn more about management issues facing small businesses and SCORE's many workshops, please call 239-430-0081 or visit
www.score.org. Interested individuals can schedule FREE one-on-one business counseling with a SCORE volunteer online at
http://naples.score.org/mentors. Questions specifically for the writer may be directed to
http://naples.score.org/contact.
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