Keeping it Organized for Business Success
When I started as virtual assistant who on average had 7 – 10 clients at any one time, I realized that it was incredibly important to keep organized.
Now that I have increased my business, and special more in supporting businesses specifically with their website design, website updates, social media and newsletter, it is even more important!
While my tasks have changed from when I initially started by virtual assistant business, my methods of keeping organized remain very similar.
Time Tracking
There are a number of great systems out there, some that require a fee to join and some that are currently free. Because many of my clients hire me on a retainer basis, it is especially important to keep track of time spent on each client and each clients’ task. The program I use is called MyHours. It enables me to set up individual projects (clients) and tasks (specific client actions), which I can allocate my time to each month. It also provides reporting capabilities that help with invoicing, and overall time tracking for my business. While this may not be the program for you, it is imperative that you have a program or system in place that will help you keep track of your clients’ time, and keep you on track.
Calendar
Another thing I rely heavily on is my calendar. I have found my Outlook to be very useful in keeping track of what is coming up for my business (networking events, invoicing, and training), as well as for my clients (deadlines, reminders, and strategy sessions), and even for personal time (sports, kids, even scheduling in exercise). By making use of the Categorize button, I have color-coded my clients, so that a quick glance I can see whose tasks I will be working on that day/week, and what deadlines are looming. I highly recommend taking advantage of the variety of different project management software programs out there to find the right fit for you, but in the meantime, Outlook is likely right at your fingertips already.
Schedule Time for Your Own Business
Finally, it is important, when you are scheduling time, to include time to work on your own business. Whether your business is built on supporting others, like a virtual assistant business is, or in providing design, or materials, or educating your target market, you need to make time to plan your next step. A quote I once read has always stuck in my mind “if you aren’t growing, you’re dying.” This is true in business too.
What are you going to do for your business this month? Please share in the comments as I would love to hear from you!
