The parts of your day that matter the most

As a business owner, all of your day is important. We bet that’s the first thing that came to your mind once reading the title of this article. We know that everything you do in business is important, and we also know that everything you do as a business owner is going to count towards the progression of your business. Or, in some of your cases, what you don’t do.

Hands up if you know you’ve become a little bit of a lazy boss?! A lot of you will put your hands up because it happens over the course of time. You become comfortable, you have people working for you that can take over a lot of tasks, and you generally become a little more relaxed towards the idea of running a business. It’s a harsh change from the bag of nerves you were all day, and all night, when you first set it up. But now those nerves have cleared and you know what you’re doing as it were, we can begin to explore some of the parts of your day that matter the most.

We want to do this because we feel like a lot of you will realise you’re not doing enough during the working day, or that you’re focusing on the wrong areas. A business never truly sleeps, and it requires 24/7 thought and attention to make sure it runs like a well oiled machine. To make sure you put that thought and attention in right place, keep on reading to see what you think!

Getting up in the morning

We bet you’re wondering why we’re starting with this, because you probably thought this was going to be all about giving you business tips and telling you what to do. Well, how can you run a business if you’re not even starting the day right. To be a good business owner, you have to be sharp, fresh, and maintain that image of respect and authority. But we know that if you stumble in whenever you want, not looking like you’ve made an effort, and with energy levels that are at an all time low, you really are going to set a bad example of the people working for you. So, this is our top business tip for you today, and it comes in a few parts, but all revolves around getting up in the morning and staying sharp.

So, tip number one would be to ensure you’re always getting your eight hours of sleep a night. It might sound like a silly suggestion to some of you, because you’re either really good at doing it, or you can barely get a good six hours a night. But if you just spend some time making sure you’re in bed an hour before you should be so that you can fall asleep on time, and make sure your business head is always on, you’ve got such a better chance at being able to tackle the day.

The second is to always start the day with breakfast. It’ll switch your mind on, it’ll give you energy, and it’ll keep you nice and full for longer. The third, is to try and go for a 30 minute walk in the morning before you go into the office. It freshens you up, it wakes you up, and it’ll put you in such a good mood for the day, we promise!

Making the right connections

So, enough with the things that might not relate to business as much as you wish them to, and onto something we know you can all relate to. Business is all about making connections, and you will have plenty of opportunities to make some solid connections throughout your time. We truly do think it’s one of the most important parts of your days because the people you meet define your business. It’s not all about making connections on a business level either, it’s about becoming fine tuned with people, getting to know them, and having people who you can actually rely on.

Whether it be with parts of products you need to order in from other companies, or contractors that you hire, you have to have a good working relationship with them. A lot of it will come from having the gift of the gab and being able to talk for days, and a lot of it will be down to what you can do for them as well.

Business is very much a give-and-take sort of environment, and the more you have to offer, the more you’re going to be able to take further down the line. If you really do feel like your business is lacking a few vital connections, we recommend that you get yourself to a trade show. They’re actually amazing for building those connections with people you might not have met before otherwise. Plus, it’s a great way of getting your business name out there without having to spend too much at all.

Keep your hardest working close to you

The most important part of your day is most likely going to be one that you have ignored for a long while now. The hardest people that you should always keep close to your are your employees. You should treasure them like you would the money if you were to win the lottery, or if you were to have your own child. It might sound dramatic, but it’s just so important that you manage every area of your business properly, so that the people who you feel are working hard at the minute, will keep on working hard for so long to come.

You need to keep a close eye on the ones who you feel aren’t working the hardest either. You should think about how you might establish how your business will record work hours so you know exactly what people are working, and how much they should be paid. If they’re salaried and you find employees aren’t working enough hours without telling you, you could even go as far as to reduce their pay!

Thinking about your budget

On a daily basis, you should be thinking about your budget and where your money is going, and where your money is coming in. If you have an accountant who is doing it all for you, then boy are you doing it wrong. To run your business right, it’s pretty much essential that you have full control of your business finances, and allow your accountant to help you with the things that you’re just not able to do.

Budget your money so that you’re spending on the things that matter the most first, such as your marketing, your employee wages, your softwares etc. Then, we think you should always leave some money for experiments. Perhaps leave some money spare for investment ventures, buying new products, or trying out new companies. Then, you should be last on the list. When thinking about money if you’re putting yourself before anything else, you’re most definitely doing it wrong.

Future planning & vision

You should always have that vision and plan for the future. Literally, everything you do should be forward-thinking, and everything you do should have a goal in mind. If you feel like you’re struggling to find that vision, you need to try and find someone who can do it for you. Yes, we’re suggesting that you bring someone from outside of your business to analyse it, but we really do think it will have a profound effect on your business and for the better.