Free Internet Business Building Newsletter
Running a successful business
requires more than a good idea.
It requires structure and
processes to keep things and
money flowing.
1. Long-term goals list
If you've been following me for any time, you'll undoubtedly heard me talk about the importance of goals. Goals that stretch beyond today or this week, will help you prioritize your time in the most productive manner possible. They will motivate you and your staff. They will keep on focused on what's truly important.
2. Daily to-do action items list
Just as important as knowing where you're going long term, is knowing (and doing) what's most important RIGHT NOW. Sometimes unforeseen emergencies have to be dealt with. But more importantly, you need to decide each day what the most productive use of your time will be.
I always have a to-do list and never get through everything on the list on any given day. I do always decide what the priorities are for the day and then get to work on them. Last week, I lost my list and I was lost without it! Thank God I found it a couple of days later. I remembered some of the critical items, but had forgotten one that needed to be addressed.
3. Prospect list
This is one of the biggest mistakes business owners make. If you don't have a list of potential prospects, you're definitely leaving money on the table. If you're a retail establishment, people make a purchase the very first time they discover you. However, if you don't and you haven't captured their contact info, you may never hear from them again.
You'll increase your chances of doing business with them if you're able to proactively reach out and remind them that you exist. So if you aren't already capturing either a physical address or email address from your store or website visitors, start that now! You'll probably need to give them some sort of incentive (not just an offer for your newsletter) in order for them to part with their contact info. But capturing that valuable data must be your goal.
1. Long-term goals list
If you've been following me for any time, you'll undoubtedly heard me talk about the importance of goals. Goals that stretch beyond today or this week, will help you prioritize your time in the most productive manner possible. They will motivate you and your staff. They will keep on focused on what's truly important.
2. Daily to-do action items list
Just as important as knowing where you're going long term, is knowing (and doing) what's most important RIGHT NOW. Sometimes unforeseen emergencies have to be dealt with. But more importantly, you need to decide each day what the most productive use of your time will be.
I always have a to-do list and never get through everything on the list on any given day. I do always decide what the priorities are for the day and then get to work on them. Last week, I lost my list and I was lost without it! Thank God I found it a couple of days later. I remembered some of the critical items, but had forgotten one that needed to be addressed.
3. Prospect list
This is one of the biggest mistakes business owners make. If you don't have a list of potential prospects, you're definitely leaving money on the table. If you're a retail establishment, people make a purchase the very first time they discover you. However, if you don't and you haven't captured their contact info, you may never hear from them again.
You'll increase your chances of doing business with them if you're able to proactively reach out and remind them that you exist. So if you aren't already capturing either a physical address or email address from your store or website visitors, start that now! You'll probably need to give them some sort of incentive (not just an offer for your newsletter) in order for them to part with their contact info. But capturing that valuable data must be your goal.
Tony Harnett 
Canada