I found this article in the Oct 2009 issue of Real Simple. Great tips on working from home and how to make the most of it. Here are the highlights and a link for the entire article.
1. Figure out if it's right for you.
2. Set up an ideal office layout.
3. Schedule your day.
4. Minimize "time sucks" - dare I say - even Facebook
5. Stay connected.
Hope your day is productive!
Amy
www.amymunns.com
http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/organizing/home-office/five-rules-for-working-from-home-00000000021581/index.html
Showing posts with label business. Show all posts
Showing posts with label business. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Missions Statements - Important or no? Business only or personal too? Part 1
I am on the board of directors for a local animal rescue and education non-profit. This organization is under the direction of a new Executive Director. Our new E.D. has many great ideas of how to expand the services that we offer. With all our new goals and programs, we have decided that we also need a new mission statement. I am on the committee to help write that. As we are starting to pull our ideas together, it got me thinking - just how important are mission statements? And are mission statements only for businesses or could they be used for personal and in family settings too?
I guess we should start with - What is a mission statement? www.dictionary.com defines mission statement as a "summary describing the aims, values, and overall plan of an organization or individual" (2009). AH HA! Even dictionary.com says it can be used for individuals.
I believe in the importance of writing things down. The process of writing things down seems to make them more official, thus holding you somewhat accountable to them. Likewise, having something in writing requires that you put some thought into what you are trying to accomplish. Just like a to do list or a list of goals, clearing the wandering thoughts from your head and putting them on paper is the first step to accomplishing the task.
As for a mission statement and its importance - it is absolutely vital for a company or a family or an individual to have one. It helps to identify your core values and proclaims (mainly to the you, your employees and/or your family members) what you believe in and what you want to accomplish as a company or a household. The nice thing about missions statements is - they are organic. They can easily be changed with the times and needs of the organization or home.
I must confess, for both my companies, I do not have a written mission statement. Join me over the next couple weeks as I create one for Leash4Lease, Amy Munns Consulting and for the Munns' family too. I will share my end products with you here on my blog and I invite you to share yours too. If you don't have one, maybe that is a good goal to set for yourself. Let's work on this together.
I also invite you to share this project with your colleagues and friends.
Until next time.
Amy
www.amymunns.com
I guess we should start with - What is a mission statement? www.dictionary.com defines mission statement as a "summary describing the aims, values, and overall plan of an organization or individual" (2009). AH HA! Even dictionary.com says it can be used for individuals.
I believe in the importance of writing things down. The process of writing things down seems to make them more official, thus holding you somewhat accountable to them. Likewise, having something in writing requires that you put some thought into what you are trying to accomplish. Just like a to do list or a list of goals, clearing the wandering thoughts from your head and putting them on paper is the first step to accomplishing the task.
As for a mission statement and its importance - it is absolutely vital for a company or a family or an individual to have one. It helps to identify your core values and proclaims (mainly to the you, your employees and/or your family members) what you believe in and what you want to accomplish as a company or a household. The nice thing about missions statements is - they are organic. They can easily be changed with the times and needs of the organization or home.
I must confess, for both my companies, I do not have a written mission statement. Join me over the next couple weeks as I create one for Leash4Lease, Amy Munns Consulting and for the Munns' family too. I will share my end products with you here on my blog and I invite you to share yours too. If you don't have one, maybe that is a good goal to set for yourself. Let's work on this together.
I also invite you to share this project with your colleagues and friends.
Until next time.
Amy
www.amymunns.com
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Amy's Reasons Why Small Businesses Fail
If you are an entrepreneurial type, if you already run your own business or you are just considering creating one of your own - please read my reasons why small businesses fail. I didn't create this list nor is anything earth shattering - breaking news. These reasons are compiled from a number of lists and articles I have read throughout the years. If you have read anything on starting or running a small business - you have most likely seen these reasons too. These are just the ones that I found to be most profound, were the common themes in the various articles I have read and what I have seen in my professional career. So here goes - in no particular order.....
1. Not knowing or ignoring the competition.
There is a difference between direct competition and indirect competition. It is important to know all of these when you are considering your competition. Let's face it, no matter how exclusive or unique your product or service is - someone else is doing it too. I am not trying to be a drag here - it is the fact. There are other people doing what you do and you need to find a way to standout so your product or service gets noticed.
Direct competition are those companies that do the same things you do. Let's say you run a small veterinary clinic. Your direct competition are other vet clinics. Your indirect competition is the Internet - where people can self-diagnose their pet's issues. Another form of indirect competition might be catalogs that sell vaccines and medications so the average person can medicate their pet. You, as the clinic owner, need to find a way to sway other clinic patrons into your clinic and how to get the DIY'rs in your front door too.
2. Poor planning. This covers a full sprectrum of concerns. Are you planning for everything? Things to consider and to have plans for are - emergencies, lack of cash flow, too much business, how to expand, furthering your education and training. The list can go on and on. The important thing in regards to planning is to be aware of the need to plan and to do it! Don't react to situations that could have been planned out before the situation occurs.
3. Not admitting where your personal shortcomings are. I think as small business owners we either think we can do it all and sometimes we do have to do it all. But not realizing where you lack expertise can lead to a whole bunch of problems. Unless you are a lawyer, accountant, insurance guy, HR professional, a high tech person, a marketing specialist, AND still being whatever it is that you do, at some point, you need to admit that you need help. Let's consider a situation in which you need legal advice. Researching a legal topic could waste time and money that you don't have, where you might have saved both by hiring an attorney, even if you have to pay for her service. (Don't forget business consultant too, they know lots of stuff too- hint, hint).
4. Not knowing or understanding financing - how much are you really making? How are you tracking your cash flow? In your head, on stickies? It is probably time to invest in an actual accounting software and use it! It might mean taking a class or hiring a bookkeeper to help set up your finances, but in the long run you will be able to track your figures from year to year and know exactly how much you bring in. This also helps your accountant with yearly taxes and give you a solid foundation if you ever wish to sell your business.
5. Not being flexible and not changing with the times. Going back to the vet clinic, what does your customer base need? Do they need extended hours, more specialized care, maybe they want more communication via email. Again, knowing what the competition is offering, knowing what your customers want - will help you mold and adjust your product and service and keep you in business for a long time.
You can find many more information how to combat differenct reasons by doing your own research. Or stick with me and I'll continue to offer ways to help you keep up with the times and keep your business strong.
Until next time,
Amy =)
www.amymunns.com
References:
Townes, G., & Hughes, A. (2002, Jan) Beating the odds. Black Enterprise, 32(6), 35.
Jordan, C. (May, 2005). How to avoid the most common reasons for small business failure. Retrieved from Ezinearticles Feb, 2008 http://ezinearticles.com
Why do many small businesses fail? Retrieved Feb 2009 from http://www.allbusiness.com/business-planning-structures/business-plans
1. Not knowing or ignoring the competition.
There is a difference between direct competition and indirect competition. It is important to know all of these when you are considering your competition. Let's face it, no matter how exclusive or unique your product or service is - someone else is doing it too. I am not trying to be a drag here - it is the fact. There are other people doing what you do and you need to find a way to standout so your product or service gets noticed.
Direct competition are those companies that do the same things you do. Let's say you run a small veterinary clinic. Your direct competition are other vet clinics. Your indirect competition is the Internet - where people can self-diagnose their pet's issues. Another form of indirect competition might be catalogs that sell vaccines and medications so the average person can medicate their pet. You, as the clinic owner, need to find a way to sway other clinic patrons into your clinic and how to get the DIY'rs in your front door too.
2. Poor planning. This covers a full sprectrum of concerns. Are you planning for everything? Things to consider and to have plans for are - emergencies, lack of cash flow, too much business, how to expand, furthering your education and training. The list can go on and on. The important thing in regards to planning is to be aware of the need to plan and to do it! Don't react to situations that could have been planned out before the situation occurs.
3. Not admitting where your personal shortcomings are. I think as small business owners we either think we can do it all and sometimes we do have to do it all. But not realizing where you lack expertise can lead to a whole bunch of problems. Unless you are a lawyer, accountant, insurance guy, HR professional, a high tech person, a marketing specialist, AND still being whatever it is that you do, at some point, you need to admit that you need help. Let's consider a situation in which you need legal advice. Researching a legal topic could waste time and money that you don't have, where you might have saved both by hiring an attorney, even if you have to pay for her service. (Don't forget business consultant too, they know lots of stuff too- hint, hint).
4. Not knowing or understanding financing - how much are you really making? How are you tracking your cash flow? In your head, on stickies? It is probably time to invest in an actual accounting software and use it! It might mean taking a class or hiring a bookkeeper to help set up your finances, but in the long run you will be able to track your figures from year to year and know exactly how much you bring in. This also helps your accountant with yearly taxes and give you a solid foundation if you ever wish to sell your business.
5. Not being flexible and not changing with the times. Going back to the vet clinic, what does your customer base need? Do they need extended hours, more specialized care, maybe they want more communication via email. Again, knowing what the competition is offering, knowing what your customers want - will help you mold and adjust your product and service and keep you in business for a long time.
You can find many more information how to combat differenct reasons by doing your own research. Or stick with me and I'll continue to offer ways to help you keep up with the times and keep your business strong.
Until next time,
Amy =)
www.amymunns.com
References:
Townes, G., & Hughes, A. (2002, Jan) Beating the odds. Black Enterprise, 32(6), 35.
Jordan, C. (May, 2005). How to avoid the most common reasons for small business failure. Retrieved from Ezinearticles Feb, 2008 http://ezinearticles.com
Why do many small businesses fail? Retrieved Feb 2009 from http://www.allbusiness.com/business-planning-structures/business-plans
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