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 tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tips. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
All I Really Need to Know I Learned While Waiting Tables
Well - maybe the title is a little mis-leading. But when it comes to time management, cleaning, organizing - I actually did learn a lot from waiting tables.
I was a server while in college - working at such fine establishments as Marie Calendar's, Houlihan's and Chili's. I loved it. It was fun, fast and good money. Everyone in the restaurant biz is friendly and outgoing, so it was easy to make friends and get along with everyone. Don't get me wrong - it is hard work. And if you have never waited tables, you might not truly appreciate all that the servers do besides bring drinks and clear dishes. It is work that requires you to be on your feet, everything is always greasy, walking on floors that always wet kind of work. The hours are long and late and dealing with cranky customers is just plain the pits.
At all three restaurants for which I worked, I was always trained to work my station as a whole. (A station is a collection of three to five tables.) For example -a good wait person will bring water to table fifteen, drop of the check at table seventeen, check in on entrees with table eighteen and get drink orders from table sixteen without leaving the section. The time it would take to run to the back and get the water, then run to the back and get the check, then run and get the drink order would result in too much wasted time.
Rachel Ray in her show Thirty Minute Meals shows a great example of how I would suggest taking the server's techniques and utilizing them in a home situation. If you have every watched this show, Rachel starts out with a trip to the fridge to gather items, then swoops by the back counter to get bowls and then a trip to the pantry to get spices all before setting anything down at her work area. The inefficient method might look like this - a trip to the fridge to get three items, back to the work area to put them down, a trip to the pantry to get the spices, back to the work area to put those things down, oh - don't forget the bowl, back to the counter behind her then a one-eighty back to the work area. It might result in a show called Forty-Five Minutes Meals instead.
Now you might be asking - why is Amy writing about this or how can I implement this line of thinking into my daily dealings? EASY! Just treat what you are doing as one job. For example - imagine you area picking up the house of clutter. By starting in one room, collect all the things that go in one area of the house and then deliver them. In my house, I have come up with a system of collecting items that are out of place then delivering them into their respective rooms. All the boys' toys, things for the upstairs bathroom, things that go on Tim's desk are carried away in one trip up the stairs and then delivered to each area. And just like a waitress uses a tray, I use a basket or sometimes my the bottom of my shirt to enable me to carry even more items. But picking up only TJ's things and taking them to his room, then back to get Joey's things and taking those to Joey's room, then once again back to get Tim's stuff for yet another trip upstairs - - I'm exhausted just writing it out.
The same concept will work for groceries. Instead of opening and shutting the pantry or refrigerator for every item, finish unpacking all the bags and make a pile of all the items that go in one area. Then put everything away at once. Same thing can be done by making a bathroom pile, a cleaning closet pile, etc and make one trip versus multiple trips.
Finally, the back of the house (kitchen and prep areas of a restaurant) is used to make beverages, collect dinners, ring up orders, etc. before a servers heads out the front of the house where all the guests and tables are. Find a nerve center in you home too. A place that everyone can drop things off that need to be tended to - things like receipts, mail, permission slips. Once these things have been dealt with - create another staging area for things to go "out". Save this area for outgoing mail, deposits for the bank, coupons, signed permission slips. As you are heading out the door, you won't have to run all over the house trying to remember what it was you had to do once you got out the door.
Once you start seeing your all the little tasks as a big picture you will begin to get the hang of it.
So - maybe the title was a bit misleading. I didn't get ALL I really need to know from waiting tables - I got all that in kindergarten. Remember this? http://www.peace.ca/kindergarten.htm
Until next time....Amy =)
I was a server while in college - working at such fine establishments as Marie Calendar's, Houlihan's and Chili's. I loved it. It was fun, fast and good money. Everyone in the restaurant biz is friendly and outgoing, so it was easy to make friends and get along with everyone. Don't get me wrong - it is hard work. And if you have never waited tables, you might not truly appreciate all that the servers do besides bring drinks and clear dishes. It is work that requires you to be on your feet, everything is always greasy, walking on floors that always wet kind of work. The hours are long and late and dealing with cranky customers is just plain the pits.
At all three restaurants for which I worked, I was always trained to work my station as a whole. (A station is a collection of three to five tables.) For example -a good wait person will bring water to table fifteen, drop of the check at table seventeen, check in on entrees with table eighteen and get drink orders from table sixteen without leaving the section. The time it would take to run to the back and get the water, then run to the back and get the check, then run and get the drink order would result in too much wasted time.
Rachel Ray in her show Thirty Minute Meals shows a great example of how I would suggest taking the server's techniques and utilizing them in a home situation. If you have every watched this show, Rachel starts out with a trip to the fridge to gather items, then swoops by the back counter to get bowls and then a trip to the pantry to get spices all before setting anything down at her work area. The inefficient method might look like this - a trip to the fridge to get three items, back to the work area to put them down, a trip to the pantry to get the spices, back to the work area to put those things down, oh - don't forget the bowl, back to the counter behind her then a one-eighty back to the work area. It might result in a show called Forty-Five Minutes Meals instead.
Now you might be asking - why is Amy writing about this or how can I implement this line of thinking into my daily dealings? EASY! Just treat what you are doing as one job. For example - imagine you area picking up the house of clutter. By starting in one room, collect all the things that go in one area of the house and then deliver them. In my house, I have come up with a system of collecting items that are out of place then delivering them into their respective rooms. All the boys' toys, things for the upstairs bathroom, things that go on Tim's desk are carried away in one trip up the stairs and then delivered to each area. And just like a waitress uses a tray, I use a basket or sometimes my the bottom of my shirt to enable me to carry even more items. But picking up only TJ's things and taking them to his room, then back to get Joey's things and taking those to Joey's room, then once again back to get Tim's stuff for yet another trip upstairs - - I'm exhausted just writing it out.
The same concept will work for groceries. Instead of opening and shutting the pantry or refrigerator for every item, finish unpacking all the bags and make a pile of all the items that go in one area. Then put everything away at once. Same thing can be done by making a bathroom pile, a cleaning closet pile, etc and make one trip versus multiple trips.
Finally, the back of the house (kitchen and prep areas of a restaurant) is used to make beverages, collect dinners, ring up orders, etc. before a servers heads out the front of the house where all the guests and tables are. Find a nerve center in you home too. A place that everyone can drop things off that need to be tended to - things like receipts, mail, permission slips. Once these things have been dealt with - create another staging area for things to go "out". Save this area for outgoing mail, deposits for the bank, coupons, signed permission slips. As you are heading out the door, you won't have to run all over the house trying to remember what it was you had to do once you got out the door.
Once you start seeing your all the little tasks as a big picture you will begin to get the hang of it.
So - maybe the title was a bit misleading. I didn't get ALL I really need to know from waiting tables - I got all that in kindergarten. Remember this? http://www.peace.ca/kindergarten.htm
Until next time....Amy =)
Thursday, June 11, 2009
How to get rid of things - Smart Solution #1
The other day I was at my friend's house; she was showing me her new refrigerator. One of the things that she noticed when she transferred all the items from the old refrigerator to the new one was how many condiments she had. Why and how did she have so many? I suggested a way for her to sort through and keep only the ones she really needs and toss the ones she doesn't. This method can be used for anything. I did it last year for my kitchen utensils. You might find it useful for your bathroom closet or your desk drawer.
Step 1: Take all the items you are trying to sort through and place them in a box.
Step 2: Take out only the items that you use - WHEN you need them. Do not anticipate future usage.
Step 3: Maintain this routine for a month.
Step 4: After a month, get rid of all the remaining items that are in the box.
The thought here is that if you haven't used an item in a month, you probably don't need it or use it often enough to keep it. Do you really need highlighters in every color of the rainbow or do you really only use the yellow one? Do you really need seven hammers when you have two favorite ones that can do any job?
Good Luck and be sure to let me know how it goes!
Until next time...Amy
Step 1: Take all the items you are trying to sort through and place them in a box.
Step 2: Take out only the items that you use - WHEN you need them. Do not anticipate future usage.
Step 3: Maintain this routine for a month.
Step 4: After a month, get rid of all the remaining items that are in the box.
The thought here is that if you haven't used an item in a month, you probably don't need it or use it often enough to keep it. Do you really need highlighters in every color of the rainbow or do you really only use the yellow one? Do you really need seven hammers when you have two favorite ones that can do any job?
Good Luck and be sure to let me know how it goes!
Until next time...Amy
Monday, March 16, 2009
Email subject lines
I just read an e-newsletter from Constant Contact - they host my e-newsletters that I send out from time to time - I highly recommend them. This latest topic was on the idea of subject lines. I will take a little bit from their article as I found it very useful information. Here is what they say:
When someone first gets your email, you have on average three seconds to get them to open it. The first second is spent on the From line, recognizing who sent the message. From there, you have just two more seconds to compel them to open your message with your subject line. That is why I came up the 2-2-2 Principle:
You have 2 seconds.
The first 2 words matter the most.
Answer the question "Why does this matter today?"
For example - instead of "Spring Newsletter from Amy Munns" I might try "Hot tips for organizing your filing system" or "Join me tomorrow for a lunch meeting about advertising ideas". Constant Contact suggests adding in teasers such as time or promotions that will catch your reader's eye and make them want to read more.
But be aware of the automatic SPAM Triggers:
Sale
Free
Advertisement
$$$$$
ALL CAPS
Excessive Punctuation
If you would like to read the entire article - click here.
http://www.constantcontact.com/learning-center/hints-tips/ht-2009-03c.jsp?cc=HT_EM_Mar08_Article1
Until next time...Amy
www.amymunns.com
When someone first gets your email, you have on average three seconds to get them to open it. The first second is spent on the From line, recognizing who sent the message. From there, you have just two more seconds to compel them to open your message with your subject line. That is why I came up the 2-2-2 Principle:
You have 2 seconds.
The first 2 words matter the most.
Answer the question "Why does this matter today?"
For example - instead of "Spring Newsletter from Amy Munns" I might try "Hot tips for organizing your filing system" or "Join me tomorrow for a lunch meeting about advertising ideas". Constant Contact suggests adding in teasers such as time or promotions that will catch your reader's eye and make them want to read more.
But be aware of the automatic SPAM Triggers:
Sale
Free
Advertisement
$$$$$
ALL CAPS
Excessive Punctuation
If you would like to read the entire article - click here.
http://www.constantcontact.com/learning-center/hints-tips/ht-2009-03c.jsp?cc=HT_EM_Mar08_Article1
Until next time...Amy
www.amymunns.com
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Amy's Favorite Time and Stress Savers
These are proven time and stress savers. I do them all. Some might take some getting used to - but overall if you adopt these techniques, I am sure you will see yourself saving time and reducing stress.
1. Use technology. There is so much technology out there - why not use it. Did you know that there are online calendars that will send a txt msg to your phone for upcoming appointments? Small digital cameras can be kept in a bag or purse and used often to capture fun moments or inspiring subjects to be reviewed later. Scanners make great tools; from scanning documents to special scanners that will automatically input contact information or track expenses from receipts.
2. Allow calls to go to voicemail. I read in the magazine Real Simple a couple months ago that one of the things happy people do is - not answer every call. Phone calls can be very distracting and be a cause of lost concentration. There is nothing wrong with allowing a caller to leave a message and then promptly returning it later. (This can be applied to IM'ing too).
3. Use an accordion file for monthly files. This can be applied to either personal or business settings. Instead of dealing with a large stack of paid bills and invoices that need to be filed in individual folders every month, put all your files into an accordion file. At the end of the year, pick the whole accordion file up and place it away for storage. Use file folders and cabinets for information pertinent to each company or client then set a time each week or month to attack that pile so it doesn't get out of control too.
4. Don't read everything. I get so many periodicals from my insurance companies, retails stores, college alumni associations, and more. And while the information in each carries its own merit, not all of it is related to my professional or personal life. Give yourself permission to either skim through articles or skip them all together.
5. Limit multi-tasking. I know you have heard this before. But studies have shown that multi-tasking makes a person less efficient and less effective in their work - both professionally or personally. If you must multi-task - try this....sit on a large exercise ball while working. Then you are toning your core while getting work done. Now that is an effective way to multi-task!
I would love to hear about your time saving tips. Feel free to add a comment to this blog post or send me an email and I'll compile a list and share it soon.
Thanks for reading. Until next time.
Amy =)
www.amymunns.com
1. Use technology. There is so much technology out there - why not use it. Did you know that there are online calendars that will send a txt msg to your phone for upcoming appointments? Small digital cameras can be kept in a bag or purse and used often to capture fun moments or inspiring subjects to be reviewed later. Scanners make great tools; from scanning documents to special scanners that will automatically input contact information or track expenses from receipts.
2. Allow calls to go to voicemail. I read in the magazine Real Simple a couple months ago that one of the things happy people do is - not answer every call. Phone calls can be very distracting and be a cause of lost concentration. There is nothing wrong with allowing a caller to leave a message and then promptly returning it later. (This can be applied to IM'ing too).
3. Use an accordion file for monthly files. This can be applied to either personal or business settings. Instead of dealing with a large stack of paid bills and invoices that need to be filed in individual folders every month, put all your files into an accordion file. At the end of the year, pick the whole accordion file up and place it away for storage. Use file folders and cabinets for information pertinent to each company or client then set a time each week or month to attack that pile so it doesn't get out of control too.
4. Don't read everything. I get so many periodicals from my insurance companies, retails stores, college alumni associations, and more. And while the information in each carries its own merit, not all of it is related to my professional or personal life. Give yourself permission to either skim through articles or skip them all together.
5. Limit multi-tasking. I know you have heard this before. But studies have shown that multi-tasking makes a person less efficient and less effective in their work - both professionally or personally. If you must multi-task - try this....sit on a large exercise ball while working. Then you are toning your core while getting work done. Now that is an effective way to multi-task!
I would love to hear about your time saving tips. Feel free to add a comment to this blog post or send me an email and I'll compile a list and share it soon.
Thanks for reading. 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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