TEN EASY STEPS TO ORGANIZE YOUR BUSINESS
1. Obtain the proper equipment for your business. A cordless
phone enables you to catch up to Jr. If you use a headset, make
sure it's comfortable. Make sure your chair is comfortable. I've
gone through 3 because of backaches. Chances are you have a
Modem. Do you have Phone Answering software? Utilize it when
you're not in, your outgoing msg. should be professional (are
kids screaming in background?).
2. Make it easy to record basic message information. You can
have Contact Mgr. software running in the background. The phone
rings, answer and click on your icon to bring it up. Start
making notes on who, when, where, etc. for follow-up. Have
plenty of spare printer cartridge ink or refills. Don't run out
of ink. You may need a hardcopy of something immediately.
3. Have an organized system for your goals - Event Control. Once
written, your daily goal system should be prioritized. If you
have to delegate, mark to whom and put a due date on it. A
misunderstood topic itself, it deserves special attention. For
more info, mailto:Autobot@HomeBizNet.nu?subject=goals
4. Make good use of customer information for follow-up. Utilize
your Email along with your Contact Mgr. software. Follow-up is
key to sales, customer service and backend sales. Keep good info
on each of your clients. This information should be kept
strictly confidential and handy. Knowing all about your clients'
business will make you more effective on the phone. (Hi Jim, how
is that Project A marketing campaign coming along?) For more
info visit http://post-master.net/rs/hbn
5. Price your services competitively, keeping in mind your own
monthly expenses. Add your expenses up on an annual basis like
the basic monthly phone charges, equipment, office supplies and
divide the total by 12 to determine a monthly overhead cost.
Obviously, the revenue you generate must exceed this number each
month to make a profit.
6. Contract for your services formally. Put together a standard
contract for both you and your client to sign. The "Business"
section of your local library will probably have some standard
contract forms that you can amend for your use. We utilize Legal
Forms Software. Forms are valid in all 50 states. The contract
should have a minimum length to it, like 6 or 12 months with
options to renew it at expiration. You need to plan on a certain
amount of business and income and you can't do that without a
minimum service contract length.
7. Select a business name that is descriptive but not limiting.
If you are not incorporating, you can use your name in the
company title if it's simple and easily pronounce-able, such as
"Marge Dean's Services" or, better yet, "Marge Dean's
Telemarketing Services" which encompasses more tasks in a
potential client's mind. Keep it simple and open.
8. Select the type of business you want to be. Incorporation
carries the most prestige but it isn't always practical for a
small business. You can always start as a sole proprietor. A
partnership will be necessary if you have someone else sharing
the profits and expenses of the business with you. Additionally
you can form a International Business Company (IBC) and have
your Trust own it. Everything becomes anonymous and provides you
and your beneficiaries benefits for life. In essence you own
nothing (on paper). Yet I travel the world on my Debit
MasterCard with no Social Security Number (as I do not have one,
nor do I want to incorporate, due to religious reasons).
9. Obtain enough supplies to launch your business. Be
well-equipped with the basics: pencils, pens, note paper, paper
clips, rubber bands, staplers and this type of office needs
should be purchased in quantity. You achieve a savings by higher
volume purchasing and also avoid possible work stoppage because
you are out of supplies constantly. You do have bookkeeping
software right? Does your Contact Mgr. software have a calendar?
Order business stationary and envelopes along with business
cards. Remember, you are trying to create a positive,
professional image. If you wish, hire a graphic artist to design
a logo for your business. This should appear everywhere -
Website, bus. card, letterhead and envelopes. Shop around for
printers. There are often "specials" and prices have really come
down. A color laser printer is now < $1000.
10. If your business outgrows your house, shop around for a good
location. Don't consider moving out of your "home" office unless
you've redone your expense calculation, divided it by 12 and
seen that your new monthly expenses can be eclipsed by your
revenues. Consider out- sourcing some work to other
sub-contractors working at their home.
If you outgrow your home office and decide to find an outside
office, consider sharing a space with other professionals in a
building, where business needs like a photocopier, fax,
receptionist, etc. can be shared among the occupants. You'd
still have your own private office, but it will save dollars to
combine other resources. Shop for office furniture to get the
best price possible. Check the newspaper for notices about
bankruptcy auctions and Sheriff's sales where you can often
obtain nearly new, higher quality equipment for little money.
After all, a penny saved is a penny earned.