Post written by guest blogger Derek Goodman
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When you own or manage a business, you can’t avoid all issues. After all, you don’t decide if there’s enough talent in the job market or if your suppliers will be hit with shipping delays. But, there are many self-sabotaging behaviors that you can watch out for so that you can run a better business. Keep reading as we take a quick peek at several practices you should avoid.
Failure to Get Your Message Across
Whether you own your own business or are in charge of running somebody else’s, you have to get your message out to your customers. Unfortunately, while you might know your product or service, it’s often difficult to translate your thoughts into something that grabs attention. Zeno Effect Media is there to help with content and social media services that can help you meet your customers where they are and in their language.
Pushing Major Milestones to the Side
We all get overwhelmed with day-to-day operations. But, this doesn’t mean we should overlook big picture items, such as writing a business plan or establishing a legal business structure. Failure to do either of these (or many other major administrative tasks) can put you on a left turn toward a company catastrophe. To ensure that your proverbial I’s are dotted and T’s crossed, look for services that can help. Using a business formation service is one example; you can use an online formation service to fast-track your LLC or corporation structure.
Overworking Yourself
While being overworked is not exclusive to those in the C-suite, leaders tend to take on more than they are ever given credit for. Unfortunately, as employee wellness company Nivati explains, stretching yourself too thin can have the opposite effect of what you’re trying to achieve. Being mentally and physically fatigued can make you much less productive, not to mention cranky. To offset the effects of stress and strain, make sure that you establish boundaries between your work and personal life. You should also make a point to take breaks and, importantly, encourage your employees to do the same.
Not Having the Right Skills
You’ve made it this far in your career, so you obviously have great business acumen and lots of skills. However, we can all use a bit of a refresher, especially in areas where we aren’t an expert. Accounting, for example. Even if you’re an effective manager, numbers might not be your strong point. Earning your accounting degree can help you feel more comfortable with your budget, and it will show your employees (or employer) that you’re willing to break out of your comfort zone and be a leader at all levels. Regardless of what areas you choose to learn more about, never stop learning; there are plenty of online schools for business administration that can help you earn your degree without sacrificing your career. The moment you think you know it all is the moment your business veers off track.
Underdeveloped Emotional Awareness
Emotional awareness and intelligence are having the ability to recognize how your behaviors or particular situations affect yourself and others. As a leader, you must learn how to be aware of your actions as well as your environment. Fast Company acknowledges that this starts with self-awareness. Being self-aware can help you enjoy better relationships with your support staff as well as your customers. Practice emotional awareness by watching people’s reactions to you and noticing whether or not your staff comes to you when there’s a problem. If they avoid you, chances are good that their perception is that you lack the empathy necessary to help them resolve problems calmly.
Using a Manual Invoicing Process
If you’re still using manual invoicing procedures, stop. Not only will this cost you more money in the long run, it’s unnecessarily time-consuming and a huge hassle for yourself or your employees still using a calculator to figure out customer invoices. Instead, look for invoicing software or, at the very least, an invoicing template that allows you to plug in your company information and other details important to your customers. A professional invoice will also ensure that your customers understand your payment terms. Plus, with one click of a button, you can send an invoice and request payment, making it more likely that you’ll get your money on time.
Lack of Motivation
It’s worth mentioning that even the most successful business owners struggle with a lack of motivation from time to time. While there’s nothing wrong with avoiding work until after your 1st cup of coffee, problems can arise when routine but necessary tasks become more of a hassle than anything. There are many reasons that business leaders can no longer get excited about their jobs, and one of these goes back to the issue of being overworked. Remember, busy does not mean productive, but being productive and watching yourself mark things off the to-do list can actually help you be more motivated.
Ignoring Your Online Reputation
Do you know what your online reputation is? It’s essentially a collection of what people have said about you on the internet. This includes via all platforms, such as social media and directories, like Yelp. Unfortunately, in our busyness, we tend to forget to read our online reviews. This mistake can cost you credibility, customers, and conversions. Correct Digital explains that the vast majority of consumers turn to online reviews before they make any type of purchase online (and most also check reviews on local businesses). Spend some time looking at your reviews, which are easily found by simply Googling your business and personal name. Make sure to respond, even if it’s just a simple thank you. And, remember, responding visibly to a negative review with patience, understanding, and a willingness to resolve the problem is a great way to convert the competition’s customers into your own.
At the end of each business day, you want to know that you’ve done your best. When you avoid the mistakes listed above, you will. While you cannot sidestep all possible roadblocks on your path to success, you don’t have to intentionally take the long way around.
Zeno Effect Media can help ease the burden and tedium of your marketing, branding, and messaging efforts.
Schedule a free consultation or call 805-394-8440 now!
About Our Guest Blogger
Derek Goodman is an entrepreneur. He’d always wanted to make his own future, and he knew growing his own business was the only way to do that. He created his site Inbizability to offer you tips, tricks, and resources so that you realize your business ability and potential now, not later.
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