Small business owners often wear the title ‘Chief Cook and Bottle Washer’. The tasks that rise to the top of their list usually relate to client delivery. Followed closely by the most time sensitive deliverables of day-to-day operations. Actions that drive business growth are left for a later time or don’t get done at all. Sound familiar?
There is an easily implemented solution. Incorporating this simple daily habit will shift your business owner’s mindset and make business growth activities a priority.
Dedicate just 15 minutes each day to specific growth tasks and you will make a significant difference in achieving your goals. Scheduling those 15 minutes as your first activity 5 days a week, immediately makes your business your most important focus every day. Do this daily before anything else, including responding to emails, and I guarantee you will focus at least 5 hours a month on growing your business.
You may be asking …
What can I possibly do in 15 minutes that will make a difference❓
Here are 15 actionable steps that can propel your business forward.
You can take 15 minutes to:
- Assess monthly expenses and identify where to cut unnecessary costs without compromising quality.
- Prepare an invoice or follow-up on outstanding invoices to maintain a healthy cash flow.
- Reach out to a past client or lead to reignite interest and suggest a next step of connection.
- Refine your “elevator pitch” to clearly communicate who you serve and the value you bring. Practice it. Record it. Refine it.
- Identify and register for a networking event to grow your network and build your business.
- Engage with your audience on social media. Respond to comments, ask questions, and showcase your expertise.
- Identify a complementary business and consider cross-promotion ideas that could introduce your services to a new audience. Use 15 minutes the next day to reach out to that complementary business and share your thoughts. 😊
- Read an article or watch a video to learn something new in your industry that will add to your expertise and bring value to your clients.
- Check in on progress toward your Goals, assess where you need to take corrective action and schedule time in your calendar to make that happen.
- Request a testimonial, review or endorsement to build your credibility.
- Write a handwritten note of gratitude to a potential, past or current client.
- Start to write the job description for the person you need to hire to scale your business. Continue this every day for the week and you will have it done and ready to send out to the world.
- Get out your colored markers and map out the onboarding processes for a new client or a new project so you can identify the gaps that need refinement.
- Research your competition. It’s important to know who they are and what they are up to. Simply so you can respond accordingly.
- Review your client list to revisit your Ideal Client. Has it changed? Do they know everything you offer?
By focusing the first 15 minutes of every day on your business you are making your business growth a priority. Plan your growth tasks for the week and put them in your calendar so you can make the most of your time. 📅
💭To quote Barbara Sher – “You don’t need endless time and perfect conditions. Do it now. Do it today. Do it for 15 minutes.”