The Time-Management Tactics

Time is a resource we all have the same amount of, yet some people seem to get more done in their 24 hours than other people do. Time is the one resource that can only be used, not saved, borrowed or wasted. Juggling time for home and work can be a special problem for those who work at home.

To plan better for time use, you need to know how you are currently using your time. Some things you may need to consider:

• Record how time is used.
• Analyze what you recorded to see how it related to the business.
• Look at each category and separate those activities that had to be done at a specific time and those that could be done anytime.
• Decide which are time wasters, controllable and uncontrollable.
• Determine if there are things that needed to get done that were left undone and why.
• Think about ways to improve the effectiveness of your use of time.

Keeping a daily log from time to time and analyzing it in this fashion will provide a reality check on how time is being used and provide incentive for "plugging the gaps" between how time is being used and the goals for work and home. Some basic suggestions for planning time include:

• Schedule based on your business plan and priorities.
• Look at what needs to done for the week and determine which of those items go in "today's schedule."
• ut items that have to be done at a certain time on the schedule first.
• Arrange storage areas and work centers so items used frequently are at your fingertips.
• Do more than one thing at a time. Some tasks require minimal concentration, and this time can be used to plan other activities.
• Learn to say "No" if your involvement in too many activities becomes a problem. Don't spread yourself too thin.
• Recognize the time of day when you are most productive. Do the important tasks during this prime time.
• Delegate as many tasks as you can. Identify certain jobs (home or business) that can be handled by other family members.
• Prevent a crisis. Don't procrastinate so that a failure to act becomes an urgent matter.
• Divide major tasks into many small, manageable tasks.
• Look at ways to improve every task you undertake. Try to find ways to make them quicker, easier, simpler and less tiring.
• Plan ahead and anticipate problems before they occur.
• Think through jobs so you can work efficiently. Careful organization can prevent the loss of valuable time.

Look at your schedule the first thing in the morning and don't become distracted. Time is a tool. It is one of the resources of your business. How you use this resource may be one of the most important factors in the success of your business. You may need to let family and friends know that just because you work from the home, you still have to maintain business hours.

Employee Relations

Most home-based businesses start out with only one person in the business. In some cases, family members may have certain duties relating to the business. As the business grows and becomes more successful, it may be necessary to hire people to work for you.

The people you hire represent your business to the public. Sloppy workmanship and lack of pride in the product or service can make a potentially good product or service unacceptable in the market place. The image portrayed and the ultimate success of the business depends on the people working for you.

A job description including all duties assigned to the position should be clearly outlined in writing before hiring an employee. An individual's skills should fit the job to be performed. Although friends and acquaintances are considered one of the best sources for new labor, caution is advised in hiring friends. Let the applicant's qualifications be the deciding factor.

Hiring an employee is just the beginning. The first few days on the job are critical in setting an employee's perspective and attitude and making the job meaningful. Orienting the employee to the job and the business will save time and money in the long run. Continuous in-service training may be necessary in some businesses to keep up with trends and to remain competitive.

Wages and any benefits should be agreed upon before the employee starts work. This should be formalized with a written document.

Employer expectations and the goals and objectives of the business must be clearly communicated to the new employee. Likewise, employee needs, goals and desires will need to be understood by the employer so that you can better motivate employees to be productive as well as gain self-satisfaction from the work that they do. This can be done through an annual performance appraisal.