by Glen Keene, JD, CPC

Lawyer and professional coach Glen Keene gives practical tips to businesses about improving customer and employee relationships and expanding their customer base and more.

Customers are lined up around the block, orders are pouring into the web site, clients are clamoring for your services. You’re overjoyed and that’s good. But you’re starting to feel overwhelmed and that’s not good. It’s not good for you, your business or your clients or customers. But, what can a busy business owner do to prevent being overwhelmed?

First, stop for a few minutes and spend some time evaluating the how and why of your businesses growth. Identify the factors that make it successful, what led to the growth. Consider all of the tasks you do and make a list of them. Then think about what tasks on the list you do well. Usually it’s because you enjoy doing them and you are proficient at them. Separate the enjoyable tasks from the ones you don’t do well. The latter ones are the tasks that are causing you to feel overwhelmed. You probably don’t enjoy doing them and that adds to your sense of having too much on your plate, that feeling of too much pressure, too many things to do and no time to do them.

Now that you know what you don’t do well and/or don’t like to do the next step is to look for ways to shift the ones you don’t do well to others. Delegate, concentrate on core talents, create strategic partnerships with people or other companies with shared goals. Outsource essential tasks that you’re not good at. Marketing might be one example. If it’s not one of your strong points there are several rather inexpensive methods that you can turn to. Online companies can establish email marketing campaigns for a small monthly subscription. They can be very effective in both cost and return on investment.

Use your web site more effectively by updating it often. If you don’t have a web site create one. The cost can be virtually free to as expensive as you want, depending on how many bells and whistles you desire. Consider the time spent as an investment in your business. Once you spend that time the investment will pay repeating dividends.

Consider using independent contractors. Use online virtual assistants and consultants. Most of the more important business needs, such as accountant, bookkeeping, Information Technologist even receptionist can be met with virtual off site staffing. Delegate and automate where you can. Make sure you are working on your business and not just in it. Don’t be afraid to spend a few dollars for advice. That advice could turn out to be priceless. Time management is critical. The more time you spend on non-core tasks the less time you have for important ones.

Run your business, don’t let it run you. If you need to hire employees remember there are multiple layers of reporting, FICA, Workers Comp, payroll. If you don’t want to do those reports and filings you will need someone to do them. If you’re really running on a shoestring budget consider contacting a local school or college and offer internships to students. Many colleges with programs in careers for bookkeeping, etc. have interns available.

A great information resource to tap into is the New York State Small Business Development Center. Use every resource available to you and you’ll be better prepared to grow your business and feel overjoyed not feel overwhelmed.

Glen is an attorney, certified professional coach and host of ‘€˜Spotlight on Success’ streamed live every Wednesday at 6:30p from RocklandWorldRadio.com. Glen’s guest on Wednesday June 6 is Rose Marie Raccioppi, artist, poet and visionary.

Email glen@attorneykeene.com, visit GlenKeene.com or call 845-548-1769 with questions about Glen’s column, his program or his practice.

This article is for information purposes only. No legal advice is intended nor may it be assumed or implied.