Business owner, mother, household manager — the modern woman entrepreneur has a lot on her plate. Recent research has found that even as women work more and earn more, they still carry the bulk of responsibility around at home. The fight for change is on, but in the meantime, how in the world are women supposed to manage it all?
You can’t make the laundry wash itself, but you can streamline business operations so you save time without sacrificing income. Here are four of the most impactful changes you can make to simplify your small business.
Stop Chasing Payments
Getting paid shouldn’t be a hassle. If you’re constantly losing track of invoices or sending reminder after reminder to late-paying clients, you need to reexamine your invoicing process.
Invoicing software automates the invoicing process so you get paid on schedule and with less oversight. Invoicing software can send recurring invoices, send deadline reminders to clients, and tracks invoices to simplify accounting come tax time. There are lots of options for small business invoicing software, with prices that range from free to $30 per month.
Minimizing the amount of invoicing you’re doing is another big time saver. Invoices are necessary for some business relationships, but for others, you could take payment at the time of service and avoid the back-and-forth of invoicing. If you’re sending invoices for small transactions because you can’t accept payment on the go, upgrade your credit card system to one that’s portable and versatile so you can accept payments wherever you are. This guide from SquareUp covers the most important features to look for in a credit card payment system.
Automate Accounting
Don’t stop at invoicing. By linking your invoicing software and credit card payment processor with a compatible accounting program, you can take a more hands-off approach to small business accounting. You’ll still need to hire an accountant to file taxes, but you’ll save thousands in bookkeeping efforts throughout the year.
Dial In Your Customer Service
Customer service in 2019 is more challenging than ever. Customers want help when they need it, without waiting hours or days for a company to respond. But for small business owners, attending to customer service needs at every hour of the day simply isn’t practical.
Reduce the time you spend on customer service (while still providing top-notch support!) by utilizing chatbots, automatic email responses, and a comprehensive knowledge base so customers can find answers to common questions before you step in. There are plenty of software solutions that bundle these services and more. Check out this list to find one that meets your business’s needs and budget.
Be Ready for New Opportunities
It’s every business owner’s goal to become so successful that business comes to you, without chasing it down. But if you don’t have a visible, professional presence, potential clients and partners won’t know what you have to offer.
Establishing a social media presence is a good place to start, especially on LinkedIn. However, social media has its limitations. If you really want to showcase your work, create a personal website or page on your business website. Your site should highlight accomplishments, explain your services, and tell visitors how to get in touch. It’s also the place to host your resume. If you use an online resume template, you can easily update your resume so you’re not rewriting every time you land a new credential.
Running a small business means juggling a lot of responsibilities at once. When your company is only one aspect of your busy life, staying on top of everything can feel downright impossible. But you don’t have to choose between being a phenomenal businesswoman and excelling in your personal life. When you simplify processes and use your time wisely, you can manage it all.
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