Small Business Solutions: Maintaining Management & Organization in Your BIZ

We tend to get hyped when it comes to promoting our business, etc. however it is crucial to build a solid business foundation in which to promote, FIRST!

Here are some Key tips I learned from @officequeen that helped me out:
We need these three basic systems of organization & management:

* File management system
* Financial management system
* Contact management system

Beginning with the file management system you can utilize file cabinets, drawers, shelves and storage bins for paper files. Be sure to keep things out of the way in which you don't need, however maintain this system once you create it so the things you DO NEED are easily accessible at all times.
Now, that's not all, you also have your computer files AND emails that are part of this system. As you'll learn further on while reading this, there is a commonly known tool in which happens to be "perfecto" for creating and maintaining organization & management among both Contacts and Emails.

(NOTE: you will want to keep all systems along the same lines. I.e. If you use categories and subcategories for your paper filing system then you need to do the same for your computer filing system, and so on.)

Next we talk about your financial management system: We recommend getting a book keeping binder. Create four tabs:

1. Accounts Payable
2. Accounts Receivable
3. Accounts Paid
4. Accounts Received

This will help you easily keep track of what is going in and coming out, what needs to still be paid and what your clients owe you!.

You can definitely utilize the power of spreadsheets as well. This comes in handy with this next one too:
~ EMAILS & CONTACTS ~

Outlook or Outlook Express: This is the perfect program for maintaining Emails & Contacts.

Keep it all in one place. You'll find it easier in the long run!
Keep up with "recording data", and at the end of each day ask yourself this question: "Who do I need to followup with or contact tomorrow?"

Another cool tip is to go through your contacts on a monthly basis and touch base with everybody that you haven't been in contact for awhile. Keep "yourself" fresh in their minds!

Schedules seem to be difficult to stick to, but some scheduled things are necessary. Stick to a "week by week" schedule and file things accordingly; set aside a minimum of 20 min. at the end of each week to go through, organize and maintain your filing systems - Make it a priority.

You cannot market your business "Efficiently" without first managing it! (taught by Tracy Lawton)
- Office Organization Made Easy

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