Head in The Cloud

Its often hard for a busy entrepreneur or a small business to focus on technology - they are too busy focusing on core parts of the job.  However, sometimes it pays (literally - in terms of cost saving) to consider what new technologies are available to help a business plan and execute.

'The Cloud' is becoming important.  it is now possible to run quite a lot of technical services at low cost, with almost no in-house expertise, by 'plugging into' services 'out there' (or 'up there').

Google Docs is just one example.  Free (or very low cost) word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software along with free storage.

Must be worth a look?

Its OK to take your eye off the ball

We all work hard.  that means we concentrate, we put in effort ... and mostly we get the results we expect. 

But sometimes its good to step back, take a breather and let our minds think of something else.  this gives our subconscious time to work - to churn, to reflect, to process.  Then we start to see things (perhaps ever so slightly) differently.  We see the context, see the bigger picture and give ourselves time for innovation.

So take some time off - indulge in your hobby.  come back refreshed with fresh thinking.

Don't read this

If, like many other organisations, you are trying to climb out of the pit that is the (recent) recession ... then concentrate on what you used to do well ... and do it better.  now is probably not the time for big changes.

So, forget this blog and other advice you might look at ... stick with what made you successful in the first place.

email should help not hinder

We all know people who complain about the numbers of emails they receive ... and often its us!  But it is up to us to make sure we manage it so that it helps our businesses, not hinders them.  We need to build in the disciplines that we expect in other areas of our lives. 

Don't respond to emails as they arrive - set aside 30 minutes a day to handle and deal with them .. and do deal with them.  Handle an email only once!  Don't put it aside for later and have to handle it again.  Deal with it or delegate it.

You might be surprised about how much less of a burden it seems when you handle it properly.

Plan the day ... and start early

I talked to a guy recently who was meticulous in the way he planned his day.  It actually started each evening when he laid out all the things he needed to take to work the next morning - so that he wouldn't forget anything AND he would take less time.  This went on through the next day until he started again in the evening.

You might think this a bit 'nerdy' but it reminds us that planning ahead does save time and does result in fewer errors. 

Think through your work routines and see what simple things you can do (checklists, reminders, etc) to make sure you don't forget anything .. and to make sure you are efficient.

What do phones do?

Modern 'smartphones' do calls, texts, email, social media, photos, videos, music ... and so much more.

But to they do business ... or are they distractors.

Make sure you know what you need (not want) from a phone before you make the decision about which one to get.  As a general rule, if its been on the market for less than 6 months, its too new and possible buggy.  Forget it.

The End of Office

Microsoft Office continues to get bigger and ....   Well, I'm not sure its getting better.  We know most people only use a handful of the features, yet they are still using a very, expensive piece of software.

If Office were a 'normal' product, we would be suggesting its at the end of its life cycle, bloated by the need to keep revenues turning .... and bloated beyond most people's comprehension and convenience.

So are you using Open Office or Google Docs or Zoho?  Probably not ... like everyone else you are paying lots of money for things you don't need.

Who's the mug?