Some business owners just have it right from the start. They set out to create an organisation which can grow and have their mind focussed on something greater. If you have a one or two person business, here are some ideas to help you move things up a notch.

  • Concentrate on the things which you’re good at, and outsource the things you’re not. Either get a PA who comes to you part time to do the onsite work, or (as I do) use a virtual assistant service. Whenever I have a task to do which can be done by someone else (eg, sending out invoices, setting up contracts for new clients, posting blog articles) I email the lovely Vicky Townshend and she does it all for me. This saves me hours of time and I can get on with the things that actually interest me, like talking to clients or writing articles. If you’re worried that this is going to cost you money, well yes, it will cost money, but that money is an investment because you’ll be freed up to do the important things that are going to generate much more money for your business. And then you’ll be rich instead of doing admin, which is what we want.

  • If you have a project to do, such as writing lots of copy for your website, or working out if a new service will be cost effective, think about getting an intern or a student to help you out. It’s ridiculously cheap. You do have to spend some time briefing and managing them, but you should still be able to accomplish what you need to do in about a third of the time. Have a look at the Shell Step Programme or Sussex Internship or get in touch with the careers department of your local university.

  • Be able to say “no”. We all get dragged into doing things which someone else asks us to do, and often we prioritise those areas, when we should be prioritising the things which are going to move our business forward. Be a little bit selfish – or at least do your things first.

  • Prioritise marketing, and be proactive. Marketing (and finance) is the key weakness for most of the businesses I see, and the number one reason is that people don’t spend their time on marketing. Until they run out of work of course, but by then it’s too late. Make sure you put your time and effort into marketing, and make this the most important part of your business after customer service.

  • Spend time with other business owners. Most people see networking as a way of bringing in business, and it can definitely work this way, but the most interesting and rewarding thing about networking is that it brings new ideas and opportunities into play. When I talk about networking here, I don’t just mean going to a business breakfast or a Chamber of Commerce event – I mean going to the pub after the event (not the breakfast) and having real conversations with people. Make sure you meet people to talk one to one with them, outside of the networking meeting. This often results in joint ventures, people asking you to do some work for them when they have too much, or getting some new ideas.

  • Spend time with people who have more money than you, and have bigger businesses than you, and you’ll catch something from them. The idea of having a growing business is one which is very contagious, and the confidence of others can rub off on you.