Making Up for Lost Time: 5 Time-Saving Tips for All Small Businesses
We’ve all heard the saying that in business, time is money. So, what if we told you that there are several different ways that your business can save time to help increase that all-important profitability?
Gone are the days of mundane tasks; now it is time to regulate your processes to speed up workplace efficiency so you cantake your small business to the next level.
Set Deadlines
In order to save time on tasks in the workplace, it is important that you set yourself and your team deadlines. Not only do deadlines help you stay organised, but they also motivate your team to get their work done on time. Without deadlines in place, your team may struggle to stay motivated because you are not providing them with an incentive to focus on their work.
It is important that you are realistic when it comes to setting deadlines. After all, you don’t want to put too much pressure on your team as this will have a negative effect on workplace productivity. You can learn more about managing deadlines through various online resources. It is well worth doing your research.
Prioritise Organisation
Organisation is key when it comes to saving time. If your important documents and resources are not filed correctly, this can lead to confusion amongst your team members. Ask yourself, how will your employees gain access to the resources they need if they don’t know where they are kept in the first place? If you’re still using filing cabinets and physical documents, then you should perhaps try using digital solutions to organise your company admin. These tools can save yourteam’s valuable time and reduce the chances of human error.The sooner your workplace can become more organised, the better.
Acquire Cloud-Based Solutions
Cloud-based solutions are ideal for timesaving. They can help to take away the burden of admin tasks by storing all of your important data in one place. This is particularly useful for your HR department, as HR managers have a complex job. Not only do they play an important role in how your HR department functions, but they also have to complete copious amounts of admin tasks like booking staff holidays, recording absences, and calculating holiday entitlements.
Online HR software can help to take away this burden, saving time on admin tasks and supporting your HR managers in their busy roles. Myhrtoolkit offer a HR platform for UK businesses. Their cloud-based solution has helped many businesses automate their processes to increase productivity in the workplace, as well as saving time. Using HR software like this can completely transform your business and take it to new heights.
Limit The Number of Meetings Each Week
If there is one tedious task that can waste a lot of time, it’s meetings. So, you should be making a conscious effort to limit the number of meetings that are held each week. Of course, meetings will need to be held from time to time and they are essential in helping your business to grow. However, they can often be time wasters. So, what can you do to help? You should always have a plan for each meeting you hold. Make sure you stick to the schedule throughout the meeting, and it will help you to not go off on a tangent.
Consider holding a virtual meeting from time to time. You will be surprised at just how much time can be wasted waiting for people to attend a meeting room. With virtual meetings, there is no need to chase people up to come and attend. There is plenty of helpful advice out there which can help you conduct a meeting successfully. Don’t be afraid to do your research and always go into a meeting with a clear plan.
Clearly Outline Your Goals and Aims
In order to increase productivity levels and save that all-important time, it is crucial that you outline your goals and aims to your team each day. If your employees have a clear idea of what they need to achieve by the end of each day, you will find that tasks are met quickly. It gives your team motivation to complete their tasks on time. You don’t have to communicate your goals through meetings each day. As we have previously mentioned, these can become time wasters. Instead, ask your line managers to have a quick morning briefing with their teams each day.
If you need help preparing an effective briefing then don’t be afraid to look online for some inspiration. There are plenty of resources out there which can steer your team leaders in the right direction. The key is to keep team briefings short and simple. After all, the goal here is to motivate staff and not waste more precious time.
