Being an entrepreneur is almost synonymous with being time-poor. No matter how long you’ve been running a business, you’ll likely always have a never-ending list of tasks looming over you, with simply not enough hours in the day to get through them all.
But fear not. Bizik, one of the UK’s leading telephone answering services, brings you 5 time-saving tools and techniques to make life as an entrepreneur infinitely easier.
Choose A Project Management Tool
Every entrepreneur needs a good project management system, whether you have a team of two or 200. These systems are essential for planning projects, tracking progress, and managing time. Without them, it’s incredibly difficult to see what people are working on, meet deadlines, and prioritize tasks.
We recommend solutions like Jira and Trello. Both are part of the Atlassian software, which specializes in project management and collaboration. Trello is a basic tool that allows you to create boards and task cards and post comments.
Jira is a little more sophisticated, with customization options, AI integration, and reports. Both tools have free plans, which are ideal for small teams, and free trials, so give them a go and see what works best for your business.
Use Diary Management
Are you struggling to keep track of your appointments? Try Bizik’s diary management service. We’ll use your favorite diary management tool (if you already have one in place), or we’ll get you set up on Calendly, one of the best scheduling apps around.
Our virtual PAs are time management experts with incredible attention to detail. They’ll schedule and manage your meetings, respond to queries, and organize your diary in a way that works for you.
They will always keep you updated about important messages, rescheduled appointments, cancellations, or anything else that needs your attention. While Bizik does the hard work, you can enjoy being more productive and stress-free.
Understand When You’re Most Productive
One of the major benefits of being an entrepreneur is choosing where, when, and how you work. The traditional 9-5 isn’t for everyone, so if it’s not essential to your business or customers, try a different schedule.
Tune into your body’s natural rhythm and work in line with it, not against it. Some people are early birds, and some are night owls. Some people do their best work at 9 am, and some at two in the morning.
Everyone is different, so work out when you’re most productive and try to align your workday with it. That way, you save precious time and work as effectively and efficiently as possible.
Make Time For Breaks
It’s tempting to spend all of your time working when you’re an entrepreneur. It’s also incredibly common. A survey by 1st Formations, a leading company formation agent, revealed that over half of UK entrepreneurs work six to seven days a week.
While it’s understandable, working excessively can also be counterproductive. It leads to long-term stress (also known as burnout), which can ultimately endanger your business. It can also deteriorate your work/life balance, essential for productivity and general well-being.
Running a business doesn’t mean sacrificing your time or health, so remember to take a break when needed.
Outsource Customer Service
Is customer support taking up too much of your time? Partner with a telephone answering service to free up your time and streamline your customer service.
A virtual PA can take all your incoming calls and answer live chats. They can also transfer high-priority calls to you or your team, take messages when you’re unavailable, and even look after your customers after hours.
Most importantly, outsourcing your customer service function will save you heaps of time without compromising on quality. That way, you can focus on other areas of your business with the reassurance that every call will be answered and every customer’s experience will be positive.
Summary
Becoming an entrepreneur is exciting and empowering, but it also takes up most (if not all) of your time, especially when you’re just starting.
If you’re finding it challenging to manage your time, consider exploring the tools and techniques mentioned above; why not try some of the tools and techniques we mentioned above? They can help you save lots of precious time, maximize productivity and efficiency, and contribute to making your business a success.
