2. Our Objectives Today Define what keeps us from being the most effective business owner/entrepreneur possible Understand that we have time to slow down, reflect and plan. Review Top 10 lists of successful characteristic & mistakes of Entrepreneurs/Biz Owner Share Ideas / Do Interactive exercise Answer the question “How do I start (and continue) on the path to improved effectiveness and productivity?”
3. Defining “Productivity Bliss” Multi-Tasking Is Not Effective – 100% Focus Reuse Strategy is Vital Effective is Not the Same as Efficient Plan is Critical (15 min/day minimum) Spend 80% of Your Time on Your Top 3 Clutter Removal & Simplification is vital Eat Your Frog ASAP Know Top 10 Qualities of Successful Entrepreneurs Know Top 10 Mgmt Mistakes
4. Multi-tasking is Out 100% Focus. Difficult but required “Why Multi-Taskers Fail” – http://www.newsweek.com/2008/04/07/overload.html Productive people can focus (well) on 1-2 tasks Multitasking can be an adrenaline addiction. The mind recognizes completion/closure Develop a system to prioritize and execute tasks. Keep task/project list anywhere but in your head.
5. Re-Use Strategy Is Vital Time is your biggest commodity Many ways to stop “Reinventing the wheel” Create checklists, processes and templates. Example: Don’t write the same email twice. Reuse Long term Goal- Create an internal RunBook. Short term Goal – Create a series of mini process docs as you go
6. Effective Not The Same As Efficient Effective – (Identify &) Do the right things Efficient - Do things Right We are all 100% Efficient, Most of us are very Ineffective We are efficient if we stay within our comfort zone. We are effective when we risk discomfort and decide/practice the right behaviors
7. Spend 15+ Min/Day Planning Planning: Creates intent & expectation around the preferred activities & outcomes Encourages innovation Facilitates Coordination Reduces over reactions to “false urgencies” Gives an owner a sense of control “It's not the plan that is important, it's the planning” ~Dr Graeme Edwards It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan ~Eleanor Roosevelt
8. Spend 80% of Time on Your TOP 3 Pareto Rule Be clear on what your TOP 3 are. If you don’t know, find out. What three activities do you benefit the most from in your business? How much time do you spend on these activities? What keeps you from focusing on key objectives?
9. Remove Clutter - Simplify What is Clutter? Most of us spend up to ½ of our day on clutter (ineffective activity) 6minutes retrieved/hr = every other Friday off Ceiling of complexity ~Dan Sullivan How much time do you actively or passively waste every hour, day, week? Let’s go through an exercise together
10. Eat Your Frog ~Brian Tracy Do the hardest tasks first Automatic motivation/Energy Don’t drag around Business/Personal Messes or De-Motivators. Identify & remove Most of us carry at least one frog thru the day. Cold calling fears Facing a client Removing a poorly performing employee
11. 10 Qualities - Successful Entrepreneur/Biz Owner Integrity Self Discipline People Skills Supportive Spouse Strong Work Ethic
13. Top 10 Mistakes Entrepreneur/Biz Owner Owners who cannot get out of their own way Out-of-control growth. Poor accounting Lack of a cash cushion The numbers don’t work – not enough demand for the product
14. Top 10 Mistakes Entrepreneur/Biz Owner (2) Operational mediocrity Operational inefficiencies. Paying too much for rent, labor, and materials. Dysfunctional management. Lack of focus, vision, planning, standards The lack of a succession plan A declining market
15. Take-Aways You are not alone You can't be all things Most Entrepreneurs try & fail Great Entrepreneurs delegate & eliminate Find a business mentors Make sure you have support (Mastermind) Figuring it out yourself isn’t a 100% strategy, ask for appropriate help