There are a few other things that you need to start a solid foundation to run your business. You can’t successfully run a business if you don’t have a good accounting system in place. For accurate and easily accessible records and having everything in one place, choose one of the user friendly accounting software packages on the market. If you don’t know how to set it up, make the investment to have someone to set it up for you. Set up files for your receipts, client invoices, bills, etc and a process for entering things into your software so that everything gets recorded. Use the benefits that the software has to offer to the fullest extent.
To keep track of your prospective and existing clients, use a contact management system that will allow you to not only enter an individual’s contact information, but one that will allow you to make note of where you met them and what product or service they might be interested in. You also want to be able to track the times that you’ve spoken with them or attempted to contact them and have a way to set reminders for future follow up.
Finally, you have to manage yourself in a way that has you on top of everything and getting things done, so, yes, you need a system for that too. If you don’t currently have a time management tool that is working well for you, it might be time to assess why it’s not working for you and determine what tool would be more appropriate for your time management personality. Once you have the appropriate tool, set it up, learn how to use every feature it affords you and use it to its fullest capacity. Additionally, set up other components as a part of your time management system. For example, you want to incorporate the use of a master task list and a daily task list along with the good time management habits of planning and prioritizing to shore you up.
When you put these things into place and use them regularly, you can be rid of the aforementioned scenarios and have control of every aspect of your business. Even when you’re wearing multiple hats, with these things in place you will be large and in charge, calling all the shots; able to handle your business.