Productivity Tip #1: Use a Workflow Plan to Determine Priorities

Don't know where to turn?

It’s the New Year, and every small business wants to be organized and productive. I understand, I want these things for myself and my business. So, where does one begin to start 2010 on the right foot so to speak? Start with a Workflow Plan.

Make the time to grab a cup of joe, tea or beverage of choice. Then find a nice quiet spot out of the office where you can work. Be sure to bring a pad and pen or your laptop to make your lists. The first step is to collect everything from your mind in order to decision what steps to take next.

Step One

Do a brain dump. Write all of your goals and dreams for the business year. Don’t analyze or organize your thinking, let the thoughts stream out of you. Envision where you want your business to be by the end of the year. Write it all down! Give yourself permission to figure out what everything means later.

Step Two

Read through your list to determine what each scribble means, and what you’re going to do about them. Some projects may not be feasible at this time, while others you may want to commit to for this year. And some may not fit within your business’s mission statement at all.

Step Three

Assign a completion date to each goal that you wish to commit to this year. You may want to break the year down in quarters as to not feel too overwhelmed when planning your year. Now you know when you want to accomplish that task, begin a task list to make it a reality. Assign dates to each task and check back daily to make certain you’re still on track.

How do you think you’d feel if you didn’t need to worry about things you haven’t done?

About the Author Dara is a brand identity and marketing design strategist at 7 Lucky Dogs, a leading consultancy in marketing to “pet parents”. Through customized marketing and brand identity packages, 7 Lucky Dogs helps you discover what makes your company, product or service different from your competitors. We then translate this differentiation visually into a logo, product packaging, an E-commerce site and promotional materials to reflect those unique attributes. We make our clients look credible and memorable to their prospects while they increase their bottom line. As the owner of 7 Lucky Dogs, Dara is passionate about helping independent pet businesses stand out in front of their competitors and attract more clients. She blends business smarts with creativity with formal education in both graphic design and marketing.