Read Ann Rusnak’s article on “Can Your Business Survive Without You?”.


Ann Rusnak’s article is reprinted here:

Can Your Business Survive Without You?

The truth…you didn’t start your business only for the money. A job could provide that. Your business gives you options your job could never do.

Like letting you stay home with your children…take days off whenever you want…work your own schedule…go on vacations anytime…more time to enjoy life…total creative control…
no income ceiling…plus many more perks no job could ever offer.

Your business is very vulnerable in the beginning (start-up phase). It needs your constant attention to survive…much like a newborn.

But at some point, you should wean your business from total dependency on you. Otherwise, you end up with a nightmare, time draining job (ask any parent of a newborn how much sleep and time they get for themselves).

Yes, you can do it without giving up the benefits the solo self-employed business owner enjoys:

– Cozy home office
– Low overhead
– Total create control, etc.

Soon the newborns grow into children, doing many things for themselves. Yet they still enjoy their parents and doing things with them. It’s a great age. Independent enough to free up time for personal pursuits…but still leaving the parent in control.

Your business can mimic this wonderful childhood phase, independent enough so it can survive without you, giving you time to enjoy the reasons why you started our business in the first place.

How can you add independence into your business without giving up being in charge? Just incorporate these three simple steps.

3 Steps to Business Independence

1. Automate – Let Technology Do It

Technology produces products and services that enable you to automate many tasks that normally took many people to complete. With the rise of the solo/self employed business owner, continual innovation meets their challenges.

Shopping cart systems automate the ordering process. Autoresponders handle frequently asked questions, technical and download support, and build report with prospect and clients. You can even record your teleseminar, upload it to your site, get CD’s made and shipped to those who
attend, without you doing the work.

2. Outsource – Let Someone Else Do It

Whether you need someone part time, full time, or one time, you’ll find many services online to meet your needs. The explosion of the Internet created a new opportunity – The Virtual Assistance (VA). The VA can do the same task of employees without the aggravation of providing a work area and equipment, not to mention the hassles of payroll taxes, benefits etc.

Elance.com is another great source. You post a job request and people bid for the job. It’s great for onetime projects like creating websites. You can also use them for repeat tasks like article writing or editing.

Check your local colleges and continuing education programs. Many programs require students to do intern work to graduate. Don’t forget about your children. They can do your business tasks too!

3. Systems – Let Procedures Do It

Applying systems in your business facilitates faster, more consistent workflow. The simplest way to create a system begins by documenting how you do it. Look at the steps and ask, “how can I do this better? What other procedures can I combine with them to increase productivity? etc.”

Your systems make it easier to outsource tasks and ensure they get completed to your standards.

Using these three simple strategies will allow you go on vacation without worrying about what’s happening. It’s the first step in letting your business generate an income without you.

(c)2006 Ann Rusnak

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Ann Rusnak, “The Time Diva” developed a system to show busy self employed people and business owners how to achieve success with less effort and time. Receive her free Time Package and find more additional articles at: http://www.SimpleTimeManagement.com

*IMNewswatch would like to thank Ann Rusnak for granting permission to reprint this article.

 

 

 

 

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