Running a household can teach you a lot about running a small business.
While you may not see many similarities at first, give it some thought and you will recognize skills that will benefit you in either situation.
Organization is Key
Whether you are starting a new small business or managing an existing company, you must be organized in your approach. You must understand how things work and ensure they continue to work smoothly to avoid delays or complications that can cost you money.
The first key to being organized is to have a plan.
For owners, this may be the business plan. For managers and supervisors, it can mean setting long-term goals that everyone in the department or company is working towards.
Set down concrete goals that are specific and attainable. Once you have completed this step, everyone will know where to put their focus.
Filter Out the Unimportant
In your home, you must continually re-evaluate what you are using and what can be disposed of. The same is true in your small business.
As the article, “5 Tips on Organizing a Kitchen” says, items you don’t use just take up space and keep you from being productive. This same idea holds true in business.
Perhaps there are products that don’t sell well or services you offer that don’t contribute to your overall focus.
By eliminating these, you can spend more time on what is beneficial to your company.
Get Everyone Involved
An efficient, happy home is one where people work together for the common good. Everyone feels invested in the end result.
For example, you can get the kids to help you make dinner because everybody wants to enjoy the meal.
This same idea works well in the corporate world.
Instead of keeping all of the information to yourself, get your team members involved.
Let them know your goals for the company, so they can understand why you have certain processes in place. They will be more vested in helping the company succeed if they understand why they do what they do.
Don’t Be Afraid of Change
Just like a household changes as kids get older and move out, a small business must also change. One that refuses to change will grow stagnate and finally succumb to failure.
At the same time, you don’t want to embrace every change that comes along. Instead, you must evaluate it to determine if it serves your overall purpose.
New technology and processes can enhance a company’s bottom line.
However, some fads are only time-wasters and distract a business from its real purpose. You must be able to recognize a true opportunity over one that has little benefit.
A small business owner or manager can learn a lot about managing a company by reviewing the way they manage their home.
Anyone considering starting a new business can utilize the skills they have gained in running their home and organizing their kitchen to build a successful venture.
Never underestimate how those skills can enhance your work in the business world.
About the Author: Joyce Morse is an author who writes on a variety of topics, including marketing and running a small business.