manage multiple businesses without going crazy
Post on 21-Oct-2014
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Like many small town business people, I have more than one business: liquor store, cattle ranch, speaking and writing about small town business, and Tourism Currents. So how do I do it all? It‘s one of the most common questions that I get asked, so I’m sharing my answers. Cory Miller of Entrepreneurship Lab set up a webinar with me, “Managing Multiple Businesses without Going Crazy.” I shared not just the big picture business strategy, but also the day-to-day level productivity skills that keep it all from falling apart.TRANSCRIPT
Manage Multiple Businesses …
Without Going Crazy
Becky McCray
• smallbizsurvival.com
Cory Miller
• entrepreneurshiplab.net
Photo (CC) By Clearly Ambiguous Scott Robinson
Poll: How many lines of income do you have right now?
•None. I haven’t started any business yet.
•One. I’m thinking of adding more.
•Two or three. Maybe four.
•Five? Six? A Dozen? I lost count.
What if they close the sidewalk?
Photo (CC) by kohtzy
What if you get sick?
Photo (CC) by YODCOX!
What if you can’t get online?
Photo (CC) By kirk lau
What if the market shifts?
Photo (CC) by Chris D 2006
Spread out the risk
Photo (CC) by By kyz Stuart Caie
Poll: What risk are you most worried about?
• Losing that one big client.
• Getting left behind by the market or customers, or never finding a market in the first place!
• Outside forces, like the economy, disasters, or government regulations.
• Getting sick or being unable to work for some reason.
1. Build a portfolio
Photo (CC) By trbpix
One-to-One
Photo (CC) by Shira Golding
One-to-Many
On-Their-Own
Photo (CC) by By thinkpublic
Check your balance
Photo (CC) By Calypso Orchid
Example: Alva’s Sewing Center
Check all that apply: Which models are you thinking of adding to your portfolio?
• More one-to-one: consulting, coaching, etc.
• More one-to-many: training, speaking, groups
• More on-their-own: print, online, audio, video
• None: turns out I’m pretty balanced.
2. First Establish, then Extend
Photo (CC) by citriodora1
The Farmer’s Rule
Famous Farmer: Richard Branson
You’re a Farmer
Not really a poll:
•What one new line of income are you going to establish next?
3. Manage Your Time
Photo (CC) by justinbaeder
What do I work on next??
Know your goals
Photo (CC) By lululemon athletica
Plan by the week
The 6 Most Important Things
Focus on one at a time
Photo (CC) by ilya_ktsn
Is it any worse than an office job?
Photo by University of Michigan MSIS
Having a mission helps
Photo by Alan Weinkrantz
Dress for productivity success
Poll: What’s your biggest time management challenge?
• Knowing my goals. I know I have lots to do, but I’m not sure what I should be working on.
• Focusing on one at a time. So many things are begging for attention right now!
• I get interrupted: customers, twitter notifications, emails, kids! I just want to be alone!
Questions?
Manage Multiple Businesses …
Without Going Crazy
Becky McCray
• smallbizsurvival.com
Cory Miller
• entrepreneurshiplab.net