Part 1
Hello, this is Laura Lee Rose – author of TimePeace: Making peace with time – and I am a business and efficiency coach that specializes in time management, project management and work-life balance strategies. I help busy professionals and entrepreneurs create effective systems so that they can comfortably delegate to others, be more profitable and have time to enjoy life even if they don’t have time to learn new technology or train their staff. I have a knack for taking big ideas and converting them into smart, sound, and profitable projects.
At the end of the day, I transform the way you run your business into a business you love to run.
Today’s comment came from a busy professional and an entrepreneur:
I am starting a new company and know I need help, but I don’t have any money to hire staff. What are some ways to get staffing without much money?
Whether you are just starting out, on the verge of growing or even downsizing – staffing on a limited budget is a common issue. You don’t have to be a new business owner to be faced with this problem. A department manager in a corporation and team leads often face the same issues.
This three-part article attempts to outline several paths you can take, either in conjunction or separately.
First Step: Set the right expectations
One of the biggest mistake that we make is to either expect too much or nothing. Take the time to outline what you are really looking for in staff. Objectively list all the tasks that are required for success. Then categorize them based on the skill level required to accomplish at an acceptable quality and time frame.
Focus on the minimum to get to next step
Be realistic about your acceptance criteria for these tasks. Not all tasks need to be perfect. Focus on getting the minimum done to propel you to the next step. Many waste time making something perfect when the next 3 tasks could have been accomplished in the time it took to “perfect” task 1.
Even though you can do it, doesn’t mean you should be doing it
Not every task requires “the best” on it. The best person for the job is normally the “best fit” – and not always “the best”. For example: Just because you can filter your email quickly, you may not be making the best use of your time. The time you are taking with email, could be used networking and making money. With a few simple rules, auto-responder tools, and an effective system in place, an intern or volunteer can easily streamline your inbox, while you are using your time on things that only you can do.
Doing it the right way
The common obstacle to delegation is the fear that it won’t get done right, or done the way that you would have done it. The best way to assure that it gets done the right way is to document what the right way is. If you carry your individual processes in your head, then you are sabotaging your own advancement. The first step is to document the way you want things done on paper. Once it’s on paper, you can then start to automate, streamline, optimize and train others.
4D’s
A critical tool to setting the right expectations and priorities is the 4D’s. The 4D’s stand for Delete, Delegate, Delay and Diminish.
For more information on the 4D’s – download the 4D’s worksheet <here> DOWNLOAD
Conclusion:
Re-adjusting your own expectations will go a long way to finding the right person for the job. The next article will go into detail on where to find the right people.
If you need additional help on this topic, please contact LauraRose@RoseCoaching.info
I am a business coach and this is what I do professionally. It’s easy to sign up for a complementary one-on-one coaching call, just use this link https://www.timetrade.com/book/WFSFQ
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