Get a grip! 10 Tips on how to stay organized as a growing business

Let’s be real- as your business is growing you are usually in survival mode. 

You are thrilled about all the new clients and exciting projects but you are just trying to stay on top of all the work which makes it really tough to stay organized.

Here are some tips to set you up for success from the beginning stages of your business so that once the client work is rolling in YOU ARE READY!

1. Organize Files & Documentation

Creating a file organization system as if you already have a team from the start is a smart approach. Use clear and descriptive folder structures to make it easy for future team members (or even yourself) to locate and understand the files. 

2. Establish Clear Processes

Start mapping out processes and procedures no matter how basic they are. It not only helps you streamline operations but also ensures a smoother onboarding process when you decide to expand your team. Next, record your processes and procedures in SOP’s (Standard Operating Procedures) this can be via digital documents or videos whatever is easiest for you. A foundation like this in your business will help tenfold when you start to scale.

3. Adopt Project Management Tools

Choose and start using a project management tool (i.e. Asana, Trello etc…) I love Asana but try them out and pick the one that works for you and your business best. It takes time to learn the tool and use it to its full potential so assign yourself tasks and create projects to get a feel for it. These tools will help you streamline tasks and enhance overall efficiency.

4. Goal Setting

Choose a goal to work toward in the next 3 months. You may have more goals (which is great!), but prioritizing one goal allows for focused efforts and a higher likelihood of achieving that goal. (Imagine having a ton of goals and being paralyzed by not knowing what to do first.) You can always add another one if you accomplish your first one quickly!

5. Proactive Assistance

Get assistance before you need it. This is something I learned from my coach. Most of the time people wait until they are inundated with work before they get help but then they are far too busy to put the work into finding the right fit all while they are barely surviving. I always recommend getting assistance when you foresee needing the help in the next 3 months. Then you have time to conduct a thorough search, find a good fit and actually train them. This will set you and your new teammate up for long-term success.

6. Time Block

Ok this is controversial because people either love time blocking or hate it. I am a  HUGE fan of time blocking as it can be a powerful productivity technique. It got me through the nap time hustle and managing my client load! Establishing clear work hours is crucial, especially when balancing business and family life. Outline specific times for work to ensure a healthy balance without that overwhelming feeling. To time block, you want to look at your weekly work schedule and slot in your work time. From there you decide what you will be working on each day. 

Work Day Example: On Monday, I work 9am – 1pm

9am -10am – Catch up on emails and respond to client emails

10am- 12pm Work on client 1 content creation

12pm – 12:30 Consultation

12:30 – 1pm Social media engagement – all clients

7. Reflect Regularly

Regular assessment is essential for business growth. Every 3 months take an hour to reflect on your business. 

• How are things going? 
• How are your systems working? 
• What can be improved?

           Our businesses are always changing and so should our processes.

8. Tracking Customer Feedback

Creating an organized approach to collecting and analyzing customer feedback can be beneficial when reflecting on your business goals/ needs and in ensuring that potential clients have the social proof they need when deciding to work with you. 

9. Training Resources

Developing comprehensive training materials for new team members ensures consistency in onboarding and empowers employees to understand and execute tasks effectively. I use a shared board in Asana to organize client SOP information, team member roles with each client and thorough processes for each task so that all team members can collaborate. Easily accessible training materials also makes it super easy to delegate an unfamiliar task. 

10. Financial Tracking

Implement financial tracking systems to monitor income, expenses, and overall financial health. These insights are vital for making informed decisions when planning for your future growth. 

Weaving in these tips will give you the winning formula to business growth.

Stay organized, stay true to your goals, and keep pushing forward!

Interested in winning 3-months worth of business coaching with yours truly?