| Running a small business or start up can be a | | | | 3. Use Recruiting Software |
| daunting task because most of the primary day to | | | | If you are a small business is the process of finding |
| day responsibilities often fall on the shoulders of one | | | | the best talent available, the task can become |
| or two owners. There are a multitude of tasks to | | | | process intensive and fairly complex. Keeping track of |
| keep track of, including accounting, hiring, marketing, | | | | multiple candidates, reviewing resumes and tracking |
| financial forecasts and deadlines for clients. | | | | progress can drastically slow your company's forward |
| Sometimes, it can be overwhelming for one person | | | | movement. |
| to juggle so many different tasks simultaneously. | | | | One way to combat this small business brain freeze it |
| I'd like to take a moment to go over several simple | | | | to utilize a recruiting software package to track |
| tools and methods to help small business owners | | | | applicants, manage resumes, and provide a |
| keep track of and prioritize the various tasks | | | | collaboration tool for your hiring managers. Many |
| involved in operations. | | | | modern day recruiting software solutions live |
| 1. Use a Whiteboard | | | | completely online, making it incredibly simple to access |
| Whether it's a whiteboard, blackboard, bulletin board, | | | | and utilize with the click of a mouse. |
| or a simple notepad, try to keep a weekly log of | | | | 4. Prioritize with Flexibility |
| primary tasks up front and center. While there are a | | | | Sometimes, when it's just you and 500 different |
| plethora of online programs and tools for organizing | | | | tasks, there will be a tendency to jump from one |
| daily/weekly tasks, it helps to back it all up with a | | | | task to another before completion. This can be good |
| basic pen and paper list. It is integral to have this | | | | and bad. It's good to be flexible and not bang your |
| weekly 'grail' to refer to when you hit a wall - try | | | | head against any one task if you aren't making any |
| placing it in the center of your office for everyone to | | | | progress. Sometimes it helps to step back, breathe, |
| see. Utilize different colors or check boxes to | | | | and come back to something with a new outlook. |
| re-enforce accomplishments or the completion of a | | | | However, if your mind wanders too far and too |
| task. | | | | often, nothing will end up done. Try to find the |
| 2. Use Google Documents | | | | balance between priority and flexibility that allows you |
| While Microsoft Word is still the standard in word | | | | to find a natural rhythm in completing weekly tasks. |
| processing, Google Documents has several | | | | 5. Early Calls |
| advantages that make it the perfect online tool for | | | | If part of your business involves contacting potential |
| inter & extra-office collaboration. Need to | | | | clients, cold calling, emailing or collaborating with |
| brainstorm a list of potential clients for your wedding | | | | various individuals, I would suggest using the first half |
| cake business? Simply hop on Google Docs, create a | | | | of the week for this. People have the natural |
| new sheet, and share it with as many collaborators | | | | tendency to be more receptive during the first half |
| as you like. The whole team can then log onto the | | | | of the week. After Wednesday many potential |
| document and make edits 'live,' to avoid the hassle of | | | | business contacts begin to fade into their weekend |
| huge email chains or lengthy phone conversations. | | | | shelters. Getting a hold of these people on Monday |
| Also be sure to try out Google Spreadsheets, a MS | | | | or Tuesday will make the second half of your week |
| Excel alternative that allows you for seamless | | | | far more productive. |
| organization and collaboration. | | | | |