Management Tips Archives - Connor Business Resources

Did you Finish 2019 with a Bow Instead of a Bang—All Wrapped and Ready to Go?

If you’re a bit concerned about how you finished 2019 and how you can start strong now that the New Year is here, we don’t blame you! With 2019 behind us, it’s important to have all your ducks in a row to make sure that the upcoming year can be your best yet. That’s why we’ve compiled this can-do list to make sure your small business is ready, set, go for 2020.

Setting Clear Expectations for Your Team

by Ann Connor

Clear Expectations

It is vitally important to whatever business endeavor you are pursuing that the team you have around you understands their mission clearly. Clear expectations at the outset of a project, be it a new product launch or building a new department in the company, provide a solid guideline and should form a cohesive vision for everyone involved.

To ensure success in any given project, it can be valuable to present a set of behavior expectations or work on one with your team. One way to develop this is a “team charter” or contract upon which all members agree. This code of conduct can help to guide the team through its growth, reminding members to be respectful of colleagues, contribute their opinions when they are solicited, and addressing conflicts personally on a one-to-one basis.

Did she really recommend that I procrastinate?

SOMETIMES PROCRASTINATION IS “GOOD!”

by Carol Williams

Let’s be real. Do you procrastinate?

If “yes” then welcome to Being Human. There is NOTHING wrong with you. (Can I stop reading now?) Procrastination is our way of avoiding something unpleasant. Our bodies and minds are saying, NO! My challenge to you is, why is it unpleasant? This question equals,

“why am I procrastinating?”

Ask yourself:

What is your expectation?
How did you establish said expectation? Did it come from childhood? Teachers? Supervisors?
What might happen if this expectation did not exist? That you CHANGE it to another one?

Picking Productivity – how to dull the shiny objects by Carol Williams

This is a core principle of productivity. It is the most simple concept, yet the most difficult to achieve. There are, quite frankly, too many diversions and distractions in life. This has been true thoughout history, and is “more true” than ever with the unceasing reality that is electronic connectedness. We are re-wiring our brains, and while I am not suggesting we revert to 1962, I am submitting that focused effort gets the job done.

NOTE: On November 2, I will be offering a webinar (you have to pay for this one) through Lorman.com. It’s called “Where Did the Time Go? 5 Ways to get a Lot More Done in a Day.” here’s a preview of the content: Click to view

Manage Your Business Before IT Manages You

by Ann Connor

Managing a Business

Managing a business is time consuming and often stressful. Exhaustion looms over the day and causes many business owners to allow their businesses to dictate their schedule, their mind, and even their life. Understanding how to properly manage your business before it manages you should be the number one focus before any other fundamentals can even be addressed.

Organization can help you to manage your schedule each day without error. Once all managerial tasks are categorized and easily accessible, less mistakes will be made. With less mistakes comes less stress. Upholding the duties left to the manager in a manner conducive to production, one can combat stress and focus on priorities.

How to get what you really want. Really.

by Carol Williams

“You can’t always get, what you want…You can’t always get, what you want…but if you try sometimes…you get what you need….”

OK; we all know that song. Right? “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” is a song by the Rolling Stones on their 1969 album Let It Bleed.

Is it true? Yes and no.