WE'VE MOVED!
We are proud to announce our NEW community destination. Engage with resident experts and fellow entrepreneurs, and learn everything you need to start your business. Check out the new home of StartupNation Community at startupnation.mn.co
We are proud to announce our NEW community destination. Engage with resident experts and fellow entrepreneurs, and learn everything you need to start your business. Check out the new home of StartupNation Community at startupnation.mn.co
Getting Organized

I`m sure everyone has sung this tune or has heard this tune. I`m an beggining entrepreneurial. I`m doing about a bazillion things to launch my business. How do you all keep it organized.?I have files and that`s all well and good but I`m starting to get interest from people who may become clients. As a consultant/ game developer/everything else: time is a limited resource. So before I do anything (accept offers and the like) I`m trying to get organized now. So my question is how do/did you all determine was the most important thing? How did you balance planning/organizing a business while entertaining potential customers?I guess the biggest question is how did you determine what was the best way to spend your time?
Sign In or Register to comment.
Comments
eeded.Well, necessity is mother of invention. After trying many different systems, some home-brewed, I came up with a compact system for storing and dispensing all my surface-mount devices (SMD). These are tiny components that come in reels of thousands, while we need only small quantitites such as 50-100 pieces max. The solution is pictured on my newly updated web site, because my technician - who was a good inventor himself and made millions in his past - likes it so much, so I decided to make a business out of my simple system. Now I can get really organized. I hope other electronics labs have the same need and order my system of SMD storage. Imagine all the SMD I and other electronics engineers and techs ever use stored in a compact "Mini-Lab" book!As to organizing documents, I use the directory structure of Microsoft Explorer to store all my docs, and Google Desktop to search for any of them if I don`t remember where a particular document has been stored. And I use speadsheets for lists, extensively.
When you have the final goal or outcome in mind, for no matter what you do , it becomes clear as to what steps you need to take to get there. Suddenly things start to happen to support whatever it is you want to achieve. The challenge is to notice it and act on it, because sometimes you can get caught up in the details of your business and not see the opportunities clearly.
Know that the SIMPLE Formula will take you time to do... and it`s worth doing.
The SIMPLE Formula
Create a business plan
Create your ideal client profile
Know what makes you and your company unique (USP)
Create and execute a marketing plan
Create a pricing structure
Create a financial plan
Get out there and market, market, market.
That`s actually a pretty good idea Martha. I`m going to give it a shot.
the only option for artists to carry around supplies, other than bags and
backpacks. When I was at art school, everyone had Art Bins (or knockoffs)
which are nothing more than re-branded tackle boxes.I second what steve is saying. As an art student we usually only have these giant bags to carry our supplies in, or my personal favorite the zip lock bag. If your storage system is less apt to open than a zip lock baggie I`d say you`re in business.
In response to your original questions, I want to take a minute to toot the horn - again - for Virtual Assistance (VA). A VA is an administrative partner whose sole priority is working with clients so they become and stay organized by taking away the administrative burdens that running a business can create. For example, you mention completing all of your paperwork before accepting clients... a VA can do these things for you so you are free to focus on your clients and are able to have more time to dedicate to doing the things you love to do. Of course, a VA can do so many other things - depending upon her/his special skill sets; and I would recommend you check out this option.
I would also encourage you, and anyone who is interested in collaborating with a professional VA to do your research, talk to at least three potential partners, and take your time to be sure you are a good fit for each other. The idea here is that you develop a long-term, mutually beneficial and collaborative relationship with your VA. Most all professional VAs do not design their practices to offer immediate support or emergency management... it`s a committed relationship that helps you grow your business over the long-term with a `right hand` who is as committed to your success as you are.
Warm wishes for you in getting your practice up and running. Let me know if I can do anything to help!
Sincerely,
Danielle
I really should organize my paper work. I shudder at the prospect of going through folder after folder trying to find relevant stuff. Is there are benefit to setting aside a day just to "Spring Clean".
I`m most concerned about losing productivity. But if I don`t something now it could get out of control.