It is so easy to get distracted and so many things that require our attention. In its third myth, Xerox talks about the difference between being busy and productive. What is your biggest challenge to maintaining focus?

3. Stay Busy Every Minute

Today’s desktops are loaded with distractions. Email, IM, social media, websites and app updates barrage us with continual interruptions. There’s no problem staying busy, but staying productive means producing something beneficial to your business. Keep your focus on the task at hand. Busy does not equal productive.

Communicating your values and expectations contribute to a solid business. Xerox’s final tip sums this up well. Have you found these 8 tips helpful?

8. You’re the engine.

Everyone in your business impacts sustainability and growth. Make sure all employees understand and can implement everyday operating procedures. Keep to your organizing principles, focus on your customers and engage help when you need it. Good luck!

If you are busy, does that mean you are productive? As we are all asked to do more with less, Xerox offers 8 productivity myths. Do you fall into these traps?

1. Work Harder

Productivity gains driven by cracking the whip, threats and fear are short term schemes that produce short term results. The best way to motivate employees to do their best is through coaching, respect, professional development, increased responsibility, recognition and trust.

One of the biggest challenges for small businesses is hiring and staffing. In tip seven, Xerox offers some suggestions. What is your staffing strategy?

7. How many people does it take to create success?

As your business grows, the workload becomes more distributed, requiring more employees.
Controlled growth means adding these employees slowly and deliberately. If you’re not sure you’ll have sustained revenue to support direct hire employees, consider temporary contract employees. It’s a great way to harness a skill you may only need temporarily. And “test driving” an employee is a great way to find if you have a good fit for longer term employment.

Communicating your values and expectations contribute to a solid business. Xerox’s final tip sums this up well. Have you found these 8 tips helpful?

Welcome!

Begin Charting the Course for Impactful, Sustainable, Profitable Businesses.

This EBook provides a framework for:
Identifying the strengths and weaknesses in your business strategy
Understanding the sources of stress in your business
Determining issues that are impacting your success
Defining the key areas on which you need to focus
Appreciating periods of transition as a productive force for growth

With this framework, The Block Group helps shift the way you think, with a strategic and intentional focus. Once your vision is clear, you can focus on bringing in ideal clients, improving your profits and creating a greater impact in your community.

Whether you are maintaining your business or it is growing, Xerox offers ideas for expansion in its sixth tip. Has this been an issue for your business?

6. Working the numbers.

When your new business level requires expanded facilities, new equipment and increased staff, how will you pay for it all? If you’re “growing slow”, can you “self-finance” these requirements through profits? If not, when you’re considering loans or mortgages, check out the Small Business Administration website in the US, or the Canada Business Network website for information on loans and grants. While you’re there, surf around. There’s a wealth of free information on a broad range of topics like writing a business plan, business law and regulations and finding local resources.