Perhaps you think you have the simplest solution to document management — you don’t have any plan. That’s not helpful to your business. By contrast it’s super easy to over think and make a super complicated system. That’s just as detrimental! I know, I’ve done both. The key to a successful system is one that […]
Notebook
Creating a file strategy
Now that we’ve created all this documentation it’s a good time to start exploring some of the ways technology might be used, abused, and improved in your business. I’m going to begin with an area I personally need to address for my business, writing these posts will keep me accountable. Let’s talk about all those […]
my tools, an intro
One of the first questions about my planning system that I’m often asked is “What do I use?” While I find the question exacerbating, I understand. It is one of the first questions I ask others! Why do we pose this question? I believe it’s a combination of reasons that boil down to curiosity. We […]
Next steps after documenting your business
Congratulations, I hope this series of blog posts has shown you the value of documentation for your business. I can anticipate your next question, “Now what?!” Here are three quick next steps you can take now that you’ve started on this path. First, revise the documents for both content and formatting. If you’re like me, […]
tips for when focus is a struggle
Try as we might, it’s difficult to find focus every day. Some days are more susceptible to focus challenges than others. My focus this morning wasn’t good at all. Here are three tips I used today to get some work completed, including this post! Tip One : Work on the Small Tasks There are always […]
How documenting your business can help you simplify
Working more effectively is a worthwhile goal however it’s challenging to figure out how to begin. I’ve seen documentation help a business highlight that starting point. Be honest, after completing a task for your business a certain way once, how often does that become The Way thereafter? Many of my clients sell both directly to […]
desk cleaning routine
When I’m in the middle of a work project, my desk is the definition of chaos. Papers are stacked in a system that makes sense only to me (sometimes). Pens and index cards are strewn everywhere. Depending on the project, there may even be yarn and related materials everywhere. Notebooks exist in precarious piles. Why […]
How documenting your business can help you tell its story
Interactions with clients over the years have shown me that the time spent documenting the business helps the website too. Wouldn’t you love to have your website practically write itself? For example, a client grumbled about documenting the steps required for shipping products. As we were working on it, a website query came in questioning […]
autumn focus for editing tasks
Autumn is the time of year when I most want to change my systems. Perhaps it’s from those long years of beginning a new school year each September that still have me looking for a new routine each September. Over the years I’ve found more effective ways to channel this seasonal need for change. I […]
How documenting your business can help you budget
It never fails to surprise me when a client tells me they don’t have a budget for a specific project. I’m even more surprised if this is a project they’ve done before, such as a new project launch or attending a conference. The reasons vary but the most common one I hear is: “a budget […]