10 Ways To Manage A Rapidly Growing Design Business



10 Ways To Manage A Rapidly Growing Business



While some new business owners face the issue of not enough clients, others face the issue of too many clients. Both are serious issues and must be dealt with carefully. The goal is a steady flow of just the right clients.



There are many lists on how to find new clients. Here is a list of 10 ways to deal with a rapid influx of new clients.



1. Know the client that is right for your business.

Get really clear about your ideal client. This will allow you to be selective when there are too many business opportunities and you do not have time to accept them all.




2. Have a specialty that you are known for.

Specialize so that you get really good at what you are doing. You can then service more clients quickly.





3. Eliminate clients who drain you.

If a client takes too much of your time, that client is costing you money. Look for ways to predict who will be a time-consuming client and avoid them. Find ways to eliminate those clients from your roster.





4. Create systems to support you.

Examples are: a good business development system* that provides you with the clients you need, a good bookkeeping system to keep track of expenses and revenue, a client tracking system with a database of clients names, addresses, and other useful information.


*Even though it may seem like you have too many clients at the moment, that flow will stop unless you keep marketing.





5. Delegate routine tasks to others.

What are the repetitive tasks you hate to do but which you know are necessary to run your business? Many administrative tasks are easily taught to a support person and by doing so you make more time in your day to see clients.





6. Leave time in your day for reflection and self-care.

Doing the tasks of the business is of course necessary. Many get so focused on their task lists that they never have time to take a strategic look at the business. Putting aside time every week helps you to find more ways to work with the clients you want to. Leave some time too for taking care of you. This means making time for doctor's appointments, hair care, massage therapy, exercise, meditation and anything else that provides for your health and well being.



7. Set firm boundaries.

Don't allow a client to play on your sympathies and convince you to do something you know you should refuse (i.e. too time consuming, not your specialty and/or for free). Doing favors for others is not a favor to you!





8. Raise fees.

If all the clients coming to you are your ideal clients then it is time to raise your fees. This will sort the clients that are willing to pay more for your services and those who are not. Revisit your fee structure at least once a year.





9. Refer to others.

When clients are not your ideal clients or when your ideal clients cannot afford your fee, have a list of other business owners to whom you can refer.





10. Hire someone to help you do the work.

Once you have delegated all the repetitive tasks it may become necessary to hire another worker who does the work that you do to work with you.



By Alvah Parker
Photography by Bowie 15



Alvah Parker is a Practice Advisor (The Attorneys' Coach) and a Career Changers' Coach as well as publisher of Parker's Points, an email tip list and Road to Success, an ezine. Subscribe now to these free monthly publications at her website http://www.asparker.com/samples.html and receive a values assessment as a gift. Work becomes more meaningful and enjoyable when you work from your values.Parker's Value Program© enables her clients to find their own way to work that is more fulfilling and profitable. Her clients are attorneys and people in transition who want to find work that is in line with their own life purpose. Alvah is found on the web at http://www.asparker.com. She may also be reached at 781-598-0388.



+++

Posted by
Labels: , , , , , , ,

1 comment:

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)