qprev_HBB Manual 2.qxd - Small Business BC

6. Divide your work into blocks that you CANfinish in the time you have available. Pieceworkmay fit best into certain schedules.7. Don’t be paralyzed by your desire forexcellence or for “the right way” to come toyou. Right ways to manage time comethrough practice.8. Set up a new routine that clearly contrastswith the one you’re trying to break. Don’tmake exceptions until the new habits areestablished. Taking a break, on schedule,without exception, may be the key to changeand a more balanced life.9. Learn to say “no”. Don’t waste time feelingguilty or anxious about what you can’t do.10. Efficiency is doing the job right;effectiveness is doing the right job. Don’tbecome rigid in your approach to timemanagement. A little flexibility will keepyou open to opportunities.A major opportunity in a home base is also amajor risk – drawing on the energy and time ofother people in the household to get the businessestablished carries the risk of undervaluing them,or taking contributions for granted. This canresult in resentment against the business. Whenyou’re working at home, you’re not available forlife tasks. When you’re taking care of a homeand family responsibilities, you’re not available,without previous planning, for work in thebusiness. The stress works both ways. This is oneof the reasons that – even for family memberswho volunteer their time – good work schedulesand clearly laid-out tasks are so important indelegating work.LenderTwo important suggestions in this guidebook areto develop a good working relationship with yourbanker or lender and to keep backers informedabout good and bad business developments.Build RelationshipsThe relationships that connect you to your lender,suppliers, clients or customers, service providers,bookkeeper and other professionals are thelifeblood of your business. Certain relationshipshave particularly important effects on homebasedbusiness success.FamilyFinding and keeping a balance between work andhome life can be difficult in a home-basedbusiness. Chapter One covered the importance ofthinking about this before start-up. It’s just asimportant to keep the potential effects in mind asyour business gets established.SuppliersA solid relationship with suppliers can be builtover time, especially if you live up to your end ofagreements and pay on time. Don’t expect moreof suppliers in terms of credit or special pricesthan they can give. Everyone in business isjuggling different demands and pressures.CustomersEven if you never see them, your relationshipwith people who buy your product or service is,in the end, the most important one for you andyour business. High quality products or servicesprovided at a fair price are the foundation for thebest business relationship.88solutions for small business home-based business