Money is tight and youre desperate for an extra pair of hands, but you dont have a budget. This is also known as, I have no one to delegate to, so now what? Dont despair, there are several no cost ways to increase your productivity and find ways to delegate. Even if you do have a budget, these tips will enhance your budget and help you get more out of your delegating dollar.
Here are 8 ways to get low cost and free services.
Tip #1: Tune up your computer
Is your computer in need of a tune up? Are you constantly crashing? Are you rebooting? Its not only frustrating, but it kills an enormous about of time. Not to mention the information you lose. If your computer crashes and you reboot each time, how long does it take for your computer to reboot? I can guarantee if there is something wrong with your computer that is causing it to crash, then it doesnt reboot quickly. How frustrating is that for you and how much time is that wasting? Get it fixed. Buy something new, but dont avoid the problem. Time is money and thats money you could be spending bringing in some help to do something else. If you have a problem, talk to your computers manufacturer. Some computer companies like Compaq will even send you a loaner computer if you need to send yours away to be fixed. This is specifically for purchases on business computers, so if you bought your laptop at Costco, you might not have this service. Its worth a phone call to find out. To quote my Grandpa Lenny, If you dont ask, you dont get.
Ready to throw in the towel and buy something new, check out www.techbargains.com.
Tip #2: Trade Services
Is there something specific that you need? Maybe there is a special skill you need like copywriting, bookkeeping, internet help, etc. Find an expert who is in a similar business position and see if you can trade services.
Tip #3: Who Do You Know that Will Work For Free?
Do you have friends and family that could help you out? Would your spouse, partner, parents, kids, and/or friends be willing to give you an hour, two or more to help you out? Think back to the days when you had to move. All of your friends gathered around to help you pack and lug boxes, all for the price of a couple of pizzas. Just replace the packing and heavy lifting with business items and tasks.
Tip #4: Ask for Volunteers
In addition to friends and family, if you have an event coming up or a big project that you need help with, go to your mailing list and see if someone would volunteer. I get requests all the time to volunteer at seminars, trade shows and other events. People love to help out. You can return the volunteer favor for them down the line.
Here are a few other things you could offer:
Email your mailing list about their services.
Send some referral business without taking a referral fee.
Give them a free ticket or a copy of the items they are working on for you.
Tip #5: Buddy Up
You know what they say, two heads are better than one. Find a friend or colleague who also needs some help and create a buddy schedule. She works with you for a few hours a week; you work with her for a few hours a week. This is different from trading in that you are creating a long term relationship and regular schedule as opposed to a one-off project.
Tip #6: Use Delivery Services
Its a web world that we live in. Many business related companies are online and will ship to you. Instead of having to run to: Office supply stores like Office Depot or Staples; To a warehouse store like Costco or Sams Club; or To a printer like FedEx Kinkos, place your order online and have it shipped to you. Many places wont even charge you a shipping fee if you spend their minimum amount. How much time in running around would that save? And you can do it on your own schedule.
Tip #7: Use Personal Services
Again, time is money. If you are spending an entire day running to the cleaners, the market, cleaning the house, doing the laundry, etc., then you are using time that could be spent cultivating new clients, creating new programs, going to networking meetings, etc. Look into using services such as a house keeper, fluff and fold for your laundry or calling in a meal delivery service. Yes, this will cost a few dollars. Although, if you use that saved time to make follow-up calls that result in a new client, wouldnt it be worth it? Im not saying go out and live beyond your means with all kinds of fancy services. This only works if you take that saved time to perform revenue earning tasks, so be sure to use your time wisely.
Tip #8: Get an Intern
Get yourself a free intern. There is an entire group of people out there who are looking to get their feet wet in order to find out what its like to do what you do. Write up a quick ad about what you are looking for, what your company is all about and why it would be a great experience for someone to work side-by- side with you for a couple hours a week. This has to be a win/win for both you and the intern, so spend some time thinking about what this person could learn from you. There is a site called www.monstertrak.com. This is a site where open positions are advertised to college students. There is an entire section just for interns. Rates to post ads are very reasonable. Check it out.
Exerted from Easy Delegation for Entrepreneurs, You Have the Power Are You Using It? Want your own copy of this step-by-step guide to building and managing a team? Visit www.processprodigy.com/sponsorship.
C 2005 Beth Schneider. Want to reprint this article, feel free as long as you include the following: Beth Schneider, Chief Infopreneur of Process Prodigy, is a business process consultant who helps solo-entrepreneurs, small business owners and network marketers who want to systemize their business to increase profits, increase productivity and grow their business without having to give up the family oriented, flexible, balanced lifestyle they desire. Beth works one-on-one with her clients, offers home study courses, and teleclass boot camps. For more information visit www.processprodigy.com and sign up for your FR*EE 5-Step Process Starter Kit and FR*EE Process Tips.
Beth Schneider, Chief Infopreneur, uses her natural ability to create systems and motivate people, providing streamlined, effective and consistent processes and procedures.