Here are seven administration tips which will help grow your operation, reduce stress and allow you to focus on the big picture.
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Question:
What are seven administration tips to save time?
Answer:
No matter the age or size of your business, managing workflow with effective administration is key. When systematic and time-saving processes are put in place, a business can operate smoothly and efficiently, maximising productivity and improving profit margins.
Here are seven essential administration tips for a successful business, which will help grow your operation, reduce stress and allow you to focus on the big picture:
1. Get the right software
Having the right administrative software at your disposal can make admin tasks much simpler and quicker and less prone to human error.
If you’re doing things manually, new software may seem like an expense you can’t afford. However, be sure to consider the cost of team hours and the cost of mistakes when making your decision about whether to invest.
There is an extensive selection of admin software available, with many packages tailored to the specific needs of a business or industry. You could be saving money in the long run.
2. Good record keeping
Good record-keeping is essential to successful business admin. You need to develop a foolproof filing system where everything can be easily accessed.
More and more offices are adopting a paperless system, with all documents kept online or in shared files. This saves money in printing costs, can make documents easier to locate, and is also kinder to the environment.
Backing up your data is another crucial thing to consider.
3. Streamline your processes
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the demands of a new business, especially when you’re going at it alone. Implementing clear, and streamlined processes from the get-go will simplify your day-to-day operations, and add a sense of professionalism and organisation to your business.
As part of the streamlining process, perhaps consider moving to a cloud-based phone system. Perfect for small and emerging businesses, cloud-based phone systems can improve your communication processes and will significantly reduce business running costs.
4. Create an efficient work environment
There are lots of other ways you can make your business run more efficiently and at less cost.
Make sure your office equipment is fit for purpose and not causing regular problems and delays. Ask yourself if the way you conduct meetings helps or hinders productivity.
Also, keeping the office tidy can have a positive effect on efficiency. It means staff aren’t left searching around for stationery or trawling through papers to find a specific file.
5. Understand your team
If you are working with a team, understanding their strengths and weaknesses allows you to support them in their work and get the best out of them.
Encourage your team to plan personal objectives at the start of the day and set reminders for any important tasks.
You should also help them to prioritise tasks and get your team to share out the workload during busy periods. Use quieter times to get files and systems in order.
6. Invest in training and development
Regular training and development for your business admin staff is an important step to keeping your team’s skills relevant. A business administration course could give you example structures and strategies to employ in the workplace.
New hires should also go through an induction program and be given an administration processes manual. That way they have a reference to consult, even when no one from your team is available to support them.
7. Review and refine
A good business administrator will always be on the lookout for systems and procedures that have become outdated and no longer perform their function efficiently.
You’ll need to come up with new ideas, consult with your team and train staff in new systems.
Listen to the members of your team who are responsible for the day-to-day implementation of admin processes. They’ll be able to tell you what is working and what feels clunky.
Review new processes regularly and try to refine them. (Source: Koshies Business Builders – November 4, 2022 – Article by Flying Solo).
Method
Starting and running your own food service business is hard work and not without risks, but it is also an exciting and satisfying challenge and can give you a good income, provided you are prepared to invest a lot of time and energy into making it successful.
