Many of us go out and buy some of the best software and hardware tools available. We read about some tool that could easily DOUBLE our business, or TRIPLE our productivity, so we wisely purchase it.
Many of us realize that we lack certain skills in critical areas of our businesses, so we register for online classes.
Many of us realize that we don’t really know how to use those whiz-bang pieces of hardware or software mentioned above, so we track down and register for in-depth tutorials.
Then we do the DUMBEST thing… we never go through the training. We never learn to use those tools that could easily make our lives easier, and our businesses much more profitable.
We rationalize that “we don’t have the time!”
This is one of two areas that has contributed the most to the growth of my productivity… and to my bottom line recently. I’ve started actually “making the time” to go through those tutorials and really learn to use the software or hardware tools that I have. I’ve actually made the time to go through several tutorials on how to develop critical skills that I need.
As an aside, I’ve also “made time” for more fitness, which is also essential to my long-term productivity.
How does a busy businessperson do this?
You simply put it right on your schedule… and then you do it. You allocate blocks of time for it, and then you don’t “find” something more important.
I spent 20 years and 10 months in the U.S. Air Force. During that time I spent many, many WEEKS sitting at a desk or computer, actually learning how to use a piece of equipment, or learning to do some process. I often wondered if that was the best use of my time, but I wasn’t given a choice! So, I cheerfully completed the training.
I not only learned to use my equipment, but I had to then take “practical exams” to prove that I knew how to do it.
Major corporations, governmental agencies, universities, etc, ALL put their personnel through extensive training to make sure that they actually know how to use the equipment and do the processes that are a part of their jobs.
This training is often VERY expensive.
Many of these corporations consult with major think tanks, and expensive consultants, in looking for ways to improve productivity… and their bottom lines. It’s rare that they are advised to cut training.
Many of us online entrepreneurs have never run our own businesses before, and for some reason don’t fully appreciate the value of properly training our employees (or ourselves). So, we flounder for days, weeks, then months! We operate at a fraction of our potential productivity because we never really learn to use the tools at our disposal.
Consider… if setting aside an hour a day for a week, to actually learn to use the tools that you already use every day more efficiently, would increase your productivity by 20 percent, would it be worth it?
To me, the answer is a resounding yes. Over the next year the return-on-investment would be huge.
When you consider the amount of time many of us spend on time-wasters (we all know what they are), we have to acknowledge that we really can fit proper training into our schedules. That’s just a matter of discipline.
There IS a reason big businesses and governmental agencies set aside training days, or even training weeks! Perhaps we should take our cues from them.
Just food for thought!
Oh – earlier, I said that going through the training was one of two ways that I’ve experienced the most growth in productivity. The other one was that I learned to outsource and delegate more. I learned to focus on those chores that are the highest and best use of my time, and to get someone else to do the rest. Like many, I’m still working on that one, but that’s the topic of another article anyway.
Commit to actually learning to use your equipment today.
Author’s Note: This article also published here.
…
Willie Crawford operates his own online businesses, brokers joint ventures, teaches online and offline entrepreneurs, and consults with numerous commercial and non-profit corporations. One of Willie’s favorite tools, used for project collaboration is called BaseCamp. It’s at http://timic.org/BaseCamp
Read more articles written by Willie Crawford
Related posts:
- Microsoft Excel Is No Longer Just a Business Application
Back in the 1990... - Nine Policies That Greatly Improve Collections in Your Dental Practice
Many dental offices lose between $10,000 and $50,000 annually, year after year, due to deficiencies in Accounts Receivable management. Sadly, some of them don’t even know how much money they are leaving on the table. With a systematic process for collecting monies that are owed, a practice can drastically reduce... - Indispensable Employee Management Tools for a Dental Practice
Many dentists are not equipped to deal with employee performance issues. Managing performance requires a systematic approach in which the employee clearly understands what is expected of him or her, with a process in place to monitor performance. In managing employee performance, you need to consider four separate issues: Innate... - Increasing ROI by Improving Business Sustainability in a Cash-Strapped Economy
During times of economic uncertainty and staggering consumer confidence levels, companies seek alternative measures to increase business sustainability. Businesses incur additional costs to cover operational expenses; however, companies unintentionally waste their revenue on excess supplies and inefficient policies. Sustainable businesses generate additional revenue through targeting environmentally conscious customers, and... - Dental Practice Staff Management — Turning a Difficult Employee into a Star
It takes both courage and management skill to deal with a difficult employee in your dental practice. It is never easy to confront an employee with regard to performance issues. Yet, by developing this vital management skill, you can potentially add upwards of $40,000 to the gross receipts of your... - Fewer Broken Appointments Mean a More Profitable Dental Practice
On a daily basis, a dentist and staff probably spend more time discussing and dealing with the topic of appointment cancels, broken appointments, and no-shows than any other subject. It is a source of endless frustration. Downtime is also the biggest single source of lost revenue. A full appointment book... - To Improve Collections in Your Dental Practice, Manage Patient Expectations
Many patients come into a dental practice with the notion that insurance will cover everything. This needs to be set straight during their first visit. In fact, the word “insurance” is a misnomer. What the patient has is really a dental benefit plan, which could cover all or a portion... - Maintain Your Dental Practice Profits by Dealing Effectively with Patients Who Chronically Break Appointments
Appointment cancels; broken appointments, and no-shows are a source of endless frustration in any dental practice. Although the vast majority of patients keep their appointments, about 10% of patients cause 80% of that frustration. Developing a protocol for handling this group of patients is essential to avoid lost revenue of... - How to Invest in a Rough Economy: Investment Advice from the Experts
The stock market crash of 2008 lost many investors a lot of money, and had many other investors bailing out of stocks for the safety of savings and checking accounts, treasury bills and gold. However, it is still possible to invest – and yes, even make money – during the... - New Year Still Is A Time Of Uncertainty For Economy
It’s a new year. It’s a new decade, yet job seekers must continue to vigilant and persevere in an economy that has a slow recovery. The holidays are over. It is a new month, a new year and a new decade. January provides us with a clean slate and a... - Earning a Passive Income is the Secret to Making Money in This Economy
The dream of working from home and making unlimited income is possible with multiple streams of passive income. Passive income or residual income is money you earn after you made the initial sale. This article will explain a few different ways to build passive residual income. Affiliate Marketing Selling other... - How to Save Money on Your Wedding – Even During a Down Economy
Weddings are expensive to plan at anytime, but during the current economy, it can seem downright impossible to pull off the perfect wedding. But have no fear brides, for there ARE ways to have your dream wedding without breaking the bank. Follow these foolproof tips to stay within your budget,... - Evaulating Medical Gas Costs In Your Dental Practice
Medical gas is a standard expense item in most dental practices. What most dental practitioners do not know is that there are wide variances in pricing depending on the source – perhaps as much as 30% to 40%. Are you purchasing from a local industrial gas supplier? Or are you... - Why Most Affiliate Marketers Fail
Many people coming online and deciding to sell affiliate products never sell a single product. The reason is glaringly obvious, and it’s not the unfortunate affiliate marketer’s fault. Think about any job that you’ve ever held in the offline world. What happened? You were hired and told when to report... - Video Blogging Video Tools You Need
Just as you need specific tools for podcasting, you also need tools for video blogging. While you can find and use various inexpensive tools for podcasting, the same isn’t necessarily true concerning tools used for video blogging. You essentially need two tools: Audio and Video editing software and a digital...