How to Create Systems That Save You Time and Money

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You’ve probably heard the saying, time is money, right?  If it takes an hour to make one sale when a more efficient way might have taken five minutes, you’d aim for the more efficient process because it means more money, right?

Systems are procedures you put into place for your business to make it run more efficiently. 

An example of some systems you might have in place or may want to create include:

·        Customer service

·        Marketing

·        Hiring

·        Scheduling

·        Performing Services

·        Answering the phone

·        Producing a newsletter

·        Billing and getting paid

Now you probably have unconscious systems for many of your business processes already.  You sit down to perform the task and you’ve established a routine so that’s a system, right?  Not exactly.  The purpose of having a system is so that anyone can step into the task and perform it.  Your business is going to grow and eventually you’ll hire out or outsource some of your current tasks, if you haven’t already.  Having the systems established and documented will make it easy to convey what is expected and how to perform the responsibility.  It makes life easier for you and your employee!

Documenting your system, or your step by step process, will also help you analyze the process to see where you can be more efficient.  Let’s take a look at an example.

A simple customer service system would potentially consist of the following tasks or responsibilities:

·        What happens when a client calls in?

·        What happens if they email?  Fax?

·        Are there common reasons they contact you?  If so, what are they?

·        Billing issues? What do you do?

·        Technical support? What do you do?

·        Product questions? What do you do?

·        Appointment scheduling? What do you do?

To get started creating systems for your business document what responsibilities or tasks consume the majority of your days.  What processes do you go through for each responsibility?  One method that works quite well for creating a system is a flow chart – this gives you the ability to see how your systems work together and are dependent upon each other.  For example if someone has billing issues that might relate directly to your invoicing and billing system. 

Creating systems will help you structure your business in the most efficient manner.  Knowing what systems are working and what systems need improving will save you time and ultimately create a streamlined, productive and profitable business. 

Another great advantage of systems is that they allow you to delegate tasks that you don’t enjoy, or are not the best use of your time, to others. This is called outsourcing. Once your systems are documented you can outsource tasks to an assistant, a virtual assistant, employees, or contractors.  Systems will also add value to your business if ever you plan to sell it, and will be essential if you plan to franchise your business.  

Take some time this week to think of two business tasks that you do regularly that would benefit from being systemized.  As you next perform each task, write down the steps you take as you do them. Once you have the steps on paper – you have your system documented. Creating systems doesn’t have to be difficult – but they can save you a lot of time and money!  

If you want help creating a total marketing system for your business that attracts a consistant stream of new clients get my free 5 step e-course today at http://www.marketingyourpetbusiness.com

What Can You Do to Stop The Epidemic of Homeless Pets

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August 19 th was National Homeless Animals Day.  I know I’m a little late but I wanted to share some tips to help you play your part to help out homeless animals.

The Human Society of the United States estimates that between six and eight million cats and dogs enter shelters annually.  That number grows exponentially during times of distress.  Everyone can remember the sad faces of lost and homeless pets during Hurricane Katrina however each year national disasters such as the tremendous flooding in the Midwest this year, cause the number of homeless cats and dogs to spike. 

Homeowners simply don’t have a place to go or a way to care for their beloved pets.  This is much the case for people who’ve had their homes foreclosed on too.  When most rental homes and apartments don’t allow pets, the large and growing number of foreclosures nationwide has caused homeless pets to become an epidemic. 

With almost half of the animals who enter shelters each year being euthanized, that’s four million cats and dogs annually, something must be done. 

What can you do to stop the epidemic?

First and foremost if you or someone you know is looking for a pet, consider adopting from a shelter.  The benefits, beyond saving a life, are paramount.  Adopted animals come with a full veterinary check.  Adopted animals are quite often mixed breeds which tend to be significantly healthier than pure bred dogs and cats. 

When you adopt an animal from a shelter you know what you’re getting.  Shelter animals are evaluated for personality traits and temper.  If you have small children or other animals in your home a shelter employee can tell you which animals would best meet your current lifestyle.

Additionally if your heart is set on a purebred dog or cat, check with your local rescue society.  There is a rescue organization for just about every dog or cat breed available.  They’re always in need of happy homes for their rescues.

But there’s more you can do if you don’t have room to adopt!

If you currently own animals have them spade or neutered to help prevent overpopulation. 

Donate to your local animal shelter so they have more time to adopt our their animals rather than euthanize them.  You don’t have to donate just money, many animal shelters are in drastic need of pet food, kitty litter, toys, bedding and medications.  If you have the ability to donate any of these items check with your local shelter and find out what you can do.

If money is tight and donating just isn’t going to happen, consider volunteering your time.  Even a couple hours a week is a tremendous help.  Your time can be spent not only helping to care for the animals in the shelter but also on awareness campaigns and fundraising efforts.

Have your pets micro chipped so that if they do get away from you, you’ll be able to find them and they’ll stay out of overcrowded shelters.

Our pets are our responsibility however when disaster strikes and we can no longer take care of them it’s up to us as a society to do what we can to ensure these animals get a fair shake.  Adoption, having your pet spayed or neutered, and giving your time to the organizations which are at their capacity trying to help these small creatures will help curb this sad and growing problem.

 

Discover the Secrets of the Pet MATCH Marketing System with 5 part FREE e-course

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The Pet MATCH marketing system is coming…  on September 4th

It’s been quiet here at the blog this week because I have been working on a new product. A product that you as readers told me that you needed help with - marketing your pet business and attracting new clients.

My new product - the Pet MATCH marketing system -  is a 12 week e-course that is designed to hold your hand and guide you as you create your own marketing system that will reduce your marketing costs and attract a consistant stream of new customers to your pet sitting business.

A system designed by a pet sitter,  specifically for pet sitters, that is tailored to the unique needs of your pet sitting business.

The 5 Steps to Developing Your M.A.T.C.H. Marketing System are

1) Develop Your Market Profile - including your target market, USP, and brand

2) Collect Marketing Strategies - analyze time and budget requirements of each

3) Action Steps - select strategies and create action steps for each

4) How To - schedule action steps, creating task checklists and outsourcing

5) Track Results - set goals, track outcomes and update your marketing system

 

As a preview of the course you can get a FREE 5 part email course now that will explain more about each of the MATCH process steps and expose the secrets of the MATCH system:

http://www.marketingyourpetbusiness.com

There is no catch - just some great free marketing information for you that you can use to attract more clients even if you are not interested in the full 12 week course.  Hop on over and get yours today!
 

 

August Pet Business Expert Live Interview - Working with Contractors with Peggie Arvidson of Peggie’s Pets

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Pet Expert InterviewThis month for my Pet Business Success Circle Coaching program I am interviewing Peggie Arvidson of Peggie’s Pets Virginia.  We will be discussing working with contract pet sitting staff.

Hiring independent contractors as pet sitters is a controversial topic that is always discussed at pet sitting conferences and events. By using contractors you avoid a lot of paperwork, don’t have to pay workers compensation, or collect employment taxes for your sitters. However, you must follow the IRS guidelines for contractors or risk an audit and the threat of paying back taxes.

Peggie is an expert when it comes to hiring and working with contract pet sitters. We’ll be discussing her systems for hiring, managing and retaining contract sitting staff and I’ll also sneak in some questions about the sale of her pet sitting business earlier this year.

If you want to know the ins and outs of using contract staff and want to make sure you do it the right way - and avoid the scrutiny of the IRS - come join us on the call tomorrow night Tuesday 19th August at 7pm central.  You will also have the opportunity at the end of the interview to ask Peggie your questions about working with contractors.

All you need to do to join us is to sign up for the $7 trial offer of the Pet Business Success Circle.  When you activate your membership you will be sent the call in details. As a member you will also receive full access to recordings and transcripts of my past calls with Leslie May of Pawsible Marketing, and Sam Brown of Boarding as a Business.

If you can’t make it to the call live don’t worry - all members also recieve the recording of the call and a full written transcript of the call so that you can learn from Peggie at your convenience.

To join just visit http://www.petbusinesssuccesscircle.com today and sign up for your trial membership test drive.

Free Pet Business Marketing Reports from Rachel Monroe

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Free Pet Business EbookThis week pet copywriter Rachel Monroe released three new reports to give you some new ideas for marketing your pet business.  The ebooks may be free but they are packed with great content. They have more good information than many guides that I’ve paid a lot of money for!

 

The titles of her ebooks are:

 

41 Creative Ways to Promote Your Pet Business: Practical Methods to Put Your Business on the Fast Track to Success
 
7 Secrets to Successful Advertising: How to Turn Your Advertising Dollars into Cold, Hard Cash
 
How to Promote Your Pet Business with An Attention-Grabbing Press Release”
 
These are all available FREE of charge. So go ahead and get a copy of them by clicking here now to download the reports. And stop in and say thanks to Rachel at her website!
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