Gold Medal Delegation

When the recent Games of the XXVIII Olympiad came to a close in Athens, two events stood out in my mind as perfect examples of the importance of time management:

1. Teenage swimmer Michael Phelps, America's most-celebrated Olympic athlete, matched Mark Spitz's record of four individual gold medals with a stirring comeback in the 100m butterfly. Phelps pulled off an incredible feat in the final 50 meters, making up a half-body length to nip teammate and world-record holder Ian Crocker by four-hundredths of a second.

2. In the men's 100m track and field final, the United States took first, third and fourth. The time separating Justin Gatlin's gold medal performance from teammate Shawn Crawford's fourth place finish was again four-hundredths of a second. That means after running more than the length of a football field, four men crossed the finish line separated by less time than you can start and stop a stopwatch.

Fortunately, most small business owners don't have to overcome such narrow time margins to achieve success in their endeavors. The key for you is to get the most out of your entire working day. Once you identify your Genius Time ? those high-impact activities that lead to your peak performance and bring the biggest return to your franchise business ? your Olympic challenge becomes disciplining yourself to focus on it regularly. To do this, you must become a gold medalist at delegation.

Success Handler Action: After you finish reading this e-newsletter, spend some time thinking about things you do in your small business that could be given to others with a few minutes of instruction. These are "Delegation Tasks" that may require you to go over the "how to" with a person the first few times, yet could easily transition to someone else's responsibility on a regular and ongoing basis. Here are some questions to help you get started:

~ What things did you do today that someone else could have handled?

~ Where are you spending time that your instincts tell you someone else should be doing?

~ Why do the 'smaller' things keep getting in the way of accomplishing your 'bigger' goals?

~ When you are away for awhile, which employees 'get things done'?

~ Who in your small business best accepts new challenges?

Eliminating Delegation Tasks does not necessarily require increasing your payroll. It can be as simple as choosing a few of the less-important things you do frequently (our clients often mention answering the phone, making bank deposits, copying and filing), and transferring them to an existing employee.

The second step to maximizing your Genius Time is to identify your "I Wish Tasks." These are the two or three things you wish someone else would do, and they may take an hour or more of guidance on your part to get this person up to speed (invoicing and writing thank you notes are two examples that come up during our coaching sessions). When you think about how much money your time is worth per hour, it probably makes sense to off-load these to someone else.

Success Handler Action: If you don't have people on staff to handle Delegation and I Wish Tasks, it won't cost a fortune to have someone take them over for you. Here are five places to look for the right person to give you four or five hours each week at less than $10 per hour:

1. Friends and neighbors who left the workforce to become stay-at-home parents

2. Family members who could use some extra money

3. Full-time college students looking to create work experience for their resumé

4. Seniors who retired from successful business careers

5. The best volunteers in your local elementary school's parent-teacher organization

Olympians train for years for the chance to have their moments of glory. Whether legends like Jesse Owens or those who finish out of medal contention and fade from the spotlight, each takes on the enormous challenge of the Olympic motto ? Swifter, Higher, Stronger.

Developing your Genius Time won't occur overnight. You'll find yourself drifting off course and allowing Delegation and I Wish Tasks to interrupt your productivity. The goal ? your gold medal ? is to commit to changing how you approach your role in your small business. Delegate those things that aren't of Olympic importance, and spend your time focusing on the areas that give you the best shot at celebrating victory.

Copyright © 2004 by Success Handler, LLC. All rights reserved.

The Coach, David Handler, is the founder of Success Handler, (http://www.successhandler.com), and specializes in helping small business leaders find clarity and take action. He understands the challenges of running a business, because he's been there ? as a small business owner, franchisee, franchisor, corporate leader and trainer. Much like sports coaches, his coaching will show you how to compete on a level playing field in your industry.

---

Find Some Sample Payroll Check Stubs on the Net for Easy Reference

Starting a business? For many people, the bravery to venture... Read More

Computer Tips that Help Small Businesses Operate Profitably

When working properly, computers enable small businesses to make big... Read More

Forming a Corporation ? Investors

You've come up with the best idea since sliced bread,... Read More

6 Steps to a Successful Medical Spa Expansion

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, since... Read More

Small Business Health Check-Up

If your home business is not performing the way you... Read More

How to Create an Employee Manual

Large corporations use employee manuals to both educate employees about... Read More

Looking into the Future for Profits

How to identify future solutions and opportunities?Your power page, if... Read More

How to Promote Yourself to Small Business Riches

You've heard it before; we're living in an information age.... Read More

The Misconceptions of the Value Of Disclosures in Franchising

Disclosure laws in franchising are suppose to help the consumer.... Read More

Window Cleaning Business Start Up

Should you buy a business opportunity or Franchise if you... Read More

Maintaining Your Carpet Extractor in Your Auto Detail Shop

Auto Detailing: Maintaining A Commercial Carpet ExtractorYou should drain your... Read More

Write An Effective Job Proposal

I am simply amazed at the problems some of my... Read More

Debit and ATM Card Advice for Small Businesses

Your business account comes with an ATM, Debit card. Pick... Read More

432 Page Franchise Report by the FTC

The Federal Trade Commission is upgrading the franchise law and... Read More

What To Consider Before Buying A Franchise

Here are some useful tips on what to consider before... Read More

Small Business Essentials: Start Here

Thinking of starting a business on line? If so there... Read More

Is a Small Business Web Site a Wise Investment?

One of the greatest pitfalls in e-commerce is Field of... Read More

Environmental Pressure Washing in Pennsylvania

If you run a mobile car wash, mobile fleet washing... Read More

Competition Relations in Auto Detailing

There is significant competition in auto detailing and car washing.... Read More

Power Tools for Business

How do we keep track of our business deals?If you... Read More

Choosing A Business Thats Right For You

Q: I really want to start my own business, but... Read More

Get Out Of The Rut And Back On the Track

Do you sometimes find yourself just going "through the motions"... Read More

How to Create an Information Plan

What is in an information plan?Before you even meet with... Read More

Creative Metrification - A Technique to Improve

Some things in business are relatively easy to measure ?... Read More

Todays Chef, Tomorrows Restaurateur -- Startup Tips by Restaurant Consultants Inc

Researching information for a recent business plan, I came across... Read More

Small Business Owners - Form a Relationship with Your Bank Manager

It's just like a marriageTo expect a bank manager or... Read More

Mobile Carwash; Senior Citizens and Mobile Homes

Senior citizens are generally not a large marketing segment for... Read More

Franchises Must Meet Legal Definition to be an Actual Franchise

All franchises must meet the legal definition of a franchise... Read More

Smart PR Tactics for Small Businesses

Small businesses need Public Relations, possibly more than large corporations,... Read More

Fleet Washing Operations Manual Sample Outline

In the Truck Washing Business every single type of vehicle... Read More

Buying a Business

Start thinking about buying an established business if you want... Read More

Your Small Business Suggestion Box

A suggestion box is a really good idea for your... Read More

Buy a Flower Shop: Serious Considerations

You've always liked flowers and you think the idea of... Read More