Helping Small Businesses Save Time
Small business owners are pulled in many directions. They are usually the president, janitor, sales person and holder of technical knowledge. Being stretched in many directions is satisfing as business is being built. It is also tiring and draining.
How can you save time, keep costs low and still run an effective business?
Some small business are hiring errand runners. But not just errand runners. I like to call these people elite errand runners. They strattle the line between errand runners and personal assistants, but fit in neither camp.
One of our clients, a busy CPA, uses this elite errand service. Each week she piles small tasks together to deliver to her assigned ‘assistant’. These range from personal items like calling to increase her FIOS speed on her home computer to making bank deposits for her clients or even getting hurricane supplies when there is a storm lurking.
An example of a routine week would include bank deposits, a run to the post office to mail a letter certified then to the gourmet store for an item in a special recipe. In the office filing, labeling and mailing items are all completed quickly and without the extra time it takes to grab a cup of coffee in the break room. On the way out the door, the elite errand runner or assistant will grab the Fed Ex boxes and the dry cleaning before moving onto the next client.
The beauty of this system lies in the simplicity. In stead of hiring another employee, small business esentially share the cost of one between themselves using the service just for the hours needed. It also takes the extra tasks off of the small business owners desks (or the desk of his/her admin) and allows both of those individuals to concentrate on the important part of business. Making Money.
A web search of errand runners or personal assistants in your area will lead you to a wealth of services. Just remember to check out bonding and background check policies and ask for references.