How to manage a small business

As a small business manager, you are used to taking on numerous responsibilities. One day you are the boss of the company and the next day you may be the boss, secretary and delivery person! Small businesses often have employees who need to share responsibilities in order to become a successful organization. If you are new at managing you may be looking for ways to manage a small business, here are some ideas to help you get started:

Begin by creating a long-range plan. As a manger, you need to start out with a vision and find ways to achieve your vision. You must have a clear-cut business plan that discusses the objectives and goals and helps you provide a road map for success. The business plan should inform you and your staff of the different strategies needed in order to obtain your goals. A good business plan will also include a description of financial projections, operational system, sales and marketing plans, and production capabilities.

It is essential to know your budget when you are a small business manger. By having a comprehensive budget in writing, you will be able to refer to it when you need to replace computers or other products. It also makes it easier to budget your employees salaries and other compensation. Budgeting on a monthly basis is the best practice you can take to manage your small business effectively.

Because it is common to have numerous job responsibilities in a small business, you need to have a clear definition of each job description. Having a clear listing of each of the job responsibilities will inform your employees of their jobs and how they can be productive at them. It will also avoid problems if an over-bearing employee is stepping on the toes of other employee's responsibilities. Having the job descriptions written will also help you in training new employees or when you need temporary help. You should always clarify exactly what you expect from each employee so there is no room for confusion.

Having a detailed calendar will also help you and your employees stay on track. On the calendar you can write specific goals for the company and for each employee. Many businesses have monthly prizes for their employees who achieve a quota or have a significant level of improvement, this will help you as a manager show your employees that you are watching over them and you do notice their hard efforts.

Another good thing you can do is have a priority list clearly posted in the office. The priority list should inform your employees of what needs to be accomplished on a daily basis and how they can arrange their tasks in order of importance. For example, if you are a small restaurant you can have a priority list for all your employees so they know exactly what they need to do. On the list you can state things like "Priority # 1 - Wash dirty dishes. Priority # 2 - Sterilize tables, Priority # 3 - Prepare food for dinner service, etc." This will eliminate the confusion some employees have when they first come to work.

Managing a small business can be a lot of fun; the comradely between the employees is typically stronger than it is with a larger company. By being a good leader for your employees, you will help your small business grow and motivate your staff to work together to achieve the same goal. Always take the time to recognize your employees and their hard work; this is one of the greatest things you as a small business manager can do to motivate your staff to work harder and to enjoy their job.