Sound advice on what NOT to do in business — some good New Year resolutions for 2009
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I was reading the UK Business Forum ‘Round-up of 2008′ email today (part of the very useful www.businesszone.co.uk), and this article was the one that caught my eye.
Now I love a to-do list as much as the next person (OK so I probably love them more), but I really loved the idea of ‘What to include on your not to do list‘. The article was written by Robert Craven, who is MD of The Directors Centre.
Here’s what I nodded my head at:
- Don’t answer calls from people you don’t know or don’t recognise (why voicemail was invented if you ask me). Of course having a PA or virtual PA is better, but otherwise just listen to your voicemail messages in one go and call back the important ones! (Note to anyone trying to sell me something — I do call back, but ONLY if I am interested).
- Don’t work with (or employ) energy-sappers — or, as I like to call them, ‘whingers’
My philosophy is always: if you don’t like what you’re doing, then go and do something else…
Here’s what I read and thought ‘must do that‘:
- Only check emails at set times — will be hard for me (especially with the ‘crack’berry, but I know it makes sense)
- Do not turn up to meetings on time (turn up early) — makes total sense and, I know, I need to work on my time-keeping (and directions!).
- Don’t build the business around yourself — this is a recent realisation of mine that I am running a ‘job’ business and not a ‘business’ business. My business involves me selling my time (like a job), and I am looking at how I can make this a ‘business’ where I don’t always have to be involved… watch this space!
Robert ends his ‘not to do list’ with the very excellent reminder to don’t take it all too seriously (not something I am accused of often!) and to remember why you are doing this in the first place…
Don’t know about you, but I’m doing business ‘cos it’s a fun way to pay the bills.
