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FALL 2016
7
Grow With the Times to
Grow Your Business
ARE YOU CHECKING
YOUR EMAIL TOO
OFTEN EACH DAY?
During a typical workday, how
many times do you check your
email? Is it once every hour or two?
Or is it more like every five minutes?
You may think checking your inbox
frequently throughout the day and
sending replies within minutes
makes you highly productive.
Actually, the opposite is probably
true; you’re slowing yourself down
and preventing the kind of focus
required for optimal productivity.
Consider disabling your email
notifications so you’re not hearing
alerts or seeing pop-ups throughout
the day. They’re constant distractions
and can make you feel like you need
to stop what you’re doing and see
what just came in. According to
researchers, this kind of multitasking
zaps your productivity and is actually
harmful to your brain.
Aside from avoiding the habit of
checking emails too often, you’ll
also want to actively take steps to
reduce the number of emails you’re
receiving. For example, tell coworkers
to avoid copying you in on emails
unless it’s absolutely necessary and
unsubscribe from email lists that no
longer meet your needs.
I
t’s impressive to be a longstanding business with deep roots in the community. Keep in
mind, however, that holding on too tightly to traditions from the past may be hurting
your business in the present. Why? Because blindly following tradition causes us to
turn off our brains and can get in the way of critical thinking, imagination, and innovation.
Think about these questions: Do you handle tasks a certain way simply because that’s
the way you’ve always done them? Are you using outdated computer or communications
technology? Do you still have the same marketing materials, merchandising displays, or
products that you had five years ago?
To foster growth, stay open to fresh ideas and encourage your employees to look for better
and faster ways to do their jobs and serve your customers. Many resources are readily
available which can help plant the seeds for new opportunities. For example, join a local
business or community group to hear inspiring speakers and network with new people.
Expand your knowledge by studying the success stories of businesses in other industries.
Browse around Pinterest for images that may spark a more creative tactic for items such
as your office interior, product packaging, or advertising.
The U.S. Small Business Administration also offers a variety of growth tips at www.sba.gov:
•
Form an alliance.
Partnering with a similar type of business can be a powerful
way to expand quickly.
•
Diversify.
Diversifying is an excellent strategy for growth, because it allows you to
have multiple streams of income that can often fill seasonal voids. Some of the most
common ways to diversify are to sell complementary products or services, teach adult
education or other classes, and become a paid speaker or columnist.
•
Target other markets.
Your current market may be serving you well, but are
there others that could use your products?
To grow your business, it’s important to take advantage of today’s
powerful and cost-efficient options in communications services. To
learn more, call RTC at 888.862.3115.
To stay relevant and successful, branch out
and explore new opportunities