Boundaries and Business can Co-Exist


Author: Maria Elena Duron

As businesses, we live by values and reputation. We want to be known as a brand who delivers. In a fast-paced market, we want to address everyone as much as we can. We say yes to every opportunity that comes our way and we gain a reputation as a brand that works hard and provides good customer service. Every business wants to be able to serve everyone, but when demands rise, we have to make sure that quality is not compromised. We also have to consider the fact that there are other things that we need to accomplish outside our business. If we are too accessible to our customers or those we work with, we won't have time to accomplish those needs.

Boundaries may seem like a bad thing when it comes to business because we want to be accessible to everyone, and at the same time, give them what they need at the shortest possible time. However, when we are always accessible, we might not have enough time to accomplish quality work. We end up with so many things in our hands that need to be accomplished in a rush.

This is why we have to set up boundaries. Sooner or later, people will notice the decline in the quality of how we do business. To avoid this, we need to change our working habits. We need to adopt a more effective technique in dealing with high work demands.

Here are some tips on how you can meet your demands without compromising your personal time:

Let others know when you can accomplish a task - when people or customers approach you for a task, give them a deadline. Ask the latest time you can give them the task or let them know when you can finish the task. In doing so, your customers know when to expect the task instead of leaving them hanging. This will also prevent your customers from constantly following up on the task. When you give them a deadline, you are able to schedule your work. And because you have enough time to do it, you can make sure that the task you are going to deliver is of the highest quality.

Ask others when they can accomplish a task - this is the reverse of the first item. When you are working with others and you give them a task, ask when they can accomplish the task. This will give them some time to schedule their work and have time to accomplish the task that you need from them. This ensures that you receive good quality work and you won't get disappointed when you receive their work. Also, get into the habit of giving someone a task ahead of time instead of giving someone a task and expecting immediate results. You don't want to rush someone and receive a poorly accomplished task.

Schedule your tasks - if you can think of all the tasks that you need to do, schedule them. Schedule everything from the high priorities tasks to the least important ones. Once you have your schedule, make sure to commit to it. Increase your productivity by making sure you start and finish the tasks that you have on time. Following a schedule will help you concentrate and accomplish the work that you need to do. You are able to finish them in your own comfort. Even the small ones matter. Instead of constantly checking your inbox, voicemail, or text messages, dedicate a particular time during the day. Constantly checking mail or messages will only distract you from what you need to accomplish during that time.

When demands rise, we have to make sure that we stay on top of things that we need to do. We want to make sure that we are there for our customers but we can only do that when we are sure we can give them what they need. We have to make sure that we have enough time to accomplish the tasks they need from us. Creating a schedule and committing to it will let us see how we can address customer needs without compromising brand quality.

These simple tips will help you stay productive even when you constantly receive tasks. Once people see your working habits, they will respect your deadlines and your brand. When you put everything in a schedule, you are likely to get things done and you avoid getting interrupted by others. Accomplish your tasks and you will have enough time to do the things you need for personal matters.

About the Author

"Maria Elena Duron, CEO (chief engagement officer), buzz2bucks | a word of mouth marketing firm, is skilled at making networks "work" and harnessing powerful online and offline buzz, she facilitates online visibility services and word of mouth coaching and workshops - taking companies and professionals from buzz-worthy to bucks-worthy, http://buzz2bucks.com."


More Resources

Entrepreneurship Story; Over Regulation in Franchising Part I
Jim and Sally run a successful auto business, which they have built up over two decades and have expanded to three stores and many of their friends keep saying, "You should Franchise." They think about this for about five years read a few books, like "Franchising for Dummies," The "E-Myth", "The Franchising Bible" and many others on the shelves of the new big book store in town with the coffee shop inside.
Pre-Money vs. Post-Money Valuation
When a company decides that it must raise capital, a key question that must be answered is how much the company is worth. For example, if the business needs $500,000 to get started and/or grow, how much of the equity in that company should $500,000 command? Once this question is answered, the company will go out and try to find investors.
The Ideal Length of Your Business Plan
How long should a business plan be? A business plan needs to be whatever length is required to excite the investor, prove that management truly understands the market, and detail the execution strategy. From surveys of investor needs, Growthink has found that 15 to 25 pages of text is the optimum length in which to accomplish this.
Starting a Company on a Shoe-String Budget
A lot of people never start businesses because they believe they don't have enough money to do so. Unfortunately, these same people don't realize that many of the world's most successful companies were started on a shoe-string budget by an entrepreneur with limited resources.
How To Find Hot Online Business Ideas
Would you like to find the key that unlocks thedoor to a gold-mine of online response, sales and results for your business?It seems obvious that you would be able to see what the experts do differently when locating market opportunities, finding out what people want and quickly turning that into an online business generatingtruckloads of cash. The reality is YOU CAN'T!While the secret is massive in it's impact, it is so subtle - so subtle that you are sure to miss it if you don't know what to look for.
Independent Auto Detail Shop VS Biz Op or Franchise
Owning a detail shop can be an exciting and rewarding business indeed. Many times an owner of an independent Detailing Shop will wish to add those items he/she believes their customers want.
Franchise Business and Franchise Businesses
Franchise business is being part of a successfully proven business that has a name or trademark that is well known and profitable. Franchise businesses are strategically tried and marketable with options to expand by offering products and services that appeal to the consumer.
Start a Business Selling Government Surplus
Did you ever wonder what happens to all that government equipment that is purchased each year by federal, state, and local governments? They don't just throw it away! By law, all unused and out-dated equipment must be sold back to the public at a public auction! That's right. Everything is available to you and I the American taxpayer.
Entrepreneurial Excerpt from a Speech to Small Business
Having built a business from a bucket of water and sponge, which started over 25 years ago in a National Franchise chain in 23 states, I feel comfortable discussing entrepreneurship.While building my company in the beginning we learned the value of grass roots marketing, being involved in the community and giving a little back as we grow.
Veteran Entrepreneurs Are Growing In Ranks
When I'm not running my own business, writing articles about business, speaking to groups and organizations about business, or consulting with companies who want my advice about the running of their business, I teach a weekly class on the subject of (care to guess?) starting and running a business.To quote my frequently-mentioned and wise-beyond-her-years teenage daughter, Chelsea, "Dad, you really need to get a life.
Think - Dont React
How you think, your relationship with yourself is what decides how well you communicate with your customers and relate to your team.The most important relationship you'll ever have is the one you have with yourself so you've got to get that right.
Getting Rich Isnt a Bad Idea
You've seen plenty of articles claiming to offer you the secret to getting rich. Some ideas, however, are thin veneers covering some scheme that often involves multi-level marketing or a service with questionable intents.
Ten Traits of Successful Entrepreneurs
Successful entrepreneurs have many traits in common. Here are ten of those traits that I consider to be very important.
Rambling Confessions of a Recovering Entrepreneur
I told my family that I finally accepted that my passion had become an ob- session, and you could even call it an addiction. They all laughed.
Drive Website Traffic Unconventionally, Force Your Children To Do It
If you believe that every little bit helps then keepreading..
Secrets of My Favorite Government Auction
I love bargains. And there's no better place to find bargains than an auction.
The History of the Franchise Business - Learning about Business Opportunities by Looking at the Past
Hair care has been around as long as humans have been on the planet. The earliest record of personal hair care dates back 2.
3 Essential Elements of Operating a Successful Business
Have you ever imagined what it would be like to live your dream? A good place to start would be to recognize that there are three elements, and only three elements, that separate success from failure. If you exercise one of the elements, you might just be successful.
Online Women Entrepreneurs Need To Pace Themselves
Saving time means pacing yourself, being organized, and always prioritizing your duties, responsibilities and efforts.Pacing yourself means allowing time for unexpected situations, such as having enough time to check the ever-growing inbox, setting-up special autoresponders for automatic responses (a miraculous tool?really), and other technical issues of running an interactive website and blog.
Build Your Own Board Of Experts
The most successful entrepreneurs rely on their advisory boards to help spot new opportunities and potential pitfalls.Now you can have your own advisory board: a shadow board of directors.

More Entrepreneurialism Information:

Related Articles

Angel Investors: 7 Online Business Plan Scams and 1 Real Deal
We've all seen the hype: "We'll put your plan in front of thousands of investors!" "We'll write you an award-winning online business plan!" "Only $3,000 for thousands of investors to learn about your company!"I cringe every time I see one of these ads. Vultures are preying on honest business people who want to fund their businesses.
The Entrepreneurs Dilemma
In business, you plan to protect your inventory, your unique ideas and approach, and your money. It's easy to replenish inventory, come up with new ideas and make more money.
3 Essential Elements of Operating a Successful Business
Have you ever imagined what it would be like to live your dream? A good place to start would be to recognize that there are three elements, and only three elements, that separate success from failure. If you exercise one of the elements, you might just be successful.
Do You Want to Just Survive or Thrive? (Part 1)
You've probably heard this, or maybe you will relate to this personally. Have you ever arrived somewhere and wondered, "How did I get here?" or "Why am I here?"Have you ever wondered if you've missed the boat (with your family on it)?Life is a battle that must be fought if there is to be a favorable outcome for you, as well as those around you that count the most.
Learn how to Compress Time
In the popular 1980's movie "Dune," man learned that by "folding space" the distance between two points shortened and he could cover those distances faster. Around 1995, we found a substance that could bend time in the business community -- it was called Venture Capital.
Business Is No Guarantee of Riches
Q: I'm thinking about starting a business since that seems to be how most rich people get rich. I don't have any business experience or much money, but I'm a fast learner and have lots of energy.
Business Startup Checklist
Use this comprehensive checklist to plan each step of your new business and transform your dream of entrepreneurship into reality. These steps may not necessarily be completed in the order listed, however, you can use them as a guideline for completing all of the necessary business startup tasks.
Identifying the Right Venture Capital Firm Partner
Venture capital firms are comprised of individual partners. These partners make investment decisions and typically take a seat on each portfolio company's Board.
Motivation and Commitment
Why do people start small businesses? The most frequently cited motivation for business start-ups is to allow the entrepreneur to achieve independence; money is secondary. Is this surprising? The other reasons named most often are that an opportunity presented itself, a person took over the family business, or the person simply wanted to be an entrepreneur.
Success Secret - How To Find Million Dollar Opportunities
They're really are powerful million dollar opportunites everywhere.Ok, let me explain.
Your Company Needs A Mission Statement; Make It Count
Does anyone remember that book "Built to Last" done y the Stanford class and professor? Well change that to "Built to Merge." My grandfather was personal friends with Bill Hewlett and David Packard and I bet they would not have wanted this merger with Compaq either.
Entrepreneurship: Insight and Closer Look At The Entrepreneur
Life as an entrepreneur is the American Dream. To be able to be your own boss, own your own business, never report to anyone else, work from home, make unlimited earnings and income potential, etc.
Work On, Not In Your Business
Are you busy? Everyone's busy! Ask anyone they'll tell you how busy they are. But how many people are accomplishing real results?In your small business, it's easy to get buried in the myriad activities that demand your attention each day.
Before the Business Plan
Purveyors of conventional wisdom would have you believe that the very first thing you ought to do when setting up a new business is to create a business plan.It doesn't matter whether you are selling odds and ends on eBay from your living room or something larger and more complex,Business plans are excellent and necessary.
Mobile Car Washing Long Term Opportunities in the Market
The long-term outlook for the Mobile Car Washing industry is positive. It is ripe for savvy company to develop regionally or nationally to dominate the market.
An Entrepreneur Is
An entrepreneur is an innovator. She sees a need in the marketplace and creates something new to fulfill that need or improves upon an existing mechanism that already fulfills that need.
Great Tips Of Choosing An Office
You have decided to strike it out on your own and set up a business consultancy. Chances are you want to look at getting your own office premises.
Entrepreneurs: Benefits vs. Features-Know the Difference!
Entrepreneurs know their business. They know their product, their service.
Designing a Comprehensive Franchise Company Computer System
One of the most important management tools a franchised company needs is a great computer system. The system must integrate with all the franchised outlets and also be able to interface with the Corporate HQ computer system.
Which Niche To Conquer?
I'm sure that you've heard about how many start up companies fail when they first begin, and the reason that most (if not all) of their failures is because they don't create a good fountain to build on.If we start right, it is easy to go right all the time.