An entrepreneur is a very busy person. There’s always so much to do and so little time. It’s an old, familiar complaint. But, there are probably ways you’re wasting time here and there. And, these can add up to a lot, over the course of a week or month. The problem is often identifying what actually wastes time and what’s really worthwhile. So, let’s take a look at the top entrepreneur time-wasters to make you a more productive leader. Yes, Time is Money First, let’s revisit an old cliché — “time is money.” Now, it’s undoubtedly true. We all know that it’s an inescapable conclusion. However, we too often let time get away from us in a number of ways. It’s not that we don’t necessarily stick to a schedule. It’s more about what we don’t commit our time to. In other words, the biggest time-wasters are things we don’t expressly plan for. We all wish that we could be more productive. But, how is that possible when assignments keep piling up, the latest season of Orange is the New Black just appeared on Netflix, and you have a flurry of emails, texts, and social media notifications distracting you? —Inc.com Just let that sink in for a moment. If you aren’t dutifully working on this or that, and don’t have a commitment at-hand, you’re quite likely to waste time meandering about. Of course, it’s not possible to plan every minute of every day. But, it does mean it’s worth the effort to fill in those gaps, when possible. Use some of that time to take a break. Also, use some more of that time to just reflect or think about the next step. Then, try to make the rest of that “free time” productive. 5 Biggest Entrepreneur Time-Wasters So, what are the biggest entrepreneur time-wasters? Well, a few just might surprise you. Let’s just get the most obvious out-of-the-way to start — social media. It’s easy to lose track of time on social media. Since most entrepreneurs know this, they try to avoid it. But, there are still other huge time-waters: Unplanned mornings. Take a few moments at the end of the day to plan the next. If you don’t, you’ll probably fall prey to disorganization or at worst, chaos. Make a prioritized list to follow with the largest challenges at the top. Redundant work. There’s probably more than one way you’re duplicating your efforts or essentially doing unnecessary work more than once. Try to automate as much as possible. It’s surprising just how much more time you can squeeze out of a day when you’re not as redundant. Business travel. With all the available technology, in-person meetings are easy to accomplish, even if you’re physically hundreds or thousands of miles away. Sure, there are times when it’s absolutely necessary but delegate what you can and telecommute when possible. Multitasking. You might have heard that women are better than men at multitasking. While this is marginally true, it’s also now known humans aren’t good at multitasking. Even if you are able to multitask, you’re still dividing your attention. And, that’s a sure-fire way to make mistakes. What other time-wasters would you add to the list? Please share your thoughts by commenting! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

Whether you’re a business owner, manager, or supervisor, you’re always at risk from becoming a pseudo-pariah. Different personalities can clash and even those which normally get along can become strained. Of course, no matter what types of business you’re in, you need a well-organized team. But, just because you have assembled the talent doesn’t mean you’re getting the best performance. Because when employees don’t like you, they’ll adeptly conceal their feelings. Best Qualities of a Likeable Boss The fact of the matter is, employees (and customers alike) are fond of certain qualities. For instance, they like people who are well-organized, respectful, and willing to lend a helping hand. They like people who are honest even when it’s not popular and people who are fair. Besides all your accomplishments as a business person, are you sure that you are a great boss? This is because leadership skills play a pivotal role in climbing the success ladder. Unfortunately, poor leadership is one of the most common reasons behind businesses falling back with their entrepreneurs earning the tag of bad bosses. Being a good boss comes with plethora of leadership challenges that every entrepreneur has to go through. —Pocket HCM Likewise, they also treasure integrity, guidance, and humility. What’s more, people love someone who listens and takes genuine interest. Trouble is, you might have many of these qualities but still don’t make a strong connection with your team members. If this is the case, chances are excellent there’s something you’re missing. Telltale Signs Your Employees Really Don’t Like You Some business owners, managers, and supervisors believe that ruling with an iron fist is just necessary evil. Others try to strike a balance, being tough but fair. Whatever the case, if you have a notion that your employees don’t really like you, it’s time to look for the following signs: High turnover rate. This is perhaps the biggest telltale signal. If your organization is riddled with high turnover, you might be the culprit. Solicit feedback from as many team members as possible to learn if you are part or at the center of the problem. Little to no volunteering. Content employees are eager to volunteer because they enjoy working in the environment, with their coworkers, and boss, as well. A lack of volunteering might stem from the way you run the business. Or, at least, because it’s an uncomfortable environment. Practically no small talk. If your employees are short on small talk with you, there’s definitely a reason why. Happy employees are happy to chew the fat with their boss. At least, when they believe there’s a good relationship. Simply put, a lack of small talk speaks volumes. Body language speaks volumes. Speaking of speaking volumes, pay close attention to body language. Eye rolls, crossed arms, fidgeting, no eye contact, no or fake smiling, and more are all telltale signs they’re failing to get their mind and body to agree. What other signs would you add to this list? How can business owners get honest feedback from their team? Please share your thoughts and experiences by leaving a comment! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.