Running a business can often feel like a two-sided endeavor. On one side, you have all of the client work that keeps you busy mastering your trade and serving your clients’ needs. On the other side, though, you’re equally responsible for ensuring your business is running smoothly and soundly. While most event professionals prefer to work in their business, it’s just as essential to work on your business to ensure your company remains solvent and sustainable.
When it comes to balancing front-end work with back-end responsibilities, the biggest challenge is finding the time to manage both sides. Managing internal tasks with client-facing work can sometimes feel like juggling too many things at once; however, all it takes is deliberate time management and a shift in mindset to find the right solution for your business.
Below are the keys to proper business management to ensure you’re meeting the ongoing needs of your company and your clients.
Be proactive, not reactive.
During certain times of the year, your business might be just fine running on auto-pilot. However, that’s no excuse to divert your attention away from internal operations. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your business, it’s a good sign you need to spend more time working in it. Keep an eye out for what makes you feel anxious or panicky; for example, if you the thought of your website gives you a sense of dread, it’s likely that you need to focus your attention there and make adjustments to it. If internal processes are causing trouble and making you worry, it needs to be addressed before it becomes a bigger problem.
Learn how to delegate.
For many business owners, delegation is the hardest aspect of effective leadership. Yet, it’s also the key to checking off those annoying-but-necessary tasks that seem to clutter our to-do lists and our minds. When I’m working on backend stuff, I don’t typically have time to build out client timelines — it still needs to be done, but it doesn’t have to be done by me. When considering what to do and what to delegate, focus on the areas where you can be most useful and valuable. Everything else can be assigned to your team members.
Request client feedback.
Your past and present clients can be an invaluable source of feedback in regards to internal operations and areas in which you need to work on your business. Be direct and ask clients if there’s anything you could do to better serve them or help them understand the process. Their responses may reveal some critical areas that need improvement in your business, or they might confirm that you’re ahead of the curve with an effective workflow.
Review policies and procedures often.
Policies and procedures are such a large part of effectively managing a successful business, so you should always be considering improvements at any given time. Keep them in the back of your mind so you can be prepared to make adjustments when needed. For example, when you hear about other businesses’ policies, consider whether they’re a fit for your company. By revisiting your policies and procedures regularly throughout the year, you can ensure they’re up to par for you and your clients.
Ask for help.
If you find yourself struggling to find time to work on your business because you’re always working in it, it might be time to consider bringing in some outside support. Think about seeking out a mentor who can help steer you in the right direction and, perhaps, an administrative assistant to carry out your normal day-to-day tasks. If you’re stretched too thin and don’t ask for assistance, you’ll eventually hit a wall at some point which is much harder to come back from. It always helps to have someone in your industry to bounce ideas off, so don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for guidance when you need it.
Ultimately, it boils down to your commitment to making time for internal responsibilities, even the ones that aren’t so fun. Whether that means using a time tracker or experimenting with block scheduling, it’s as much about mindset as it is about time management. You need to turn “I can’t” into “I can” — if your mind is telling you no, you’re going to struggle reaching success. Set aside some time to step back and reevaluate your current operations to determine how you can better serve yourself, your clients, and your business.
Dixie Bagley is the owner of The Farm in Rome, Georgia - a European farm estate with lodging set in the north western Georgia mountains. The venue focuses on working with couples who want to give their guests a relaxed, but thoughtful countryside weekend wedding experience. Having been in the wedding industry for 12 years, Dixie is a master of multi-tasking and wants to make everyone feel at ease. Dixie holds a degree in exercise science from the American Council of Exercise and is Certified Wedding Planner & Venue Coach for The Bridal Society.