How organised is your business?

Running your own business requires some serious organisational skills. You can’t afford to lose track of your inventory and should be on top of your cash flow at all times. So how can you keep your business organised? Indiana  Lee explains.

Organising your business properly can improve your productivity, too. A well-established workflow will help you stay ahead of deadlines and prioritise your core responsibilities. This can make a world of difference if you’re used to frantically finishing tasks at the last minute. 

Taking a proactive approach to organisation can be easy and needn’t cost the earth Simple changes, like restructuring your documents on the cloud, will save space, increase scalability,  and improve your asset management. 

Cloud Storage

If you’re a solo entrepreneur and conduct most of your work on a computer, you need to upgrade to cloud storage. Organising your files and documents is much easier on the cloud, as you can access your data and digital assets 24/7. Other benefits of cloud storage include: 

Convenience: Being able to access your digital means that you can quickly reorganise your documents, images, and invoices. This is crucial if you’re a busy professional and want to make small adjustments to your storage while away from the desk. 

• Synchronisation: Unlike assets saved on hard drives, you can always access live versions of files from any computer in the world. This centralises your storage and makes it easier to work when on your phone, tablet, or laptop. 
• Backups: Storage solutions are only effective if they are backed up correctly. Backing up your files to the cloud ensures there is a permanent record of important digital assets that will prevent data loss. 

When searching for a cloud storage provider, look for programs that will integrate with the rest of your tech stack. This is key if you use a workflow project management program like Asana or Trello. Utilising tech that works with your chosen workflow management system will streamline your operations, declutter your digital assets, and help you spend more time on tasks that boost your bottom line.

Many cloud storage providers offer customisable organisation solutions, too. Options like Microsoft’s OneDrive and Google’s Cloud are relatively intuitive and can be tailored to your needs. However, you will need to take a proactive approach to cybersecurity if you want to keep your company safe. 

Security

Properly organising your assets makes your business more secure. This is crucial if you work in an industry that is routinely targeted by malicious cybercriminals. Knowing that your data is well organised and secured can make a big difference if you’re ever exposed to a malicious actor or malware. 

If you do decide to store your data online, make sure you take cloud-based cybersecurity seriously. You can improve your digital security by: 

• Encrypting sensitive materials;
• Installing two-factor authentication;
• Regularly updating your software;
• Set expiry dates on shared links.

These simple steps will force you to organise your digital assets better, too. By re-organising your sensitive files, you ensure that authorised users are the only ones using your files. This will save you plenty of time and money, as IBM reports that the average data breach costs AUD $4.03 million.

Physical Space

Organising your digital assets can streamline your workflow and prevent hacks. However, if you work at a desk or a home office, you need to organise your physical space, too. Organising your physical space reduces visual clutter and helps you stay focused for longer. Addressing disorganised workstations can improve your operational agility, too, as you won’t spend the afternoon searching for important documents. 

Start organising your physical workspace by clearing out file cabinets. File cabinets are hotspots for clutter, as it’s all too easy to stuff a cabinet with newsletters and outdated physical documents. Pull out each drawer and work through the cabinet by removing anything that could be termed “miscellaneous”. You do not need to keep old documents and will free yourself mentally by removing them from your workstation. 

You can also create a cleaning routine to keep your physical station better organised. For example, if you work Monday through Friday, consider deep cleaning your space every Friday afternoon. This resets your work area after a busy week and helps your desk look more visually appealing when you return to work. This can significantly reduce your stress and help you crack on with tasks that add real value to your firm when you get back after a weekend of rest and relaxation. 

Organising your solo business properly is the key to securing long-term growth. Proper organisation can cut down on the time you waste searching for documents, optimise your workflow, and minimize your risk of a cybersecurity breach. A properly organised physical space can improve your mental faculties by reducing visual clutter and the stress associated with mess.

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