Create an Office

As a WAHM you are in business. To stay organized you need an area to do your work. Working at the dinner table or on the couch and coffee table is not an office. You need a dedicated space.

Not everyone has the luxury of an empty room but you can make yourself a corner of a room and turn that into your office. This should have a desk, pens, pencils, folders, computer, file cabinet or portable file folder box (can buy one at your local discount store for about $10). This is where you do all your work. This is where you make your calls, keep your schedule (a wall or desk calendar is best so you have instant access).

A small shelf with product, a basket for brochures or catalogs, business cards, samples, is very helpful. This can be your mini demo area when clients stop by.

Once a week take a few minutes to organize your area. Remove clutter, file loose papers, or anything else that needs to be done to keep your area tidy.

Purchase a comfortable chair. You want a place to sit and work comfortably.

Keep it simple. A work area with a lot going on can feel overwhelming. If you feel overwhelmed you will not want to work.

Do not eat at your desk. This is an easy habit to get into and we all do it at some point. The biggest reason you want to eat away from the desk is you need to take a break.

Keep office hours and work only in your work space. Being a WAHM it is easy to overwork. Keep to a schedule and close shop when it is time.

Olivia Vidal
© 2009
http://sochicbagboutique.com

Get Organized

Like many WAHMs out there, you are doing your best to bring in a consistent and valuable income. The trend in the WAHM world of consultant and affiliate programs is an overwhelming amount of memberships to companies. The more you join, the more versatile your product offering, the more people visit your businesses, and the more money you will bring in right? While affiliate marketing (signing up for several affiliate programs) and/or starting several part-time consultant programs sound like the right path, this can spell your demise if you are not careful.

The most common thing we do is take all of our affiliate/consultant programs and place those banners all on a free website. After all placing these all on one website gives us a one stop shop that customers will love. They can find all they need in one place. That's why you joined so many right?

We join or start a business for many reasons but the main goal is money. Whether full-time or part-time you are in it for the money. Now you may be thinking how can signing up for so many spell my demise? Ask yourself this, do you place your links on a website and send out text ads and links to that site for people to view? What is on that site that will make people want to buy? You are ultimately sending them to a site that will redirect them away from your site. You are telling them go elsewhere to purchase. Does this make sense? This is network marketing and without a full knowledge and understand of this you will fail.

The idea behind joining several consultant and/or affiliate programs is great but many times you end becoming overwhelmed. You never give your businesses the right amount of attention which in turn never gives them a chance to grown and blossom into a fruitful venture.

If you decide to take on a few companies, get organized. This is essential to your growing businesses. First thing you need to do is create a schedule. Know how much time you are willing to give your businesses each day. This is important. You need to give your attention to your businesses 5 days a week. The term make your own hours does not mean just whenever you feel like it or when you decide you have time. You need to make time. Make a list of all that needs to be done everyday and get on that schedule. Find a minimum of 2 hours a day Monday through Friday for 1 business, 1 hour for each business after. These time suggestions are just minimum suggestions. Your real time requirements can be far more. Avoid the trap of 30 minutes here and there. When you do this it is very easy to push it off and even skip it. Find solid time. Make the time. You can't build a successful business if you don't give your business time.

Create a folder on your computer desktop labeled "My Business". On your desktop is the best place because this is always in view when you sit down and easily accessible. In your main folder create a sub folder for each business labeled with the business name. This is where you will store all pertinent information about each business including files. In each business sub folder create folders for customer lists, product info, account info, business templates (business cards, flyers, etc). Next make a list of all your businesses and store in your main folder. Note any requirements for each business as well. I suggest an excel file (if you are in need of a template, contact me for information). This gives you a quick reference guide.

If you are a WAHM with more than 5 businesses a strict schedule will be crucial to your success. You will need a daily outline of duties. While you may have decided to become a WAHM for the flexible schedule this does not mean you will be without one. Each day dedicate time to each business. A minimum of 1 hour a day per business. This is more than just advertising. This may be researching, learning about the products, planning a party, etc. If you have too many businesses to dedicate 1 hour a day, it is time to weed out the businesses that do not work for you. Stick to 2-3 at most.

Create a work space. This is important. Using the kitchen table is not a work space. Ideally an extra room is best so you can close the door after working hours. At minimum you need a corner of a room with your desk, computer, business supplies, and file cabinet. This is the only place you do work and this space is used for nothing else.

Take time to create a budget. Know your business needs and how to promote your business. How much can you spend each month without commissions. Know how you plan to spend that budget. Break it down per business and stick to it. Keep a tally on all expenses made with each business during the calendar month to stay on top of expenses.

Each week look over your previous weeks work and be sure you are staying organized. Clean your desk area to keep it from getting out of control.

Take a the extra steps to get organized and stay organized will help keep things running smoothly. Staying organized allows you a place to refocus when you get off track.

Olivia Vidal
© 2009
http://sochicbagboutique.com/

Organize It

Representing multiple companies is fast becoming a popular trend in the WAHM world. Problem many women face is organization. Starting and building one business can be a great deal of work in itself. Add a second, third, or more, and that can spell instant stress and move towards overwhelming before you even really gain momentum. Along with just gaining sales you need to market and network. Getting and staying organized is absolutely necessary.

Here are a few tips to get and stay organized:

Create folders in your bookmarks or favorite list in your browser for every day of the week. This will make 5 new folders. In those 5 folders create bookmarks of sites you need to visit that day. Each day you will click on that days folder. This can include:

• Social networks
• Message boards
• Blogs
  

You can have multiple days with similar sites but plan to visit each site you have joined at least once a week. This will help keep you on track and consistent in your marketing and networking.

On your desktop create a folder that says WAHM business or anything that refers to your business. Within this one folder you will have a dedicated folder for each company. Each company folder can have several folders.

Folders on computer for each company should include:

• Keep online notepad for important links
• Files containing rules, guidelines, handbook
  
• flyers to handout, bookmarks, business cards, brochures
• Product information, use tips, ingredients
  
• Newsletters
  

Having these folders separated by company help keep all you need easily accessible. Keep these folders in one main folder on your desktop. This is your daily reminder of where to visit once you sit down.

Most have just one email for all business and even personal. Keep your email organized for business as well. In your email create a folder for each company.

Folders in email for each company may include:

• Sign up info
• Welcome letter
• Email correspondence related to company
• Newsletter

Keeping a folder for each company in your email keeps your email organized and easily accessible. This will help keep important emails where you need them without having to spend unnecessary time searching.

Here we are with that trusty notebook. Some are discovering how useful this. You should have one notebook dedicated to each company. You can have one general notebook for general notes but anything that pertains to a specific company should be in your company notebook.

Notebook for each company is for you to write about:

• Goals for your business - you need to know where you want to end up. I suggest you start with short term goals and move to long term goals.
  
• Ideas - ideas can be marketing your business, a new party idea, contests, etc
  
• Budget - whether a business owner or consultant you must have a budget for your business. Your budget will include samples, business materials, advertising, demonstration kit needs, hostess or customer thank you gifts, shipping materials, and so forth. If it relates to the cost of your business, it needs to be included.
  
• Training - this can be notes you received in training or how you wish to train your team members or staff.
  

Having a notebook per company keeps your thoughts clear and organized based on company vs general ideas.

Create a schedule

• Daily schedule - know what needs to be done in your daily life as well as your work life. Keep a schedule so you are always on top of what needs to be done.
  
• Open schedule for prospect appointments - always have time open to meet with a potential customer, hostess, or new team member.
  
• Email reading - this sounds like a given but what most are trying to do is read email all day long. Instead read email at specific times instead.
  
• Networking - this is where those bookmarks come in handy. Schedule time to visit those daily bookmarks and spend time networking. Networking and advertising is different so know the difference and network.
  
• Marketing and advertising - start or check in on advertising campaigns. This can include researching, changing advertising, learning new advertising techniques, and learning how to properly advertise.
  
• Training - schedule important training for your business into your schedule. Also schedule time to train team members and staff. This is an area to not neglect. You may not need to include this weekly but at a minimum of once a month.
  

Having a schedule ensures you are taking care of business as needed on a daily basis. This schedule includes work, home, family.

Staying organized is vital to your success. Without staying organized you will never reach your full potential and can lead to the failure of your business. No matter starting out or a seasoned business owner get organized and stay there.

Olivia Vidal
© 2009
http://sochicbagboutique.com