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Here’s What You Should Look for in a Task Management App
Your business operations involve multiple tasks, with your employees and teams being responsible for one or more. Many of these tasks require a time budget, start/end dates, resource allocation, a cost budget, reports, reminders, documents, and so on.
Task management software helps you manage all these aspects effectively. As more people work remotely, an increasing number of cloud-based task management software is becoming available. Most task management apps have a standard set of features:
Task management software can increase the productivity of your workforce. These productivity gains can lead to increased revenue for your small business. However, you get these benefits only by choosing a task management app that eases your employees’ workload rather than adding to it.
So, in addition to considering the features you get out of the box, take into account the value-added features the software solution offers.
•Cloud security:
•Privacy/confidentiality control:
•Access control:
•Task assignment and notification:
•Calendar sync:
•Third-party app integration:
•Multi-device compatibility:
•AI-based analytics:
•Customer support: customer support channel
•Pricing plans:
Delegate or Outsource TasksMany business owners who use a task management app for their business find it so useful that they end up using one for their personal life. For example, a small business owner who relies heavily on freelancers may use QuickBooks for payroll management and Asana for task management. Integrating these apps optimizes their business's performance.
Likewise, the entrepreneur may use Google Tasks for personal daily tasks. The app empowers them to identify which tasks they can delegate or outsource so they can focus on the tasks they deem most important. For example, an entrepreneur who plans to start another business can use a formation service to do all the legwork of creating an LLC for the new business. Of course, it’s important to look up New Jersey business reg information to ensure you understand all of the guidelines and requirements.
Identifying the most suitable task management software for your small business requires a meticulous process. Follow the tips in this article to choose a task management software that fits your business’s needs and budget.
Naomi Johnson
Lifebasedbusiness.net
naomi@lifebasedbusiness.net
Since 2011, Neighbors Helping Neighbors USA has used a “pay it forward” approach to assist people in career advancement and support. Learn more about our organization by having a look around our website.
Task management software helps you manage all these aspects effectively. As more people work remotely, an increasing number of cloud-based task management software is becoming available. Most task management apps have a standard set of features:
- Tasklist viewer
- Kanban board
- Gantt chart
- Messaging app notification
- Time-tracking
- Task tags and filters
- Client/team communication
- Report generation
Task management software can increase the productivity of your workforce. These productivity gains can lead to increased revenue for your small business. However, you get these benefits only by choosing a task management app that eases your employees’ workload rather than adding to it.
So, in addition to considering the features you get out of the box, take into account the value-added features the software solution offers.
•Cloud security:
•Privacy/confidentiality control:
•Access control:
•Task assignment and notification:
•Calendar sync:
•Third-party app integration:
•Multi-device compatibility:
•AI-based analytics:
•Customer support: customer support channel
•Pricing plans:
Delegate or Outsource TasksMany business owners who use a task management app for their business find it so useful that they end up using one for their personal life. For example, a small business owner who relies heavily on freelancers may use QuickBooks for payroll management and Asana for task management. Integrating these apps optimizes their business's performance.
Likewise, the entrepreneur may use Google Tasks for personal daily tasks. The app empowers them to identify which tasks they can delegate or outsource so they can focus on the tasks they deem most important. For example, an entrepreneur who plans to start another business can use a formation service to do all the legwork of creating an LLC for the new business. Of course, it’s important to look up New Jersey business reg information to ensure you understand all of the guidelines and requirements.
Identifying the most suitable task management software for your small business requires a meticulous process. Follow the tips in this article to choose a task management software that fits your business’s needs and budget.
Naomi Johnson
Lifebasedbusiness.net
naomi@lifebasedbusiness.net
Since 2011, Neighbors Helping Neighbors USA has used a “pay it forward” approach to assist people in career advancement and support. Learn more about our organization by having a look around our website.
Image via Pexels
Shipping Mistakes to Avoid If You Want to Be Successful Selling Online
Marcus Lansky
Founder, Abilitator.biz
marcus.lansky@abilitator.biz
If you, like many small businesses in 2020, have moved to a shipping-only model, then you may find that it’s not as seamless as you might have thought. There are unique issues that come with shipping that you don’t have selling via a brick and mortar location. Keep reading for tips and ideas on how to get ahead of two of the top mistakes that you don’t have to make.
Failure to Properly Manage Your Inventory
Inventory management is probably the most important aspect of running a shipping business. Without a proper inventory management system in place, it becomes almost impossible to fill orders accurately — if you can fill them at all.
The first step toward getting this in place is to find the right person to set it up. You don’t have to hire a full-time employee; there are many job boards that can help you find the right freelance talent. This way, you only pay for the services you need. Sites like Upwork can help you connect with an e-commerce specialist who can build your ordering system to include inventory control.
In addition to your online process, you will also need to take a hands-on approach to be effective. One way to do this is to organize your warehousing area. Even if it is just a small corner of your garage, it doesn’t make sense to operate in a state of chaos. Spend a day or two cleaning and clearing out broken or unusable products. Then, as SKUVault suggests, group items in a logical order, labeling them and their location along the way.
An often-neglected part of inventory management is related to trashing broken products. That is, to rotate your inventory so that you can avoid holding onto unsellable goods. To get an idea of how to do this, take a look at how fashion retailers do it. Many use end-of-month or end-of-season sales to get rid of low-demand pieces. That helps to ensure that you are not sitting on merchandise for any longer than you have to.
Not Tracking Orders and Shipments
Of course, inventory management will only take you so far. To be truly effective, you also have to manage your orders and shipments.
Fortunately, this is as simple as figuring out a way to answer a few key questions:
Wholesalers and manufacturers use order tracking systems on a large scale to ensure their customers have what they need. It’s not too challenging to implement a system yourself, especially if you have already partnered with someone to create an inventory control system.
As you get started tracking inventory and orders, do make sure to choose a carrier that fits your needs and budget and make notes along the way. The latter of these is important so that you know where you have to make adjustments to operate more efficiently.
Remember, Customer Service Still Matters
For the most part, if you have your internal operations together, you’ll have fewer customer service issues. And knowing what you have, what you don’t, and where your customers’ orders are is a great way to tackle any problems head-on. Ultimately, great customer service starts with what you do inside the business before products ever reach their destination.
As many small businesses struggle to stay in business amid a global pandemic, shipping is only going to become that much more important — big businesses know it and so should you. And if you want to keep ahead of the curve, you’ll have to take some necessary steps now to avoid common mistakes that can cost you big time.
Failure to Properly Manage Your Inventory
Inventory management is probably the most important aspect of running a shipping business. Without a proper inventory management system in place, it becomes almost impossible to fill orders accurately — if you can fill them at all.
The first step toward getting this in place is to find the right person to set it up. You don’t have to hire a full-time employee; there are many job boards that can help you find the right freelance talent. This way, you only pay for the services you need. Sites like Upwork can help you connect with an e-commerce specialist who can build your ordering system to include inventory control.
In addition to your online process, you will also need to take a hands-on approach to be effective. One way to do this is to organize your warehousing area. Even if it is just a small corner of your garage, it doesn’t make sense to operate in a state of chaos. Spend a day or two cleaning and clearing out broken or unusable products. Then, as SKUVault suggests, group items in a logical order, labeling them and their location along the way.
An often-neglected part of inventory management is related to trashing broken products. That is, to rotate your inventory so that you can avoid holding onto unsellable goods. To get an idea of how to do this, take a look at how fashion retailers do it. Many use end-of-month or end-of-season sales to get rid of low-demand pieces. That helps to ensure that you are not sitting on merchandise for any longer than you have to.
Not Tracking Orders and Shipments
Of course, inventory management will only take you so far. To be truly effective, you also have to manage your orders and shipments.
Fortunately, this is as simple as figuring out a way to answer a few key questions:
- Do I have enough inventory for the order?
- Is it packaged correctly?
- Are there any missing pieces/issues the customer should be aware of?
- Has it shipped?
- How can I let my customers know an estimated delivery date?
Wholesalers and manufacturers use order tracking systems on a large scale to ensure their customers have what they need. It’s not too challenging to implement a system yourself, especially if you have already partnered with someone to create an inventory control system.
As you get started tracking inventory and orders, do make sure to choose a carrier that fits your needs and budget and make notes along the way. The latter of these is important so that you know where you have to make adjustments to operate more efficiently.
Remember, Customer Service Still Matters
For the most part, if you have your internal operations together, you’ll have fewer customer service issues. And knowing what you have, what you don’t, and where your customers’ orders are is a great way to tackle any problems head-on. Ultimately, great customer service starts with what you do inside the business before products ever reach their destination.
As many small businesses struggle to stay in business amid a global pandemic, shipping is only going to become that much more important — big businesses know it and so should you. And if you want to keep ahead of the curve, you’ll have to take some necessary steps now to avoid common mistakes that can cost you big time.
