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What’s Next For Your Micro-Business
Small-Business Owners Work Too Much
Do you read work-related e-mails and documents while in the bathroom? If so, you’re not alone.
Nearly one in five small-business managers (18 percent) admit to reading work-related communications while in the bathroom. Almost half (49 percent) work while driving.
Those are just a few of the startling work habits revealed in a 2007 national survey conducted on behalf of Staples Inc. The survey explored the balance between work and personal time for 300 leaders of companies with fewer than 20 employees.
Overall, respondents reported long hours, diminished vacation and an ever-blurring line separating work from time off.
Nearly two-thirds of survey participants said they work well beyond a 40-hour week, and one in five work a double week, logging an extra 40 or more on-the-job hours.
Other findings from the survey:
About 20 percent work while eating dinner at least four to five times per week More than a third couldn’t readily remember their last vacation More than two-thirds work on days off, checking e-mail, voice mail or making work-related calls Two-thirds work after hours and at night Half work on holidays And almost half work during what is supposed to be family time
“The results from this survey reflect what we regularly hear from our small-business customers, who say a lack of time is a constant challenge,” says John Giusti, vice president of Staples Business Delivery, a division of Staples that delivers to small businesses.
What You Can Do
The National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) offers free online Success Skills Seminars that can help you get more done – without working 24/7.
Time Management Tactics For Solo Entrepreneurs
Here are a handful of strategies you can use to work more productively.
Outsource Your Way To A Better Small Business
Can’t do it all yourself anymore? Let independent contractors come to your rescue. They’re fast, reliable, and they’ll save you some money. In this article, you’ll learn about the risks and rewards as well as the nuts and bolts of outsourcing.
Virtual Assistance For Your Small Business
Virtual assistants (VA) are one way for small businesses to get just the help they need at a reasonable price, without the hassles involved in hiring an employee. This seminar shows you what a virtual assistant can do for your business – and how to find the right one.
VAs: the cost-effective employment solution Partnering for business growth Locating a VA in just a click Checking out VAs Hiring and contracting with the right VA
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(Posted March 2007) |
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