Chaos, confusion and catastrophe are what Michael Gerber of Entrepreneur Magazine calls “The Three C’s of Business Failure.” It is not uncommon for a small business to be plagued with chaos. The best advice is to take control before chaos becomes habit. “Most small businesses are a hopeless mess,” Gerber says. Disorganization and confusion are irritating, but worst of all, they cost your business money. Chaos eats away at productivity and, ultimately, profits. How can you steer your business clear of chaos?
There are some basic principles any small business owner can apply to control chaos at work and establish order when they are considering business expansion. Establishing office routines (and actually implementing them) can help a small business stay organized and running smoothly. Routines should be established for handling paperwork quickly and efficiently instead of haphazardly piling papers onto a desk. Also, employees should have clearly defined roles and know exactly what they are responsible for. When a problem arises, it’s much easier to hold someone accountable if roles are clearly defined. Accountability makes it easier to correct the problem.
One obvious point often overlooked by small business owners is keeping accurate and updated business records. The small business owner should make updating records routine: this usually only takes a minute. It’s simply a matter of making it habit at the office. Lastly, when business expansion is on the table, don’t overlook your office space. Are you tripping over boxes and chairs as you walk through your office? Make sure your office environment does not create a chaotic atmosphere.
Of course, no small business is ever completely free of chaos, nor should it be. A certain amount of chaos keeps a small business exciting and keeps creative juices flowing. The key is for business owners to learn how to transform the power of chaos into a creative and a positive force.
Ilya Bodner
Small Business Owner
National Corporation
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