Delegating And Prioritizing: Tools For Managing Multiple Scheduling Demands

Published on: 23 February 2023 Last Updated on: 30 October 2024

Leaders and managers have a lot on their plates. Between coordinating teams, project management, and task prioritization, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and stressed out.

The two greatest abilities that a manager has are delegation and prioritization. Mastery of these skills is critical to achieving business goals as well as peace of mind.

Delegation

The shifting of authority responsibility for particular functions, tasks, or decisions from one person (usually a leader or manager) to another.

A leader is nothing – literally, he’d have no job – without a team. A manager needs to know his team, inside and out, especially their strengths and weaknesses. He should have a good idea of their respective workloads and availability. This way, he knows precisely who to turn to and when. These are the key factors in the art of delegation.

Prioritization

Organization of tasks by relative importance.

The most important and pressing work gets done first, within reason. The manager needs to have the competence and discretion to identify what areas need to be prioritized and what can be put off, using task and calendar management tools to stay on top of everybody’s schedule.

How to Develop a Prioritization Matrix and Improve Productivity

There are many schools of thought and paths to success regarding task management, but we’re going to hone in on just one that we find incredibly useful: the prioritization matrix.

A prioritization matrix, sometimes called the Eisenhower matrix, is a simple way to organize tasks by priority and importance. President Eisenhower always stressed the difference between urgency and importance.

Urgent tasks require immediate attention. If they’re not done now, there will be consequences.

Important tasks do not necessarily require immediate attention, but they help you achieve your long-term goals. You’ll need to be diligent about allocating resources towards these tasks because they are critical to your overall mission, though the consequences of not completing them might not be as apparent.

Create 4 boxes:

Box 1 (DO) – Urgent, Important

Box 2 (SCHEDULE) – Not urgent, Important

Box 3 (DELEGATE) – Urgent, unimportant

Box 4 (DELETE) – Not urgent, unimportant

Use this grid to sort your tasks into different prioritization categories.

5 Tools for Managing Multiple Scheduling Demands:

1. Monday

Monday is a project management software that helps you streamline your work for maximum productivity and stay on track to reach your goals through any workflow. With their building block system, you can easily build a visual representation of your unique workflow.

With a whole suite of end-to-end products for all teams including sales, marketing, CRM, dev ops, and more, you can have all your project management needs synchronized and compatible through one provider.

2. ClickUp

For an all-in-one solution that provides tools for project management, team chat, goal setting, and more all with a variety of dynamic and intuitive view options, look no further than ClickUp.

View charts, whiteboards, priority lists, and team documents from desktop or mobile devices. It’s all very fluid and responsive if a bit visually busy.

3. Asana

Much like other project management tools, Asana’s MO is helping teams manage and organize work. With Asana, you can create projects, assign tasks to team members, set due dates, track progress, and communicate with your team.

Asana offers a broad range of project templates for common use cases like marketing campaigns, product launches, and event planning so you don’t have to start from square one.

In terms of saving time, Asana offers a range of automation features such as automatic task assignments, reminders, and status updates, giving leaders more time to focus on the important, urgent tasks on their plate.

4. Calendly

First and foremost, Calendly is a scheduling tool. Improve your speed to lead with smart availability calendars that allow clients to book meetings with just a click, saving everyone the hassle of back-and-forth emailing.

Custom booking links for different types of appointments or meetings can be shared with clients/colleagues or embedded into a website.

5. Wrike

Wrike is a simple project management tool that helps teams collaborate and track progress on all sorts of tasks.

Break down tasks into subtasks and assign them to different team members. Track time, set deadlines, and communicate all with built-in time tracking, custom workflows, and reports to help you make data-driven decisions.

Conclusion

Keeping track of all the moving parts as a team leader is difficult. Deadlines accumulate and you only have the bandwidth to remember so much on your own.

Productivity and project management tools allow you to easily view, organize, and triage your tasks so you can prioritize the most important and urgent items. If your startup or SME isn’t already using one, invest in software tools like appointment reminder apps to streamline and simplify your workflows.

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Arnab

Arnab is a professional blogger, having an enormous interest in writing blogs and other jones of calligraphies. In terms of his professional commitments, He carries out sharing sentient blogs.

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Raising Capital For Startups: How An LLC Structure Attracts Investors

Starting a new business is an exhilarating venture, but it requires substantial financial resources to turn ideas into reality. For many entrepreneurs, securing funding is one of the most critical challenges they face in their startup journey. While there are various ways to raise capital, the choice of business structure can significantly impact a startup's ability to attract investors. In recent years, the Limited Liability Company (LLC) structure has gained popularity due to its unique characteristics that make it an attractive choice for both entrepreneurs and investors. In this article, we will explore how the LLC structure attracts investors and why it has become a preferred option for startups seeking funding. Understanding The LLC Structure Before delving into the reasons why the LLC structure appeals to investors, let's briefly understand what an LLC is. An LLC is a flexible business entity that combines the limited liability protection of a corporation with the pass-through taxation of a partnership. This means that owners, also known as members, enjoy limited liability for the company's debts and obligations, similar to shareholders of a corporation. At the same time, the business's profits and losses pass through to the members' personal tax returns, avoiding double taxation on both the company and individual levels. Also, setting up your LLC in your home state can save you from paying double filing taxes and fees. For instance, if you reside in Texas, you should set up your LLC in Texas. If you form your LLC in any other state, you will be liable to pay state filing fees for both states (your home state and the state where your LLC is). The LLC business structure is designed to offer a balance of simplicity, liability protection, and taxation benefits. It allows for a more informal management structure than a corporation, making it easier for small businesses to operate efficiently. Additionally, forming an LLC involves less paperwork and lower compliance costs compared to corporations, which is appealing to startups with limited resources. How Does An LLC Structure Attract Investors Let us look at the benefits an LLC structure provides to its investors. Flexibility And Ownership Structure One of the key reasons why investors find the LLC structure attractive is its flexibility in ownership and management. Unlike traditional corporations, LLCs can have an unlimited number of members, and the ownership percentage does not necessarily need to be equal among the members. This allows startups to tailor ownership structures to suit the specific needs and preferences of investors. Investors often seek certain rights and privileges based on their level of investment and involvement in the business. The LLC structure enables startups to create different classes of membership interests, granting different voting powers, profit-sharing arrangements, and decision-making rights. This flexibility is particularly appealing to angel investors and venture capitalists who want to be actively involved in shaping the company's direction and decision-making process. Furthermore, LLCs permit the inclusion of silent or passive investors who wish to contribute financially without participating in day-to-day operations. By offering diverse membership options, startups can attract a broader range of investors, each bringing their unique expertise and resources to the table. Limited Liability Protection Investors are naturally concerned about the potential risks associated with their investments. The limited liability protection provided by the LLC structure is a significant advantage for investors. In an LLC, members are generally not personally liable for the company's debts and legal liabilities beyond their initial investment. For investors, this means that their personal assets remain shielded from any lawsuits or financial troubles the startup may encounter. They can invest in the company with more confidence, knowing that their risk exposure is limited to the amount they've contributed to the business. Limited liability protection also plays a crucial role in attracting risk-averse investors who might be hesitant to invest in other structures, such as sole proprietorships or general partnerships, where personal assets could be at stake in case of business failure. Pass-Through Taxation The pass-through taxation feature of the LLC structure is another significant draw for investors. In a pass-through entity, the business itself does not pay taxes at the corporate level. Instead, profits and losses flow through to the individual members' personal tax returns. This means that the business's income is only taxed once at the individual level, avoiding double taxation, which is a common concern with C-corporations. For investors, pass-through taxation can be highly advantageous, especially when compared to the double taxation imposed on C-corporations. In a C-corporation, the company's profits are taxed at the corporate level, and then shareholders are taxed again on any dividends received. This can significantly reduce the net returns for investors. Additionally, pass-through taxation simplifies the tax reporting process for investors, as they do not need to file separate tax returns for the business and their personal investments. This streamlined approach is especially appealing to individual investors and small investment firms. Transparency And Accountability Investors value transparency and accountability when considering potential investment opportunities. The LLC structure's informality and simplicity can enhance these aspects, making it easier for investors to understand the business's operations and financial processes. In comparison to larger corporations, LLCs often have fewer layers of management, which can lead to more direct communication between investors and the management team. This transparency fosters trust and a stronger investor-entrepreneur relationship. Moreover, LLCs usually have less complex governance structures, with more straightforward procedures for decision-making and changes to the operating agreement. This agility allows startups to adapt to market changes quickly, which can be crucial in highly competitive industries. Favourable Exit Strategies Another factor that makes the LLC structure attractive to investors is the availability of favourable exit strategies. While LLCs are not publicly traded like corporations, they offer flexibility when it comes to selling or transferring ownership interests. In a traditional corporation, selling shares or transferring ownership can be more cumbersome due to regulatory requirements and the involvement of third parties like stock exchanges. In an LLC, the process of transferring ownership interests can be relatively simpler, subject to the terms outlined in the operating agreement. For investors looking to exit their investment, this flexibility is a valuable feature. It allows them to liquidate their ownership interests, partially or fully, by finding suitable buyers or even negotiating with other members of the LLC. The ability to exit an investment efficiently can be a crucial factor for investors, especially those who want to maintain liquidity and pursue other opportunities. Conclusion The Limited Liability Company (LLC) structure offers a range of features that attract investors and make it an appealing choice for startups seeking capital. Its flexibility in ownership and management structure allows startups to customize ownership arrangements according to investors' preferences and level of involvement. With these advantages, the LLC structure has become an increasingly popular option for startups looking to raise capital and secure the support of a diverse and committed group of investors. As more entrepreneurs recognize the benefits of the LLC structure, it is likely to continue playing a significant role in fostering innovation and growth in the startup ecosystem. Read Also: Essential Investments Small Business Owners Should Make For Long-Term Success Resolutions To Help The Small Business Owners To Avoid Being Bankrupt How You Can Invest In Your Small Business

The New Tech Running Canada’s Cannabis Industry

Since cannabis for recreational use was legalized in 2018, many industry watchers have noted that the cannabis industry may well become a major driver of economic growth in the coming years. With the global cannabis market estimated to be worth $31.4 billion by 2021, investment in all aspects of this industry has soared, with many financiers banking on a significant ROI if Canada becomes an international destination for cannabis tourism. But not all of this investment is in cannabis production and sales. While the dispensaries popping up in cities across Canada are one of the most visible signs of the cannabis craze, sales are not the only driver of the cannabis economy. In fact, one of the most fruitful areas of investment has proved to be in the tech needed to sustain production in a responsible and streamlined way. The Cannabis Act stipulates a strict regulatory regime in an effort to end the extensive cannabis black market that exists in Canada. Central to this regulatory regime is the requirement that every cannabis plant has grown in Canada be tracked from “seed-to-sale” to guarantee that production stays within the mainstream economy. Because seed-to-sale tracking requires producers to gather and report on vast quantities of information about their stock, many are turning to bespoke tech solutions made for the cannabis industry that help them stay compliant with regulations. By far the most popular seed-to-sale platform in the country is Ample Organics, which already serves seventy percent of Canada’s licensed producers. This platform provides the latest seed-to-sale software to help producers track and report the development of every single one of their plants, and because it uses an intuitive system based around barcodes and wireless scanners to provide immediate database updates. It also reduces the risk of human error and makes data gathering completely seamless. This isn’t just useful when it comes time to provide reports — although Ample Organics software is designed specifically to help licensed producers stay compliant with Canada’s regulatory framework. It also makes quality control, harvesting, packaging, and sales easier as well. With Ample Organics, producers have access to a customized e-commerce site that facilitates inventory control and labeling, so customers always get exactly what they want. In a brief time, they have been legal for consumption in Canada, recreational cannabis products have already proved to be a hot commodity. And as with all hot commodities, businesses that want to cash in need to be intelligent about how they invest. With such a highly regulated product, it is important for any new producer to make sure no shortcuts are taken, and that their operations are legally compliant at every stage of the production process. Companies that want to take advantage of the exciting opportunities that exist in the cannabis industry should be sure to invest in the cannabis tech that will set them up for long-term success, and guarantee that their business model takes into account the requirements of Canadian law. Read Also: CBD: The Understanding Of Its Benefits Best Grow Tents For Growing Cannabis Why Cannabis Is Good For Health? Cannabis Can Help In The Fight Against Drug Addiction

Why Should Retailers Use Pricing Tools For Their Businesses

The majority of retail businesses in the world are still dependent on extensive spreadsheets and excel when it comes to pricing strategies. Other than the fact that multiple spreadsheets can cause confusion and duplication, they bring down productivity. This is why businesses are reinventing themselves and adopting technological innovations to improve businesses. One of the most successful tools that retail businesses are using in 2019 is ‘Pricing Tools’. In this article, we will look at some major questions like- What are Pricing Tools? How can a pricing tool add advantage to your business? How does the pricing tool help you automate different aspects of the price-fixing strategy? What are the costs that you are going to incur when subscribing to a pricing tool? What is a Pricing Tool? A ‘Pricing Tool’ is a dynamic software, which helps businesses set up their pricing strategy in a dynamic manner. It helps in reducing duplication, accelerates the process in real-time and saves time, which can be efficiently used elsewhere. If you look at a traditional business, you will find that fixing prices requires three or four people and extensive discussions. By using a pricing tool, you limit all the price related discussion to one workstation only. Modern businesses are adopting smart, automated and powerful pricing tools to improve sales, offer discounts in real-time and transform revenue goals. An effective and useful pricing tool helps in streamlining the process. It also brings inefficiency into the process. For companies who want to adopt a strategic business plan for long-term growth and sustenance, a pricing tool becomes a necessity. Advantages of using Pricing Tools: The following are some of the major advantages of using a Pricing Tool for your retail business- 1. Saves Time that can be productively utilized elsewhere: Real studies carried out by research agencies show that a good pricing tool saves up to 40 hours per week when it comes to determining to price. This reduction in time can be used to concentrate on some other aspects of improving the business. 2. Dynamic Price-Fixing at one go: Most retailers fear days like ‘Black Friday’ rather than get excited about them. This is because they worry about fixing prices and attracting users. A pricing tool is very effective especially during holidays, festivals and special sales days. The dynamic pricing means that you need to concentrate just on sales and logistics and leave the pricing part to the tool. 3. Forecast sales and make accurate projections: Most retailers make manual sales projections. However, there is scope for human error when doing this. A pricing tool through rigorous automation and analytics is able to accurately make sales projections and forecasts. This is an able ally when it comes to sales and marketing. 4. Integrate your ERP and Ecommerce on one Pricing Tool: Most retail businesses are experimenting with Ecommerce aggressively. Retail businesses can also have other outlets and franchises. This means coordinating everything at one go. Fortunately, a pricing tool is able to integrate ecommerce and ERP in one single platform. 5. Improve sales and increase revenues: Using an efficient, powerful and affordable pricing tool, which integrates three or four functions, is going to help you improve sales and drive up revenues. Bringing down the decision times, saving hours and eliminating errors is going to help you grow your business. Can an Automated Pricing Tool Software help a Business effectively? One of the major challenges, which any retail business faces, is tying loose ends. This means that there are so many verticals when it comes to sales and pricing that it becomes nearly impossible to streamline them all. Until now, businesses were using traditional methods of working and fixing prices. They started using ERP but were unable to tie it to their other verticals like Ecommerce. Corrective measures that needed to be taken in case of an error delayed processes even further. A pricing tool is able to blend five or six functionalities, all in one dashboard that can easily be monitored by one person alone. You can never imagine the asset value of something like a pricing tool. It aids businesses in a major way. By helping, businesses fix projections, set goals and timelines it helps in giving unorganized retail businesses proper shape and character. This, in turn, improves productivity, decreases wastage and improves revenue figures. Conclusion: If you are looking to give your business a midlife boost, then you should definitely check out the best pricing tools on the market. Most software companies, which offer pricing tools, offer affordable plans and bundles that are negotiable. Do let us know what you thought about the article in the comments section below. Do you really think pricing tools are an effective way to boost revenues for retail businesses? Read Also: Top Utility Tools You Need For Your Website 7 Ways To Communicate With Customers In A Better Way! Why An Automated Sales CRM Platform Is What Your Business Needs To Take Off Why Every Business Holder Should Start Using The Drip Marketing Campaign

Delegating And Prioritizing: Tools For Managing Multiple Scheduling Demands

Delegation

Prioritization

How to Develop a Prioritization Matrix and Improve Productivity