As a CEO it is important that we never skip a beat. We have to continuously make sure that business can run smoothly each and every day. To do this, we need to create a rough, basic schedule that we can follow, checking essential to-do boxes off our lists.
Daily
On a day-to-day basis, I like to start my work day by checking any emails, notifications, or new bookings that I missed the day before. This ensures that I am caught up and can start the day informed and that no one is left waiting for my response! Next, I always reach out to my team that is working and check base with everyone. This keeps everyone on the same page and breaks the ice into communicating as a team for the day. The first interaction you have with your team can set the tone for the whole day, so start with positive energy to get everyone going. Then I go through and make an actionable list of things I need to get done during the day, including any appointments or meetings I have scheduled. This ensures that I can work efficiently and properly prepare myself before each event.
Weekly
On a weekly basis I keep a very loose checklist of things I need done, but it still helps me stay on track. Every Monday I dedicate almost fully to meetings and readying myself for the week. This ensures that I always have time to stay organized and on top of my daily tasks. It also ensures that I have time to communicate with my team and ensure they are also caught up for the week. Other than Monday being my catch-up day, I have a varying schedule throughout the week so I plan accordingly, as should you! I
Monthly & Yearly
Periodically throughout the month and year, there are many bigger tasks we must check up on to ensure the smooth running of the business.
At the end of each month and year, I like to do an overall performance check of my business. This is when I go over all of the analytics I have collected throughout the month and interpret them to see how well or not well I did. Go over things like revenue & sales metrics, social media analytics, and website traffic. This can help you see if you need to make any changes in the current way you are conducting your business. I do a more extensive performance check at the end of the year, where I translate the data into graphs and calculations.
Each month specifically I tend to do a budget check where I go over all of the things I predict I need to spend money on, and how much I have compared to this. This ensures that I am not spending too much money on supplies and I am actually earning a profit. Along with this I also order any missing resources I need and update my inventory.
Obviously, each year I need to prepare for tax season and license renewal season. This ensures that all of the odds and ends of the business are taken care of, and I am not looking at any future legal troubles. Unpaid taxes and expired licenses are the quickest and probably most expensive way to find your business in trouble, so just do yourself a favor and avoid it. It definitely might be a headache getting done, but it is so much safer in the long run!
Another thing I like to think about at the end of each year that is often overlooked is where I am at with my education. I am a big supporter of continuing education even as a professional, so I always ensure that I have been updated on the trends and business practices that are constantly evolving.
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Analyze Business Performance |
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Budget Review |
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Plan Content and Marketing Campaigns |
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Order Supplies and Update Inventory |
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Compliance Check |
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Industry Networking and Education |
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Evaluate Business Strategy |
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Overall, my advice is to just keep yourself organized and prepared. The last thing you want to do is fall behind in your business and have to work overtime to catch up. Set yourself up for success by mapping out your tasks and events!