A False Economy I NO LONGER Practice Do You?
Willie Crawford
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Article Title:
A False Economy I NO LONGER Practice Do You?
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Article Description:
Many of us go out and buy some of the best software and
hardware tools available. We read about some tool that could
easily DOUBLE our business, or TRIPLE our productivity, so
we wisely purchase it. After the purchase is made, the whole
process goes sideways...
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676 Words; formatted to 65 Characters per Line
Distribution Date and Time: 2010-03-15 11:30:00
Written By: Willie Crawford
Copyright: 2010
Contact Email: mailto:wil...@williecrawford.com
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A False Economy I NO LONGER Practice Do You?
Copyright (c) 2010 Willie Crawford
Willie Crawford Incorporated
http://WillieCrawford.com/ezine.html
Many of us go out and buy some of the best software and hardware
tools available. We read about some tool that could easily DOUBLE
our business, or TRIPLE our productivity, so we wisely purchase
it.
Many of us realize that we lack certain skills in critical areas
of our businesses, so we register for online classes.
Many of us realize that we don't really know how to use those
whiz-bang pieces of hardware or software mentioned above, so we
track down and register for in-depth tutorials.
Then we do the DUMBEST thing... we never go through the training.
We never learn to use those tools that could easily make our
lives easier, and our businesses much more profitable.
We rationalize that "we don't have the time!"
This is one of two areas that has contributed the most to the
growth of my productivity... and to my bottom line recently.
I've started actually "making the time" to go through those
tutorials and really learn to use the software or hardware tools
that I have. I've actually made the time to go through several
tutorials on how to develop critical skills that I need.
As an aside, I've also "made time" for more fitness, which is
also essential to my long-term productivity.
How does a busy businessperson do this?
You simply put it right on your schedule... and then you do it.
You allocate blocks of time for it, and then you don't "find"
something more important.
I spent 20 years and 10 months in the U.S. Air Force. During that
time I spent many, many WEEKS sitting at a desk or computer,
actually learning how to use a piece of equipment, or learning to
do some process. I often wondered if that was the best use of my
time, but I wasn't given a choice! So, I cheerfully completed
the training.
I not only learned to use my equipment, but I had to then take
"practical exams" to prove that I knew how to do it.
Major corporations, governmental agencies, universities, etc, ALL
put their personnel through extensive training to make sure that
they actually know how to use the equipment and do the processes
that are a part of their jobs.
This training is often VERY expensive.
Many of these corporations consult with major think tanks, and
expensive consultants, in looking for ways to improve
productivity... and their bottom lines. It's rare that they are
advised to cut training.
Many of us online entrepreneurs have never run our own businesses
before, and for some reason don't fully appreciate the value of
properly training our employees (or ourselves). So, we flounder
for days, weeks, then months! We operate at a fraction of our
potential productivity because we never really learn to use the
tools at our disposal.
Consider... if setting aside an hour a day for a week, to
actually learn to use the tools that you already use every day
more efficiently, would increase your productivity by 20 percent,
would it be worth it?
To me, the answer is a resounding yes. Over the next year the
return-on-investment would be huge.
When you consider the amount of time many of us spend on
time-wasters (we all know what they are), we have to acknowledge
that we really can fit proper training into our schedules.
That's just a matter of discipline.
There IS a reason big businesses and governmental agencies set
aside training days, or even training weeks! Perhaps we should
take our cues from them.
Just food for thought!
Oh - earlier, I said that going through the training was one of
two ways that I've experienced the most growth in productivity.
The other one was that I learned to outsource and delegate more.
I learned to focus on those chores that are the highest and best
use of my time, and to get someone else to do the rest. Like
many, I'm still working on that one, but that's the topic of
another article anyway.
Commit to actually learning to use your equipment today.
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Willie Crawford operates his own online businesses,
brokers joint ventures, teaches online and offline
entrepreneurs, and consults with numerous commercial
and non-profit corporations. One of Willie's
favorite tools, used for project collaboration is
called BaseCamp. It's at http://timic.org/BaseCamp
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