We all know this seasonal time of year has many businesses winding down for the holidays, but that’s no reason to stop working on your business. It may seem like some of the following tasks are pretty mundane, unimportant, and don’t center around making money, but they are a necessary part of doing business, and without them, you could lose significant opportunities. If you don’t have a good business foundation of procedures that include daily, weekly and yearly maintenance, you will suffer for it somewhere down the line.

Here are my 10 picks for keeping your business administration procedures part of your normal routine. Even if you carry out just one of these suggestions, you’ll be on your way to making your business run as smoothly as possible.

1. Evaluate your team and make changes if necessary.
Are administrative tasks taking up most of your time and keeping you from working ON your business? Then hire a virtual assistant. There are several great sites where you can find VAs. Here are some links that I know about: www.ivaa.org www.cvac.ca www.eworkingwomen.com/experts/va.html www.assistu.com www.canadianva. net www.virtuallin.com (This last one is geared directly to the real estate industry.)

Are you paying too much tax? Meet with your accountant to talk about getting more aggressive with write-offs or make appointments to interview new accountants. Do the same with your lawyer. If you’re not happy with the person you’re working with now, take this time to ask around for referrals.

2. Learn how to get more leads and sales automatically via your website.
Would you like to be getting business leads and sales 24-7 using your website and email? Then finally take time to learn how it all can work for you. It’s really a simple process, and you can set it up for the new year! Either register for a workshop, call an expert or contact me. I’m becoming quite savvy in this area and I am keenly interested in helping others. Have questions? Let me know!

3. Revamp your e-zine or launch an e-zine.
Remember that having a ready list of warm prospects is your goldmine. And having an e-zine positions you for more sales on a regular basis and for the LONG-TERM. The beginning of the new year is the perfect time to release your first issue! If you’re not publishing yet, get ready and learn how.

4. Clean out that e-mail inbox once and for all!
Unanswered e-mails, information not recorded or filed in appropriate places — need I say more? Delete e-mails that are more than a few months old. Set up e-mail folders to help you stay more organized in the future. And, if your program allows, set “rules” to automatically sort incoming e-mails into those folders.

5. Clean out your filing cabinet, bookshelf, desk, etc.
Is your office a fire hazard? Do you have to rustle through giant stacks of paper to find anything? Put on some good music, start digging, and get organized. Make sure to have plenty of trash bags and cardboard file boxes on hand. You can even hire a professional organizer to help!

6. Upgrade or clean up your computer.
Your computer probably holds most of the information that’s crucial to your business, so take care of it! Now is a great time to do an overhaul. Upgrade your operating system (do you STILL have Windows ’95?). Get rid of unnecessary files, archive old files to CDs, add more disk space for all those downloads, and do system maintenance. Not sure how to go about this? Find a geek-for-hire to come and help.

7. Let your clients know how much you are thankful for their business.
Whether it’s holiday cards or thank you notes, this is good practice for both your business and you. Letting the universe know you’re grateful for what you have will only bring you more of the same — at any time of the year!

8. Plan for 2006.
What are your goals? How do you plan to achieve them? How much money do you intend to earn? Get your goals organized, develop action plans that put you and keep you in the driver’s seat of your business and get started! If you struggle getting clear about what you want and how to go after it, hire me to coach you. Remember, I’ve been where you are!

9. Write down your 25 best accomplishments for this past year.
This simple exercise is extremely powerful. Time goes by so quickly that we forget to celebrate the good things that happen. First write down 25 accomplishments. Then read each one out loud. After the last one, IMMEDIATELY make a list of 10 goals for the new year. (After you acknowledge all the amazing things you did this year, you’ll feel incredibly powerful which will spur you on to set even higher goals for next year!)

10. Actually enjoy the holidays!
Remind yourself what the holidays are for — to take a step back and appreciate what you have, to enjoy your family and friends, to give to others, and to be good to yourself. So take that walk in the snow, go to that tree lighting with your kids, get that massage, and plan a leisurely shopping day during the week. Do whatever you like to do, and have fun!

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