In another thread it became apparent we all have different business types, sizes and set-ups. Sometimes when we discus topics or issues it is easy to forget this fact and that one size does not fit all.
So, here's my current Bio; Over the last two years I have purposefully moved from working 100% of my time in the business and doing all admin 'after hours' to my current situation.
It seems I have 60/40 split re: working in/on business. I try to flip this the following week to 40/60 (ie 2 days 'on', 4 days 'in'). I guess this works out over the month to 50/50. Anyway, I guess I still put in ~60-70 hrs per week. I still spend far too much time outside the working day on the business, but it is 'my business' so I feel compelled to do this.
In the years since I started, we have grown, moved to be VAT reg, from Sole trader to a Ltd company, taken on premises (now looking for somewhere larger), gained required Accreditations etc needed (and just not to collect accrediatations/badges), started two new business streams this year. Guys work a nominal 40hr week + Sat morning + O/T.....
All to benefit the 'Business'. It has not all been easy or without mistakes, but always generally 'upwards'.
I will not 'big-up' what we do and state all of this, not to blow smoke up my backside, but for transparency because it is not always easy to see where people are coming from when they make comments. I truly remember my early days and somewhat miss it, but do a little mentoring so still see some of the pains we all experience, but I don't like the 'preaching' or the 'do what I say' approach.
So, what's your business type/size ?
How do you split/arrange your working week ?
Whatever you do, is it sustainable ?
What do you plan to do to alter it (if anything) ?
In fact, what is your working week - M-F, M-Sat or god forsake M-Sun ! ?
Views: 47
Replies
My business is small.. although i have recently taken on 2 extra staff bringing the head count to a total of three! having these has greatly reduced the strain on my evening and weekends however i am still well into the monday to sunday category.
my working week at the moment consists of mon - sat on site from 7.30am until 4.30pm.. I am then out in the evenings having meetings with potential future clients. from there i am home to type up a quote or two that i worked out during lunch break that day. and then around 9pm i have my evenings.
Saying that now the lads are here i can leave them to get on with things to a certain extent.. however i do like to have a very hands on approach.
I would like to grow further as a business and step out into the commercial market as well. Saying all this i really enjoy it at the moment and the rewards and job satisfaction make the long hours seem all worth while
didnt you put this post on last month Gary? ;)
if there's day light I work. still a one man band though. get pretty knackered,
Mon - Sun some mornings and most evenings until 9pm ish except some Friday evenings and most Saturday evenings - On the business
(but mainly admin, switching over to jobber! quotes, research, scheduling etc)
Now 3 of us most days, but I'm in the sticky position of trying to separate myself from clients so I can leave the other two guys and go elsewhere or do other things. Having built up relationships with over 50 clients, it's hard for them to let me go without thinking they are not getting the same high standard of work.
Timely post Gary.
Although there is a lot of sound advice on LJN, as a sole trader who works with his hands, head and his heart it can often be all too easy to take umbridge at some of the assertions on here.So I am going to lay out my stall so all can see we are a broad bunch.
I cherry pick work in landscaping.
I Sub contract for a local civil engineering firm on projects that I like the look of.
I also undertake building work in projects that take my fancy for friends and family.
I have a 1+ acre ornamental garden which eats my time ( one day I wish to open it and use it more for my business) and I am undertaking a multitude of home improvements when ever I can.
As for admin when I finish a job or monthly I try to get bills out, I do my own accounts/book keeping ( from a bureau with invoices/ receipts spread across the floor) 5 or so times a year for a day or two (and I am like a bear with a sore head ) I like to be outside.
I live in mid Wales and by some standards business is not sustainable, but it sustains my lifestyle..... just.I work every day but not always on the business.
When (if) I finish the long list of things I need to do I would one day like to concentrate on Landscaping and increase my profits....
lifestyle / quality of life is worth more than 'Money'.
Interesting one Gary for an early Sunday morning(what happened to the lie-in!). I have often said that we have to be careful about the advice given on this site as no two businesses are alike nor their catchment areas.
In our particular case, we started the business in 1976 and became VAT registered in our first years and have been in the 'club' ever since.
Worked as a partnership for 15 years, before buying the other half. Our business runs with 4-5 full time employees. We spent nearly 30 years as 80/20 landscaping/maintenance when I realised that as I was the main skilled man and not getting any younger, maintenance was the best way forward for sustainability. We now run 80/20 contracted maintenance/landscaping, passing on the larger landscaping jobs to others - it's tough doing that tho!!
I reckon my split is 5 days per week, 75/25 hands on/office - but I am in the process of easing back to 4 days, then 3 and so on, as I am afraid time is catching up with me.
As mentioned above, the business is most certainly sustainable.
Our week is Mon-Fri. 7.30-4.30.
So, that's us. Never advertised(apart from the smallest Thompson's entry). One truck, one van - not sign written. Never short of work, but because of our longevity, have masses of contacts and recommendations, which going back to the top, means I steer clear of commenting on sign writing, flyers, promotions, adverts etc etc.