APEX, NC. – According to a recent study, American workers spend between one and two hours each day looking for lost or misplaced information because information is not well organized. Beyond this, 42% of the same workers indicated that they use incorrect information at least once each week in their jobs. The time spent searching for accurate information, or repairing errors made because the wrong information was used, drains a company of up to 400 hours per employee each year: these should be productive hours that are spent generating revenue.
When asked about the survey results, Tracey Gritz, founder of The Efficient Office and professional business organizer, suggested reasons for this time drain within the soloprenuer and small business communities. “When paper filing first began, many business owners had secretaries who would diligently watch over the filing system and ensure that it was effective and up-to-date. Then, as technology developed, more and more files became stored on personal computers: professionals, who didn’t have the experience or the time, became responsible for their own data management. These people simply didn’t have the background in creating information management systems for themselves,”
As a former and highly successful co-owner of two men’s retail stores in Southern California, Ms. Gritz has great appreciation for the struggles of solopreneurs and small business owners as they ramp up their businesses. During her first year in retail, Ms. Gritz confides that she learned much: topping the list, she realized that she loved running the office and “implementing systems and process that would make more money, make the stores more efficient, keep the stores organized and give us [the owners] more time for ourselves. In other words, we wanted to make money, but also didn’t want to be stressed out and working 24/7.” Today, she brings what she learned in that year and beyond to the Raleigh Metro area so that she may aid area business owners. She has also created a website to help area businesses better understand how established systems boost revenue and eliminate time drains. The website is now available at http://www.efficientofficenc.com/
While solprenuers and small business owners are unlikely to have the funds available to install the sophisticated information management and search systems of corporate giants, there are many steps that they can take to begin recouping these 400 plus hours per year. Some companies bring in a professional organizer to structure their on- and off-line filing systems. Others purchase off-the-shelf contact management systems and expense tracking tools. Still others invest in education and tackle the issue themselves. However the waste is addressed, it is proven that companies who take steps to better manage information of all types are more productive.
Related Links:
• The Efficient Office: http://www.efficientofficenc.com/
• Tracey Gritz: http://www.linkedin.com/
• Accenture Survey: http://newsroom.accenture.com/
News Facts:
• American workers spend between one and two hours each day looking for lost or misplaced information.
• 400 hours per employee, per year are lost due to inaccessible information.
• 42% of workers make at least one job related decision each week based upon incorrect information.
• Lost information results from a lack of solid processes to manage data, contacts, and expenses.
• The Efficient Office supports area small to mid-sized business owners in this industry.
