Many of us get stuck into a certain way of doing things just because they are what we are used to. Thinking outside of the box is heralded and respected in others, so why not also think outside of the box when it comes to how we function? Stepping outside of our comfort zone can lead to more effective business practices. However, this requires an investment of both time and finances.

For entrepreneurs, most business systems are developed out of necessity. Yet, in order to grow and succeed, we need to think about which systems and resources can improve our processes. Everything you use to run your business is a key component in achieving effectiveness, including your social media. It is imperative to examine and remain open to changing how you utilize each of these components.

Social media posts, invoicing, reporting, budgeting— these things take time and can seem like tedious tasks in the busy life of an entrepreneur, but they are absolutely necessary to succeed. The most common approach is to just get it done in whatever way gets it done. A better approach is to invest in resources that will help get them done consistently, efficiently, and in the most beneficial manner.

Resources to consider tend to offer an ease of use, a reduction in execution time, and streamlining of processes. For example, there are services that can help you schedule social media posts and promotional emails as well as track the return on investment (ROI) and other analytics involved with these activities. These tools take time to set up on the front-end, but are major time savors once implemented. They also provide information that is critical to how your business functions.

Another resource to review is manpower. Whether you have an entire staff or you function solely as your entire team, how time is spent and productivity levels must be analyzed regularly. Is it time you hired someone or outsourced part of your business functions? Is there a member of your team that has abilities that you have not tapped into yet? Are you paying someone to do something you can handle yourself or in house? Is it time to switch vendors? These are all considerations that can lead to necessary adjustments for the sake of effectiveness.

The adjustments to the resources you utilize and the way in which you utilize them will also call for an adjustment in your systems. Your systems not only include the way in which you handle customer needs or fulfill orders, but also the way in which information is given and received, your schedule, and even the way in which you market your products and services. Your entire business should function based upon a series of systems that are compatible and efficient.

You may need only minor changes or tweaks to systems you already have in place. You may need to invest in entire systems and resources overhauls. The key is to examine how you are functioning, what you are using, and remain open about any changes that might be required. It is important to note that not all changes need to be made at once. Be strategic. Proper planning and implementation are important to ensure the success of any changes you decide to put into place.