How often do you get to the end of a working day and wonder where the time went? Perhaps you never got to item three (or even item one!) on your to-do list. How can you solve this problem without working longer hours? The answer is very simple, but the art in the solution is where the gold is. The answer to free up time is to delegate more, either to existing team members, new people you recruit, or externally to outside contractors. However, if delegation were that easy, everyone would be doing it now, right? So, what is the art of delegation? We say art, because delegation is not an exact science; different approaches are needed depending on who the ‘delegate’ is. Time and effort are required to effectively pass on tasks to others. Often, the time the delegator needs to put in initially is greater than if they did the work themselves – that’s why so many people don’t delegate. The view that ‘it’s quicker for you to do it yourself’ holds you trapped and unable to be more productive and effective yourself. It also stops others from developing better ways to do things than you already know, i.e. if you teach them your way, then they can master that AND add their own value, two minds being better than one. Here are some essential principles to apply to help you to delegate (as opposed to abdicate!): Delegation Assess the task, issue to the right person and support, helps build trust and respect Be specific and crystal clear for greater communication Request they repeat back instructions, so you know you were understood, enabling higher productivity Set a time frame and request clarification that the task has been achieved, ensuring jobs are completed on time and are profitable Both parties to review, opens the door for future work Abdication Issue tasks to anyone and forget about it, shows distrust and a lack of respect Giving unclear and little information results in poor communication Don’t ask if you were understood, results in low productivity Don’t set a time frame – it can mean jobs are delayed and over budget Different expectations can result in disgruntled clients No review results in no future work Delegation is a skill to be learned; applying these principles consistently will ensure long-term success. Action list Which tasks am I currently doing that I could delegate to others? What can I do with the time I free up? Who are the best people for me to delegate these to? (Make sure they want to do these as part of their career development). What is the best way to document what is expected and how it should be done? What support and review process is needed to ensure success? Get in touch Delegation is one of the fastest ways to free up your time and focus on the parts of your business that really need your attention. At Inglis, we work with business owners every day who face the same challenge: too many tasks on their plate and not enough hours in the day. We can help you streamline your financial processes, take essential but time-consuming work off your shoulders, and give you the space to focus on growth. If you’d like to spend less time buried in admin and more time leading your business, book a call with Donald Inglis .

Digital systems and cloud technology have revolutionised the running of the average small business. But with software systems comes the ever present issue of cybersecurity. And it’s not just the big league, like Boots and Marks & Spencers, that have to worry about getting hacked. A recent BBC News article highlighted how one cracked password is all it took for a ransomware gang to destroy a 158-year-old transport company, putting 700 people out of work. So, what can you do to increase your cybersecurity and keep your business, customer and finance information safe from hackers and malicious software? Here are five ways to help protect your business 1. Use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication (MFA) Make it mandatory for your team to use complex, unique passwords for all business accounts and devices. And make sure to enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) (sometimes called two-step authentication) so all software and system log-ins require a second form of verification, This makes it far more difficult for hackers to gain access to your systems. 2. Keep software and security patches updated Regularly update all your operating systems, software, apps and security patches, so you’re always using the most up-to-date versions. Cybercriminals will exploit any known vulnerabilities in out-of-date software, so patching these gaps is a critical step in preventing attacks. 3. Train your staff to recognise phishing and poor security Your employees are often the first line of defence. Provide regular training on how to spot suspicious emails, texts or calls. And make sure your team-members knows to avoid clicking on malicious links or downloading unverified attachments for example. 4. Secure and regularly back up your data Make sure to back up your critical business data to a secure, separate location, like an encrypted cloud service or an external drive. With back-ups in place, you can be up and running quickly in the event of a ransomware attack or data breach. 5. Adopt the Cyber Essentials scheme The Cyber Essentials initiative is a government-backed certification scheme that explains five ways to protect your business against the most common online threats. By completing the Cyber Essentials scheme, you demonstrate your commitment to cybersecurity and give the business increased protection against potentially harmful attacks. Helping you keep on top of cybersecurity Keeping your business and your data safe and secure is a core responsibility for every small business owner. And there’s plenty of advice available to boost your cybersecurity. The National Cyber Security Centre has a mix of advice, schemes and training available for small and medium-sized UK businesses. And if you need 1-2-1 advice, our team will be happy to offer support and connect you with local cybersecurity experts.