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About Coast river business journal. (Astoria, OR) 2006-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 12, 2020)
2 • FEBRUARY 2020 COAST RIVER BUSINESS JOURNAL EDITOR’S CEDR REPORT NOTEBOOK Feeling burned out? Tips to ‘recharge’ B urnout is typically caused by unmanaged stress over a long period of time. Operating a business can defi- nitely be stressful with multiple demands on time and resources. Many business owners devote 10-14 hours (or more) per day to operating their business and find they have little time left over for family, fun and rest. Limited cash flow can also be a stressor in small business. Before the burnout leads to business collapse or worse per- sonal illness, take some time to inventory the causes and brain- storm possible solutions. Since a lack of time is often the beginning of the stress, it may seem impossible to find the time to start this healing process. It’s worth the effort to step back and look at how time is spent. Consider the busi- ness hours of operation and the staffing to cover those hours. KEVIN LEAHY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CEDR, AND CLATSOP COMMUNITY COLLEGE SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER Are there enough employees to operate the business for the current scheduled operating hours? If not, is it reasonable to hire additional staff or maybe reduce the hours of opera- tion? Are there certain days or hours the business is open that customers rarely shop? If so, change the schedule to be closed at those times. Get organized. Find an orga- nizational system that helps prioritize tasks. Are there any tasks on the list that no longer provide value in your business? Eliminate them. Are there tasks that can be done by someone else? If so, delegate. Schedule time off for per- sonal relaxation and family. You would never expect an employee to work 80+ hours per week so why expect to do that yourself and main- tain a healthy lifestyle? During the off hours, avoid checking email messages or answering texts or messages on your cell phone. Those are tasks to be performed during your regular working hours. Use the time off to reconnect with family and friends, do fun hobbies, exer- cise or just relax. Go outdoors! We live in CEDR BUSINESS AWARDS EVENT CALL FOR NOMINATIONS! CEDR will recognize OUTSTANDING Clatsop County Businesses with their Annual Awards Reception at Clatsop Community College’s Patriot Hall on April 7, 2020. Deadline for nomination submission is at 5:00 pm on Friday, March 20, 2020. Nomination forms and details can be picked up at the Astoria- Warrenton, Seaside, or Cannon Beach Chambers, the CEDR/CCC SBDC office in Seaside at the Clatsop Community College South County Center, or by sending an email request to sbdc@clatsopcc.edu. • • • • one of the most beautiful spots in the world, rain or shine! The time away from busi- ness can help improve produc- tivity while on the job. Many business own- ers struggle with insufficient cash flow which causes stress. Improving cash flow requires analysis of business financial information. Are sales too low? Are expenses too high? Is too much being spent on inven- tory or other assets? Are cus- tomers paying their bills late? Once you have identified the reasons cash flow is low, look at the possible solutions. You may need to increase prices or cut expenditures. You may need to follow up with customers to collect on unpaid invoices. You may need to increase marketing to reach more customers. You may need to rethink your busi- ness model to make your busi- ness successful in the future. The business Pros It’s a good time to look at healthy choices. Burnout can be reversed but it takes mak- ing an effort to change; reduce demands on yourself, get help if needed, reconnect with fam- ily and friends, have fun and get more sleep. Contact us at the Clatsop Community College Small Business Development Cen- ter to set an appointment with one of our experienced advi- sors, who have been in your shoes. Always free and confi- dential. Email sbdc@clatsopcc. edu, call 503-338-2402 or go to our website at bizcenter.org to learn more about how we can help! The Clatsop Community College SBDC is a partner- ship of the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Oregon SBDC Network, the Oregon Business Development Depart- ment and Clatsop Community College. to Know! Your local business lending team! Equipment | Working Capital | Credit Lines | Construction Pam Rush 503.861.6555 David Clyde Laura Smith Dian Barker-Sayce SVP Commercial Banking Team Leader VP Commercial Loan Officer VP Commercial Banking Officer VP Sr Business Banking Officer NMLS # 422239 NMLS # 422241 YOU CAN NOMINATE BUSINESSES THAT HAVE DEMONSTRATED ACHIEVEMENTS IN: Customer Service • Service (on the part of the Economic Impact business) to the Community Entrepreneurship • Technological or Job Creation Manufacturing Advancement 1455 N. Roosevelt, Seaside, OR 503–338–2402 email: SBDC@clatsopcc.edu Astoria Warrenton Seaside www.BankofthePacic.com All loans subject to credit approval. Certain fees and restrictions may apply.