As a CEO, your time is precious. You likely have a lot of things on your plate, and it can be tough to know what to focus on each day. That’s why we’ve put together this list of six daily tasks that are essential for CEOs looking to grow their business.
Keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list – there are many other things you could (and should) do as well. But if you want to make the most impact in the shortest amount of time, these are the tasks you should devote most of your time to.
So, what are the six most crucial daily tasks that every CEO should focus on?
Check in with your team
Task number one is to check in with your team. This includes both your direct reports and your wider team. See how they’re doing, see how their projects are going, and give them any feedback or guidance they may need. This is also a good time to catch up on any small tasks or issues that you can help with.
Checking in with your team will also have a positive effect on the running of your business by engaging your employees. Be sure to give praise for a job well done.
Consider the use of a daily huddle at a regularly scheduled time to go over important metrics and top-line priorities. This will give your team direction as they go about their work. It’s also an excellent way to hold them accountable.
Stay Up-to-Date on Your IT Infrastructure
It has never been more important to stay current on IT protocols. You should be proactive whenever possible to avoid problems like a cyber breach or a network outage that could cost a tremendous amount of time, money, and other resources.
How can you make sure things are running smoothly and that your company’s data is secure? Schedule a regular check-in with your IT provider, whether you work with an internal staff member or use an outsourced managed service provider.
Be sure your MSP or IT department is conducting quarterly educational seminars with your entire staff to teach them about protecting company assets online.
Passwords should be changed quarterly, as well. This is an easy thing for employees to forget, so make it a requirement and use a system of checks and balances to verify that everyone is following the rules.
You should also verify that your MSP or IT department is doing periodic penetration testing and following best practices for system backups. If you have questions about what the latest in best practice is, feel free to give us a call. We’d love to walk you through the highlights.
Review your company’s finances
It’s critical that you devote time on a regular basis to reviewing KPIs related to your company’s finances. This will help you to get a clear picture of your financial health and make sure that you’re on track for growth.
Looking at your finances each day can help you make the necessary changes to improve growth and positive outcomes. All companies should have Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that measure the important metrics needed to keep your business moving.
Set up a daily huddle with your director of accounting or finance and cover one area at a time to make sure things are on track. At the very least, schedule quick check-ins with department heads to touch base on KPIs, particularly as they relate to finance. Being proactive can avoid major financial troubles down the line.
Pursue professional development
Be sure to work on your own professional development regularly. This could include reading industry news, attending conferences or networking events, or taking an online course. Ideally, you should spend some time each day improving your skills to be sure you stay ahead of the curve in your industry.
It’s important to keep up with the latest trends and developments in your field, as well as what’s new in management and HR. This will set you up for success and help keep your business at the forefront of innovation.
Pro tip: find a new podcast that brings you up to speed on all things happening in the world. We like NPR’s Up First.
Marketing and sales
You should also spend some time each day working with the marketing and sales departments. This includes preparing initiatives to increase brand awareness, generate leads, and close deals.
Reviewing leading indicators like sales pipeline as well as lagging indicators such as closed business will ensure you’ll hit your growth plans.
If you’re not constantly working on growing your top line, your business will eventually stagnate. Hiring sales managers and teams you trust can help this task run smoothly.
Take time for yourself
And last but not least, but perhaps most importantly, be sure to take some time for yourself. This might seem counterintuitive if you already have a very hectic day, but it’s important to remember that you can’t pour from an empty cup.
Make sure to schedule some time each day to relax, recharge, and reset. This will help you to be more productive when you’re working and make better decisions for your business.
Pro tip: we like Headspace.
So, there you have it, six daily tasks that every CEO should focus on in order to grow their business. Of course, this is not an exhaustive list. But if you want to make the most impact in the shortest amount of time, these are the tasks you should focus on each day.
Need help with anything related to IT, cybersecurity, or communications? TAG Solutions can take that off your plate! We are an Albany, New York, managed service provider with the know-how to tackle even your most complicated business computer or phone challenges. Contact us today or request a free network assessment to learn more about where your systems are vulnerable.