Hey Entrepreneurs, It s Small Busine Week. So Where s the Party? by Pete Lorenco

Okay, so June 17-21 is the 50th Annual National Small Business Week. But what does that mean exactly?

This week is a time to celebrate the strength and spirit of the nation's 23 million small firms. For example, did you know that more than half of the American population either owns or works for a small business? These companies also create about two out of every three new jobs in the U.S. each year, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

For our small-business readers who are part of this rich mosaic, I'd like to offer a few celebratory information management best practices that you can implement quickly some of them as early as tomorrow. In fact, you probably won't even need a conference call to start reaping their benefits:

1. Focus on what's already working and work it harder. When you're looking for ways to expand your business, don't ignore the existing cornerstones of your success. Sure, that sounds amazingly simple, but it's a wise strategy.

As it applies to managing information, maybe you're already shredding old documents. That's great. But are you holding on to them too long? It pays to revisit good habits to refine them. Your company should manage the shredding process with an eye toward reviewing costs, workflows and changing regulations.

2. Keep employees happy. To create a happy workforce, your employees and contractors should feel good about how you're treating them. Consider establishing a seasonal Clean and Trick Out Your Space day, making the collection of documents for shredding a key part of the festivities. (If you want to really get crazy, consider serving shredded coconut brownies.)

3. Put down the Blackberry and plan an offsite. Most entrepreneurs and small-business owners spend too much time at work, often skipping lunch or working through it. Take some of your smartest brains out to lunch once a week or once a month and talk about improving information management in a nice, relaxed context. Not only will you likely get good ideas on efficiency, but you'll also be encouraging participation in the company's information-management practices.

4. Reread your job description. Wait, you don't have one? Of course you don't you do it all. Yes, you've worked hard to make your business a success, but you can't control everything. No matter how hard you work or plan, many events are out of your control. And that's okay, because you can always get help managing life's unpredictable events be they fires, floods, hurricanes or lawsuits and the havoc they can wreak on your vital records.

5. Pay it forward. To support fellow small-business owners, reach out and collaborate with new small-business vendors this week. Think of it as managing your firm's karma, while forging some great new relationships in the process.

Have a great week!

LINK:	http://blog.ironmountain.com/2013/service-lines/small-business/hey-ent...
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