Ask an Expert: Get organized to get more out of your business

— -- Q: I am on the hunt for any new ideas that can help me through this rough economy. It seems like the same old advice doesn't really apply in this market. Suggestions? — Ann

A:I do agree that we are in extraordinary times, and it makes sense to be on the lookout for cutting edge ideas and strategies. You never know which one might make a big difference.

Let me give you an example:

We have all heard about R.O.I. — Return on Investment. It's a useful way to analyze whether you are receiving sufficient bang for your buck for your efforts.

But have you ever considered your R.O.O. — your Return on Organization?

Look, we all know that main two pain points for most small businesses are not enough time and not enough money. This is even more true in light of the current economic environment. But what if I told you there was a simple, affordable way to get more of both? After all, as we all know, time is money.

I have been doing some work with Office Depot recently in order to help small business owners understand how, with just a few smart changes, they can increase their R.O.O., and how that can have a significant impact on the bottom line. In fact, it is estimated that increased R.O.O. can yield up to an extra two hours of productive time a week and up to an additional 6% of revenue.

How? Well, think about it. It costs five times more to create a new customer than it does to keep a current one. The whole idea is that with some extra time you can take better care of your best customers. No, 20 minutes a day may not seem like much, but what if you used those 20 minutes a day to their maximum effectiveness? You could check in with customers, make some sales calls, send out some "checking-in" e-mails ... that sort of thing.

It all adds up.

Being more organized means having more time to be more effective and make more money. It's as simple, and as important, as that.

So here are a few examples of some things you can do to increase your R.O.O.:

Get your office or workspace organized:No matter what kind of business you are running, having the right work environment saves you time and money every day.

Incorporate a filing system that actually makes sense for your business. Always have Post-Its on hand so you are ready for your next brainstorm. Whatever it is, make sure you have you need to be organized.

The right tools can make a big difference.

Make sure you are sufficiently mobile. What business are you in? No matter the answer, let me suggest that you are in the service business, especially in this economy. You simply have to offer exemplary customer service right now.

And one of the best ways to do that is by taking advantage of mobility computing so you can respond to customer needs wherever you happen to be. Notebooks are the best-selling computers right now for a reason; make sure you have a good one.

What about your Blackberry or Smartphone — is it helping you help them? It better! And, there are a lot of apps to choose from to make you more efficient and that help you use your time better.

These types of tools will ensure you're always able to meet and exceed customer needs, regardless of where you are.

Own your software, and don't let it own you:It's amazing how often small business owners buy the best software to help them with their business, but fail to take the extra time necessary to fully learn how to use it, when doing so can save them a lot of time down the road.

Software manufacturers spend enormous amounts of time and money learning about small business and they use that to make programs to help us succeed. Take advantage of that. Learn how to really use your software.

The important thing to see is that there are savvy ways to get ahead right now that do not require spending heaps of money. Being more organized in all areas of your business will increase your R.O.O., and that will yield some powerful results and rewards.

Today's tip:According to SCORE, here are two important things to keep in mind regarding customer referrals:

• If a customer compliments your work, ask them for a written testimonial to put in your marketing materials.

• Always follow up a referral with a thank-you to the referrer. Also consider sending the referrer a coupon or other discount.

Ask an Expert appears Mondays. You can e-mail Steve Strauss at: sstrauss@mrallbiz.com.And you can click here to see previous columns. Steven D. Strauss is a lawyer, author and speaker who specializes in small business and entrepreneurship. His latest book is The Small Business Bible. You can sign up for his free newsletter, "Small Business Success Secrets!" at his website —www.mrallbiz.com.