I teach small business owners how to run their business operations more effectively. The key is to become more financially savvy. If you have a handle on your finances, the rest of the business - managing the people, workflow and your time - will seem like a walk in the park. Everyone has personal finances, so if you don't own a small business, then use these ideas for your personal life. They apply too!

To have a strong, secure and orderly financial house, you must build it this way:

* The foundation of your house is having a money management tracking system. If you don't know what you have, you can't make wise decisions. Your system must be simple, easy and effective to follow. It should create a flow in your life that includes dealing with the paper, paying bills on time, showing you what reality is and saving time and stress at tax time. Ahhh, what a relief...after that, build a wall.

* The first wall of your house is to have a plan for the future. Once you have your foundation and your system flows smoothly, begin to concentrate on establishing a budget and forecasting for the future. You will use this as your blueprint for building a stronger house and let it help you with your spending and saving decisions.

* The second wall of your house is to know where you are at so you can make changes if necessary to your dream home. You must measure not only your financial numbers, but also your operations - including you!

* No house would be complete without a roof or everything inside can wash away. The roof of your financial house is your discipline. It is critical as you build your foundation and a key factor as you firm up your walls. Once your house is complete, it is way too easy to let up since you think you're done. A strong financial house requires maintenance. You are the manager and steward of your finances. Staying vigilant, mindful and purposeful takes discipline. Use this in every phase of your financial building project to keep your day-to-day flow going smoothly, to review your plan and push yourself with measurable goals!

So...how does one get started? You MUST start with your foundation. Every business, no matter how small, must have an "accounting" department. Yep, even us solopreneuers! The IRS says we must have a good recordkeeping system in place, so be ready in case you're ever audited. (This is NO different for our personal finances either.) Here are three things you can do to shore up your foundation.

* Get a paper management "system" in place that provides a stress-free flow. Corral your financial stuff in one place and create a bill payment area for you to work. Include a simple filing system for all your receipts, accounts statements, customer invoices and reports. Have some retention guidelines to help you decide what to keep and what to toss.

* Use some sort of computer tool. QuickBooks for a small business or Quicken for home. Heck, even use a spreadsheet like Excel if you need to start somewhere.

* Determine a regular schedule of when you will handle your financial matters. Create a checklist to help remind you what to do on a weekly, monthly, quarterly and year-end basis.

Just get started! Sharpen your discipline now and agree to stick with it for six months. I promise you'll see results in just a few months if you are honest with yourself and make some changes. If you fall off the cart, get back on! This is the one area in which you are in control.

(c) 2008 Debbie Gilster.

Need more help with finances or productivity issues? Debbie Gilster of the Center For Growth and Productivity created her online newsletter "Effective Results" just for you. To get a complimentary subscription packed with practical, how-to ideas about running your business and your life visit http://www.DebGilster.com  and while you're there take a look at our online classes, products and programs that will help you become financially savvy.

###