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Running a business or managing a team tends to come with a lot of responsibilities and tasks. So it’s not surprising that there are some things that get lost in the mix––put off until you have “more time” (when does that happen?!) or ignored until they become impossible to avoid.

There are some things that tend to be overlooked that really should be a bigger priority because of how they impact your overall operations or marketing. Today, our experienced team of EAs are weighing in with 4 overlooked tips for business owners based on what they’ve seen with their executive clients and on our own team at Elevate.

Keep reading to find out if you’re ignoring or avoiding any of these important tasks. If you are, we’ll give you some advice for making them a priority without adding even more to your to-do list.

Tips for business owners with direct reports

Whether your team is you and one other support person or you’re directly responsible for a dozen team members, one-on-one check-ins are a crucial part of being an effective manager.

However, a one-on-one is often the first thing to get moved off the calendar when other meetings, requests, and deadlines pop up.

Don’t make this mistake!

Regular, face-to-face check-ins with your team members give you a chance to:

• Have back-and-forth, direct dialogue without dealing with long gaps in communication or timezone differences if your team is spread out.
• Give and receive feedback. You can share what’s going well and where the team member needs to make changes or improvements while also opening the conversation to receive feedback as a leader.
• Get more help! Regular conversations about what you’re working on allow your team members to spot new ways they can support your work that you may have not thought to ask for.

Bookkeeping isn’t just for tax season

Oh, bookkeeping. One of the most common business tasks that is ignored by CEOs and business owners… until it’s tax time.

While having updated books will make tax time less stressful, having a consistent bookkeeping system and software is about a LOT more than just taxes.

• Consistent bookkeeping allows you to anticipate what you're going to spend.
• Understanding financial patterns will dramatically improve your planning and budgeting abilities.
• Seeing when each platform or software charges shows where you can switch to an annual plan to save money.

Marketing tips for business owners

If someone asked you about the foundation of your marketing strategy, you would probably talk about your brand messaging and identity.

You use words and the logo, colors, fonts, and brand marks to communicate what you do, who it’s for, and why it matters.

But there’s another foundational element of your branding that says a LOT about your brand, team, culture, values, and priorities… but many CEOs and business owners don’t prioritize this like they do their copy and visual brand.

Brand photos.

Take 2 minutes and scan the images that are currently on your website and social media.

Do they tell the whole story you want people to know about your brand and team?

Instead of putting off-brand photos for years, we recommend scheduling a session at least once a year.

Up-to-date brand photos reflect your business’s evolution and highlight new team members, services, or ideal clients.

Skipping this task is costing you time

Think about how much extra space you would have in your calendar if you never had to answer another question about “How do I do this?” again.

Imagine the freedom of handing off task after task to someone else on your team without having to sit down and explain everything. Just effortlessly delegating without any extra input from you!

It all starts with SOPs –– Standard Operating Procedures.

SOPs are clearly written or recorded steps and processes for completing repeatable tasks in your business.

Things that should have a documented SOP include:

• Onboarding
• Customer service
• Lead generation
• Data storage
• File access
• HR
• Event planning
• Scheduling social media
• Uploading blogs
• Calendar management

Don’t sweat it if writing SOPs feels overwhelming or confusing. Our expert team can handle the entire process for you in just 2-6 weeks.

SOPs ensure that every repeatable action or process in your business can be successfully delegated without additional instructions.

Which of these 4 overlooked tips for business owners will you implement first?

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Tariffs on Canada and Mexico will have a real, devastating impact on American businesses of all sizes, as well as on workers and consumers. The 25% tariffs on most goods from two of the top U.S. trading partners are creating uncertainty and financial strain, particularly for businesses that rely on imported materials.
 

What they’re saying: Business owners worry about the tariffs’ immediate and damaging effects to their operations.

• Traci Tapani, Vice-Chair of the U.S. Chamber’s Small Business Council and co-president of Wyoming Machine, a sheet metal fabricator in Minnesota, said, "My company will feel an immediate, detrimental impact as a result of these tariffs. The threats and uncertainty have made it hard to make business decisions, and these kinds of tariffs will make it extremely difficult for small businesses like mine to grow."
• Bill Baburek, owner of Crescent Moon in Omaha, Nebraska, told a local news outlet that even the threat of tariffs affected his supply chain: "Ever since the announcement there was going to be tariffs on Mexico and Canada, we saw prices on all materials, including domestic materials, start to increase."
• “[Lumber] has already been getting more expensive over the past few years due to supply chain shocks and wildfires, and a huge proportion of our lumber comes from Canada,” said Bar Zakheim, Owner of Better Place Design & Build in San Diego, California, to the Baltimore Sun. “These tariffs are going to make everything we do considerably more expensive at a time when the high-priced housing market and high interest rates are already cutting into our bottom line.”

Why it matters: More than 41 million American jobs depend on trade, and 97% of the American companies that export are small and medium-sized businesses. See how your state benefits from trade with this interactive map.
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Our take: “American families and businesses are struggling with high costs. It’s one of the top issues that they want policymakers to address,” said U.S. Chamber Executive Vice President Neil Bradley.
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• “The Chamber supports the administration’s efforts to advance pro-growth policies like fewer regulations and less taxation that will grow our economy and expand opportunity; and to fix serious problems like our broken border and stopping the flow of fentanyl in this country. We also want to work together to keep costs down, but tariffs will only raise prices and increase the economic pain being felt by everyday Americans across the country.”

Learn more:

Tariffs on Imports Rocking Small Businesses as They Scramble to Adapt

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Love it or hate it, planning is a crucial part of any successful business.

 At Elevate, we happen to love planning. We do all sorts of planning––for our clients, for our own team, and in our personal lives––and we’ve developed some really useful tips and strategies to make the process easier and more effective.

We know that most business owners, CEOs, and leaders don’t feel the planning love like we do, though… So today, we’re sharing our best-kept secrets to help you plan for different areas of your business like a pro.

Who knows? Maybe you’ll find yourself feeling like a natural planner after implementing the planning ideas we’re sharing here!

Planning Tips for When You’re Launching a New Offer or Running a Sale

Almost all of us will have at least a few promotional marketing periods on our calendars. Whether you’re launching a new offer or service, running a limited-time sale, or promoting something specific––this is a normal part of most marketing strategies.

But there’s one thing we find many business owners and CEOs skip, even though they go through this process somewhat regularly: delegating.

There are so many moving pieces included in a launch or sale that you can’t possibly handle them all yourself.

Yet if you don’t plan to delegate, it’s hard to effectively offload any of the work. (This may be why you’ve found that it feels harder and more time-consuming to delegate tasks instead of just doing them yourself.)

So the number one thing you need to plan before a launch or sale is what you will delegate. You’ll want to plan who you will delegate each responsibility to, as well as check-in dates to keep everyone on track (if needed, it depends on the level of delegation you’re using), and a way to measure everyone’s success.

Once you’ve taken care of this crucial planning step, there are some other areas you’ll want to plan for, including:

• Any bonuses or incentives you’ll offer buyers
• How the offer will be delivered (the “container”)
• A marketing strategy that aligns with your values
• What social proof to use to build trust with your audience
• Celebrations for small milestones throughout the launch period so you stay motivated and positive

Planning for Your Team

Did you know that teams that feel strongly engaged generate 18% more in sales? (Flair HR)

A little planning goes a long way in keeping your team more engaged, more productive, and more satisfied––which leads to better results for your organization. That’s a serious win-win!

So how can you plan for your team?

• Roles and responsibilities outlined specific to each person that’s coming onto the team so they understand your expectations and know what to do.
• Established KPIs so you can see where each team member is excelling and where they have opportunities for growth.
• Tracking in place for each platform you’re using so you can see where your marketing is working and where you need to focus more of your time, money, and attention.
• Everyone's requested time off and organization-wide holidays recorded so you can properly schedule projects and avoid delays in deliverables.
• Regular team surveys. Ask your team things like:
  • How is the company doing?
  • How are you feeling on a personal and professional level?
  • How satisfied are you with the work you're doing?

A lack of planning typically leads to unmet expectations, missed deadlines, and a negative, uncertain culture.

Avoid all of those team challenges by planning ahead for your team and making sure everyone knows exactly what is expected of them.

Planning Your Workspace

Your physical space impacts your mental health and productivity. Turns out the old adage about “a cluttered space leads to a cluttered mind” is true.

We like to break your workspace into two specific elements for planning purposes:

• Your computer
• The physical space where you work (office, table, corner of your bedroom, etc.)

When you’re planning for an organized, efficient computer, we recommend that you:

• Only have work applications saved to your toolbar to keep distractions minimal.
• Clean out your files and folders at the end of every week.
• Empty your trash on a weekly basis after you clean up your folders.

And when it comes to your physical workspace:

• Have two screens for working if you regularly need to have more than one window open.
• Reset your desk on a weekly basis.
• Keep something nearby for taking notes throughout the day, and transfer those to a project management system at the end of the day.

Planning Tips for Making the Most of Your Free Time

The last focus area for planning today is the most fun: your free time!

Contrary to popular belief, planning for vacation, time off, and down time isn’t restrictive. It actually gives you more freedom to do the things you love!

Our experienced EA shared these tips for making the most of your time:

• Schedule regular blank space in your calendar every week.
• Go through your kids' calendars now and add any important school events to your calendar.
• Make a list of personal interests, hobbies, and enjoyable activities you want to accomplish.
• Plan to use your paid time off if you have it.
• Schedule downtime for your entire team.
• Prioritize rest during your time off.

A little planning ahead for your time off will give you more freedom, more flexibility, and more fun.

Need help planning in your business?

If you love the planning tips but realize you desperately need someone to help implement them––that’s where we come in!

From a 1:1 Operations Call with our founder to a Get It Done project or ongoing support from an Executive Assistant, planning is one of our superpowers. Let us help you plan your best month, quarter, and year in business yet!

Valencia-based Pets Global Inc., a pet food manufacturer, is coordinating with animal welfare organizations to distribute over 35 tons of its pet food to the Southern California communities affected by January’s wildfires.

The family-owned company has distributed more than 11,000 pounds of wet and dry dog and cat food to Pasadena Humane, Lange Foundation, Milo’s Sanctuary and Animal Wellness Centers and delivered an additional 11,500 pounds to Centinela Feed & Pet Supplies to support the Dream Center and other local fire relief efforts.

An additional 52,000 pounds of donated pet food, water and other essential supplies is being coordinated with local retailers and organizations throughout the Greater Los Angeles area in an ongoing effort to support as many pets and people as possible during this critical time.

“In times of crisis, our communities come together,” said Daniel Hereford, president and CEO of Pets Global. “We are honored to support our valued partners in providing relief to those affected by these devastating fires, and hope that these donations will help keep families together and ensure the well-being of their beloved pets.”

For more information visit https://pets-global.com/.

Source: SCVNews.com

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simplify365®: Get Organized. Build Wealth. Achieve More.

Santa Clarita, CA — February 3^rd, 2025 — Business owners now have a specialized solution to simplify their financial management and maximize their savings with the launch of simplify365®, a division of Vance Wealth.

Running a business is as rewarding as it is demanding. When personal and professional lives intertwine, business owners often seek ways to simplify both while still achieving their goals. That is the premise on which simplify365® was built: to provide clarity, ease, and actionable strategies for financial management.

Designed to address the unique challenges of running a business, simplify365® offers tailored solutions for tax planning, retirement plan design, and payroll optimization. With decades of experience in financial planning, simplify365® serves business owners at every stage—from startups navigating growth to mature companies focused on long-term success.

“At simplify365®, we believe financial complexity shouldn’t stand in the way of business success,” said John Vance, Founder of Vance Wealth. “We’ve tailored our services to meet business owners where they are—helping them simplify their financial lives, minimize tax burdens, and achieve both their personal and professional goals.”

Simplifying Financial Complexity

simplify365® is built to help business owners:

• Save More: Implement tax strategies designed to preserve wealth and minimize liabilities.
• Stress Less: Simplify financial management through seamless collaboration with accountants, attorneys, and other professionals.
• Achieve More: Shift focus from day-to-day financial tasks to driving business growth and long-term success.

This proactive approach extends beyond numbers. simplify365® is committed to helping entrepreneurs thrive and make a positive impact in their communities. By combining tailored strategies with expert guidance, simplify365® transforms financial management into a tool for building wealth and achieving lasting success.

A Legacy of Trust and Excellence

As a division of Vance Wealth, simplify365® benefits from the firm’s established reputation for excellence, client-centric service, and innovative financial solutions. This legacy of trust and expertise extends to simplify365®, equipping business owners with the tools they need to navigate the intricate landscape of financial management with confidence.

Get Started Today!

Take the first step toward simplifying your financial life. Schedule a complimentary consultation or request a free tax analysis at simplify-365.com

Media Contact

Shanele Stoll
Marketing & Sales Manager
Shanele.Stoll@VanceWealth.com

Disclosures

Vance Wealth, LLC. ("Vance Wealth" or the “Advisor”) is a Registered Investment Advisor ("RIA"), located in the State of California. Vance Wealth provides investment advisory and related services for clients nationally. Vance Wealth will maintain all applicable registration and licenses as required by the various states in which Vance Wealth conducts business, as applicable. Vance Wealth renders individualized responses to persons in a particular state only after complying with all regulatory requirements, or pursuant to an applicable state exemption or exclusion.

Tax & Legal Disclosure: This plan should not be considered tax or legal advice. Clients should consult with a qualified tax consultant or legal counsel as to their particular situation and to discuss potential tax consequences.

Client recognizes that any and all recommendations made by Advisor are opinions only and are derived from sources and information believed to be reliable which the Advisor cannot warrant as to accuracy.  Client agrees that Advisor shall not assume responsibility other than to render Advisor’s services in good faith.

Recommendations developed by Advisor are based on professional training, experience and judgment. Although every reasonable effort will be made to make accurate assumptions, no guarantee can be made that actual events will follow as assumed.

Nothing herein shall be deemed to protect Advisor against any liability to the Client in which Advisor would otherwise be subject by reason of malfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of Advisor’s duty or by reason of Advisor’s violation of applicable law or of disregard of Advisor’s obligation and duties hereunder. It is further understood that neither Advisor nor any of its employees are qualified to render tax advice.

You should discuss any tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional. Please note, changes in tax laws or regulations may occur at any time and could substantially impact your situation. While we are familiar with the tax provisions of the issues presented herein, as Financial Advisors of Vance Wealth Inc., we are not qualified to render advice on tax or legal matters.