How Time Batching Boosts Your Productivity

For small business owners, it seems like there’s never enough time to get everything done. One tool that will help you get the most out of your time is time batching, also called time blocking. 


If you haven’t heard of this concept before, it can revolutionize the way you approach work. 

What is Time Batching?

Time batching is the process of grouping similar tasks together on your calendar to gain economies of scale. Almost every task can be batched: answering emails, running errands, customer calls or appointments, responding to employee questions, and even meetings. 


Here are a couple of examples. Instead of running separate errands on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, why not run all errands on Wednesday in one trip? Instead of answering emails throughout the day, plan to answer them for 30 minutes at 8AM, 1PM, and 4:30 PM. Instead of having appointments scattered throughout the week, schedule them back-to-back on Monday. 


The beauty of time batching is that your brain will be less exhausted at the end of the day. Interruptions are minimized and you’ll have fewer ‘switching costs.’ Switching cost is the time it takes your brain to switch from one task to the next. Changing gears too frequently strains the brain. Time batching helps your brain to get into and stay in “flow,” allowing you to get more work accomplished in less time. 

Business and Personal Use

You don’t have to restrict time batching to your work life. You are likely already practicing time batching at home and don’t know it. When you prepare the week’s meals on Sunday or wash several loads of laundry in a row, you are practicing a form of time batching. 


While some things can’t be batched—like walking the dog—the vast majority of tasks can. You just need to be open to the possibilities. 

The Payoff

The largest payoff with time batching comes when you can reduce your most common interruptions. For example, could you encourage your team to write down questions throughout the day and present them at the end of the day? 


Emails and texts are constant interruptions for many. The first thing you can do is turn off your email and text notifications so you’re not interrupted every time a message comes in. Then decide how often during the day you want to check for new items. Aim for three or fewer times if your job allows it. 


Phone calls can be another interruption. When possible, encourage callers to schedule a time to call you or let them know email is more efficient. 

Getting It All Done

Time batching is something you can practice for years and still get better at. Try implementing one piece of time batching at a time so you don’t overwhelm yourself with change. Look intentionally for more items to batch every few months, no matter how long you’ve been practicing.


Time batching will not only give you more time in your personal life, but you’ll also be less drained and more energized at the end of the day. Try it and see what you think! 

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5 Ways to Increase Cash Flow in Your Service-Based Business

By Alisa McCabe • May 2, 2025
Cash flow is the lifeblood of any business, but for service-based businesses, managing cash flow can be particularly challenging. With fluctuating client payments, project-based revenue, and ongoing expenses, maintaining a steady flow of cash is critical to sustaining and growing your company. In this white paper, we’ll outline five actionable strategies to improve your cash flow and ensure financial stability. 1. Optimize Your Invoicing Process One of the most common reasons for cash flow issues is delayed payments. To accelerate cash inflows: Use Automated Invoicing: Implement invoicing software like QuickBooks Online to send invoices promptly and track outstanding payments. Set Clear Payment Terms: Require upfront deposits or shorter payment terms (e.g., Net 15 instead of Net 30). Offer Multiple Payment Options: Make it easy for clients to pay via ACH, credit card, or online portals. 2. Improve Pricing and Packaging Many service businesses underprice their offerings, leading to tight margins and cash flow struggles. Consider: Bundling Services: Create packaged service offerings to encourage larger commitments from clients. Value-Based Pricing: Charge based on the value you provide rather than just hourly rates. Regular Pricing Reviews: Reassess your pricing annually to ensure profitability. 3. Implement a Recurring Revenue Model Recurring revenue provides predictable cash flow and reduces the pressure of constantly acquiring new clients. To transition to this model: Offer Subscription-Based Services: Create monthly retainers or ongoing support packages. Encourage Long-Term Contracts: Provide discounts for clients who commit to extended service agreements. Automate Payments: Use autopay systems to ensure consistent cash inflow. 4. Manage Expenses Strategically Reducing unnecessary expenses can free up cash and improve profitability. Some key actions include: Review Expenses Regularly: Identify non-essential costs and renegotiate vendor contracts. Use Technology to Streamline Operations: Invest in tools that automate administrative tasks and reduce manual labor. Outsource Strategically: Leverage outsourced bookkeeping or virtual assistants instead of hiring full-time staff. 5. Forecast and Plan for Cash Flow Gaps Proactively managing your cash flow ensures you can handle slow periods without financial strain. To stay ahead: Create a Cash Flow Forecast: Use financial software to predict cash inflows and outflows. Build a Cash Reserve: Set aside funds for emergencies or seasonal dips in revenue. Secure a Line of Credit: Establish credit before you need it, so you have access to funds when necessary. Improving cash flow isn’t just about cutting costs or chasing payments—it’s about implementing smart financial strategies that create stability and growth. By optimizing invoicing, refining pricing, adopting recurring revenue, controlling expenses, and forecasting cash needs, you can take control of your business’s financial health.  If you need help optimizing your financial systems and cash flow strategy, First Steps Financial is here to support you. Schedule a consultation today!

Outsourced Accounting vs. Fractional Accounting: What’s the Difference?

By Alisa McCabe • April 15, 2025
As a service-based business owner, managing finances effectively is key to growth and profitability. When looking for financial support, you may come across terms like "outsourced accounting" and "fractional accounting." While they may sound similar, they serve different purposes and offer unique benefits. Understanding the differences can help you decide which approach best suits your business needs. What is Outsourced Accounting? Outsourced accounting refers to hiring an external firm to handle bookkeeping and financial reporting tasks on an ongoing basis. This solution is ideal for businesses that need consistent, reliable financial management but don’t require a full-time, in-house accounting team. Key Benefits of Outsourced Accounting: Cost-Effective: More affordable than hiring an internal accounting department. Scalability: Services can be tailored to your business size and needs. Access to Expertise: Work with professionals who specialize in bookkeeping, payroll, and tax preparation. Technology-Driven: Many firms use cloud-based software like QuickBooks Online for efficiency and real-time reporting. What is Fractional Accounting? A fractional accounting firm provides higher-level financial strategy and decision-making support, often acting as a part-time CFO or controller. This approach is best for businesses that need more than basic bookkeeping but don’t yet require a full-time financial executive. Key Benefits of Fractional Accounting: Strategic Financial Oversight: Helps with budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning. Higher-Level Expertise: A fractional CFO or controller can provide insights beyond day-to-day transactions. Customizable Support: Businesses can engage a fractional firm for a few hours a week or month based on their needs. Growth-Focused: Ideal for scaling companies needing financial strategy without the full-time cost of an in-house CFO. Which One is Right for Your Business? The choice between outsourced and fractional accounting depends on your business size, complexity, and financial goals. Choose Outsourced Accounting if: You need reliable bookkeeping, payroll management, and financial reporting but don’t require deep financial strategy. Choose Fractional Accounting if: Your business is growing, and you need financial leadership, cash flow management, and strategic planning without the cost of a full-time CFO. The Best of Both Worlds Some firms, like First Steps Financial, offer both outsourced accounting and fractional CFO services. This allows businesses to start with outsourced accounting and scale up to fractional services as they grow, ensuring they always have the right financial support. Both outsourced accounting and fractional accounting firms can play a crucial role in your business’s success. The key is understanding where your business stands today and what level of financial expertise will help you achieve your long-term goals. If you’re unsure which option is best for you, First Steps Financial can help! Contact us today to discuss your needs and find the right financial solution for your business.

Train, Trust, and Let Go: How Great Leaders Build Confident Teams

By Alisa McCabe • April 4, 2025
Don’t overinspect or oversupervise. Allow your leaders to make mistakes in training, so they can profit from the errors and not make them in combat. -Col. Glover Johns We had just hit the jackpot. A Chinese submarine crossed our path in an area where no one expected it to be. This should have been a massive win for U.S. intelligence, our ship, and us as SONAR technicians. But there was one problem: no one made the call. The submarine was only discovered in post-analysis days later. What should have been a career-defining success became a failure for our SONAR team due to hesitation and lack of confidence. One of my teammates saw the submarine—its frequencies matched, it behaved like a submarine, and all the indicators were there. But he didn’t speak up. He was afraid of being wrong. When this failure came to light, our team had a meeting to figure out what went wrong. The teammate who had seen it was devastated. He felt like he had failed the entire crew. Our immediate supervisor didn’t help—he picked apart every mistake, repeatedly asking, “How could you miss this? I’ve shown you this a million times!” After a few minutes of this, his boss stepped in. He asked how we were being trained. The answer was obvious to all of us. Our supervisor was a doer, not a teacher. He couldn’t stand to see mistakes, so instead of letting us learn, he micromanaged and took over. The result? We lacked the confidence and knowledge to make decisions because we had never been trusted to. At this point, you might think, “What a terrible leader!” And you’d be right—at least in this instance. But what you might not realize is that even good leaders fall into this trap. And you’re not immune to it either. If you have kids, I guarantee you’ve stepped in and done something for them because they were taking too long. If you run a business, you’ve likely taken over a task because you didn’t trust an employee to do it right. It feels like the right move in the moment, but it’s not. It is the easy way out. The answer is simple: real leadership requires patience. It’s easier to take over than to teach. So how do we break this cycle? It takes discipline. Step one: provide the right training. No one becomes an expert overnight, but they need a foundation strong enough to work from. Encourage questions and never make people feel stupid for asking. If they’re afraid to ask, they’ll be afraid to act. Step two: let go. You have to trust the people you train. Set expectations clearly and then step back. Resist the urge to jump in. Step three: debrief. Go over the work. Point out successes and failures. Then, instead of just pointing out what went wrong, show them how to do better. Follow these steps, and I guarantee you’ll build a team that has the knowledge and confidence to make the call. Written by: Marc Chianese, CPA Candidate

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