5 Fashion & Function QuickBooks Tips

Working in QuickBooks can be boring...confusing numbers, dull desktop colors, and perplexing navigation....so jazz it up with our tips.

1.  Personalize Desktop View 

Under the Edit tab, scroll down to Preferences & choose Desktop View. 

Make Navigation easier when you click Multiple Windows box. 

 Next scroll down to the Color Scheme, find the one

that fits your personality.

 Sure, you're still working in QuickBooksTM but now you're snazzier.

2.  Use Enter  between fields.

Move down the list to General.  There are lots of choices here but the number one time-saver is "Pressing Enter moves between fields".  

We are all  used to using the Enter key it's   a no-brainer to activate in QB's.

3. Customize the Icon Bar.   

QuickBooksTM sets up a general Icon Bar during installation so customizing it gives you the control     for the way you work.

Add the Calculator, Delete Estimates, Edit the layout...move the content around anyway you want....you're in charge and that's a good thing.

4. To Do Lists

As we get busier and busier, having up to date lists gets critical.  Open the To Do List when you open QuickBooksTM for a glance at what's important today. 

Add a reminder, mark as done, or print out the list to keep on your desk...that's smart.

5. Business Reminders  

To keep on top of everyday transactions use Reminders.  You'll never lose track of Bills to Pay or Invoices to send, and more importantly, those that are overdue.

Just another way to work smarter.

+1 Bonus:

IntuitTM  adds extra value every year to help entrepreneurs use QuickBooks to grow their businesses.  Now you can create newsletters, invitations or special notifications using      your customer contact list in QuickBooksTM. 

What do Skills have to do with Your Success?

Starting and running a business is exciting and most of the time a little (or a lot) scary.  Every day there's work to be done...some tasks are in our comfort zone and some aren't.  It's only natural that we avoid the work we don't understand or is more challenging to us.

Preparation is key whether you're just launching your business or ramping up to the next level.  Take some time to analyze your skill set...what do you need for your craft and what do you need for the business side of your business.

No doubt you are accomplished at your craft whether you're a graphic artist, web designer, or plumber.  You feel confident reviewing the scope of work to land your dream client, and jump starting your creative juices to finish in time, and your attention to details keep clients coming back for more.

But back to the Business of Business....I see very accomplished business women struggle when it comes to their business skills.

At a minimum business owners need these skills:

Sales - We're all selling something

Marketing - How customers find us

Bookkeeping - Tracking the in & out of money

Customer Service - Creating a tribe of evangelists

Master these skills even if you will end up hiring or outsourcing some of these tasks...a smart entrepreneur can do everything.  And when you build a firm foundation you'll confidently and skillfully maneuver your business in a new direction, drop products that aren't profitable, or improve your sales.

"Without passion, all the skill in the world won't lift you above craft.  Without skill, all the passion in the world will leave  you eager but floundering.  Combining the two is the essence of the creative life."  The Creative Habit, Twyla Tharp