IN OREGON USA, with its history of agriculture and forestry, the concept of ‘sharpening your saw’ has real meaning.  It refers to keeping your tools, your skills and your attitude maintained — sharp and ready.

Recently I read an article about applying these principles to your computer and I thought about how they apply across the board in business. To expand your business or achieve any significant goal, you need the best tools you can find.

Whether the challenge is harvesting lumber, making a sale, or teaching high school, the person with the best tools will always do the best job.

Here are some critical areas to re-examine:

1. Your computer

Get and USE good maintenance tools. Run a thorough check for viruses, de-fragment your hard disk, and check it for errors at least once a week. Norton, McAfee and others sell tools that make this easy and automated.  Do it!

2. Voice communication

Get and use a great voice mail system.If your clients, customers, friends and colleagues can’t reach you, they won’t do business with you. And NEVER require people to identify themselves before they call your business phone.Never make if difficult for people to do business with you!

3. Get and use a PDA or similar system

Every professional has a vital list of appointments, phone numbers, names and data that you must have with you at all times. Don’t leave home without it.

4. Superb email and Internet services

It’s not enough to “have” email.Make it work for you! Become an expert at quickly sharing articles, notes, data and humour with your clients and customers. If you’re serious about business, get serious about your email.

5. Specific tools for your niche and profession

Every industry has its own tools, language, skills and standards.Become an expert in them, become known as an ‘early adopter’, the person who invests heavily in new technology and the latest solutions. It costs money; it pays in profits.