"Lean forward into your life...catch the best bits and the finest wind. Just tip your feathers in flight a wee bit and see how dramatically that small lean can change your life." - Mary Anne Radmacher

I just wanted to take a moment to say, thank you for being so extraordinary. The countless hours and hundreds of details you manage on top of being so creative and generous amazes me and I'm grateful for you. Whether you've been reading my Tips for three years or three days, know that the gift of your time is truly appreciated.

Time, it is so precious. It's why I'm very passionate about helping dance studio owners maximize it and be more productive. I've shared with many of you, that most days I'm in my mobile office (that would be my minivan!) between running to the studio, picking up my kids from school, running them to activities and back again.

This week's tip is a list of a few of my favorite tools I use daily which help me save time. They are all free and I thought you might find them useful.

For productivity and projects in process: Google Docs: http://docs.google.com
We accomplish a lot in less time at our studio because of using Google docs. Our management team shares information and each of us can edit, add, and update from our home or any web browser. This saves a lot of time and headaches wondering what version of a policy update or website edit is in progress. Plus it speeds up our ability to get work done without having to always meet in-person. Even if you are a one-person operation, this is still a useful tool for saving drafts and having access to your information on any web browser.

For editing music: Audacity http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
Need to cut, fade in, mix a piece of music? I love Audacity and our teachers do too. It's open-source software and it has saved us a lot of time when it comes to easy editing of our music.

For managing convention, competition or travel plans: Tripit: http://www.tripit.com
Do you take your students to conventions, competitions or events where either a flight or hotel reservation needs to be posted? Want to add driving directions or notes about the venue to the event location? This can all be done quickly and easily when you forward travel confirmations to your tripit account, and then you can share the information with a simple link. Even better if you use a smart phone the app populates all of your itineraries with flight status updates and more.

What area of your business do you wish you could save more time around? Do you have a favorite tool or resource that you use that love that saves you time or energy? I'd love to hear from you!

Q: I have had terrible issues with a particular family. How do you tell a family or student that you would not welcome them back?

http://dance-teacher.com/content/how-do-you-tell-family-you-would-not-welcome-them-back

Two of my friends and colleagues have created dance convention opportunities that give students an opportunity to take master classes from guest teachers, no competition involved. I'd highly recommend their programs, they are passionate about giving teachers and students a memorable and enjoyable experience:

The Motiv8 Tour: http://motiv8tour.com/ (Four cities: Houston, Boston, Los Angeles, & Minneapolis)

Turn It Up Dance Conventions: http://turnitupdance.com/conventions.html (Four cities: Hanover NJ, Mystic CT, Lancaster PA, & Springfield MA)

http://www.dancestudioowner.com/members/697.cfm

• SAVE MONEY in areas that you may have been spending and not seeing results.
• MAKE MORE MONEY when you implement and take action on the information.
• Discover ways to increase class sizes.
• Retain more students, plus turn them into raving fans.
• Find simple ways to save time, leverage your hard-earned resources and bring in new students on a steady basis.
• Take that savings and invest it into yourself so that you can keep your passion for dance alive as you grow your business!