Does your ConnectWise PSA (Manage) resemble a time capsule more than a time management tool? If your timesheets are gathering more dust than data, it might be "about time" for a cleanup! Missed billings and cluttered records can sneak up on even the most diligent among us, but don't worry—we've got you covered. In this week's newsletter, we'll guide you through sprucing up those outdated entries and ensuring every minute is accounted for accurately and efficiently.

Keeping precise and up-to-date timesheets is not just good practice—it's essential for accurate billing, streamlined operations, and insightful reporting. Over time, however, it's easy for old and unsubmitted time entries to accumulate, leading to a backlog that can hinder productivity and obscure important data. Let's delve into why cleaning up your timesheets is crucial and how you can seamlessly achieve it within ConnectWise Manage.

The Hidden Costs of Cluttered Timesheets

1. Missed Billing Opportunities

   Unsubmitted or outdated time entries can directly impact your bottom line. Every unrecorded minute is a potential revenue loss, and inconsistent timesheets make it challenging to invoice clients accurately. Ensuring your timesheets are current helps capture all billable hours, reflecting the true value of the services provided.

2. Operational Inefficiencies

   Cluttered timesheets can slow down administrative processes, making it harder for managers to review and approve time entries promptly.

3. Compromised Reporting and Analysis

   Accurate time tracking is essential for generating meaningful reports that inform business decisions.

Benefits of a Timely Cleanup

• Enhanced Accuracy: Regular maintenance ensures all time entries reflect actual work performed, promoting transparency and trust with clients.

• Improved Productivity: Streamlined timesheets simplify the review and approval process, freeing up time for more critical tasks.

• Better Compliance: Maintaining up-to-date records helps in adhering to contractual obligations and industry regulations, safeguarding your business from potential disputes.

Here’s how to get started on cleaning up those Time Sheets!

I have been using Google for many an Excel Formula, so it’s no surprise that I’ve switched over to ChatGPT as a source for writing formulas, troubleshooting errors, and optimizing my data.

I’ve included some prompts below to get you started, but the most exciting thing I have learned lately is that YOU CAN UPLOAD EXCEL SPREADSHEETS INTO CHATGPT.

I had to do some sales analysis for a customer and could upload a stripped-down Excel spreadsheet (with dummy SKUs, quantities, and dates) and ask ChatGPT multiple questions about bestsellers, monthly sales trends, and recommended bundle products. It’s not perfect (yet) but it is really exciting.

Example Prompts and How to Use Them

1. Creating Formulas

• Basic Calculation: "What’s the formula to calculate the sum of values in cells A1 through A10 in Excel?"

• Conditional Logic: "How do I write an IF formula that returns 'Yes' if a value in cell B2 is greater than 100 and 'No' otherwise?"

• Date Calculations: "Can you give me a formula to calculate the number of days between two dates in cells C1 and D1?"

2. Fixing Errors

• #VALUE! Error: "I’m getting a #VALUE! error in my SUM formula. Can you help me fix it?"

• VLOOKUP Issues: "My VLOOKUP formula isn’t returning the correct value. What’s wrong with this formula?"

• Circular References: "I keep getting a circular reference warning in Excel. How can I resolve this?"

3. Optimizing Workflows

• Data Cleanup: "What’s the best way to remove duplicates from a list in Excel?"

• Pivot Tables: "Can you guide me on how to create a pivot table to summarize sales data by region?"

• Macros: "How do I create a simple Excel macro to automate copying data from one sheet to another?"

As we dive into back-to-school season and gear up for year-end, it’s the perfect time to ensure your systems are clean, up to date, and ready for the year ahead. If your setup could use a year-end audit, I’ve got you covered—book a time with me, and let’s make sure everything is running smoothly!