Where are my pants?
Not having a business system is like not wearing pants to work.
It is ridiculous, the stuff nightmares are made of (unless it’s Zoom). It is hard to take someone seriously if they are not wearing pants.
How many businesses are there walking around without pants?
The difference-maker.
My high school-aged son has an entrepreneurial spirit. We were at the mall on the weekend and he asked, “What’s the difference between franchises and a local start-up?”
I summed up the difference, “You buy into a system with a franchise. A proven brand and method to make money. Your customers come expecting to get the same atmosphere and product no matter which location they visit.
When you start a local business, you start from scratch. You need to find your own way to attract and recall customers, train staff and provide consistent results and service. There is less money required at the outset, but usually more risk.”
The Problem
Many companies are somewhere in between a polished, proven system and no system at all. This creates stress and chaos for owners and staff, or in some cases unpredictable service for clients.
Systems Add Value
Building and documenting systems add value to your business. As in the discussion above, systems make results repeatable and predictable, adding value. Systems stabilize the business and provide a great foundation for innovation. Innovation in turn increases demand and creates excitement.
Having simple, easy-to-follow systems and processes decreases stress for the owner(s), managers and employees. Systems give investors and banks feelings of certainty. For owners looking to retire, a systematized business is more enticing to potential investors or purchasers and thus commands a higher valuation.
Where do you start?
Simple is better.
Systems shouldn’t be complex. In fact, the simpler and more repeatable systems are easier to document and follow through on. Only document the main steps, empower your team to take care of the details.
Unlock Hidden Potential
The best systems include the entire organization and encourage input from all levels. Great innovations come from simple, low cost ideas from the front lines.
Repetition.
Repetition is key. Stay committed to one process, making small tweaks. Document any changes. This will foster trust and create an environment where staff will risk giving their honest opinion.
Challenge:
Start systemizing your business by focusing on one area.
Some ideas of where to start;
What area of your business could be less stressful?
Is there an area that works really well? Is it documented?
Are your meetings predictable and repeatable? Do they end with actionable tasks that solve problems?
Overwhelmed or too busy? Feel free to message me.
