When was the last time you stepped away both physically and mentally from your business? I mean really stepped away. No phone calls, no emails (would you even be comfortable to turn your phone off?), no ‘I need to’ thoughts running through your head at 2am.
Do you ever feel like your business is running you instead of you running it?
If your business relies on you and without you it will not work, then taking a holiday is out of the question, or, if one day you decide to sell, then your business is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it provided you keep on running it.
The biggest thing that you can do for your business and for yourself is to build a strong foundation and following that, a systemised business.
Simply put, a systemised business is one that consistently achieves the same result, regardless of who is completing the task. Having clear, documented systems in place frees you from the day to day operations of the business and allows you to step back and focus on growing your business knowing that your customers and your business are both being looked after, at a standard you have set.
How does it happen?
The first step in doing this is getting all of the tasks and thoughts out of your head and onto paper, in a task/project management tool or other online app, or even dictated into your phone. Whatever you find easiest. By doing this you can start to see what’s actually going on in the business and by whom. Once everything is mapped out you can start to go through and look at each task individually and work through the process you need to go through in order to complete the task. Is the right person in your business completing the task? Is there room for improvement? Can you spend some time now changing the way that it is being done to save bucket loads of time (and money) later on? Seek feedback from the people currently completing the task. They are your best source of information. Remember this is not a quick one hour fix. Systemising takes time but the benefits are well worth the investment.
Documenting your systems doesn’t have to be elaborate or extensive. They can take many forms including but not limited to manuals, instruction sheets, posters, video or audio recordings, YouTube channels, online, or in-house software. They just need to provide enough information in step by step form to allow the person following the task to achieve the desired result. Due to the constant updates of your systems and using the technology available, I do recommend you utilise some form of online documentation to save printing and binding of manuals each time there is a change.
The future
Once your systems are implemented this does not mean that you can ‘set and forget’. Systems need to be constantly reviewed, evaluated, and tweaked. Schedule annual reviews of your systems and stick to it! I have used three project management companies believing each time I had found the best. I’m still not sure we are using the one best for us but again it is a work in progress!
Systems are rarely right the first time so try and be patient, take your time, and know that taking the time to systemise, document and automate your business will allow you to not only grow your business but also to give you the freedom to turn your phone off and take the holiday that you deserve. Uninterrupted.
If the thought of systemising is keeping you awake at night, or you want to give it a go but you are really just not sure where to start, then download my free guide on 5 Steps to Systemising by filling in the form below
If you would like to talk more on how ProjectBox can help you to systemsie your business, I’d love to offer you a free 30 minute consultation! Get in touch here, we can make it work for you.
