System Addict: How efficient are you?
Are you running your business – or is the business running you?
Do you regularly catch yourself thinking:
“There must be an easier way of doing this”
Do you have all good intentions to shut down your laptop and jet off on holiday, only to find yourself checking emails and listening to voicemail on a daily basis, when you’re supposed to be sipping sangria by the pool?
These are common problems we hear from our clients, and all of them can be a sign that efficiency in your business isn’t quite on point. Systemising your business could be the answer. But why? And how?
The benefits of systemising your business
Research carried out by a Sheffield firm of accountants in the early 2000s discovered that fully systemised businesses were valued at up to 86% more than a business with no or very few systems in place. When the right systems are in place, they’ll help you to:
- Free up more time to do the things you want to do
- Make sure your business gives a consistent, error-free service
- Improve efficiency and reduce costs because your employees don’t have to keep reinventing the wheel
- Help with staff development, allowing them to learn new skills quickly and easily
- Make it easier to delegate tasks, meaning you can get on with working ON the business rather than IN it.
Which systems are right for you?
We understand that each business has different needs, and some are more complex than others. But even the most complicated service will benefit from systemising some key processes. As a starting point, think about the following areas:
Identity systems
These define your business to all those that matter – your customers, employees and the business owners. These are the ‘big wins’ that will attract new customers and keep them coming back for more. They’ll include systems for:
- Leadership and management
- Marketing and sales
- Customer service
Priority systems
These support the identity systems, and although not necessarily apparent to the customer, they’re critical because the identity systems would fail without them. These too could make a big impact on revenues. Priority systems will include:
- Operational systems, including service delivery, production and innovation
Background systems
All of those back-office requirements that keep things running smoothly. We’d suggest that many of these could be outsourced, to allow you to focus on growing your business. These include systems for:
- Team (recruitment, appraisals etc.)
- Finance
- Administration
Mandatory systems
These are required by law and again, could be outsourced. They’ll include systems for:
- Accounting
- Health and safety
- Industry regulations
So now you know the kind of systems to consider, how do you create and put them into action?
We’ve got lots more helpful advice on writing and implementing systems for your business in our eBook ‘Reflect. Dream. Do’. Grab your free copy here