Unless you systemise you’ll always be trapped!

Ever felt like your business was a wild, untamed beast?  A creature that seemed to have a life of its own, disrupting your peace, consuming your free time, and leaving you with more stress than satisfaction? Welcome to the club of small business owners wrestling their own business beasts.

Welcome to Momentum Business Insights, where we share our 21+ years of experience as business coaches, helping small business owners thrive. Today, we're here to give you a comprehensive strategy for transforming your chaotic business into a well-oiled machine that works for you, not against you.

Let’s embark on a journey of moving from chaos to control. 

Debunking Myths: The Chaos in 'Unique' Businesses 

In our years of experience as business coaches, we've often heard small business owners say, "But my business is unique! It doesn't conform to typical systems or processes!" And that's perfectly okay. Each business is unique, with its distinct challenges and opportunities. But even unicorns need a bit of grooming to shine!

As the legendary business leader Mark Zuckerberg said, "The biggest risk is not taking any risk... In a world that's changing really quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks." The risk here? Shaking up the status quo in your unique business and embracing the world of systemization.

And let’s clarify: systemization does not mean stripping away your business’s uniqueness or turning it into a soulless machine. On the contrary, it means creating an environment where your uniqueness can truly shine without getting buried in day-to-day chaos.

Embracing the Order: The Power of Systemization 

Systemization might not seem the most thrilling aspect of running a business, but it's often the secret sauce behind business success. Just as Steve Jobs said, "Great things in business are never done by one person; they're done by a team of people." And what enables a team to work seamlessly together? Systems.

Systemization is not about robotic precision; it’s about harmony and efficiency. It's about everyone in your business understanding their roles and responsibilities and performing them effectively and efficiently.

As we dive into how to tame your business beast with the power of systemization, remember that the process of systemization isn’t one-size-fits-all. Your systems need to be tailored to your unique business needs and objectives. But the end result is the same: a business that works for you, giving you freedom and peace of mind.

So, are you ready to trade in your chaos for control? Let's dive in! 

Unlocking the Secrets of Systemization: Your Path to Control 

As business coaches, we've learned that the first step towards taming any beast is understanding it. The same goes for your business - understanding its processes and routines can help you gain control. Here's a simple, step-by-step guide to making systemization your ally:

1. Identify Areas that Need Systemization ‍

Start by identifying recurring tasks and processes in your business. This could be anything from daily operations to customer service, inventory management, or employee training. By getting everything out of your head and onto paper, you create a tangible guide that your team can refer to.

Remember, you're not just writing instructions; you're creating a map of your business operations. A map that guides each member of your team, ensuring they understand their responsibilities and how to execute them correctly.

     2. Break Down Processes into Simple Steps ‍

Once you've identified your key processes, the next step is breaking them down into simpler, manageable steps. This not only makes it easier for your team to follow but also makes it possible to identify areas for automation or improvement.

Consider the words of Richard Branson, "Complexity is your enemy. Any fool can make something complicated. It's hard to make something simple." By simplifying your processes, you make them efficient, repeatable, and trainable.

In our journey as business coaches, we've witnessed businesses transform through the power of systemization. Let's look at an example that brings these steps to life.

The Story of a Unique Beast: A Case Study 

A client of ours, a renovations company that we had the privilege of coaching. Their motto was, "Every job is unique." Sounds familiar?

When we first started, they were juggling various projects, each with its unique requirements, causing a chaos that was hard to manage. To help them gain control, we followed the first two steps of systemization.

We started by identifying the key processes in their operations. From initial client consultation to design, construction, and final walkthrough, we broke each of these phases down into individual tasks.

The result? A comprehensive list of 141 tasks, each crucial to the successful delivery of their services.

The transformation didn't happen overnight. But once we broke down their processes into simple steps, the company started seeing their operations in a new light. They realized that even amidst the uniqueness of each project, there were common threads, recurring tasks that could be standardized and systemized.

We're just halfway through this transformation story. Stay tuned for the remaining steps and the impressive results they achieved. But for now, let's move on to the next steps of our systemization guide.

       3. Delegation and Training - Empower Your Team ‍

After identifying and simplifying your processes, the next step is empowering your team to implement them. This is where delegation and training come into play. After all, a great process is only as good as the people managing it.

As we always advise, the right training ensures your team understands the systems and can adhere to them. Use this as an opportunity for feedback and improvement. As Bill Gates said, “We all need people who will give us feedback. That’s how we improve.” Provide your team with the necessary tools and training to follow through with these processes.

Now, let's go back to our renovations company story. They took this lesson to heart. They not only shared these systemized tasks with their team but also trained them effectively. Their receptionist, who was initially overwhelmed by the myriad of tasks, was now lodging plans with the council, thanks to the clear, systemized process we had set up. This is systemization at its best!

      4. Monitor, Review, and Improve 

Systemization isn't a one-time activity; it's an ongoing commitment to continuous improvement. This requires regularly monitoring your systems' performance and tweaking them where necessary. Remember, your business is dynamic, and so should your systems be.

Regular feedback from your team can provide invaluable insights for improvements. Just like we constantly adapt to market changes, your systems should evolve to better suit your changing business needs.

Again, drawing from our experience with our client, we ensured they understood the importance of this step. Regular reviews and adjustments became part of their routine, allowing their systems to mature and become more efficient over time.

By embracing systemization and following through these steps, they transformed their operations. They went from chaos to control, growing their turnover from $4 million to $8 million in just a few years. What's more, they saw their profits rise as well, proof that efficient systems can significantly impact your bottom line!

This brings us to the final, often overlooked, part of the systemization journey - celebrating the benefits.

      5. Reaping the Benefits: A Toast to Systemization 

Often, in the hustle and bustle of running a business, we forget to stop, look back, and appreciate how far we've come. The rewards of systemization are many, and they're certainly worth celebrating!

Increased Productivity: With streamlined systems in place, your business is poised for enhanced productivity. Tasks are defined, responsibilities are clear, and there's no time wasted figuring out what needs to be done. 

Business Growth and Profitability: Systemization provides a solid foundation for your business to grow. Our client is a testament to this. Their turnover doubled from $4 million to $8 million in just a few years after embracing systemization.

Improved Work-Life Balance: A systemized business can run smoothly even when you're not there. It gives you, as a business owner, the freedom to focus on strategic tasks or even take time off without worrying about operational chaos. It's the key to achieving that elusive work-life balance.

Reduced Stress Levels: Knowing that your business processes are systemized and running like a well-oiled machine can significantly reduce stress. No more losing sleep over missed tasks or operational hiccups!

Conclusion: From Chaos to Control 

The journey from chaos to control is a marathon, not a sprint. It's a process of continuous improvement, trial and error, and, most importantly, a commitment to taming your business beast.

Like our client, you too can bring order to your operations, increase your profitability, and achieve a better work-life balance. Systemization might seem like a colossal task, but with the right guidance and resources, it can be your pathway to business success.

Next Steps 

Ready to embark on this journey of transformation? Book a Clarity Call with us today. Let's tame your business beast together, and guide you from chaos to control.

Remember, Momentum Business Improvement is here to support you every step of the way. Let’s embark on this journey together, improving businesses and changing lives.

Momentum: Improve your business…change your life!