by Asa Beavers
As business owners and managers, a key to our success is being able to get things done through others. How often though do we find ourselves doing a task because nobody else knows how or 'nobody can do it as good as I can?' Essentially, we fail to effectively leverage ourselves. Why? The main reason is often because we haven't documented the process or the system. It's locked in our heads making it difficult to train others and hold them accountable.
Systems are your way of empowering your team to do large parts of your job just as if you were doing it personally. Systems can reduce your hours and stress by getting average people to do a great job. Sound fantastic? Well, it is easy once you know a few simple techniques.
- Work until it becomes simple. If the system is complex, then keep working to simplify it! When you really understand something, and present it well, it will become simple. For example, written procedures can often be clarified by presenting them as checklists or tables.
- Only write systems that make money (or reduce a big risk). We are not the government and not in the business of creating manuals, so only create a system if it simplifies a task, improves quality, or speeds up a service. This will keep you focused. Forget your big company or corporate experience of many volumes that mainly gather dust. Rather, the trick is to start small and let it grow with time.
- Make sure your precious systems are being used. As you create systems, build into them monitoring systems, so that at a glance you can see if they are being used. Changing the culture of your company takes time and there will be failures. Even when the culture has changed, it needs to be maintained; your monitoring systems will do this for you.
- Make sure your team members know the positions they play. Unfortunately, it is normal for most team members to disagree on what needs to be done while at the same time believing everyone knows their job roles. Clear written and agreed upon roles will remove the need for 75% of systems. So start here.
Creating leverage by building systems is the only way you, as the leader, can remove yourself from the day-to-day business operations. After all, your time is much more valuable when spent working on ways to build the business.
About the Author
Asa Beavers is a small business coach and consultant. He shares tips, techniques and strategies with smalll business owners to boost clarity and focus, create strategic action plans, and increase sales and profits. Visit his website at www.redlinebsg.com, email Asa at asa@redlinebsg.com, or call 919-367-0790.