Systems: the Engine in Your Business

Systems' aren't shiny (unless you're a developer or a coder who loves them). Systems are the engine to our business, and when it runs well, growth happens. But we all have systems of success in our lives, businesses and careers.

We need to figure out what exactly we need to do, automate it and then refine it. But, too many business owners get stuck here- in the tech bit- and forgot the why behind the bright and shiny screen.

And so, here are a few guiding questions we talk about in my consulting to make sure your business is set up for success:

1. Workflow it out on a whiteboard, spreadsheet or drawing board. Look at what you have, what you need to be done, and the steps to get there. Make sure you process map out all of the steps, so that you are able to visually 'see' the entire process for success in marketing, customer retention, customer fulfillment, team onboarding, team comms, and team working.
2. Critique, question, and iterate. What do you really need there? What one automation have you or your team been holding off on that could make all the difference? What works well? What could be better? What are the KPIs in each of the systems? How are they working- well or ok? How's customer retention? And, a very important one- where is your team losing time (and therefore lots of money) doing manual tasks that can be easily automated?
3. Make a plan to refine it. And deliver it again. When you refine, don't refine it all at once, but start with the highest value ones (i.e. the areas to increase income, customer fulfillment, or retention) and then iterate down the list.

If your CRM and the other systems aren't working so hot in your business, DM me. Today and tomorrow I've got some time to answer questions and would love to help you come up with an effective plan to make it happen.