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Secrets to Success John-Paul Micek |
Systems will
set you freeHave you ever answered a question for someone on your team for what seems like the 20th time? Do your employees make the same mistakes over and over again? If you know what it feels like to have profits slip through your fingers because of poor performance, it's time to put an end to your frustration.
A systemized business can set you free from these (and many other) ongoing head-aches. You'll also see how the process of systemizing your business does not have to be a complex, laborious task.
Often, when I ask small business leaders about the systems that maintain the profitability of their businesses, a look of abject fear appears. Too many small business owners incorrectly equate systems with a lack of freedom and flexibility. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Taking the time to develop standardized systems for operating and managing your business will equip you to:
>> Maximize your time and optimize your talents and resources.
>> Delegate quickly and efficiently for greater productivity.
>> Energize and motivate your team with a unified focus.
>> Generate consistent superior results.
>> Move hidden profits directly to your bottom line.To top it all off, when properly laid out, your systems of operations are dynamic and open to organic growth. As your business grows, your systems grow. Your systems are relatively cost-free once you have them established.
Here are five steps to save you from costly trial and error.
Benchmark >> You cannot get to where you want to go without knowing exactly where you are right now. You need specific and accurate measurements to ensure the efforts you put into systems development will yield returns.
Innovate >> Develop different approaches to get the best result from the process you're developing a system for. Listen to the people with the most direct experience with the current process. Don't just think outside the box. Tear it apart, if need be, and start from scratch.
Implement >> Select the best option you come up with, put it in writing and implement it! Don't toss out all other options just yet. Keep them on the "back-burner."
Review and revise >> Review your progress on a scheduled basis. Compare your results with your initial benchmark and make adjustments as necessary.
Do it ... and profit >> During the four previous steps you have had a responsible person recording the entire process. The overall concept of the systems of operations, the implementation and results have all been accurately recorded. In this final step you'll distill the system to its simplest form and put it in writing for publication in your systems manual.
Now that you have a system to help you develop systems, you can set yourself up to experience the freedom of effective delegation and optimized profitability. It's up to you to step up, take action, enjoy and profit from it.
Check out the free un-abridged version of this article at www.rpmsuccess.com/RC-action-reports.html.
See the Columnists section for some past articles.
John-Paul Micek is a small-business strategist
and chief operating officer at RPM Success Group.
Reach him at JPM@RPMsuccess.com
or toll-free at (888) 334-8151.