How to set up your
business ‘dominoes’
By John-Paul Micek
When it comes to setting up time-saving, freedom-producing systems in your business, you need to know how to position your "dominoes" so they'll fall the same way each and every time.
Last week, you were to take each day of the week, Monday through Friday, to follow through on the first five steps for creating profit-generating systems in your business.
Bravo to those of you who actually did this!
For those of you who didn't follow through on the steps after committing to do so in your business, don't despair. This is more common than you can imagine.
To help you take the first step in making your business systems fall into place like a row of dominoes, I'm going to share a simple process I use with my coaching clients to get them rolling.
First, I want you to stop thinking about your company as a single business. Instead, picture your business as six small companies.
Below are the six key areas that determine your ultimate level of profitability, success and financial freedom. Ask yourself the following six questions so you have an idea of what strategies are in place and what needs immediate attention.
1) Marketing. What methods do you use to reliably attract qualified prospects to your front door?
2) Sales. What processes do you use to convert qualified prospects into paying clients?
3) Product and service delivery. What repetitive procedures do you and your team follow to deliver your product or service to your clients?
4) Client services. How do you ensure that paying clients are transformed into raving fans?
5) Team building. What procedures do you have to recruit, retain and motivate peak performers?
6) Leadership. How do you regularly and accurately communicate the vision and goals of your company in a way that motivates every person and sets your team up to win?
Now, take the six key areas above and put each one at the top of its own blank sheet of paper.
Write down as many repetitive procedures performed in each area that you can think of.
Keep these six pages close by for the next six working days, adding to your lists each time possible systems "pop out" at you.
Similarly, ask your key employees to follow the same process for the next two weeks.
Write down anything that comes to mind.
It can be something as simple as your receptionist answering the phone. Or as complex as your sales people walking prospects through the purchase of a $50,000 piece of equipment.
At the end of one week, you can then work with your success coach to prioritize your list, or try doing it on your own.
Either way, this will complete the first step in developing powerful systems for your business. Then you'll be ready for the next step.
See the Columnists section for some past articles.
John-Paul Micek is the lead business coach at RPM Success Group Inc. Reach him at
JPM@RPMsuccess.com or toll-free at (888) 334-8151.
Deborah Cole Micek, chief executive officer of RPM Success Group, is a business success coach and life strategist. Reach her at
DCM@RPMsuccess.com or toll-free at (888) 334-8151.