Firstly, what do you need to get through at the moment? Apart from Mindset, Core Needs, Communication, Wellness and Structure which we covered in the last article on ‘Getting Through Challenging Times’ – if you haven’t read it, you may like to as there are many helpful tips and links that could help in these uncertain times. Link Here:-
https://tinyurl.com/GettingThroughChallengingTImes
When the green light IS turned back on, many businesses could be inundated with work, such as Mechanics and general trades, Printers, Business Service Providers, Software Providers, Dentists, Osteopaths and other health and wellness providers, Hair Dressers, Restaurants and Cafes, Real Estate, Car Sales, Gyms, Martial Arts or Dance Schools, Manafacuturers, the list goes on and on.
Services and products that people need but were staying away from because they deemed it as non essential or could wait till this is all over kind of thing. Now these businesses may be plodding along servicing those that had more urgent needs or deemed it as essential or you may have closed all together but make no mistake when the lights go green your services will be well sought after, let’s see how it might play out.
So what do you need to be ready for when the green light is turned on? To keep it simple, you need user-friendly efficient systems that suit your business. Different businesses will have different priorities of what systems they need to create or tighten depending on the individual needs.
It’s my belief all problems result from a lack of the right user-friendly systems – systems for operations (the doing of your business), for leadership, for human resources, for finance for sales and marketing and so on.
Everything comes back to a system e.g.: –
• Got a problem with quality control, then you may need tighter operations systems.
• Got a problem with sales, maybe you need better marketing, sales and/or even customer satisfaction systems.
• Not got the right staff, then there could be a problem with your leadership or recruiting or staff satisfaction systems.
Depending on your business you may fall into the following categories once the green light is turned back on. I’ve given examples of what a difference it could mean if you are not systemised properly versus being systemised properly.
Jack Who Has Incomplete Systems (THE NIGHTMARE)
Meeting workload with in-complete systems
Once the green light is turned on Jack’s clients all want to book in at once. Jack’s business can’t keep up and demand outrides available booking times. Some of Jack’s clients can’t wait for a booking so they go elsewhere.
Worse than losing customers, Jack is disappointed because during this busy time: –
• Staff aren’t doing things right..
• He’s starting to make mistakes himself and he’s getting grumpy
• Fears the mistakes and inconsistencies could destroy their great reputation.
• He’s getting worn out putting out fires..
Reliance on the owner with in-complete systems
Once the green lights on Jack goes straight back into stress mode because they are flat out and once again everything bottlenecks at him. He feels if he doesn’t do things himself it doesn’t get done properly.
He’s all of a sudden back in the same old, same old: –
• Wearing too many hats and is highly stressed.
• Drowning in work and feel chained to the workplace.
• No one can help as he hasn’t set up systems so they can do things as he would.
• Finds it hard at times to switch off at home or on the weekends.
• Even when he’s not working, he’s usually thinking about work.
• Knows he’ll miss out on holidays due to being too busy and lack of cash flow.
• Is not enjoying his business anymore.
• Doesn’t want to go back to working for an employer, so feels stuck.
Efficiency and profits with in-complete systems
Because Jack doesn’t have complete user-friendly systems he’s frustrated because:
• He hasn’t looked at the efficiencies of the business.
• They are doing things the hard way, the long way causing high operation costs.
• He’s working longer hours and at the end of the day he’s not rewarded.
• Sometimes wonders why he has his own business.
• His employees earn more than him at times.
• He can’t take on new opportunities or pivot as he would like.
• He has great ideas but he’s too busy working ‘in’ the business to implement them.
John Who Has Complete Systems (THE DREAM)
Meeting workload with complete systems
John’s clients all book at once and because they have great systems in place they :
• Can take on more clients than they used to.
• Have the right staff and right systems.
• Even when at full capacity quality and consistency does not drop.
• Can hire more staff easily without a lot of stress or large amount of time needed in training because they have recruiting, on boarding and operations systems.
John’s customers are going away happy and they are gaining a lot of new customers as well, who either couldn’t wait the long wait time from their normal provider or weren’t happy with the service of their normal provider because the quality or consistency dropped.
Efficiency and profits with complete systems
John has efficient systems in place that ensure: –
• When something is done, it’s done correctly and not double handled
• Tasks are done the easiest way that still ensures the highest quality of service
• Staff are clear on what they need to do and their responsibilities
• Staff have a sense of ownership which leads to continued improvements and efficiencies
Since systemising and having more time to be the ‘business owner’, John has had the time and headspace to work ‘on’ the business with professional assistance and ensure that the right systems are in place for profit.
He also: –
• Has the time and headspace to pivot and/or take on new opportunities.
• He loves going to work and that reflects in his success.
• He loves the fact that he now can get out and about more to grow the business .
Reliance on the owner with complete systems
Now the green light is back on and their business is busier than ever, John is so thankful he took the initiative to systemise properly.
He welcomes the increase in clients knowing that they can handle it and the best news of all, it doesn’t mean he himself will have to work harder because the business can work well without him.
Because the business now doesn’t rely totally on him, he: –
• Has time to improve his leadership skills.
• Has time to plan properly and has clarity of where the business is going.
• Is relaxed when he goes home to his loved ones with peace of mind.
• Can take days off if needed.
• Can be there for special events for his children.
• Get his weekends back for family and fun.
• Can have long weekends and holidays where he can completely switch off.
Article written by Linda McMahon
Time Management and Systems Consultant
www.EssentialSystemSolutions.com.au
Linda@EssentialSystemSolutions.com.au
0418 991 636
With Compliments ‘Green Light ’ Session For Business Owners
If you are a business owner with 2 or more staff and you’d like to be like John, book in a with compliments 45 minute one on one ‘Green Light’ session with Linda McMahon over the phone or zoom – book on the link below.
(Suitable for business owners with two plus staff only) (Limited Time Only)
This session will allow you to: –
• Share personally what is going on for you and your business.
• Discover what your unique needs are for your business.
• Find out how you can maximise the time you have now.
• Learn how you can be ready to accelerate your business once the green light is turned back on.
Book here: – (Limited Places)
https://calendly.com/book-linda
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