Systemizing a Business

One of the questions we often ask is, “What would you do if suddenly a key employee couldn’t come into work?” What information does that employee have in their heads? What experience would your business miss? What tasks wouldn’t be completed on time? Are there any tasks that no one...

At Benchmark Business Group we often discuss the importance of documenting and capturing the logic of how you do what you do within your business. The importance of creating systems, policies and procedures, and operating manuals. We know that capturing the “how” to run your business makes it easier to...

How much does your business depend on you? If you answered, “All the time!” you are not alone. Many small business owners fall into the trap of creating a business that is dependent on them. This dependency on the owner makes it difficult to scale the business. It makes it...

Bill is always late! Cathy doesn't seem to get it! Taylor is not getting the results we need! If these are the types of statements a business owner is making, it may not be about the employees, but about the business's policies and procedures it has (or maybe doesn't have) in place.

Did you know the scalability of a business not only makes a business more enjoyable to own, but also increases the market value of a business?Scalability is an important topic that many business owners don't take the time to consider. When a business is not scalable it hits its capacity and plateaus. However, a scalable business is able to grow significantly, handle increased demand, and generate consistent revenue with lower costs

As business development experts we are systems junkies! There is nothing we love more than working with our clients to design a new system or getting to the bottom of why an existing system doesn't work and then helping to redesign it. Ideally, businesses are full of documented work systems and people are using those systems to achieve predictable consistent results. This might lead one to think that when all systems are in place the business is set, right? That would be true only if businesses are stagnate. But as you know businesses are not stagnate... they are dynamic... they are constantly changing. 

 "Your system is perfectly designed to give you the results you're getting." W. Edwards Deming

Last week we started exploring systems beyond the electronic programs and applications your business relies on. We expanded your point of view that your business is run on different kinds of systems. Everything that happens in your business is based on a system. This week we want to challenge you to explore the degree to which your business is at risk as a result of not owning the systems being used to achieve results. 

It happens often. When you mention systems to a business owner, their first thought is IT, the electronic information systems, software, or mobile apps that hold and communicate information. We want to expand this point of view to include all the moving parts in your business that are required for it to exist, function, be efficient, and realize the best return of investment on your time and money. Systems are the foundation of how your business runs.

This month we gave you things to consider "while you are away" so your business continues as smoothly as possible. By having a plan in place for a vacation or emergency, you will return from your absence stress-free and without putting undue stress on your employees.