Simple Systems for your Business

Okay, so you’ve done the hardest part - you’ve started your business (yay!) and experienced some success and the time has come to think bigger. Maybe you experienced the quantum leap and explosive growth that you worked so hard for, and hit burnout hard. 

Let me guess, the thought of scaling your business is completely overwhelming and maybe a little intimidating. You are already a super-busy person. Maybe you feel like an imposter that should "know this stuff already". Listen, I understand. Not only have I been there, I have guided lots of other businesses just like yours through the complexities of taking it to the next level. 

Scaling your business can be done many ways, and there is no one-sized fits all approach. You can scale to increase your income, of course. But- you can also scale to reduce the time that you spend in your business while maintaining that income. 

Ultimately, an Entrepreneur should be able to focus on creating a business that is sustainable for them. No tricks. No one-size fits-all.

Just a healthy, operating business that works for their own unique needs and a balanced lifestyle. No hyper-capitalism required. 

If you want to increase your income, or reduce the amount of time that you spend in your business, then you need to get up above your daily slog, and get a higher level look at how your business operates. This might mean asking some bigger questions about where you want to go with your business in the long term. It's okay if you don't know where to start. 

Don't worry! You aren't alone. It can be overwhelming to learn all of this all at once. You are learning how to manage a business while also learning how to grow a business at the same time. You have to take it one step at a time, and do what feels right and works best for you. 

As someone who has participated and witnessed the growth of many businesses, for me, sustainability means consistent clients, and intuitive, easy to use systems to replicate your services consistently. Sustainability means that you as the owner are not involved in any operations that are outside of your 'zone of genius'. Sustainability means protecting the most important asset in your business - YOU! 

If I'm going to do a deep dive with a business owner that wants to scale their business, and get serious about their operations, there are some key questions that we need to ask about the business (and the owner!). 

YOUR GOALS - What do you want to accomplish in your business this year?

Consider what you want to make- what are your Monthly, Quarterly and Yearly income goals? Do you have operational goals-- are there efficiencies or upgrades that need to be made to reach the growth that you want? What are your Service Goals this year? How can you increase your ‘wow factor’ and value-adds to your clients, leads and wider public audience? 

MY TAKEAWAY: Get clear, and outline your goals, priorities and path. 

BUILDING YOUR SYSTEMS - Get your backend in order! 

Review the current state of your systems and processes, and create automated systems (if applicable) for the entirety of your business cycle. Start thinking about: 

How to be your own EA - what would a potential assistant need to know to do their job? What specific info about your unique business would they need to be able to complete the scope of work? Build a shared database so your support persons can access them. 

Plan out your key dates - know your operational workback and task flow, and how they relate to both your fiscal planning & sales cycles. 

Know your role - what role are you in, and what roles do you need to fill? Outline the roles and responsibilities within your business (yes, including yours!) Then, identify and assign every task to a role - everything from admin, to Marketing & Sales, or ‘Chief Officer of Living your Best Life’ (remember: your business, your rules!)

MY TAKEAWAY: Alright folks, listen up! If you want to grow big and strong, you gotta have your systems in place! So, grab a map and chart out all those boring processes and procedures before you go all crazy with the changes, okay? Trust me on this one!

TECHNICAL REVIEW - What’s your data, anyway? 

Audit the online tools and apps you currently use for workflow management and systems compatibility. Evaluate your project management tools- what do you use to manage client accounts & projects? How do you maintain your tech and how do team members access the secure information they need? 

MY TAKEAWAY: Show your tech who's boss! Don't let those sneaky apps take over your life. Stick to your trusty favorites and don't go chasing after every shiny new thing!

MARKETING & EXTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS - Knowing your brand voice and audience

Focus on how to spread the word about your business, and apply your important dates to your communications - when do you need to market? Establish communications and outreach goals for new leads, and a closing strategy for sales (remember- the fortune is in the follow up!) Create a content plan for publications and distributions, always with a clear call to action 

MY TAKEAWAY: Clear planning for Content & Resources and a communications calendar are a must to know how your audience sees you, and that you are properly positioned in the market.  

CLIENT CARE & ONBOARDING/OFFBOARDING - Let’s take them for a ride!

Perfect your customers’ experience and assess for potential ways to improve client experience. Consider everything from welcome emails and orientation resources, to assessing services and feedback. 

MY TAKEAWAYS: Have a clear plan and idea of how you want your client to experience your services. Find out if your systems support a high-touch client support model. 

PROJECTIONS, TRACKING & MAINTENANCE - Know your numbers! 

Frame out your key performance indicators (KPIs) for your business based on its values and objectives. What are the indicators of a healthy and thriving business for you? How will you monitor these indicators and keep yourself accountable? 

MY TAKEAWAYS: Get all your KPIs in one place! Create a reporting & maintenance system that you'll be accountable to. 

HIRING & CHANGE MGMT - Building your dream team

Attract the right candidates, retain your talent, and lead a team. You'll need to write a great job posting to great the best candidates, manage the intake and interview process. You'll also need to consider on-boarding your team with training. But also, when it comes to it, how to replace your team members & approaching change. 

MY TAKEAWAYS: Know how you will manage your team, and how those roles may evolve as your business grows. 

I hope that these questions got your brain moving about where you can get your brain gears moving. Most importantly, take your own time, and design your own path.

It's your business, your rules. Work to build a business that's sustainable to you.

Because you deserve to feel like you are in control and on top of your business like the bad-ass entrepreneur that you are. 

If you need help getting the vision together, or just want to hash out some options, I want to chat!

Book a call via my calendar below, send me an email at jenn@curateconcierge.com, or comment below to connect here.