In 1997 I was a slave to my business. I had no systems. And then I read a book called The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber.
It changed my business life forever.
Today, not only has Michael appeared on my stage (and will be with us again in May), he just endorsed my book!
“If anyone knows about living life to the fullest, it is Howard Partridge. A wonderful book, from a wonderful leader!” – Michael E. Gerber
A lot has happened since 1997. I got my business turnkey and have helped many others around the world stop being a slave to their businesses.
Before I share why you need systems (and the 5 components you need), let me invite you to my upcoming conference featuring Michael Gerber himself: The 21st Howard Partridge Round Table featuring the MASTERS of Systems Implementation May 10-12 in Houston
How to STOP Being a Slave to Your Business and Transform It Into a Predictable, Profitable, Turnkey Operation!
-by Howard Partridge
Would you agree that your small business has a dramatic impact on your personal life?
Would you agree that there are things you can do in your business that would make your business worse?
Then it stands to reason that there are things you can do in your business to make your life better, doesn’t it?
A turnkey business is one that is systematized to the point that the owner doesn’t have to be involved in the day to-day operations of the business.
Most people think it’s a fantasy, but I’ve proven it. And I’ve helped others do it. They are experiencing much more freedom in their businesses and lives.
It doesn’t mean you won’t have problems. It doesn’t mean you won’t have to do anything – and it doesn’t mean that you don’t have responsibilities. It also doesn’t mean that you can just escape without first creating the infrastructure you need.
It does mean that if you will take the time to learn and implement the secrets (the things most people don’t know), you will be in a position to make it a reality.
Most small business owners are convinced that no one can do the technical work of the business as good as they can. And that’s the very reason you are a slave to your business! You may have hired nightmare employees in the past and now you’re gun-shy. If you’re a solo-entrepreneur, you may be convinced that you need to stay that way, but does that truly fit with your life goals? If you have a large business and your employees are running you, I have hope for you too.
How to put your business on auto-pilot with S.Y.S.T.E.M.S
If you want to have a predictable, profitable turnkey operation – or you just want things to run smoother, you’ve got to have systems. My systems acronym stands for:
Systematizing
Your
Strategies
To
Execute
Management
Successfully
Everyone has strategies. You may not realize how many strategies you have, but you have specific way that you do things. You have may have intentionally decided to answer your phone a certain way rather than another for example. That’s a strategy. There’s a certain way you do your work. That’s a strategy. There’s a certain way you advertise. That’s a strategy.
A system is a group of working parts that are designed to work together. Then and only then can you really execute successfully. Then and only then can you really manage.
By the way, even if you are a solo-operator or an independent professional that works alone, you need systems. There is a specific order of things that works best. If you do it the same way each time, you increase your results. If you get off of the procedure, you risk not getting the same results. Once you have tested a number of strategies, you find what works best and duplicate it over and over.
Why systems are critical to your business
Systems are the key to profitable growth. The bigger you get without systems, the more money is going out the door in re-inventing every day. Employees perform better because they aren’t micro-managed and they know exactly what they are supposed to accomplish. You have fewer surprises because they aren’t trying to make it up every time.
It also keeps you, the owner in-line. If you are like me, you like to tinker with it and change things around. If you have a team, they’re confused. Then the customer is confused. When you change something, be sure to communicate it and update the system.
This is probably one of the biggest reasons for systems – your client, patient, member or guest. They get a consistent service experience. When it is done the same way every time, the customer has confidence in what to expect.
Finally, would you like to sell your business one of these days?
Let’s face facts. Anyone with a significant amount of money to invest doesn’t want your 24 hour-a-day-7 day-a-week job! How much is your job worth?
Anyone interested in buying a business wants to buy a turnkey operation. An investor simply wants a set of keys. He invests his money and turns the key to start his new money machine. That’s all he wants. If it revolves around your controlling and directing every facet of the business, it is of no use to him as an investor.
The 5 Vital Components of a System
I believe if you understand the following components that you can systematize just about anything. Assembling these five components creates the ultimate system. I believe these will work for any type of business or organization
The 5 Components are…
1. The Mission – This is not a long article on the wall (that no one pays attention to), but what you are trying to accomplish in everything you do everyday. Every decision is based on whether it will help us accomplish the mission or not. It should be one sentence. For example, the mission of Phenomenal Products is to create a phenomenal community experience. We know that when we do that, our coaching members implement. If we just give them information, they don’t. All people have a longing for belonging. By providing that in your company, people feel special, energized and feel that they are making a difference – and they are!
2. The Organizational Chart – Does everyone in the organization understand who is responsible for what?
3. Position Descriptions – Does everyone know all that they are responsible for?
4. Policies – These are your behavior expectations – are they clearly defined and written?
5. Procedures – These are your “how we do it here” documents. Are they written out, step-by-step?
Obviously, putting these 5 components in place isn’t going to happen overnight and very few business owners ever get it done. But when you do, you’ll have something that is downright PHENOMENAL!
To get your business systematized, join me at the 21st Howard Partridge Round Table featuring Michael E. Gerber and the Masters of Systems Implementation, May 10-12 in Houston!
