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System: A group or combination of things or parts forming a complex or unified whole.
Does this sound like something that can be found at your office?If you have created a business with true systems, you already know about the freedom and control that they can bring to your business and personal life. Unfortunately, many professionals have not established consistent and congruent processes.
Take a hard look at your operation. Would it still function like a Swiss watch if you weren't there all the time? Right now, could you convince me that your outfit is a true business? Have you created something with great value that has predictable outcomes? Could you give me documentation that explains exactly how to operate your business right down to the smallest detail? Would I deem that documentation valuable if I was judging the worth of your practice? Will I ever stop asking rhetorical questions?
In our experience, many professionals have ad hoc marketing plans. Many professionals provide certain services to some clients, but not to others, and there is neither rhyme nor reason to what they do. Unfortunately, if you do not have clear processes in place for all the great things you do at your office, then you will not be recognized for what you do, and you will become trapped by the services you provide. If you answered no to any of my questions, maybe it's time to get serious about establishing consistent and congruent processes for your business.
Your long-term goal is probably either to:
* Sell your established business for a substantial profit.
* Franchise the proprietary approach you've created.
* Hand-over your business to a team so that you can go and fulfill your heart's desire.
You can only achieve these goals when you have a business with well-documented and consistently implemented systems.
Furthermore, the difference in value between a simple business and a business that is powered by systems is probably threefold. A simple business is somewhat valuable, surely, but it is the effectiveness and predictability of the business itself that truly dictates its value. Your business may have growth, but is there progress? As you know, 'growth' means bigger, 'progress' means better. Think about it this way: when you drive an automobile with a standard gearshift, you sometimes stay in first gear longer than you should. When you finally shift into second gear, you can almost hear the car breathe a sigh of relief as you shift into second and work your way up to fourth or fifth gear. Everything works more efficiently, and your car accelerates while using less energy. Your business should function the same way. When you are starting out, you work diligently to establish processes. After while, the business should start giving back to you. If it's not, perhaps you have been putting growth before progress.
Ultimately, you should invest the lion's share your time and marketing dollar into that 20% of your clientele that make you 80% of your income. As a bonus, that 20% of your clientele is often the most pleasurable to deal with. With processes in place, you will have more time to focus on the activities which will build your relationship with your top clients, and which will turn them into advocates for you. After all, clients who receive exceptional service will tell their like-minded friends about your services. When you establish and implement systems, you will enjoy increased referrals.
Plus, systems make it possible for you to take a panoramic look at your life and your goals. It's like the difference between driving across the country using only a road map to guide you, and making the same journey with a global positioning satellite. With a simple map, you still have to stop every now and again to check your progress; you spend a lot of time hoping that you're on track. A GPS tells you where and when to turn, so uncertainty is replace by certainty. In the same way, systems coordinate your activities every step of the way and bring you closer to your goals.
Technology like the Pareto Platform makes it easy for you to document and implement consistent and congruent processes, so that you can enjoy liberation and order in your business and personal life.
Does this sound like something that can be found at your office?If you have created a business with true systems, you already know about the freedom and control that they can bring to your business and personal life. Unfortunately, many professionals have not established consistent and congruent processes.
Take a hard look at your operation. Would it still function like a Swiss watch if you weren't there all the time? Right now, could you convince me that your outfit is a true business? Have you created something with great value that has predictable outcomes? Could you give me documentation that explains exactly how to operate your business right down to the smallest detail? Would I deem that documentation valuable if I was judging the worth of your practice? Will I ever stop asking rhetorical questions?
In our experience, many professionals have ad hoc marketing plans. Many professionals provide certain services to some clients, but not to others, and there is neither rhyme nor reason to what they do. Unfortunately, if you do not have clear processes in place for all the great things you do at your office, then you will not be recognized for what you do, and you will become trapped by the services you provide. If you answered no to any of my questions, maybe it's time to get serious about establishing consistent and congruent processes for your business.
Your long-term goal is probably either to:
* Sell your established business for a substantial profit.
* Franchise the proprietary approach you've created.
* Hand-over your business to a team so that you can go and fulfill your heart's desire.
You can only achieve these goals when you have a business with well-documented and consistently implemented systems.
Furthermore, the difference in value between a simple business and a business that is powered by systems is probably threefold. A simple business is somewhat valuable, surely, but it is the effectiveness and predictability of the business itself that truly dictates its value. Your business may have growth, but is there progress? As you know, 'growth' means bigger, 'progress' means better. Think about it this way: when you drive an automobile with a standard gearshift, you sometimes stay in first gear longer than you should. When you finally shift into second gear, you can almost hear the car breathe a sigh of relief as you shift into second and work your way up to fourth or fifth gear. Everything works more efficiently, and your car accelerates while using less energy. Your business should function the same way. When you are starting out, you work diligently to establish processes. After while, the business should start giving back to you. If it's not, perhaps you have been putting growth before progress.
Ultimately, you should invest the lion's share your time and marketing dollar into that 20% of your clientele that make you 80% of your income. As a bonus, that 20% of your clientele is often the most pleasurable to deal with. With processes in place, you will have more time to focus on the activities which will build your relationship with your top clients, and which will turn them into advocates for you. After all, clients who receive exceptional service will tell their like-minded friends about your services. When you establish and implement systems, you will enjoy increased referrals.
Plus, systems make it possible for you to take a panoramic look at your life and your goals. It's like the difference between driving across the country using only a road map to guide you, and making the same journey with a global positioning satellite. With a simple map, you still have to stop every now and again to check your progress; you spend a lot of time hoping that you're on track. A GPS tells you where and when to turn, so uncertainty is replace by certainty. In the same way, systems coordinate your activities every step of the way and bring you closer to your goals.
Technology like the Pareto Platform makes it easy for you to document and implement consistent and congruent processes, so that you can enjoy liberation and order in your business and personal life.