Do you have systems in your business?
Without systems a business cannot grow. All successful businesses have effective systems in place.
Using effective systems is what my internet business is based on. When ever I decide to do something I will ALWAYS build a system that is designed to work without me.
Every business can have systems to help automate work. The rule that I learned from Tim Ferris in is ‘Eliminate before you delegate’.
So what that means is eliminate all the tasks possible by using an automated system. The work that is left – outsource it!
Systems will change!
It is very common for systems to change over time as you find more efficient ways to do things.
I have developed systems in the past that is very different to the way it’s done now. Dont worry about getting it perfect because it will most likely change anyway.
When starting any online project or business the first question I ask myself is “Can it be outsourced?” if the answer is yes, I’ll consider doing it. If the answer is “No” then I wont.
So how do you create an effective system?
It all depends on the nature of your business. Many entrepreneurs have a hard time letting go of the control of their business – it takes a bit of a mindset change. You must let go of doing everything yourself and outsource parts of the business to remove or lessen the workload.
Steps to creating an effective business system
1. Begin with the end in mind
What do you want the business to look like? Do you want it all automated? Do you plan to have it all outsourced? What is the end goal. Many business owners (especially offline) start their business with the owner as the main worker and no plan for it to work without them.
Look at Richard Branson, he doesn’t work in his businesses, he has systems in place which allows him to have hundreds of businesses at a time. Of course every now and then he will guide them, though overall he doesn’t need to be there all the time.
2. Break it into smaller chunked systems
So when you have the big picture of what you want done you need to break it down into smaller chunks. For example if you want to outsource a blog there are smaller systems to consider in order to achieve that goal.
Some of these smaller chunked systems consist of, blog creation, traffic generation, content writing, product creation etc.
Systemize each smaller chunk, put them together and you have a complete system to achieve your end goal in mind.
3. Model similar systems that work and keep it simple
Find a system that works and model it. Dont over complicate things, keep it simple! I’ve tried to overcomplicate things in the past and it ends up a big mess.
4. Automate, and then create processes/checklists for Outsourcers to use.
After the systems are in place to automate as much as possible there may still be some manual work that needs doing. Time to outsource it! Id recommend looking at a post Mike did about the Top 3 Outsourcing Resources
After working with many virtual assistants I have found the best way to train them is to create a video on how to do it. Then create a pdf checklist with images so they can follow along.
You can use camtasia, or for shorter videos I like to use Screenr
There you have it, the formula for creating effective business systems. I am sure there are many other ways to develop systems, if you have any tips please post a comment, im always looking to improve my systems.
Enjoy and improve your systems today!
Ben Brandes
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Nice..very smart..how did you know all of this ideas?
Hi Kuril,
These ideas came from masterminding and actually going through the process many many times with my own projects. I learn as I go and after creating many systems for outsourcing it was time I shared with everyone how I do it.
Have you created systems for your business?