Ah yes, so many projects, so little time. Lots of stuff happening here in Process Prodigy land these days. People ask me all the time how we get so much done. Really it comes down to focus and where to start. Which is why this week's article is about just that, where to start and what to do first.
Remember it's "Fabulous February" and for the next few weeks we are running some of our most famous articles that are "pin-up" worthy. We want you to print them and then pin them up on your wall so you can look over them for the whole year to help you keep your business growing and making money.
But we have one more surprise. If you've heard me speak then you know there are 3 core systems I believe are essential to every business. Since I know how important these are, I'm giving away a copy of these 3 systems to one lucky winner. Oh and I should mention that you are already in the running because we'll be choosing a lucky winner from our newsletter list. Know anyone who loves a good raffle? Please pass this on to them so they can sign up for a chance to win. That's the rule. You have to be on the list in order to have a chance to win. Just send them to www.processprodigy.com and they'll get a bunch of cool tools and a chance to win even more. We're drawing on Feb 28 so hurry and make sure they sign up before then.
Enjoy,
Beth
In honor of Fabulous February we have a gift for you. If you've heard me speak then you know there are 3 core systems I believe are essential to every business. Since I know how important these are, I'm giving away a copy of these 3 systems to one lucky winner.
Oh and I should mention that you are already in the running because we'll be choosing a lucky winner from our newsletter list.
Know anyone who loves a good raffle? Please pass this on to them so they can sign up for a chance to win. That's the rule. You have to be on the list in order to have a chance to win. Just send them to www.processprodigy.com and they'll get a bunch of cool tools and a chance to win even more. We're drawing on Feb 28 so hurry and make sure they sign up before then.
| Systemizing Your Business - Help, Where Do I Start! |
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Thoughts from Sandye Linnetz, Systems Coach and Goddess
You have a goal and you had a plan and oops, it's not working. Just when you thought you were on top of things... you can't find that number, no one sent that invoice, you keep reinventing the wheel, so and so didn't finish the whatchamacallit and whosits didn't show up for the meeting. All those balls you've been juggling are falling to the ground and you find yet another "something" that somehow slipped through the cracks in your beloved organization. You know you need some systems, don't you? What's a busy business person to do? That I can answer in one word: Systemize! You knew that, didn't you? Your systems are at the core of the way things work (or don't work) in your organization. They are the steps, the order, the routine... the processes you follow (or don't follow) to get things done. With appropriate and effective systems in place you and your team can be organized; work more efficiently, stay on top of everything that's going on and hit the ground running without wondering where you are going. Having systems is what keeps your team in agreement about what needs to be done, when, how and by whom. If things are not running as smoothly as you'd like... don't immediately fire the team, start by examining your systems and processes. Even a great team can't operate at optimum level without a game plan and plays.
Number one question is: Where do we start? Answer: Get the team into a huddle - choose a "problem area" and ask and discuss the following questions:
1. What triggers this process to start? (What happens? Is there a phone call, an order, a complaint, a deadline to address?) 2. What is the first thing that happens? Then what? 3. What is our current process? How are we doing this right now? This will allow you to see where you might want to make changes, to identify the "holes in the what is currently being done and to capture the great things you are doing so you can delegate and continue on with them. 4. What is the first thing I do? (What do others do? What else could we do?) 5. What does that first thing we do trigger next? 6. What has to happen in order for me to start doing this? Then what? 7. What if "this" happens - then what? What if "that" happens - then what? (Think in terms of "if-then"; consider all possible alternatives. For example, what if the "answer is yes", what will you do? no? later? not sure? Be prepared with an appropriate action for every possible situation. 8. What would our "perfect world" scenario look like? This will allow you to see what could be and get you on the path to creating it. Brainstorm with your team to develop new products, services or simply to think things through. No team? You might need a system for hiring... or at least networking. Create a map to follow (that's your system) so that you (or you and your team) will have turn by turn directions that anyone can follow. Wait... if anyone can follow the plan and get the job done - your way - YOU CAN TAKE A VACATION! Bon Voyage!
************************************************************************ © 2010 Beth Schneider, Process Prodigy, Inc. Beth Schneider, President of Process Prodigy Inc., www.processprodigy.com, along with her team of highly sought after operations consultants, reveal the insider secrets billion-dollar corporations pay thousands of dollars for. Specializing in process creation, Process Prodigy tools and techniques have helped entrepreneurs increase productivity by as much as 600%, and revenues by as much as 250%. Visit www.processprodigy.com/ezine and grab your FREE systems starter kit valued at $297.00. |
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