“What gets measured, gets managed.” – Peter Drucker
A sound business system is how your organization consistently gets things done. You can look at systems as your company’s daily habits. They are the machinery behind your business’ effectiveness. A good operating system makes leadership a win/win for employees and customers alike.
The Value of Systems
Ron Carroll says.” A system is a procedure, process, method, a course of action designed to achieve a specific result. Its component parts and interrelated steps work together for the good of the whole. Creating effective business systems is the only way to attain results that are consistent, measurable, and ultimately benefit customers.
Systems are Your Building Blocks. Systems and processes are the essential building blocks of your company, whether you realize it or not. Every facet of your business—in the store, the workshop, or the office—is part of a system that can be managed or improved by applying correct principles.”(1)
One Size Does Not Fit All
“One size never fits all. One size fits one. Period.” – Tom Peters
John C. Maxwell says to “Understand the importance of developing good systems in your personal and professional leadership. The exact systems that work for me may not pertain to you. It’s up to you to find the systems that will benefit you the most. Yet, regardless of what your systems look like, you would be wise to design them if you intend to grow in influence.”
Although Maxwell was addressing personal systems for effectiveness, the same is true for organizations. How could any leader believe in the importance of consistent personal growth systems and not implement them in their business?
Profitable businesses depend on processes and methodologies that are reliable and repeatable, hence the need for systems that work. Quality assurance needs systems to meet expectations, and your business relies on quality assurance for longevity.
Understanding your business and personnel needs helps you identify and implement the right systems that work for you and keep you going. Implementing effective procedures saves time, effort, and money without diminishing productivity.
Plan on improvement
“In order for any business to succeed, it must first become a system so that the business functions exactly the same way every time down to the last detail.” – Rick Harshaw
Inadequate systems produce less than stellar results and aren’t dependable. How can an inefficient operating system help a company get organized, much less sustain growth? The correct answer is it cannot!
The right systems in the hands of the right people will continue to enable your teams to reach their objectives. The ability to consistently meet and exceed customer/client expectations depends on those systems. Systems that accommodate and sustain growth will continue to ensure quality outcomes and increased revenue year after year.
Thinking of Selling?
One thing that attracts potential buyers is a successful operating system—investing in potential begins by looking at how things are getting done. David Lavinsky says, “Once your company has lots of systems in place, it instantly becomes much more valuable to an acquirer. That’s because the acquirer knows your business will run smoothly after acquisition. They also know that new hires can quickly be added into the system so they can expand your business. Further, the systems you developed could help the acquirer expand their own business.”
Know What You Need
“Don’t settle for a system because you like it; choose it because it makes you better.” – JSP
Comedian Steven Wright quipped, “I went to a general store, but they wouldn’t let me buy anything specific.” Humor aside, Good operating systems are specific; they address specific areas of an organization, they provide specific detailed data for an accurate, holistic assessment of your company.
A sound operating system should reflect on how your organization gets things done. An effective system becomes a habit day in and day out; they liberate good leaders to do what they do best. In the hands of capable managers, the right systems make you better by enhancing your effectiveness. They can,
1) Enhance Time Management 2) Maximize Efforts and Save Money 3) Increase Creativity and assist better problem solving 4) Promote Productivity 5) Provide Quality Assurance
The following seven questions from our Master Operating System’s “Systems” section can help you and your people sync your Company’s operations.
We have weekly team meetings – leadership, sales, finance, marketing & public relations, etc.
All team meetings are on the same day and time each week
Our team meetings start and end on time every week
We have clearly outlined and documented the responsibilities within the organization
Everyone in the organization clearly knows who is responsible for what within the organization
We have an updated organization chart which each team member clearly understands and is held accountable to
We have clearly documented systems and process which are followed by all team members (2)
Successful people do what unsuccessful people are not willing to do. Don’t wish it were easier; wish you were better.” – Jim Rohn
1) See Box Theory https://www.boxtheorygold.com
(2) Learn more about our Master Operating System https://bit.ly/3fxSTLx
*** This article was authored by John Picarello, Chief Leadership Officer at Lions Pride Leadership Co.***