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Aim Your Small Business Systems Like a Rifle

Posted October 18, 2012 by

Although most small business owners understand the importance of business systems, they have trouble getting their business systems aligned with their actual business goals.

Watch this short video to find out how to document your small business systems in a targeted way.

Action Steps:

  1. Have your employees document all business systems first.
  2. YOU then edit the documentation.
  3. By working together, with the employee documenting the systems and you editing them, you’ll find that your business systems are more accurately aligned with your business goals.
  4. Please comment on this page. Let’s talk.

Principles:

  1. Systems are documented processes and procedures that help you to get a consistent result.
  2. Sharpshooting requires both a front sight and a rear sight to properly aim a rifle. Like a rifle, your business systems require two points of contact for proper alignment.
  3. Your employees are the first point of contact. You, the owner, are the second point of contact.

Free Your Business From the Clutches of Chaos. Get Your Free Action Plan.


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  • Lisa

    In my ever changing business, your video just reminded me how important it is to intermittently revisit my Systems to make sure they reflect those changes. Thank you Dave!!

    • http://DaveCrenshaw.com/ Dave Crenshaw

      There’s no such thing as a perfect system. Just as you said, they require regular review and revision. You’re welcome, Lisa!

  • Susan

    I keep putting off documenting our systems and as I grow more and more, the bigger the monster becomes. I am going to have my employees start this today. Thanks!

    • http://DaveCrenshaw.com/ Dave Crenshaw

      You’re welcome, Susan. Start with a very simple goal, something like one per week. Once you get into the rhythm you can get up to 5-10 a week.

  • Laura

    A company I work for recently started using your ideas & making systems and they seem to make more work for the employee. My stress has gone up because of it

    • http://DaveCrenshaw.com/ Dave Crenshaw

      Interesting comment. Normally when someone complains, my response is to apologize and see what we can do to make things right.

      However, in this case the best reply I can give you is “keep moving forward.” Progress is always accompanied by discomfort. Complaining about more work and stress at the beginning of change is a bit like a bodybuilder complaining about how sore he is after working out. It serves no purpose other than to get attention. Yes, you’re sore, but that’s the point–breaking down “muscles” to build newer, stronger ones.

      Your company has seen that progress needed to happen, so they made a wise investment of time and resources. Since, as you mentioned, the change is recent, you need to keep at it. In the not too distant future you’ll likely find that the effort actually freed up time and reduced your stress. But give it at least six months. :-)

      In the meantime, I highly recommend you make a small investment in yourself. Pick up a copy of this book and read it: The Slight Edge by Jeff Olsen (http://amzn.to/RDLBEk) I think you’ll find it very helpful for your career.

      All the best,
      Dave

 

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