“For every minute spent organizing, an hour is earned.” – Benjamin Franklin
How is it that you can go into any Starbucks around the world and get the same quality of coffee and service? It’s not magic, it’s the power of systems.
Systems are the invisible gears that keep a business running smoothly. They’re the set rules and procedures that ensure consistency and efficiency, no matter who’s on duty or where the store is located.
Howard Schultz, the force behind Starbucks, was fascinated by the espresso culture in Italy and wanted to bring it to the United States. But he knew that to replicate the experience on a large scale, he’d need systems that could be duplicated across numerous locations. His focus on systems and scalability is a big part of what made Starbucks the global powerhouse it is today.
Creating effective systems for your business might seem like a daunting task, but I promise you, it’s not as scary as it sounds. Here are a few steps to get you started:
1. Identify the key tasks within your operations: These could be anything from product creation to customer service, to financial management.
2. Document how each task is currently completed: This ensures that no matter who’s performing the task, they’re doing it the same way every time.
3. Train your team members to follow these procedures: Make sure they understand why the system is in place and why it’s important to stick to it.
4. Regularly review and refine your systems: The business landscape is always changing, so your systems need to be flexible enough to change with it.
It might sound like a lot of work, and it is. But believe me, the benefits are worth it. A well-run, systemized business can operate smoothly even when you’re not there. And that, my friend, is the true test of a successful business.
If you want to learn more about building business systems, check out my book pick of the week “The E-Myth Revisited“. It’s packed with practical advice, real-world examples, and actionable steps to get you started.
As A.A. Milne so aptly put it, “Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it is not all mixed up.”
Get organized and take your businesses from good to great!