Find the systems you need to grow your business
While I teach business systems, I often use examples of systems in real life because they are easier for most people (who don’t love systems) to understand.
Here are two existing systems that you probably try to practice in your own life. Continue Reading ￫
Recently I’ve spoken with several entrepreneurs who say things such as, “I’m just not passionate about my business,” or “I want to get rid of this company and never look back.” In the midst of thinking ahead to a transition plan or looking to sell your business there are a few considerations to make.
1. What are the things about your business that “bug” you regularly?
Take an inventory of your business and everything from the minor annoyances to the all out, break down in tears problems that plague you. Write down what you come up against and would like to change. It may help to grade these problems from occasional to every day or small problem to huge issue. Continue Reading ￫
For many years I worked with a corporation here in California, training their interns and developing systems throughout the business. We learned that so many “unwritten rules” had to be documented when one day an intern covering the front desk asked me to cover the phones so he could get the ID number from a copy machine on the other side of the building. Curious, I asked a few questions and learned that a caller on hold needed the number to send out more toner.
I picked up the phone and said “we’re under contract with-” they hung up. After explaining to the intern that this was a popular scam and the company calling didn’t have an order from us and would have charged us 3 times the value of the toner, we included this in the front desk manual for all interns to read.
Recently, I’ve been noticing that well meaning entrepreneurs are using a similar tactic on Facebook in the hopes of growing their business. But they’re only succeeding in annoying me and I suspect many of their friends. Continue Reading ￫
It’s the dream of every entrepreneur to sit on a beach sipping alcoholic beverages in the sun while money flows easily into their bank accounts with absolutely no effort on their part.
I say it’s a dream, but in reality it’s more like a fantasy. Don’t get me wrong, if that’s truly your ideal lifestyle then there are ways to achieve it, but I believe that most entrepreneurs (especially the ones I work with) have a much different dream.
These entrepreneurs want to wake up excited about their day, not swatting the snooze button for the third time this morning. They want plenty of time to enjoy a latte or send their kids off to school, walk the dog and read the paper. This entrepreneur wants to look forward to every single appointment on the calendar, without fail, each day and look forward to tomorrow even more. Continue Reading ￫
Sometimes when I talk about systems I get the feeling the other person is imagining a stuffy old room full of books and manuals and people working slowly, barely able to keep awake they’re so bored with work.
Yet when systems are actually in place for most entrepreneurs – especially those left brain creatives – they’re anything but boring. Today I’m dispelling the most common myths of systems to help you visualize and see how systems could fit into your business.
Myth: Systems are paper based Continue Reading ￫
It’s the great paradox, right? When you need help in your business it’s usually because you’re overwhelmed already so the idea of adding another job on top of your overflowing plate sounds impossible.
If you’ve delayed hiring help for your business because you just don’t have the time to find and hire the right team then I have 4 strategies for you to use right now.
Strategy #1 – Work a Little Later
It’s counter-intuitive, I know, but instead of sticking to your work hours build in some time for hiring. Remember this is a short term problem that will give you back lots of time in the long run. Continue Reading ￫
When I hear from entrepreneurs who have watched my video series on hiring I often hear stories about their great new team who is working out well. But on occasion I encounter someone who just can’t find the right Virtual Assistant for their business. Today I’m sharing tips on how to get past the hurdle and find your person, without wasting more time. Continue Reading ￫
When it comes to systems, I believe that the tools I teach can be used for good or evil. Maybe evil is a little too strong, but one of the core principles we hold at She’s Got Systems is that of integrity. Today I want to share how my simple system for testimonials should be used or could be abused. Continue Reading ￫
Entrepreneurs are some of the most creative people I know. And it’s fascinating to see how each person learns – some people love to touch to learn whether it’s fabric, building a computer or landscaping. Others tend to collect information and refine their thoughts, still others love to talk out an idea or listen to others teach.
Understanding how you learn best is half of the battle. And it’s not just what kind of external stimuli, it also relates to what type of program support you need. Continue Reading ￫
Today marks the 7th month of an experiment I took last year to give myself more time to enjoy my business. Every month on the 14th I take the whole day off – no appointments, no work scheduled – and do whatever I want. I’ve visited San Francisco and New York City, Miami and even locally around my own small town. Some months I spend time with family and other months I’m jet setting. Today, when this post goes live I won’t be queuing it or tweeting or writing Facebook posts but all of those things will happen anyway. Continue Reading ￫
