It seems I’ve been talking more and more about processes lately. I’ve always promoted having them in place because if there are two things you need to have to scale your business and bring it to the next level it’s 1. Having a really strong team of people and 2. Having really good processes.
When it comes to our businesses, we never want to leave anything to chance. If we run things in a random, go-with-the-flow fashion, we will probably never see the growth we want to. We’ll be too busy being stuck in a state of overwhelm and mediocrity that real achievements will become lost in the mix.
In order to take that next leap to bigger and greater things, processes have to be put in place, plain and simple. Now, I have heard all of the excuses, and the top one is that “I’m too creative for processes. I just like to throw things at the wall and see what sticks”. And I get it, people’s brains don’t all work the same and some people can get away with the randomness, but realistically, it’s not sustainable. Even for the creative mind, certain processes in place can allow time for creativity while still seeing growth because those processes are working for you. The word itself can seem daunting and the sound of it being said alone makes a lot of people I’ve worked with cringe and roll their eyes. They simply just don’t have the time or desire for them. So they think.
Truth be told, these people who brush aside processes don’t realize how much they can actually make your life easier, not more difficult. It might take some time at first to sit down and figure out how you want things done, but once you’ve got it all figured out, the rest is smooth sailing. You’ll have a process for everything from new hires, to ordering product, to daily functions that your business will seemingly be running itself. Teaching becomes easier and people are held more accountable for their jobs because it’s all crystal clear and right in front of you. “This is how it needs to be done to get to where we need to be.” Once your team is all on the same page, your stress, your frustration, and your overwhelm will start to melt away leaving you with a clear head, positive thoughts, and time to get the important things accomplished.
When creating any process, you want to first think about three things: Who is this for? Where do they start? Where do they end up? Answering these questions determines the intention behind the process and the transformation you are creating during it. But we also want to have this teaching, this transformation, done in the least number of steps and with as much simplicity as possible. I like to break down any process I create into five steps. I keep in mind where we are at the start of one step and how we are going to get whoever it’s for to the next. Always try and remember the intention behind the process.
Onboarding new employees is probably the most important process you can have for your business. Too often do businesses scramble for employees and throw them into a job without any instruction to how things are done and what is expected of them. If we have things like that ready to go for when we bring in new hires, your odds of confusion or poor performance in your staff will be far lower because they understand from the get-go what it’s all about.
The next most important process is that of the “onboarding” of your customers. Much like new employees, these people are walking into your business not knowing much if anything about it, but they are interested an excited to find out. How can you create an experience for each and every customer that walks through your door or comes to meet you so that when they leave, they’re satisfied from their needs being met and having learned about your business and what it stands for.
All of the things that you can put into place to more easily streamline your business is like setting the foundation for it. You will always have it there to support your daily functions and they can be built upon if and when it’s needed. The result? Better employees, happier customers, and a successful, thriving business that doesn’t leave you drained at the end of each day.
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Episode 91 – 3 Questions to Ask Yourself to Achieve Growth in 2021
Episode 90 – What type of entrepreneur are you?
