Running a business is complicated – especially a small business where you don’t have a large enough team to handle all of the details. As a result, many small business owners find that running their business is chaotic, stressful, and confusing.
If you find yourself in a chaotic situation today, I’ve got good news for you: it doesn’t have to be that way. I have personally worked with dozens of business owners, just like you, who have overcome the chaos and created an organized, systemized business environment.
But it won’t happen unless you really want it to. If you are truly sick and tired of dealing with the chaos and are willing to say “enough is enough!” and then do something about it, you can achieve your goal.
If you’re serious about getting the chaos under control, here are five key steps in the process:
1) Commit the time and energy. First, understand that organizing and systemizing your business does take work. You can’t just snap your fingers and expect immediate results. Understand that the time you are going to spend is an investment in your future. And if you’re not willing to make the investment, it’s not going to happen!
2) Create a plan. You shouldn’t begin a journey without a destination in mind – so you need a plan. What are the primary causes of chaos in your business? Where do things tend to “run off the rails?” What are you going to change to prevent this from occurring in the future? Clearly define your plan and the systems you are seeking to create.
3) Define expectations for your team members. Now that you’ve got a plan, it’s time to bring your team on board. What responsibilities will each member of your team have? Clearly define your expectations and the timeframe you require. For instance, one member of your team may be tasked with organizing your client list and centralizing all client information onto one Excel document by August 25. Be clear and be specific with your expectations!
4) Execute and evaluate the results. Once you and your team are clear about the changes you are going to make and the systems that are going to be implemented, it’s time to execute. Some clients have found that the best time to “overhaul” their systems and organizational approach is over a weekend or a holiday, so that they are not distracted by everyday operations. Whatever your approach, be sure to evaluate your progress and whether or not you are getting the results you expected.
5) Adjust your strategy as needed. Finally, over time you may find that your systems need to evolve. Don’t shy away from this – otherwise, in time you’ll find yourself right back in the same situation, surrounded by chaos caused by ineffective systems!
Your business doesn’t have to be chaotic and stressful. If you’re sick of the chaos, you can do something about it! If you’d like help getting started, please give me a call or shoot me an email today!