6 Systems Every Business Should Have
So much to do, so little time! It’s the life of a business leader – but what if you could free valuable space in your schedule to attend to higher-level functions so that you could innovate and grow? Small business systems empower you to implement solutions that allow you and your team to focus on working on your business instead of in it.
What Are Small Business Systems?
Systems are automated solutions to specific business issues, problems, or functions. Once implemented, you do not need to put a lot of effort into it (unless business needs change or there is a better way to approach the problem). They allow you to automate repetitive aspects of your operations so you can:
- Enable growth.
- Save time.
- Improve productivity.
- Reduce burnout and disengagement among your team
What small business systems should you put into place ASAP?
- Client Management. Managing customer/client service is critical. A sound system allows you to track and manage inquiries, refunds, exchanges, complaints, and other interactions. With this insight, you can ensure excellent responsiveness and service delivery.
- Financial Management. Revenue and cash flow are the lifeblood of your business. Manage assets, income, and expenses with far greater ease with the right system. You will be able to reduce accounting errors, maintain audit trails, and ensure that your business complies with accounting standards.
- Marketing Management. Your marketing function is crucial; your system needs to ensure that gathering, storing, analyzing, and distributing data is seamless. Marketing is not a discrete function; it shouldn’t live in a silo. You need to access and utilize this data, as do your sales teams and others.
- Sales Management. This system encompasses your sales funnel from awareness to post-purchase. Your salespeople can use it to manage contacts, track deals, and reduce the burden of tedious admin tasks.
- Talent Management. If you don’t have a talent management system in place, there’s no time like the present! This is invaluable in helping you track and manage the recruitment, onboarding, development, and performance of your people and potential employees. It can also be used to track outside partners, such as firms you outsource IT or marketing to, for example.
- Email Management. So many emails. All-day. Every day. A management system is an effective way to manage multiple accounts, eliminate spam, filter emails, secure data, and create customized solutions that work for you.
These are just a few small business systems that can make your organization more efficient and effective. Think about what you do daily, what tasks are required but could be automated. Put a system in place to ensure your team has the time and energy to devote to higher-level work.
Tips On How to Create Business Systems That Work
How do you get your small business systems up and running?
- Start by identifying an issue that is bogging you down, wasting time, or draining energy. This is an excellent area to systemize.
- Document your process. We know you never get tired of hearing, “If you didn’t document it, it didn’t happen.” Write down what your strategy will look like, outlining each step. If you don’t feel confident or equipped to create and implement the system, get help. There are out-of-the-box solutions, or you can have a partner customize one for you.
- Put it into action. Launch your system, providing training and materials to those using it. The first few times, you might have to refer to your handy bullet list, but it’ll become fast, smooth, and seamless in no time.
With the right small business systems in place, you can achieve business-building goals.
Contact AMB Performance Group today for help creating systems specially designed to work for your unique business.
