Have you ever thought about everything that has to go right for your day to go along normally?
· Your alarm has to go off at the right time.
· Hopefully there is hot water for the shower.
· Mr. Coffee obliges.
· When you drive to the office thousands of other people need to reasonably follow traffic laws
· Your computer needs to boot up…and now the real fun begins!
Consider any one of those simple bullet points above. How many more intricacies are below the surface that you rarely ever consider?
Electricity. Plumbing. Brake lines. Software. Ringer volume. Driver’s ed.
These things all work because of predictable systems. You know you can count on them to work they way they should. This certainty reduces stress and lets you focus on the main task at hand.
Where things start to break down is at the office. Here is a list of things that may not be going well:
· The flow of leads from marketing to sales doesn’t seem to connect just right.
· Customers are upset due to unclear expectations.
· Projects are in the red due to scope creep and missed deadlines.
· Employees are frustrated because managers aren’t making decisions…and vice versa.
What’s the result at work? You probably know the answers: stress, indecision, infighting, and disengaged employees.
We have these breakdowns at work because there is a lack of clarity. The good news is that as the boss it is in your power to develop or improve the systems that solve these problems.
Before I get too far ahead of myself, let’s define system. A system is the integration of multiple distinct parts following a defined sequence that turn inputs into outputs in a consistent manner.
A basic assembly line is a great example of this relationship. There are process steps to assembling the product in the proper manner. People are trained on how to do those steps. Technology like tools and conveyor belts facilitate the work.
Every business has systems, not just manufacturers. At work a system is any combination of people, process, and technology to achieve an outcome.
The process is the steps that are followed to accomplish the job. The people are trained on the steps in the process. Technology is used by people to conduct the process in a more efficient manner.
Here’s a question for you: how well do the systems run in your business? Just use a basic 1-10 scale in your head. One is terrible. Ten is the best in the business. How well do your systems run?
If you’d like to know more about how I can help your organization, please click “Get in Touch” at the top of the page and fill out the contact form. I’d love to share with you and your leadership team during a totally free 90-minute meeting how many many different organizations have discovered the steps to producing clear processes for fantastic results.
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