Having business systems in place is crucial to the success of your business.
The question is: How can you make sure your business processes actually help rather than hurt you?
Let's discuss five mistakes many businesses are making.
Mistake #1: Not having an overall goal.
It's common for people to focus on the details of the business but not on specific tasks that they need to perform. If your business doesn't have an overall goal then your details would tend to be fuzzy. This can cause a disconnect.
Every business should have a goal and a model to follow. You may have a goal for instance of hiring team members. If that's the case it's more important than ever for you to make sure that you have goals and systems in place.
Your employees will be looking to you for guidance and direction so you need to make sure you have your goals clearly defined before you tell others what to do.
Having an employee handbook will help new hires understand their responsibilities.
Mistake #2: Not using technology properly.
All businesses need to use technology to some degree. That being said no business should rely 100% on technology. Why? Technology can break down. Relying too heavily on technology may weaken your business model.
For example: A grocery store looses power. That meant they can't use their cash registers. The employees need to write the items down that were purchased and figure out the exchange of money. If the staff isn't trained to do this prior to this disruption it could wreak havoc on the business.
Mistake #3: Not being detail oriented
You need to document the details for performing various tasks in your business. This helps a new person who comes onto your team know how to operate the system with little guidance.
The best way to handle this is to have two systems in place. One would be written the other would be via technology (software).
Mistake #4: Having too much clutter.
Not everything in your business needs to be written down word for word. You can write down the main idea. Having too much documentation can cause confusion and more clutter. Make sure that necessary directions are documented.
Remember when documenting various tasks make sure those tasks are refined and proven so that your business is running efficiently. Think split testing. Try performing the task one way. See how that works. If it doesn't then go on to plan B. The point is you want to know what works and then utilize that strategy.
Mistake #5: Interaction with people
There may be times when certain processes of your business will need that human touch. For example let's say you have a product that needs to be shipped a certain way. You need to document the specific details in order to make sure that the shipping and handling of your product is done in an efficient and thorough manner. You may also have to train people on how to handle customer service for that particular product.
When you have a team it's extremely important that you train them properly so that they know what's involved in the processes so that you have a well-oiled machine.
One of the best practices you can put into place is having an employee handbook which was mentioned earlier. This handbook will also contain procedures and policies that you expect to be followed. Having this in writing will help your employees to see in black and white what is required of them. Make sure they not only read the employee handbook but also sign off that they read, understand and agree with it.
Even if you decide to use a virtual assistant make sure you have it in writing what you expect of them. This will help with any type of confusion that may arise during a specific task you have assigned them.
If you are a solopreneur it's important that you set guidelines for yourself as well. Having things written down and in an easy to follow format will help you be more efficient.
Once you know your business inside and out and it will be easier for you to write the employee book of policies and procedures mentioned above. If you do that in advance of hiring any team members you will be ahead of the game should your business experience a major growth spurt.
Put these systems into place and you will find your business is more productive.
The question is: How can you make sure your business processes actually help rather than hurt you?
Let's discuss five mistakes many businesses are making.
Mistake #1: Not having an overall goal.
It's common for people to focus on the details of the business but not on specific tasks that they need to perform. If your business doesn't have an overall goal then your details would tend to be fuzzy. This can cause a disconnect.
Every business should have a goal and a model to follow. You may have a goal for instance of hiring team members. If that's the case it's more important than ever for you to make sure that you have goals and systems in place.
Your employees will be looking to you for guidance and direction so you need to make sure you have your goals clearly defined before you tell others what to do.
Having an employee handbook will help new hires understand their responsibilities.
Mistake #2: Not using technology properly.
All businesses need to use technology to some degree. That being said no business should rely 100% on technology. Why? Technology can break down. Relying too heavily on technology may weaken your business model.
For example: A grocery store looses power. That meant they can't use their cash registers. The employees need to write the items down that were purchased and figure out the exchange of money. If the staff isn't trained to do this prior to this disruption it could wreak havoc on the business.
Mistake #3: Not being detail oriented
You need to document the details for performing various tasks in your business. This helps a new person who comes onto your team know how to operate the system with little guidance.
The best way to handle this is to have two systems in place. One would be written the other would be via technology (software).
Mistake #4: Having too much clutter.
Not everything in your business needs to be written down word for word. You can write down the main idea. Having too much documentation can cause confusion and more clutter. Make sure that necessary directions are documented.
Remember when documenting various tasks make sure those tasks are refined and proven so that your business is running efficiently. Think split testing. Try performing the task one way. See how that works. If it doesn't then go on to plan B. The point is you want to know what works and then utilize that strategy.
Mistake #5: Interaction with people
There may be times when certain processes of your business will need that human touch. For example let's say you have a product that needs to be shipped a certain way. You need to document the specific details in order to make sure that the shipping and handling of your product is done in an efficient and thorough manner. You may also have to train people on how to handle customer service for that particular product.
When you have a team it's extremely important that you train them properly so that they know what's involved in the processes so that you have a well-oiled machine.
One of the best practices you can put into place is having an employee handbook which was mentioned earlier. This handbook will also contain procedures and policies that you expect to be followed. Having this in writing will help your employees to see in black and white what is required of them. Make sure they not only read the employee handbook but also sign off that they read, understand and agree with it.
Even if you decide to use a virtual assistant make sure you have it in writing what you expect of them. This will help with any type of confusion that may arise during a specific task you have assigned them.
If you are a solopreneur it's important that you set guidelines for yourself as well. Having things written down and in an easy to follow format will help you be more efficient.
Once you know your business inside and out and it will be easier for you to write the employee book of policies and procedures mentioned above. If you do that in advance of hiring any team members you will be ahead of the game should your business experience a major growth spurt.
Put these systems into place and you will find your business is more productive.
Every business needs to build a list of email subscribers. Find out how to get started in this free video: http://toninelsonmeansbusiness.com/getting-started-with-list-building/
0 komentar:
Post a Comment