“When systems are used at their best, we get to leverage the mistakes and undesirable results so that we can optimize what the future has in store.” - Tony

 

Most people became entrepreneurs so they could finally stop being a cog in someone else’s machine. If that’s the truth, then why do we also see most entrepreneurs chained to their phone and laptop, feeling that results are dependant on their super-secret-special sauce that only they can deliver? Systems are the best way to yield effective and consistent results and lead the way to the freedom that we desire.

 

So many uninformed entrepreneurs will tell you the definition of systems is the automation you create so you don’t have to do much work. This is simply not accurate. Automation is a component that can be utilized to make systems faster. However, a system is the infrastructure, the actual steps put in place to make sure the critical assets of our businesses don’t fall through the cracks. When we don’t have a good understanding of systems, we can end up being just another cog in our own machine. Freedom is found when we understand the fundamentals of a system, take the time to make sure they are working properly, and continually be driven to bring new innovation into our business.

 

”Systemization is seeing something go awry and then saying, ‘how are we going to change this so we get an optimal result from now on?’” - Peter

 

A lot of people desire to be more proactive in their system creation. While this is possible to an extent, it’s impossible to fine-tune your methods without the results. In other words, you can’t understand what sucks until something goes wrong. The great news is, when something fails, you create a system so it doesn’t have to suck ever again.  

 

So, how do we begin to systematize your business?

1. Understand that there is nothing magical about your contribution to your business. Some aspects of our success we attribute to our “intuition.” However, all things can be systematized.
2. Collect data and codify your results. Be intentional about analyzing the metrics of your business. Identify what works and why.   
3. Optimize effectiveness. When you do begin to systematize, you will naturally dilute the effectiveness of your business while you transition. If you build up the effectiveness, the quality of your services won’t suffer.
4. Get yourself out of as many things as possible. If it isn’t something that only you can do, if it’s not a step towards further innovation or growth, then you shouldn’t be doing it.
5. Segment client paths. In order to duplicate yourself, and have others run a system, it’s important to reduce as many variables as possible. Identifying the typical paths your clients take can help with this. Then, speed up these tracks as much as possible. Fine tune the systems for efficiency.

 

“Intuition is nothing but a complicated system.” - Tony

 

There are several incredible resources that can help as you learn more about systems and implementing systems in your business. Below are a couple of our favorites.

 

The Lean Startup - This book is a must for anyone in the transformational industry. It is so prescriptive for our time, and gives insight into starting and managing a startup.

Psycho-Cybernetics - Psycho-Cybernetics is a classic. It has incredible insight into so many aspects of business, how we operate, and the psychology behind our need for systems.

 

Some Topics we talk about in this episode:

 

• Introduction - 0:43
• The Misconception Surrounding Systems - 3:45
• How to Set Up a System Preemptively - 9:34
• Automating in the Midst of a Complex Service - 14:12
• Beginning the Systemization Process - 25:02
• When Scaling Impact Isn’t the Priority - 38:03
• Levels of Delegation - 40:25
• Wrap-up and Takeaways - 48:12

 

How to get involved

• Join us in the official Scaling Transformation Facebook Group

 

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