Fusion Blog

Think about every large business that you know and deal with. Each one of those businesses has systems, procedures and policies in place – they are critical to ensure that everyone is doing the right thing. Can you imagine what the roads would be like if we didn’t have driving systems and procedures to keep us safe and minimise accidents.

We need systems and procedures to not only keep us safe but to make our lives easier and more enjoyable.
This also applies to your business. My advice is, if you haven’t got your business systems in place already, start now. Systems will support your business growth, increase your business value and make hiring new team members so much easier. Of course the hardest part is getting started. It can seem a little overwhelming. But it doesn’t need to be, it’s just a step by step process that you need to dedicate time to.

I recommend that you start by creating a job description for yourself. It is not uncommon for me to see businesses where everyone has a job description except for the business owner!  Here are a couple of quick tips for getting started with your job description.

1. Set a time in your diary to do it. Allow yourself a couple of hours of uninterrupted time.
2. Define the purpose of your role and your major areas of responsibility (e.g. finance, marketing, strategy etc)
3. Under each area of responsibility detail the tasks you are required to do. For example under the area of marketing your tasks may be to develop a strategic marketing plan, implement marketing activities, meet with new clients etc
4. Define the frequency of those tasks – are they daily, weekly, monthly or annual tasks?

Once you have your first draft of your job description you can begin to create a master list of the systems, checklists, procedures and policies required to successfully undertake each task. Then set a time in your diary every week for a couple of hours to work through the list creating those systems, procedures, policies and checklists.

Commit to yourself to do this. Your business could be the most valuable asset you own and by spending time on your systems you are increasing your asset value as well as improving the day to day operations of your business. That dream 3-month vacation could be possible much sooner than you think! Remember, consistent persistence is the key to success.

This article was provided by Anthea Moffat MBA (adv), MIMC, founder and Managing Director of Business Fusion and The Business Masters Club.