Today’s stage is specifically focused on building Leverage into your day-to-day operational processes. There’s a lot to cover, so let’s get right to it. We want to be sure that we focus our attention first on the areas of your business that will provide you the biggest bang for the buck.
From our activity in Stage 24, you should have a good feel for the repeating activities that are most critical to your business success. If you did not do yesterday’s assignment, set this aside for a few minutes, go back and read the Stage 24 blog post, and prepare your prioritized list. Now, with your list in hand, we’re ready to dive in. Let’s concentrate on the activities that make up your day-to-day business operations. These should be the ones that matter most to your customers.
For instance, if you are in the Dry Cleaning business, how you take in dirty laundry from your customers is a critical repeatable process. You have to count the items, know what type of starch, etc. that particular customer prefers, a record that you have their clothing, and provide some receipt – all within a matter of minutes so you do not delay your customer.
If you are in the restaurant business, you need to greet your customers in a certain way – one that is consistent with your Value Proposition, determine their preferred seating arrangements, handle the menu and take their order. How you handle these activities will set a tone and a feeling for your restaurant. Let’s agree that for each and every process in your business, there is a “best” way to get the process done.
As the business owner, you must own the processes and own the documentation that supports the processes. Now, before you shut down and walk away from the idea of putting your processes on paper, let me tell you that this is the first step to building true leverage in your business. One of my clients made the decision to write out the step-by-step process for every activity in his workplace, then he had the document laminated and posted so that it was visible to everyone in the area where the work gets done. Now there is no need for him to tell and re-tell his team how he wants things done. He doesn’t have to spend a lot of time training the new team members. He simply shows them what to look for, tells them to ask questions if there is something they do not understand, and off they go. He spends WAY less time worrying about the outcomes because he knows the results he gets when his team follows the process.
Your Profit Tip of the Day
Would you like to create some leverage in your business? If so, then start documenting your process steps. Start with the most critical day-to-day activities in your business. Set the tone for not only WHAT you want to be done but HOW you expect it to get done.
It is your business after all – it is time to act like it – and meanwhile, you will be gaining Leverage through your Processes in ways that your competition will never understand or appreciate.
You’re off! Time to get started turning your day-to-day activities into highly leveraged processes. Trust me, you will be glad you worked hard during this stage of the race!
If you’re looking for more success and freedom from your business, join my FREE, private Facebook Group called The Peloton. It’s where business owners like you are learning, sharing and working together to get better every day! Here’s the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/jointhepeloton/
Come on – join us! And remember, whatever you do, RIDE HARD!
