Business owners and entrepreneurs focus on developing systems - sometimes called processes and procedures - that help ensure success.
Often times, when a business fails, a common comment is that there weren't enough systems in place.
One the other hand, when a company achieves success, having established business systems in place is an instrumental part of that accomplishment.
There are a plethora of systems ingrained in all businesses: answering customer service questions, following up on leads, establishing a new client, handling payables and receivables, processing payroll, hiring procedures, etc.
Each process establishes consistency and proficiency.
Of course, the right systems are as important as having systems at all! Once these systems are established, the next step is to document them.
Each process must be recorded, step-by-step, so anyone can follow them.
When everyone knows what the system is, the result is consistency, which can completely affect the failure/success issue.
Obviously, when done correctly, creating these systems is an arduous task.
When preparing to begin a new business, just figuring out the systems - let alone establishing them and tweaking them - involves major time consumption.
If you provide a service, you want to ensure that the same service is offered in the same manner to each of your clients.
The only way to ensure that is to have a written process for everyone to follow.
Even if it's the same person offering that specific service, you'll want to make sure they follow the same process each time.
If clients compare, you certainly want to make sure they all received the same quality service, in the same manner or format.
Knowing your service is being duplicated properly also gives a sense of pride and accomplishment because you can always speak without hesitation, exactly what the client can expect.
Having a system in place doesn't end with the sale.
It continues after the service is completed.
What type of follow-up do you provide? Again, establishing a set system to follow will help ensure that each customer receives the same type of attention.
If your company creates a product, a system in the manufacturing process is essential as well.
Leaving a step out of the process will certainly affect quality control.
At the very worst, it could even mean a product that completely fails.
For new business owners, having systems - the right systems - in place for all aspects of your business, is a key benefit of investing in a franchise or comprehensive business package.
The business systems have been established by the founders of the company.
They have been tested, tweaked, adjusted, and tested again and again.
By having all of your systems documented and provided for you will enable you to be in business faster, and help you achieve success more quickly, and with confidence.