Getting Organized Series Setting Up Systems part 2 of 6

Setting up Systems for your business can be the difference between success and failure for many small businesses.

While you might be able to complete projects and process orders fairly easily when you only have a few clients, as you grow you will find yourself unable to juggle the old clients with the newly added client load in a productive way.

This leads to upset clients, overwhelming workloads, exhausting days and nothing being accomplished.

Working with a system assists with keeping on top of everything.

There are several types of systems that you can set up for your business.

Each ones addresses a step in how your business runs.

For example, How you market, How you follow-up, how you process your accounting functions, and how the work flows through your company.

Setting up a system is as simple as establishing a routine to ensure that you will continue to get the same results no matter who is doing the work.

Setting up a project management system

A Project Management System is essential no matter if you have a product or a service. How the work flows once it comes is the foundation of a good work environment.

Have you ever looked behind the counter at Taco Bell as they put your order together? I went inside to order recently.

I had not eaten there is some time and it was suggested by someone in my party and I have to say I was impressed with how streamlined the system was to putting orders together.

Once the order came in, it was like clockwork.

There were three people lined up. One person was standing at the meat, tortilla and bean area on one end (starter). Another at lettuce, cheese tomato area in the center (filler). Yet another at the wrapper area on the other end.

As I waited for my order, I watched these three workers work their “system” it was efficient and fast because each person knew their station.

The orders flew down the line as soon as they were wrapped it was placed in a bag and taken to the window or counter directly to customer.

I just wanted to use this illustration to encourage you to set up a project flow.

How does your work flow through your company once it comes in?

Take the time today to set up a work flow chart.
Start with a blank piece of paper and write out each step that needs to happen to the project before it goes out to your client.

This could be product fulfillment or a service.

When you are outlining your systems remember, you need to set up a system that is easy to follow and organized.

It does not have to be complicated.

You might just have to write down what you are currently doing and stick to that as a template for your system.