May 21, 2019
“You need systems, and once you have those systems, you need automation so things can just happen.”
Brooke Elder (3:30-3:35)
Who doesn’t want to make money while they sleep? It’s certainly possible and it’s all through systems and automation.
Think of a system like a routine. We use a lot of routines and systems in our lives because it makes life easier, such as creating a meal plan and then grocery shopping based on that meal plan.
“If you don’t have a system - the more you work, the more work you create, and the less time and freedom you have. That is not how you want to set up your business.” - NiCole Easton (3:13-3:28)
If you have the charisma to easily get people into your business but don’t have a way to manage them, you run the risk of succumbing to the fear of success. You won’t show up the way you need to in order to be successful because you’ll be afraid you won’t be able to handle the business once it comes in.
The best way to combat the fear of success, and the tendency to become overwhelmed with business growth, is to create proper systems. Maybe you feel overwhelmed at the thought of even creating systems. It’s ok! Start small. One of the easiest ways to set up systems is to think about what goes well in your business and what you do to make it go well. Then create a system for it by writing down exactly what you do each time. Create a checklist template to return to each time you complete this project or task. You will no longer have to expend any of your precious brain power remembering what to do, and how to do it, because the process is already set in place.
I remember having this feeling once (ok, more than once), that if I create enough systems, I won’t have to actually work anymore. Your business will continue to evolve, and with it, your systems. Don’t get into management mode or use system-creating as an excuse to not prospect, market, or put yourself out there. Systems are a means to empower you to have the freedom to do the things that make your business great! They are the structure that will give your business the ability to have sustainable, stable growth.
Give room for adjustment. However, beware of the tendency to continue returning to the same system to “fix” it over and over. If it is working well, let your system do its job. Don’t get caught up in a cycle of continuous adjusting. This becomes counterproductive, and could end up wasting more time than it saves!
Don’t let technology intimidation keep you from using systems and automation.
Technology keeps moving forward at a lightning pace. It can feel so overwhelming to think about tackling the ins and outs of technology. However, there is a vast number of resources out there that can make building systems so much easier in the long run.
If it just seems too difficult for you to figure out how to utilize technology for the systems in your business, one solution is to hire someone to set up the technology of the systems for you. This eliminates the need for you to spend the time it will take to understand and implement the technology, but will still provide you with the immense benefits that technology can provide.
Another solution is to find easy-to-use online solutions, such as Trello, which is an amazing tool. We keep track of our podcasts, our TV shows, our emails -- everything we do -- in Trello. Trello pretty much runs our whole business and our lives.
One of the systems you can set up on Trello is a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) to keep track of your customers. With a CRM, you can track the products your customers have ordered and when they need follow-up. You can also keep track of their birthdays and other information about them.
We understand how difficult it can be to manage a business, and try to learn something new, like an online solution for systems. To help you get started, we want to offer you a free gift! We have developed a CRM on Trello to help you keep track of your customers, and we’ve even included a training video to show you exactly how to use it. You can find it at socialtenacity.com/crm.
“Adding automation and systems into your business is going to be a gamechanger. This is how you make money while you sleep because it just runs, and you don’t have to really do anything. It’s a beautiful thing. - Brooke Elder (23:16-23:30)
Your aim for this week is to take a look at your business. What is one automation or system that you can implement NOW in your business?
Building a business is hard work, but there is no need for you to work hard on every single aspect. It’s time to find the things in your business that are working so well, but don’t require your attention each day. Free yourself up from the tasks that can be done without you, and start making money while you sleep!
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