I love Trader Joe’s. Free samples, an interesting selection of food, reasonable prices, and they treat their employees well – what’s not to like? This is a corporation that has a definite personality, which includes a commitment to charitable giving. If you show you are asking for a non-profit, they are generous at donating a gift bag of their products. But, at least at my local store, you must ask a month in advance, something for which I was not prepared when I asked for a raffle prize for our NAWBO mixer ten days in advance of the mixer date.
If I planned mixers all the time, I would know this and would not have missed out on a great raffle item. But the experience does illustrate two important points about business focus:
- When you specialize in a few business areas, rather than try and do everything, you develop expertise in your field, which is what people pay for. You save them time, money, and aggravation because you have done something over and over.
- If you know you will have to do something again, create a checklist or timeline to make it easier the next time, i.e. create a system – or find someone else to do it, and have them make the checklist.
No one wants systems; they want what systems give them: Free time, more clients, and a healthy income. That’s why I am offering this free tele-class again: How to Work Less, Make More, & Love Your Business Again!
If you are a small business owner, professional, or solopreneur who wants to spend more time with the people and activities you love, do right by your clients, and make more money, join me for this tele-class, during which you will learn:
- How to stop working 24/7, and enjoy free time again
- The #1 reason delegation efforts fail – and how to be successful
- How to attract more clients with consistent follow-through
- Steps you can take NOW to let go of the tasks you hate (hint: it’s not always hiring a VA or outsourcing)
Date: Wednesday, August 21 Time: 4 pm Pacific time
Location: the comfort of your office Duration: 1 hour
Register at: http://www.yourcso.com/
Maura,
Systems are vital for my business. Without them, prospective customers would “fall through the cracks,” supplies wouldn’t always be ordered on time, and my stress levels would be higher by constantly wondering what still needs to be done and what I am forgetting.
Systems allow my business to run more smoothly and achieve goals that I wouldn’t be able to without them!
Looking forward to your tele-class to learn if there are improvements or additions I can add to what I am already doing!
I know you have honed the systems in your business to a point that you are creating a program to teach others in your industry how to run a profitable business. When you are ready to launch, be sure and post the details here.