If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance that you already know your business needs processes to help it run. However, knowing something and doing something about it are often two different things, and this article will help you take action on your need for business processes.
All you have to do is look for the signs.
Sign #1: You do the same task differently every time
The best processes are there to guide you to do the same task the same way every single time. It’s repeatable, manageable, and can keep you organized. Plus, it can make you look more professional and reliable when tasks are completed in the same way.
Sign #2: You’re the only person that can do it correctly
As entrepreneurs, it’s natural to want to keep all your processes close to the chest. However, if you’re the only person that can do a specific task it may be time to get that process on paper. Then, once you have a physical process in place (via Loom, Google Docs, etc.), you can easily hand it off to a team member.
Sign #3: You’re making silly mistakes
If you (or a team member) keep making the same silly mistakes, such as forgetting a step or adding the wrong thing, then you need processes. Processes can help mitigate and minimize those mistakes by reminding you how things work, which steps come next, and which tools to use. That way, nothing gets forgotten.
Sign #4: You manually do easy tasks instead of automating them
Stop doing busy work and make time for more important things with automation. With the right processes, you can automate payment reminders, onboarding, scheduling, task status updates, and more. If it’s easy, automate it.
Sign #5: You keep losing important information.
If you can’t find where a document was filed or what folder it should be in – it’s time to create a process and a naming convention for it. That way everything will be in the right place. Plus, you won’t have to spend time searching for where you put things – or worse – where a team member put things.
Final thoughts
Processes are the backbone of every business. They can help keep you organized, professional, and sane. If you recognize these signs in your business, then it’s high time you created some processes of your own.
Thankfully, you don’t have to do it alone. There are plenty of articles on different processes your business needs to run smoothly (like this one!) to help you figure it out. Or, if you need more hands-on help, let me know.
Either way, you’ve taken your first steps into making your business run like a well-oiled machine- and that’s all that matters.
