Many business owners we work with feel caught up in the day-to-day drudge. They’re handling customer queries, fixing problems, chasing invoices – and wondering how they’ll ever find the time to step back and think about where the business is heading.
The truth is, if your business relies heavily on you, it can feel impossible to take time out to work on strategy, growth plans, or even a long-term exit. That’s where systemising your business comes in.
What is Systemising?
Systemising simply means creating repeatable processes that don’t rely on your constant oversight. It’s about making sure the “how” of your business is written down, consistent, and easy for others to follow. This creates more time for you, a better customer experience, and in the long term a more valuable business. A potential buyer will ask “Can this business run without the owner?” and if the answer is yes, your business becomes much more attractive. A buyer isn’t just buying your products or customer list – they’re buying a machine that runs smoothly without you.
Here are a few areas where systemising can make a big difference:
Onboarding new staff: Instead of spending hours explaining the same things, create a checklist or training video library. It saves time and ensures consistency.
Sales process: Document the steps from first enquiry through to closing a sale. This helps staff handle leads in a consistent, professional way.
Customer service: Use standard responses for common queries and a simple escalation process for problems. This reduces mistakes and keeps clients happy.
Finance: Automate invoice reminders and set up clear procedures for credit control, so cash flow doesn’t depend on your memory.
Marketing: Have a content calendar or email template bank so your marketing doesn’t stop when you’re busy.
Of course, to systemise your entire business all in one go would likely be overwhelming. Start by asking your team where the “bottlenecks” are – often they already know which areas could run more smoothly and could help you put together a system to overcome the problem. If you block out some time in your diary each month to do this, eventually you will have a fully systemised business that runs smoothly without your constant input, leaving you with time to carry out more strategic tasks, or even take some time off!
In short, systemising your business isn’t about bureaucracy – it’s about buying yourself time, reducing stress, and building a business that’s worth more when you eventually step away.
If you would like personalised business advice, or you are looking to maximise the value of your business, please feel free to get in touch. We would be happy to help you!
