This one thing is at the heart of scaling

As you work to grow your business, do you find yourself ever saying, “I’m not sure anyone else can do this,” or “what I do is so unique.”

OR, “I wouldn’t even know how to train somebody on this, I do it differently every time!”?

If you’re interested in scaling your business and growing your results, one of the most frequently raised topics of concern is about consistency and getting the rest of your team members to deliver.

“If I don’t do it, it won’t be the same client experience” or “We won’t achieve the same results.”

Some of these perspectives may be factual and some may not.

Even if it’s factual now, it doesn’t mean that can’t change.

One of the answers?

Create something that’s teachable. A process. A method.

A set of steps that can guide the employee, contractor, to an outcome that you would like to be delivered.

Maybe we can’t teach them all of what you do, but can we get to 75%…80%…85%?

Creating teachable processes is the heart of scaling.

Sure, selecting the right product or service mix to scale is important, funding is important and so are other aspects to scaling, but at the heart, once those things are determined, it’s the execution of scaling that determines success or failure. It’s whether or not your team, your company can expand their results or expand the number of clients they have. In order to do this, the company needs solid processes.

These help you create the foundation for growth you need to take your business to the next level. A strong process ensures consistency. It ensures that your people are guided toward an outcome that you, the business owner, are looking for.

Whether it’s delivering sales results, delivering your service, etc.

Once you have your steps, your process, your method, capture it. Perhaps it’s an instruction sheet, a diagram, a list of steps, screen shots from your computer, a video they can watch…But find a way to convey the process so they can refer to it over and over again. Eventually, these will turn into your Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Even if the work is highly subjective, or intuitive. What are the components they should look for? What are the metrics, what are the ‘must-have’ pieces that are critical to what you need your people to do?

Creating teachable processes is an investment that I’ve seen always pay off.

So if you’re strapped for time, not seeing results from your people, or have an employee who might be struggling - a tool that teaches the steps in the form of instructions or guidelines can be incredibly helpful for them and you.

Example: An inspection business recently hired someone to help with the owner’s inspections; and they discovered that in spite of being quick to learn the inspections, they’re having trouble writing their findings in the report the way the owner does it. Their communication skills aren’t up to par and it wasn’t uncovered during the interview process.

Instead of writing them off or having to write all of his/her reports for them, the owner could have pre-prepared ‘report sheet’ that has check boxes for all the things they might find during the inspection. And, having a list of items to choose on the report sheet that could be added during the more subjective & custom part of the report.

The point here is, a strong process and tools can significantly help this individual create an output that is up to the standards and outcomes that you need for your customers, and you. This employee may or may not have a long future with this company, but the tools will help in the meantime.

And, instead of focussing on this employee’s lack of communication skills, you’ve created a report process that overcomes any lack of skills from anyone. They can quickly learn the reporting process and deliver on it. And, can be used by future inspectors as the owner hires more.

If you’re looking for better results or to delegate items still on your plate - consider how you can make it teachable.

In the meantime, I would love to hear what processes, systems or services you’ve made teachable up to this point in your business. Comment below or hit reply!

NOW is YOUR time.

Ariana

PS: If you know of a business owner who would benefit from this information, please share by forwarding this to them!

PPS: If you wish to discuss your business related to the above, please send me a note by hitting reply or sending me a DM.