Check out the updated version of this blog here: Key Systems for Your OBM Business
If there’s one common problem all entrepreneurs face, it’s that we have WAY too much to do, and not enough hours in the day to do it in.
Having so much on your plate means you don’t get to spend time on the things that really matter, like revenue generating activities, and scaling your business to the next level. It’s also a one-way ticket to burnout-ville!
However, there IS a saving grace that will stop you from sweating the small stuff. The solution? Implementing business systems.
What are business systems?
A system is an automated process which addresses a specific issue within your business. The key thing here is that they allow you work smarter, not harder! Systems improve productivity, and they’ll save you time & money by automating the repeated processes in your business in a strategic and effortless way.
Classic examples of activities which can be systemized include: invoicing, time-tracking, email marketing, social media posting, etc. The list is endless!
Leading with a systems approach will mean you don’t have to waste time on the small, time-consuming activities in your biz. With solid systems in place, things will run like a well-oiled machine, and you’ll be able to focus your efforts on the important activities that will add value to your business.
I know that for many people, systems are scary as sh*t! I see a lot of OBMs who are unsure how to begin building out systems, struggling to identify which ones they really need, and how to optimize them to save time, money, and energy.
I’ve narrowed down my top 3 most important systems for those of you who are just starting out. Dive into these, plug them into your biz, and watch the returns on your investment pay out tenfold!
System 1: Onboarding
Onboarding systems set the stage for how your clients view you and your services.
You can automate (and personalize) your client onboarding process with things like email templates and an online call scheduling plug-in, just to name a few.
Once in place, these can be used to set out a clear onboarding procedure with clients. For example: The client receives a welcome email with a link to fill out your welcome survey. Then after the survey is complete, they get an email response with your calendar inside to book a discovery call.
You can tweak and refine this as your biz grows and you work with more clients. You might even include a client welcome kit email which goes out post-discovery call. Play around with this to make your onboarding experience unique to your business!
System 2: Client Management
Client management systems are key to your business running like a well-oiled machine.
Having a client management system in place will not only improve your service to your clients, but it’ll also keep you more organized.
Creating a master client brief to keep track of all your new and existing clients will help you easily stay on top of your client’s important information. This will save you time, improve your efficiency, and ensure you can quickly access client data as and when you need it.
This will also give you greater long-term efficiency as your biz grows and you onboard team members.
System 3: Project Management
If there’s one business system that I can’t live without, it’s my project management system!
Using a PM tool like Teamwork PM will take your biz to the next level. It will ensure you (and your clients team) stay organized on all current tasks, and have previous tasks documented for reference. You can use it to stay super organized, and set realistic expectations for your clients/timeframes on projects.
Even better, PM tools typically come with TONS of integrations to make life easier. Things like time tracking, real-time chat, the ability to set recurring tasks – all of which make your job as an OBM soooo much easier!
When it comes to implementing this for your clients, it really helps them feel that they are getting custom experience. And this is what our OBM clients want – customization, not a one-size-fits-all approach. After all – their business IS unique.
Plus if you’re working with contractors, PM tools are amazing for marrying those people with the processes to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Key takeaways
Implementing systems in my OBM biz was one of the main ways I exponentially grew my revenue and scaled a successful OBM biz. And if you begin to implement systems early on in your OBM biz, you’ll have solid foundations upon which to grow!
By implementing key systems into your business, you’ll save yourself time by not repeating the same tasks over. You’ll also save money by having everything automated, so that you can invest your time in bigger picture items. Better still, your clients will be happy and feel taken care of because you’re delivering them a consistent service.
You can start by implementing the 3 systems I’ve outlined for you here. Then once those parts of your business are automated and your process is buttoned up, you can move on to systematizing in other areas of your business. Before you know it, you’ll be sat on a beach with a mojito wondering how you ever lived without them!
Now over to you: What are the key systems you’re using in your OBM biz? And which do you feel you need help with? Drop us a comment and we’ll answer your systems Qs!
