Have you documented all of the key systems in your operations, only to find that your employees aren’t following them?
There are 9 steps to systemizing a business, and the one we tend to focus on the most is step 8 out of 9, which is documenting all the procedures. Skipping over all of the other steps is what leads to problems.
Here are the 3 most common reasons employees don’t follow systems:
1. No solid Why. (Steps 1-3)
Your employees are more likely to follow systems when they know the Why behind them. This is your company’s Vision, Mission, and Values. You have to have these, and they have to be communicated to your team.
The “Why” of your business translates into “Why should I follow this procedure?”
All of your systems should be designed to help your team achieve the Vision, deliver the Mission to your customers, and to live your company’s Values.
2. No clear “Who Does What By When” (Steps 4-7)
Everyone needs to be clear about who does what and what they need to achieve. It starts with an org chart and position descriptions. Then you need SMART goals and KPIs for the company as a whole, each department, and each team member.
Everyone should know what success looks like for their position, and that definition of success should be supported by your procedures that you document in Step 8.
3. Lack of Management and Leadership infrastructure. (Step 9)
This is how you make sure your systems are followed over the long term.
Management is another system in your business, and it shouldn’t be neglected. You should have a clear chain of command, and management procedures in place to create competent and productive team members.
Make sure leadership skills are continuously reinforced as well, to create the passion and focus your team needs to keep them on track.
Remember, when systems are followed, it results in fewer errors, higher productivity, and more profits. Schedule a call if you’d like help setting up your systems.
Author: Mark McNulty, Business Coach in Louisville, KY