| entrepreneurs know that setting goals is crucial to | | | | employee take them in charge, explaining how things |
| business success. If you don't know where you're | | | | work? How can you be sure that the new employee |
| going, how will you know when you've arrived? Or, | | | | is learning what you want them to know? |
| more importantly, when you're heading in completely | | | | As the owner of the business, it's your job to ensure |
| the wrong direction? | | | | that a system is put in place as the business grows. |
| If you're the owner of a small business, what is your | | | | The system will ensure that everyone knows what |
| goal? To make it to the end of the month with enough | | | | they need to know to do their job effectively. |
| money in the bank to cover the compensateroll? To | | | | How do you think companies like McDonald's are able |
| take a holiday for the first time in five years? | | | | to manage thousands of restaurants across the |
| Every small business owner should have the same | | | | planet? McDonald's Head Office doesn't sell |
| goal - sooner or later, to become independent of the | | | | hamburgers. They sell franchises, and their customers |
| business. Small businesses turn into big businesses only | | | | are the franchisees. The most valuable asset they |
| when they are able to operate smoothly without the | | | | have is their system. It regulates what employees |
| owner being present. When you can stay away for a | | | | wear, the words they say to customers, how many |
| week, or a month, or a year, and return to find the | | | | seconds a patty is left on the grill. to variables within |
| business running better than before you left, you have | | | | their business, every contingency is dictated by the |
| the opportunity to do whatever you like - sell the | | | | system. |
| business and start a new one, retire, buy a yacht and | | | | The system makes it possible for new employees to |
| sail around the world. | | | | fit in. They are educated on 'how we do things around |
| True financial independence is the ability to live your life | | | | here'. They are taught the specifics of their job. They |
| doing what YOU want to do. Do you really want to | | | | may be required to sign a performance agreement. |
| show up for work an hour early every day, leave late | | | | In a well-designed system, there is still space for |
| at night and never take a holiday, for the rest of your | | | | individual creativity. Better ways of doing things should |
| life? Surely not. | | | | always be sought out and encouraged - and written |
| What is the key to being able to walk away? | | | | into the system for the future. |
| It's simple. You need a system in place so that | | | | The system provides the framework for ensuring that |
| everyone in your business knows exactly what's | | | | the business is never entirely dependent on any one |
| expected of them. | | | | person. If you own the business, your future depends |
| When you take on a new employee, how do they | | | | on the quality of your system. |
| learn what they're expected to do? Does an existing | | | | |