Have you ever skipped a flat rock across the water? As the rock skims the water, notice how the water ripples. After a moment, each ripple flows effortlessly into the other. The ripples incorporate into one another creating a harmonious blending. At the same time, you notice a leaf on top of the water being carried by the ripples. Notice how the leaf is gently carried along as it gets to the other side of the stream. Once the leaf gets to the other side, the seed it was carrying plants itself and new growth begins.
The same concept applies when you take a systems approach. Each system in your business supports you life a leaf on water carrying your company to greater connections and business growth.
When the systems are integrated optimally, you’ll notice how momentum begins to build and the pieces come together. Like the ripples on the pond, each ripple begins to incorporate into one another and you get noticed for your unique lineup of products and services.
However, it’s not about just implementing random systems to gain momentum for your business. The trick is to think through how one change impacts your entire business system so that you create that effortless blending. This is systems thinking.
Most business owners get stuck or plateau when their growing their business. Often times they have a mishmash of systems due to a series of solutions because they didn’t think through how each system interconnected when they were implementing them.
In 2007, ethanol was slated as an energy solution. Ethanol was made from corn. Corn prices soared to their highest in the previous decade.
While the higher prices benefited farmers who grew corn, there were also farmers who lost. Higher corn prices increased feeding costs for livestock producers.
To remain in business, producers had to reduce or change their feed. Not surprisingly, this change affected another part of the system as chickens and other livestock had lower reported weights when sold. This shift, in turn, impacted consumers.
On the surface, ethanol seemed like a reasonable solution in one area. However, when you put your systems hat on, it becomes evident that there is a ripple effect.
Small business owners can learn a lot from this ripple effect. The next time you see a solution, like any systems thinker, ask yourself:
• How do all of the parts of the business interrelate?
• Where might you connect several systems, processes or programs that would create efficiencies?
• What system, that if you implemented, would make a significant difference for your business? (Ex.: marketing system, follow up system, lead generation system)
One action creates ripples in other areas of your business. The good news is that when you put the pieces together like a well-oiled, interconnected machine, you can create synergy and effortless momentum.
If you’re inspired to take a systems approach to scaling and systematizing your business, join us for the Wake Up Profitable Boot Camp for Business Owners on October 25-26, 2020.
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