Systemic Systems: Why Do I Care Part 2

By Christina Suter on Mar 26, 2016 at 06:00 PM in Business Issues

Systemic Systems: Why Do I Care Part 2

This week I wanted to continue the discussion of systemic systems and the affect they have on your business. A systemic system is any system that moves through and affects your company, which you may or may not be aware of.

Last week I used the beer example and how sudden popularity of a beer brand led to the makers being 6 weeks behind their new demand.

This week I want to speak to how systemic systems might serve you in your business and how you can find them. The purpose of any system is to serve you and your business; if it isn’t serving, it needs to change. Sometimes systems are invisible to us; when you market monthly, you have a system around getting your newsletter out. There is a system involved with how you share info with employees and how you follow- up with them. Your office generally sets itself up around systemic systems, so when you change them, it may feel like something as big as heart surgery. Change systems consciously so that you don’t negatively affect your business culture. All systemic systems felt necessary when we set them up but not all of them remain relevant or necessary; take inventory.

Systemic systems serve businesses by improving them and increasing productivity. Some systemic systems are the purpose of pride and preferences. “I like doing it this way.” I had a client who was a counselor and she used to tape every session and mail the tape to each client. I suggested that it might not be necessary and it wasn’t core to her business or to her customers feeling of being taken care of. That system served her, but not her business. Tradition, or “we’ve always done it this way“ is another systemic system that may need to be removed or changed. Don’t fall into the, I’m the only one who can do this… trap.

Once you grow, it can be hard to hand something off to someone who may do it differently, but just as well. But, when you refuse to delegate tasks, your capacity to grow is limited; your business only grows when you are awake because you won’t release things.

To find your systemic systems:

  • Look at your P&L statements
  • What are your advertising systems?
  • Track your day and write down what you do every hour.

Evaluate each of those systems and determine if each system is returning to you the value you put into it. Are you being paid well to get that system done? Will your business stop functioning or stop running as smoothly when you remove or change a system? Develop systems that work for you.