Running a business or practice can be a daily challenge. Everyone else seemingly does it so easily, so why does it sometimes seem like so much hard work? Business owners don’t always have someone they can turn to for answers to daily frustrations, which is why more and more are looking to find a business coach. The most common issues revolve around people, money and time. In particular, the lack of it. This question and answer series of articles provides scenarios for practice and business owners to find answers to those frustrating situations.
Q: I have a lot of systems in place in my practice, but can’t get the staff to follow them. They continue to do everything their own way, or to not follow them at all. What can I do?
Systems are vital to every business – provided they are the right systems and provided everyone has buy-in. Your employees need to understand why the systems are there, and what difference having them there will make to them and the way they work. If systems are imposed rather than being developed consultatively, they can cause resentment and elements of rebelliousness.
So, the questions are, who developed the systems? Did your employees have input into them? Do they understand why the systems are there? Do they have a context for the systems? Have you shared your vision for the business with them? What was the environment into which you introduced the systems?
Your role as owner and manager is to engender a spirit of teamwork towards achieving a shared goal. If employees feel that systems have been put there as a de facto boss to watch over them, they aren’t going to work – the systems or the employees.
Of course the optimum is to have the systems and standards already in place when new employees arrive, as that clearly shows the ‘way we do things around here’. The challenge is in introducing systems to staff who are already there and this means using a collaborative approach.
And once systems are in place, it doesn’t stop there. Your systems must be measurable and reviewed regularly.
Seems like a lot of work? Yes it is. Is it worth it? Most definitely, if you want to create a business that works smoothly and in a way that takes you towards your goals.
Watch for Part Three…coming next week!
Until next time…
P.S. Learn more about working ON your business–talk to the coach! Click here to connect with me!