The Growth Map
Are you ready to level up?
A common mistake businesses can make when they are growing is that they haven’t created the right structure to be ready to grow without falling over.
If you’re ready to build or grow your team, have you got solid systems and processes in place to be able to grow without compromising on quality?
You may already have processes in place, but perhaps you’re not sure if they are as efficient as they could be, or they might be rather clunky and time intensive.
Or perhaps you’re looking to sell your business in the future, and you know you’ll need to demonstrate how smoothly you company runs or to be able to hand over the manual of how your business operates for someone else to take it over.
Taking the time to understand what is working or what needs to change can pay dividends in the long run. Part of that is having a full understanding of your existing processes and systems and identifying the strengths and weaknesses.
The ultimate aim is to have a business that works efficiently and has the room to grow.
The Growth Map package will help you do exactly that.
The Growth Map
Key Processes
Understanding your business
Identify key processes to be mapped
Mapping
Online workshops
Processes mapped in flowchart form
Output
Growth Map:
Documented processes
High level list of processes to be documented
Recommendations
Step 1 - Key process identification
I work with you to get an understanding of the business and the key processes
The we will prioritise the mapping stages depending on your business needs.
Step 2 - Mapping the processes
I then hold a series of online workshops to map the processes by area. Typically, if you have staff, I will work with the individuals responsible for each area in the first instance.
Part of the process is to identify any weaknesses and to challenge the way things are done to see if there are better ways to do them. I will highlight any inconsistencies and possible improvements.
The processes will be mapped using flowcharting software.
Step 3 - Growth Map
Processes are linked together and run through to sense check and fill in any gaps.
I have a final meeting with you to go through the processes, findings and recommendations and we discuss any next steps.
Outputs
- You will get a set of documented business processes mapped using flowcharting software.
- A high-level spreadsheet documenting the key areas that will need processes mapping in order to create an operational ‘handbook’.
- A set of recommendations with areas for immediate improvement and recommended future actions giving you complete clarity on any gaps, improvements and potential solutions to prepare you to level up.
- You now have your Growth Map to help you navigate to the next stage of your business
What sort of recommendations can you expect?
Sometimes it’s recommending something as simple as having a set of checklists that everyone can work from.
I might suggest the use of technology to shortcut lengthy processes. For example, I implemented the use of Eversign for one client, creating templates for Professional Services agreements which has dramatically reduced the time taken for them to be signed and eliminated version control which was a nightmare before.
More complex recommendations might include the implementation of a really effective CRM solution to help manage the business more effectively. I have partnered with Julia Blake of Blake Consultants who is an expert Capsule CRM implementer and together we work with our clients to help them through the process.
Do you need an operations’ manual?
I would say, yes! It’s the guide on how run your business and it’s how all good franchise businesses work allowing them to replicate their business and grow. McDonalds were the first to create the operations manual which covers all aspects of their business, from the type of premises to the equipment and people needed down to knowing how to cook the perfect McNugget.
There are many benefits to having this manual:
Replicability
It’s important that everyone is working to the same standards and it doesn’t matter who does the work because it will all be done in the same way.
Consistency
By having a set of procedures, you build in consistency ensuring the same activities take place at the right time, each time.
Duplication of effort is minimised
Having a documented and managed process reduces the risk of duplication or doing things in different ways.
Continuous improvement
The procedures act as the basis for continuous improvement.
All of which helps build in quality and excellent customer service.
There are more benefits too…
Limit the risk If you lose a key member of staff you reduce the risk of losing valuable knowledge when they leave. By having a documented process/workflow means the valuable knowledge is captured and others can easily be trained.
Recruitment
Recruitment and training become much easier and rigorous through a consistent implementation.
Increases your sellability
By having a full ‘Operating Manual’ you will have created a valuable asset for when you decide to sell.
The manual doesn’t necessarily have to be a physical folder, but can be a series of documents, videos, checklists and procedures in an online folder system. Equally there are now process apps out in the market that can manage the workflow for you. These are pretty time intensive to get started with and require a lot of technical support to get up and running. But they may be appropriate for certain businesses.