Time. It’s the most valuable asset we have as business owners but it’s also the one thing that we never seem to have enough of. No matter how well I plan and prep for the day ahead, there are always one or two things that I just don’t have time to cross off my list. I learned early on that the more systems I can put in place, the more time I will save myself by the end of the day. Although I’m not an expert in business systems by any means, I fully understand their importance and place in every boss lady’s life. So whether you have no idea where to even begin in building sustainable systems for your business or you’re looking to make a few updates, let’s have a quick chat about one of the less glamorous but oh-so-necessary aspects of running a business.

You may not realize it, but I’m sure you already have some systems in place in your day-to-day office activities. If you have a tried and true method for starting work with a new client or you have a foolproof plan for filling product orders, that is a system, my friend. Simply put, systems are a consistent and sustainable process or method that either you or an employee can implement. Not only do systems save you time and energy, but they make it easier for you to connect with clients, fulfill wholesale orders and so much more.

The number and complexity of your systems will depend entirely on the size and nature of your business. For example, I offer both products, design services and coaching services, all of which require totally different methods of getting work done and interacting with clients/customers. While my systems for fulfilling print shop orders are very different from my branding client systems, they both help me do work efficiently and consistently. Without them in place, I could very well end up doing the same job in an entirely different way, which wouldn’t necessarily give me the best result every time.

If you have no idea which areas of your business require a system, consider how you handle client/customer relations, marketing and how you do your own work. With my branding clients, there is a series of steps I take with each project in order to streamline the entire process and get all the information I need. Consider how you start with new clients or how you respond to common customer inquiries, if your business is more product oriented.

For marketing or promotional efforts, I have a set of pre-written pitches I can tailor to a specific event or collaboration opportunity. Not only does it save me time but it ensures I send out a well crafted and professional pitch every time. Take a moment to consider how you market certain products or services, and how you approach promotional opportunities. If you’re like me and you frequently collaborate with other bloggers or brands, come up with a simple and effective method of reaching out, following up and creating the content itself.

As I sit down to design for a client or fill customer orders, I have different rhythms in place that help me use my time wisely and do the job well. Pay attention to how you work and any patterns you see yourself repeating. As you do, jot them down and take a closer look at how they’re connected and how they can be repeated to streamline your workflow.

When you make time to focus on building or recognizing the existing systems in your business, be sure to write it all down step-by-step. While having a trusted system in place will help you in the immediate future, it should also be the framework for a system you can eventually pass on to an employee or partner later down the line. Having a tangible place for all of that information will give you the chance to analyze, revise and revisit as needed.

Creating the right systems for your business may involve some trial and error, and that’s perfectly normal! As my business has grown, I’ve had to grow with it and leave some of my simpler systems for more complex ones. It’s all a natural part of the growth process and doesn’t have to be a daunting or complicated experience.

So what sort of systems do you see yourself integrating into your business on a regular basis? Do you see any areas that really need a new system in place? Sound out in the comments below, friend. I’d love to hear where you are with this topic!