Systemizing Your Business?

Crete Buster

First of all, I don't know if "systemizing" is a word, but hopefully you all know what I mean.

I went to a presentation and the definition of a successful business was "one that can operate efficiently and produce income with or without you present all the time." That's a paraphrase, but it was something like that. It was stated that when you are forced to always work "in" your business, you aren't able to work "on" your business. Working "on" your business equates to time and money and working "in" your business equates to money with no time.(And unfortunately now a days sometimes the second equates to no money or time) I know some guys enjoy being more of an owner operator and that's fine, but PLEASE any one who has some advice on books, websites or personal experience on creating more of a system that produces time and money within our contracting industry please share.

I know that you can't always systemize the methods of completing jobs because projects are dynamic, unlike a making a Big Mac, but the business itself. Hopefully this can spark some good discussion.

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Electric Powered Mini Excavators, Demolition & Material Hauling Equipment http://mini-equipment.com
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plazaman

wow, im impressed what that business. i never knew they had mini equipment like that.

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Westchester Remodeling Contractor
Hartsdale Remodeling Contractor
Ardsley Remodeling Contractor

Ed the Roofer

The e-myth revisited and the e-myth for contractors are exactly what you are looking for.

Ed

Here is an e-mail newsletter I received from their organization today.



The E-Myth Insider

13 June 2008 Brought to you by E-Myth Worldwide
Dear E-Myth Reader,
"I just can't find good people" is a comment we hear frequently. The real problem is that business owners often lack documentation that precisely spells out an employee's responsibilities. We invite you to consider The Secret to Finding Good People.

The Secret to Finding Good People

The secret to finding good people is to evaluate your documented systems. Your documentation should tell employees exactly what to do, how and why they should do it, where and when they should work, and what defines a successful result. Here's a checklist:
* Define the minimum skillset for a given job
* Provide a way for job seekers to demonstrate their skills
* Say exactly what you want
* Document systems that reinforce delivery of desired results

Read The Secret to Finding Good People for an excellent example of a recruiting system used by a growing medical practice.

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HomeSealed

The e-myth is awesome...highly recommended.

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mdshunk

The E_myth is nothing more than an advertisement that you pay money for. 100 pages and 16 dollars later, you are made to be compelled to subscribe to the E-myth mastery series.

"Systematize" is a word totally made up by the e-myth author. An old hippy who figured out a way to dupe small businessmen into buying his book.

Ed the Roofer

Then, just buy the book and do not suscribe to the Mastery Course and make up your own systems, which means, making a procedure manual for every task, so that the cogs in place in your business are interchangeable to some degree.

Ed

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Mike Finley

And the the fun REALLY begins!

Once you have your written systems in place, now the real fun and hair pulling begins as you try to get guys to actually read and follow them.

I'd say the systemization is the easier part so far!

HomeSealed

Exactly! Its not like the book is just an ad that and you have to get the Mastery course, etc to get any decent content. The book is excellent on its own. Have you read it? It basically shows how to turn your biz into a turn-key operation through the implementation of systems etc in order to make it viable to franchise or sell....I would say that it would be of less value to a person who does all custom remodeling, however it is invaluable for someone like me who does windows, siding, etc, all of which is easily "systemized"....and btw, it is like 270 pages.

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healthyhomes

I've been dealing with the same issue. I have come to the determanation that as a General Contractor there is only so many systems you can put into place to effectively manage your business as it is usually based on only a handful of larger projects each year.

You are in a different boat though. You have a very specific service that you offer. I would think systemizing a company such as yours would be rather straight forward seeing as though your jobs deal with only one or two elements. I could however be totally wrong!

I really, really like it though. I havent seen equipment like that before. And to my knowledge that is a service that not many people are offering. I'd hire ya for one of my jobs... hell.. do you franchise?!

Magic Hammer

Here is a link to a remodeler's turnkey program. http://turnkeyprogram.com/default.asp
It's some work to it, however most of us need help to organize and systematize.

Crete Buster

Thanks for all the advice guys.
I will check that book out asap.
Has anyone had any experience with BuildIT Systems out of Canada. If so, please share some thoughts.
Also thanks for the positive comments about our equipment and service offering. We are toying with the idea of a franchise concept, which is even more reason that we are in the process of nailing down "the system."

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Confined Space & Fume Free Specialists www.cretebusters.com
Electric Powered Mini Excavators, Demolition & Material Hauling Equipment http://mini-equipment.com
Concrete Buggies, Power Buggies & Georgia Buggies Beware

cbcnotch

Has anyone had any success using programs like David Lupberger's "Turnkey System"? Or should I just stick with the local library books.