May 23, 2024
The key to having a streamlined business is to use the Trigger → Action model.
If you don’t master this, things will get missed and delegating will feel impossible.
The truth is that nobody will ever care about your business the way you do. So you need to simplify and streamline as much as possible to reduce errors. Meaning, you have to identify the Trigger for every process, and the actions that follow.
I was speaking to a client earlier this week and we were discussing their onboarding process. There was a large list of things that had to happen but it was getting done in no particular order:
- create a statement of work
- create a shared workspace
- send an invoice
- etc
Typical. This makes it impossible to systemize, automate, or delegate.
Instead, processes need to look more like this:
- CRM stage to Needs Contract → Contract is created/sent
- Contract is signed → CRM updated → Invoice is created/sent
- Payment received → CRM updated → Onboarding Email sent
This is why creating process maps is super helpful. They force you to think through the Action → Trigger model, one step at a time.
The less variance in your processes, the more predictable and valuable your business becomes. A direct result of the level of your systems.
If you find yourself doing multiple things at once, in no particular order, simply because you know it has to (at some point) get done, I highly recommend you create a process map. Or at the very least, a list like the one above to help you start streamlining.
The Trigger → Action model is critical for creating SOPs, automating, and delegating processes.
Even if you’re not looking to delegate just yet, it will help you feel less overwhelmed, make your clients feel more confident in working with you, and the more you will be able to charge for your service or product.
See you all next Thursday 👋
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