If an Editor does their job well, nobody notices.
 
When done well, editing is invisible. Its purpose is to ensure readers take notice of what has actually been written. But when poor grammar, rambling sentences, or numerous spelling mistakes end up in the finished article, the editor’s work is noticed.  
 
Not everyone will notice when things work the way they should, but almost everyone will notice when they don’t.
 
The same can be said of your business systems. When they work for you behind the scenes, your clients, suppliers and staff shouldn’t notice. There should be no complaints and no issues with non-delivery of services, relationships with clients and customers should be harmonious, and employee engagement and retention should be high.
 
It’s when you have systems that are ineffective (or non-existent), that things will start to go wrong for your business. And when they go wrong, it can take a lot of time and effort to catch up, make amends with your customers, and improve their experience with your business.  
 
Finding and implementing good systems is part of ensuring that your business will grow. But constant monitoring is required to ensure that those systems continue to work for you long-term.
 
As your business evolves, it is likely that it will outgrow its existing systems. Changes in the economic climate and expansion of your business structure will mean that processes that worked while your business was in its infancy will no longer serve its growth as it matures.
 
Ineffective or outdated systems will impact your profitability and growth, keeping your business stuck in the mud rather than driving it forward.
 
Are your systems moving your business forward? Or are they holding it back?
 
If you’d like to talk more about monitoring and improving your business systems,  ask to discuss this topic with me the next time we meet, or send me an email: bruce@genesisba.com.au.
 
*You might also like to read Eliyahu Goldratt’s book The Goal as background reading.

The most common question I get asked after Christmas (and it’s the same every year, without fail) is ‘Have you worked out a New Year’s Resolution yet?’
​
‘Well, no,’ I say, ‘I never bother.’ Inevitably, we joke about the fact that most fall off the wagon before the end of January anyway, and never achieve what they intended. 
 
But, I think the main reason we fail to achieve our New Year goals is that we look at it all wrong.
 
To me, goal setting is a constant way of living and moving forward, a way of growing and encouraging myself to reach new limits all throughout the year. And it can only be this way because I have cultivated a mindset that sets me up for achievement.
 
Here are five ways you can cultivate a goal-oriented mindset for yourself:
 

• Believe in your potential for growth – As simple as it sounds, this is integral to your ability to achieve. If you believe that your abilities can be developed and strengthened over time, you will be more likely to challenge yourself and grow.
• Set meaningful goals – It’s incredible how many people miss this step when they set goals for themselves. Sit down and think about what you actually want to achieve. Then take the time to understand the stepping stones that will lead you there bit by bit.
• Discipline yourself to set up accountability – Who is keeping your accountable to achieving your goals? Do you have a close friend to confide in? Or do you revisit a journal where you have set intentions? Decide what will help you stay focused on your goals long-term.
• Be ambitious, but not unrealistic – Be wary of the danger in setting unrealistic expectations for how much you can do in a day/month/year. It’s great to be ambitious, but setting expectations too high can set you up for feeling like a failure. Instead, anticipate that there will be times that you fall behind, but that you are capable of getting back on track and pushing ahead.
• Never underestimate the power of positivity – It’s important to ensure that goals are positive, rather than intimidating. When you find yourself getting overwhelmed, try breaking goals down into smaller steps and remember to be realistic about what you can get done.

 
As you are setting or reassessing your goals for 2016, I have four questions that will help you think about your intentions:
 
1. As a leader in your business, what is the question you want or need to explore in 2016?
 
2. What do you see as your main challenges or goals in 2016?
 
3. What would happen in 2016 if you don’t change [yourself or something in your business]?
 
4. What would it take to achieve your main goal in 2016?
 
I would love to know what’s ahead for you in 2016 – Reply to this email and send me your answers, or forward them on to bruce@genesisba.com.au