“You've got to have a system!”

If you've ever watched Harry Hill you'll know that one of his catchphrases is “You've got to have a system” Of course, for Harry, this is just one line in his show. For Ray Kroc it was a mantra that led him to build the most successful franchise operation ever.

Over the past year there have been some major changes at Stephen Hill Partnership. Not in staff or new equipment but in the way we work. As our practice has changed and grown so has the way we need to work. We started to walk down a long road identifying the main areas of work that are regularly repeated and writing detailed system notes to go with them.

Time to do some stirring
Along the way we developed the STIR (Saving Time Improving Results) systems development package. Running on Microsoft word, STIR is an easy to use computerised set of systems notes with room to develop your own variations. Used properly STIR will help you reduce the burden of work for you personally by ensuring that key areas of work can be done by any member of staff.

So why should you STIR up your Business and make your business more like McDonalds? You might consider that McDonalds, by selling fast-food, is in the business of supplying low-quality product. Maybe, but it is also in the business of supplying an excellent service time after time and that is where its success lies.

You are working for a madman
When was the last time you saw a McDonalds director serving fries? You haven't because the whole process is systemised to such a degree that it can be operated by staff with relatively low academic qualifications.

In the meantime, you are doing everything. You haven't got a business, you've got a job and it's the worst job in the world because you are working for a madman. Its time to stop working in the business and start working on the business.

As Harry and Ray would say “You've got to have a System”