As I begin networking more heavily than ever, I keep running into connections who don’t understand scale in business.
How can one be involved with multiple business endeavors? How can you get so much done? How can I get more done?
One way to maximize individual productivity is through time management. However, your ability to scale will be bottlenecked by the limits of your own time. One individual can only go so far alone; you must use leverage to accomplish more.
This is where the ability to scale beyond yourself becomes critical. This article will explore how understanding scale can help you achieve more than you could alone.
Knowing When To Imitate vs. Innovate
C students often do well with franchises because they are used to following systems and instructions. They don’t try to reinvent the wheel. In contrast, professionals like CPAs, lawyers, and MBAs sometimes struggle because they believe they are so smart that they can improve on the system, often leading to mistakes.
Robert Kiyosaki
Let’s talk about imitation vs. innovation. In the quest to scale, it’s tempting to constantly seek out the next big idea. But here’s a little secret: sometimes, it’s better to imitate what’s already working. Look at successful businesses in your industry and analyze their systems and processes. What are they doing right? How can you adopt similar strategies?
For instance, if you notice a competitor’s sales system is yielding great results, study it. Become proficient in that system before you try to innovate. Innovation is crucial, but it’s most effective when built on a foundation of proven methods. By mastering what works, you create a solid base from which to launch new ideas.
Think of it like learning to play an instrument. You start by mastering scales and basic songs before composing your own music. The same principle applies in business. Imitate, then innovate.
As an example, Mohnish Pabrai, a well-known value investor, is known for cloning Warren Buffet’s model for success and later adapting pieces to his style only after he mastered the fundamentals. He has repeatedly admitted, “I’m a shameless copycat. Everything in my life is cloned… I have no original ideas.”
Even in my own experience, I found this to be true. I recently joined a mastermind group that has its system down to a T, and its mantra is just to follow the system and not deviate from it. And what do I do? I thought I was smarter and didn’t follow the system, leading to the exact rookie mistakes their system was designed to avoid!
Sometimes, it’s best to turn off our big brains and trust the process.
Develop Systems
Next, let’s talk systems.
Imagine trying to run your business without a clear set of processes. It’d be like navigating a maze blindfolded. By systematizing tasks and processes—from marketing and sales to service delivery and customer service—you create a blueprint that anyone can follow (no, you’re not the only one who can do it). This ensures consistency, efficiency, and ease of training new staff.
Think about your marketing efforts. Having a clear process for content creation, social media posting, and campaign analysis can save hours each week. The same goes for sales: a well-defined sales funnel allows your team to understand exactly what steps to take at each stage of the customer journey.
This kind of systemization is vital for scaling because it reduces the reliance on any single person’s expertise and ensures that everyone is on the same page.
Plus, (you guessed it), you can install already proven systems into your business—you don’t need to reinvent the wheel.
Delegation
Now that we have our systems let’s move on to delegation.
I’m sure you’ve heard of the 80/20 rule, right? It’s the idea that 20% of your efforts produce 80% of your results. The trick is to identify that 20%—the high-leverage tasks that truly move the needle for your business—and focus on them. The rest? Delegate to staff who are more skilled in those areas.
Here’s where Dan Sullivan’s concept from “Who Not How” comes in handy. Instead of asking, “How can I do this?” start asking, “Who can do this for me?” It’s a mindset shift that allows you to leverage the strengths of your team and free up your time for the strategic, high-impact activities that only you can do.
For example, if you’re spending hours on graphic design but it’s not your strong suit, find someone who excels at it. Your time is better spent on tasks that align with your skills and the strategic direction of your business.
Delegation isn’t just about offloading work—it’s about optimizing your resources and focusing on what you do best. And with proven systems in place, you can hire, train, and start delegating!
One last point here, delegation doesn’t always mean hiring employees. You can use vendors and hire contractors on platforms like Upwork or Fivver to put together a team that gets the job done without the overhead of carrying a full staff.
Building Teams
As you start delegating, you’ll naturally begin to build teams. This is a critical step in scaling your business. Building effective teams means more than just hiring people; it’s about creating a cohesive unit that works towards a common goal.
Start by identifying the key areas of your business that need dedicated teams. This could be marketing, sales, customer service, or product development. Once you’ve identified these areas, look for individuals with complementary skills who can contribute to these teams.
For instance, in a marketing team, you might need a content creator, a social media manager, a data analyst, and a project manager. Each of these roles requires different skill sets, but together, they create a well-rounded team capable of executing comprehensive marketing strategies.
Encourage collaboration and open communication within your teams. Use tools like Slack, Trello, or Asana to keep everyone on the same page and facilitate seamless project management. Regular team meetings and check-ins can also help ensure that everyone is aligned and working towards the same objectives.
Invest in training and development for your team members. Providing ongoing education and growth opportunities not only improves their skills but also increases their loyalty and commitment to your business.
Wrapping Up
Scaling a business isn’t about working harder; it’s about working smarter. By systematizing tasks, delegating effectively, and balancing imitation with innovation, you set your business up for sustainable growth. Remember, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. With the right systems in place, a focus on high-leverage activities, and a strategic approach to innovation, you’ll be well on your way to scaling successfully.
