Last Updated on March 22, 2024 by Dave Schoenbeck
Running a business is tough. There are dozens of plates to juggle and tasks to complete, and when it seems like there are multiple fires to put out, it can be difficult to know which ones to attend to first. Behind the scenes, running a business can feel like a complicated and stressful endeavor.
Despite this feeling, it doesn’t have to be this way.
When I started my coaching business in 2010, I named my practice Business Simplified LLC. I chose that name because business leaders unknowingly make their companies too complex.
I’ll be the first to admit that “keeping it simple” is really hard as you grow, but here are 9 of my favorite kick-ass ideas for simplifying your business and beating the “complexity syndrome.”
1. Work on your essential ideas first.
I once read a fascinating study that said when business people leave their email open while at work; they change their tasks 37 times per hour. You read that correctly—37 times!
We’re so easily distracted by things around us, and more often than not, it’s the things we use to help us stay organized and efficient (like email) that slow us down the most.
If you’re working on something important, close your email and hone in on your project. Set a timer for 30-60 minutes, and vow to keep your focus away from your phone and inbox. You might be surprised at what you can accomplish when you do.
2. Measure your most valuable metrics.
It’s important to have a list of key performance indicators (KPIs) that you can consistently track to determine how well your business is doing. However, as important as these indicators are, it’s also easy to get overexcited and try to track too many things.
My biggest suggestion is to keep the list short and intentional. Don’t track more than 10 things at a time. This will allow you to invest your time and resources more efficiently as you simplify your business. I recommend measuring your number of leads, lead conversion rate, average sales, number of transactions, and margins. Choose 5 more specific measurements to tie directly to your overall goals.
3. Streamline your hiring.
Finding good people can be a challenge. When hiring, it’s best to have a defined process to ensure you don’t need to slow down other business areas as you onboard new employees.
Always ask specific, direct questions and contact each candidate’s previous employers and references. Paint as best a picture as you can of how they will fit into your business culture and with your existing team.
4. Re-engineer your meetings.
Everyone loves a good meeting, right? Well, maybe not. There are a few things you can do to make company meetings less groan-inducing, but here’s the most important one:
Keep your meetings short and to the point.
This ensures you’re only discussing information that’s truly important for your company’s health and growth and does not waste time revisiting the same less-important details week after week.
5. Fix your outdated business processes.
As businesses grow, changes have to be made. That’s just a given. However, how you go about making changes is what separates struggling businesses from thriving ones.
To simplify your business as you expand, examine your existing processes and improve them one at a time. Where should you start? Choose a system that your employees or clients often complain about. Break down the problems, ask for feedback, and work with your team to find a suitable solution.
6. Get yourself organized – organized.
I get it; staying organized is like a whole other job. If you’re not naturally inclined to stay organized without conscious thought, failing to have robust systems in place can disadvantage you and your business.
The key is to learn how to prioritize effectively. I recommend reading Michael Linenberger’s book, The One Minute To-Do List. You won’t be sorry you did.
7. Clean up your desk.
This goes hand in hand with my previous point. Personal organization is one key to a happy work environment. The more you can do to keep your work life orderly, the easier it is to simplify your business.
Here are two main keys to a clean desk: Work on only a single project at a time and find a place to prominently display your goals. Create a separate space for other non-active projects to prevent yourself from getting pulled away from that one project.
8. Reshape your rules.
Look at your company regulations and how you’ve shaped the culture within your team. Does everyone know what is expected of them without question? Are goals straightforward?
Focus on outcomes and avoid micromanaging your team, but maintain an open line of communication and understanding. The more you listen to your team, the better the group will work.
9. Hire administrative support.
There comes a time in every company when you can’t stay productive without the right help. It can be scary to take this step because administrative assistants can make or break a company’s image.
When you’re ready to hire admin help, thoroughly explain your expectations and what the job will entail. When you hire someone, it will take time for you both to land on the same wavelength. Don’t expect this to happen overnight, but trust that your admin will strive to meet you where you need them to be. Communicate often and offer help when it’s needed.
Simplifying your business may seem like a chore, but it doesn’t have to be. Commit to getting your business back on the right track, and in no time, you’ll be operating with less stress and more efficiency.
Need help determining how best to simplify your business? Fill out my contact form for a free one-hour business coaching session with me. Let’s talk—no strings attached.
Coach Dave
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