Has it gotten complicated?

Summary: While expanding our business we have created processes, each person adds their input as to how it needs to be done and now it’s complicated.  Review the process and simplify.

Have you noticed it is taking longer to get things done? Does it seem that when your business was smaller, it didn’t take as long to process, do, receive, etc.? Is it possible you have gotten complicated? Well, not you personally but your business.

Most likely in an attempt to ensure the work was done properly the first time and without surprises, you (and your staff) created systems to simplify however somewhere along the way – new people added their input, more departments were added, additional responsibilities were taken on and your simple process has become….well….complicated.

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Not only complicated, possibly also cumbersome, laborious, and time consuming. To get back on the fast track – simplify.

How? Start by picking the one item, you know the one, the one that every time you make the request it seems to take forever to get a response.

Follow these steps:

  • Review the purpose of the process or request item.  Example: you want to change some copy on your website
  • Determine the objective. Example: announcement for new product/service
  • Look at the current process.  Example: requires three people to approve before sending out updates
  • What can be eliminated.  Example: the only person who needs to approve is in marketing
  • How to change.  Example:  speak to all involved, inform them of the change and determine how to communicate changes without slowing down the process
  • Implement. In other words – just do it!
At times, in an effort to keep everyone informed, involved, and engaged we have complicated our systems. Take a fresh look at what you are currently doing and look for improvements. Remember – keep it simple!
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Complications take time and that is a resource we all want more of!