If you have ever moved house, you have probably experienced the shock of discovering how much stuff you have as you try to declutter. Sometimes, the things you have are things you kept just in case you needed them at a later date. Then there’s those other things that were gifted to you and you accepted because you had space for them not because you needed them. If moving to a smaller house, you find that you have not choice but to ruthlessly eliminate things that don’t serve you.
Similarly, in business we set up systems and the processes that go with them. As the business grows, we get drawn to new concepts, state of the art technology and we keep adding this as part of our investment into the business based on the results others are getting. We end up with some sort of patchwork that we hope works. In the current times we’re living in there are new ways of working and doing business popping up all around us. It becomes very tempting to get drawn into purchasing the new and shiny objects, misguided that ownership of the new and shiny objects is what will get you better business results. This is not always the case.
If you take time to declutter before moving house, why would you not declutter your systems and processes by taking the time to evaluate what’s working, what’s not and what’s required? For successful business transformation, it’s important to note that whenever we change a business system, or shift the business processes, other existing systems and processes will be affected. When this is not well thought through, it will frustrate you and your team to no end.
If you’re considering taking your business through a transformation process, it will serve you and your team to take a step back and evaluate the different systems and processes you have. The idea behind this is to establish whether they are still relevant and working to meet your business goals and objectives. It always pays to take a strategic approach in the business transformation journey. Look at the big picture. Review the systems that will serve your business priorities and from that perspective, determine what needs to be improved, done differently or altogether replaced. Spring clean your business for effective and sustainable transformation.
