5 Smart Ways To Get Your Business To Run Without You

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT:

Five Smart Ways to Run Your Business Without You

 

Welcome to the Scale and Skyrocket your business podcast, where we're all about finding smart ways to help you grow your business, save time, retain your clients, and increase your revenues.

 

I’m your host, Lor Bradley, and today's topic is a must for every business owner who wants to step away from the day-to-day minutia of running their business and focus on what they truly love doing.  That's right, we're talking about how to work smarter, not harder, and get your business to run without you!

 

As your business grows, it can be challenging to step away and focus on the things you want to achieve in your life and business, such as new product or service innovation, annual strategic growth planning, or even taking time out of the business for vacations.

 

And that's why I'm here today to share with you 5 simple but smart strategies to help you build a business that can run without you. Are you ready to work smarter and achieve your goals?

 

Ok. Let's get started!

 

Why is it Important to Learn How to Run Your Business Without You?

 

So, why is it important to learn how to get your business to run without you? Well, as a business owner, your time is your most valuable asset, and if you're spending all your time working in your business, you won't have any time to work on your business.

 

This means you won't have the time to focus on the things that truly matter, such as developing new products or services, building new partnerships, or creating new marketing campaigns. In short, you won't have the time to grow your business and take it to the next level.

 

Additionally, if you're always working in your business, you'll eventually burn out and lose the passion and drive that made you start your business in the first place.

 

Learning how to get your business to run without you will give you the freedom to focus on the things that truly matter, while also ensuring that your business can continue to thrive and grow, even when you're not there.

 

One practical example of a UK based multi 7-figure business that has successfully implemented the strategies we're going to discuss is Innocent Drinks. Innocent Drinks is a beverage company that was founded in 1999 and sold to Coca-Cola for £300 million in 2013.

 

One of the keys to their success was their ability to build a strong team that could run the day-to-day operations of the business, while the founders focused on strategic planning, new product development, and marketing.

 

This allowed the founders to step away from the day-to-day minutia of running the business and focus on the big picture, which ultimately helped them to grow and scale their business to new heights.

 

5 Strategies to Help You Run Your Business Without You

 

So, let's dive into the 5 strategies that can help you get your business to run without you, just like Innocent Drinks did.

 

Strategy 1: Build A Strong Team

 

The first strategy for getting your business to run without you is to build a strong team. Your team is the backbone of your business, and without a strong team, it's impossible to step away from the day-to-day operations of your business. When building your team, you want to focus on hiring the right people, delegating effectively, and providing ongoing training and development.

 

Hiring the right people means finding individuals who share your vision and are committed to your business's success. You want team members who are passionate, driven, and have the skills and experience needed to perform their job effectively.

 

Once you've built a team of strong players, you can begin to delegate responsibilities to them. Delegation allows you to focus on high-level strategic planning while ensuring that the day-to-day operations of your business are running smoothly.

 

And providing ongoing training and development is essential for keeping your team members motivated, engaged, and up to date with the latest industry trends and best practices.

 

So, if you’re investing in your team's development, you'll create a culture of continuous learning, growth, and improvement that will help your business thrive.

 

Strategy 2: Create Systems And Processes

 

Moving on to strategy number two - creating systems and processes.

 

As your business grows, it becomes increasingly challenging to manage everything manually. Creating systems and processes for different tasks can help you and your team save time, work more efficiently, and maintain consistency.

 

Having well-documented processes in place can also make it easier to delegate tasks to team members or outsource them to third-party providers, freeing up your time to focus on higher-level tasks.

 

To get the ball rolling in your business, start by identifying the tasks that you or your team spend the most time on. Look for opportunities to automate or streamline these tasks by creating standard operating procedures (SOPs) and using tools or software to automate them where possible.

 

Remember, creating systems and processes takes time and effort, but it can be a game-changer for running your business without your day-to-day involvement in the long run.

 

Strategy 3: Learn To Delegate Effectively

 

Now, let's move on to strategy number 3 - delegating effectively.

 

Delegation is a crucial skill for any business owner who wants to get their business to run without them. It can be tempting to try and do everything yourself, but that's not sustainable as your business grows.

 

Effective delegation can help you get more done in less time and ensure that tasks are completed to a high standard.

 

To delegate effectively, you need to have a clear understanding of your own strengths and weaknesses, as well as those of your team members. You also need to be willing to let go of control and trust your team to get the job done.

 

I have another episode where I talk about how to delegate so do check that out but in short, to delegate effectively, start by identifying the tasks that you can delegate and the team members who are best suited to handle those tasks.

 

Clearly communicate your expectations and provide any necessary training or resources to ensure that your team members have the tools they need to succeed.

 

Remember, effective delegation isn't just about assigning tasks - it's about empowering your team to take ownership and make decisions without you. And this can help to build an exciting culture of innovation and creativity within your business.

 

Strategy 4: Automate Processes

 

Moving on to strategy number 4 - automating your business. Automation can be a game-changer when it comes to getting your business to run without you. By automating routine tasks and processes, you can free up valuable time and focus on the areas of the business that require your attention.

 

Automation doesn't have to be complicated or expensive either. There are plenty of affordable tools and software available that can help streamline your business processes. Some examples include customer relationship management (CRM) software, email marketing tools, and project management systems. I personally use Kartra as my all-in-one online tool to run my business.

 

Now, when it comes to automating your business, start by identifying the tasks and processes that are most time-consuming or prone to errors. Then, look for tools or software that can help you automate these tasks.

 

Don't be afraid to experiment and try different tools until you find the ones that work best for your business.

 

Remember, automation isn't just about saving time - it can also help improve the accuracy and consistency of your business processes. This can lead to happier customers, better business performance, and ultimately, more success.

 

Strategy 5: Focus on your Strengths

 

The final strategy for getting your business to run without you is to focus on your strengths. As a business owner, you can't be good at everything, and trying to do everything yourself can lead to burnout and inefficiency. Instead, focus on the areas of the business where you excel and delegate or outsource the rest.

 

It's important to say here that focusing on your strengths also means being honest with yourself about your weaknesses. So, take the time to assess your skills and identify the areas where you could use some support.

 

And once you've identified your strengths and weaknesses, create a plan for delegating or outsourcing the tasks that don't play to your strengths.

 

This could involve hiring employees or contractors, using automation tools, or even collaborating with other businesses or freelancers.

 

Remember, focusing on your strengths isn't just about doing what you're good at - it's also about enjoying your work and finding fulfilment in your business. By focusing on what you're passionate about, you can build a business that's not only successful but also personally rewarding.

 

Summary and Take Aways

 

And there you have it, 5 smart strategies to get your business to run without you. Remember, building a strong team, creating systems and processes, delegating effectively, automating your business, and focusing on your strengths are all critical elements to successfully scaling your business while freeing up your time.

 

And while it may seem daunting at first, it's essential to take a step back and work on your business instead of being consumed by it. And by implementing these smart strategies, you'll be able to focus on the areas that matter most to you while ensuring your business continues to grow and thrive.

 

I hope you found this episode helpful. As always, remember to work smarter, not harder, and I look forward to seeing you on the next episode of The Scale and Skyrocket Your Business Podcast.

 

Thanks for listening!

Lor Bradley