The power of systems: How to bring structure and joy back to your business

If you’d rather listen to these insights, see episode 123 of The Powerful Content Podcast 

Do you feel stuck or trapped within your business, unable to find time for the things you truly love? Systems may just be the answer to turning things around. Nicola Depiazzi, SYSTEMologist from Green Pillars Co shows us how systems can help us create valuable relationships, creativity and connection.

Dispelling the myths about systems

One of the biggest myths around business systems is that they stifle creativity. Nicola believes that systems actually create more space for creativity and strategic thinking. By systemising repeatable tasks, business owners can free up valuable mental and physical energy, ensuring their business runs smoothly and efficiently.

When starting a business you may think that systems seem unnecessary. However, as the business grows, the demand for documented processes becomes crucial. This transition ensures consistency, efficiency, and the ability to scale effectively.

Why systems matter

According to Nicola, systems aren’t just about automating everything with technology—although automation can play a role down the line. At heart, systems are about documenting essential knowledge and processes. This approach protects your business from being reliant on key individuals, reducing the risk of valuable information walking out the door when an employee leaves or goes on leave.

The customer journey: a starting point

When Nicola works with clients, she narrows the first step to looking at the customer journey, covering marketing, sales, operations, and finance. This targeted approach helps clients understand their business mechanics and set the foundation for growth. Once these core areas are optimised, businesses can move on to documenting more intricate systems like human resources and complex finance requirements.

Thinking ahead: the saleable mindset

Nicola likes to challenge business owners to the idea of running a business as if it’s saleable. Whether you plan to sell your business or not, operating from this mindset ensures it runs smoothly, profitably, and flexibly. A saleable business allows the owner to seize opportunities, take extended holidays, and maintain a healthy work-life balance—all while knowing that everything is under control.

Becoming a systems thinker

You can embrace systems thinking by being aware of inefficiencies and proactively seeking solutions. This mindset extends to content creation, posing questions like: How can I make this process easier? How can I ensure consistency in my efforts? By documenting steps and creating logical workflows, businesses can vastly increase their efficiency and success.

Implementing systems in content creation

One example of this is systemising podcast production. By mapping out every step and integrating your team into the process, you will be able to amplify your content’s reach and impact. This kind of structured approach can be applied to any area of business, making it more manageable and less overwhelming.

Start on your systems today

Nicola’s final piece of advice is simple yet powerful: begin now. Don’t let the idea of systemising overwhelm you. Identify recurring tasks, document your processes, and start small. Remember, systems are supportive tools that help you focus more on growth activities and fostering connections, bringing joy and efficiency into your business.

Embrace systems, not as rigid structures, but as frameworks that free up your creativity.