Why strong systems will help build a positive brand reputation
Eight ways you can improve your level of dependability, reliability and trustworthiness, when things get so busy you can hardly see straight
Do you ever find that you’re able to create lots of buzz and start new projects, but have little to no follow through?
This can be highly damaging to your brand.
This morning, my alarm didn’t go off (it happens even to the best of us!). It didn’t go off BECAUSE I CHANGED MY ROUTINE. I changed the settings on my phone because I was trying to upload a large file. To make a long story short — we were waking up at the exact time that I’m usually dropping my daughter off to catch her bus.
It unleashed Pandora’s box! It was like a tidal wave and chain reaction of events that shifted my entire morning.
We missed the school bus. I had to chase it down in my car like a crazy woman, driving halfway to town before we could finally overtake it and get far enough ahead so my daughter Heidi could get out and stand at one of the stops.
Because I had to drive halfway to town, I got home much later than usual. I had an video interview scheduled for 9:15. There was no way I was going to be able to drop my son off at daycare and be back in time. So I kept him home while I got “camera ready”. I showed up on time for the interview.
That’s a win, right?
Instead, the interviewer didn’t show up. This interview had been scheduled months in advance. It happens. Maybe there was an emergency. I’m not going to hold a grudge, but my level of trust for this person has definitely been affected.
So now, it’s 9:30 and I’m packing my son’s lunch, getting him ready for daycare. We head over and as I’m dropping him off at 10:15, I can hear annoyance in the teacher’s tone. I am told that there is a cut off time. I’m not supposed to drop him off any later than 9:30.
Crap.
It felt like I had just been punched in the gut.
Well, one of the benefits of owning your own company is you don’t have to worry about getting in trouble with your boss because you can’t come to work, or because you’re showing up with a three year old in tow!
Of course, my son starts crying as I tell him that he can’t stay and we have to head home.
I had so much gratitude and felt such a deep sigh of relief as the teacher made an exception and allowed him to stay and play. I head home and start my day, albeit two hours later than usual.
The point is, systems help avoid chaos in our lives and businesses.
It can be highly frustrating and disappointing for the people you do business with when you’re lacking the systems to stay on top of your appointments, commitments, meetings, and other promises you’ve made.
Every letdown you create, whether with a partner, client, colleague, team member, prospect, supplier, … lessens your TRUST FACTOR and if people don’t trust you, they aren’t going to want to do business with you.
No trust, no sales, and definitely no repeat customers.
Here are some simple tips you can use for your business to help you stay organized so you don’t start dropping all those balls you’re forever juggling:
1. Take notes (whether digital, or hand-written) so you’re not wasting up your mental bandwidth trying to remember all of your thoughts and ideas throughout the day
2. Get all your appointments, meetings and other deadlines on your calendar
3. Use the digital alerts and reminders so that you don’t let any of them slip through the cracks
4. If you’re worried about your productivity and don’t want to get a million alerts throughout the day, spend 5 minutes each night before you go to bed simply reviewing your next day, so you aren’t surprised about any 9 am appointments (because if you put them all on to your calendar, everything should be laid out for you)
5. Develop a business ramp up (and ramp down) routine that you follow each day where you review your priorities, the major goals, the tasks you need to complete that day and any other deadlines so you can plan out your day with intention.
6. Hire an assistant to keep you organized. Having someone to manage your emails, appointments and overall schedule can be a total game changer and allow you to show up 100% instead of being distracted
7. Be honest about your capacity. If you’re trying to fit too much in, it’s going to catch up with you. It’s like trying to stretch a pat of butter over 100 sandwiches. Focus on doing fewer things better.
8. If you do slip up, (because let’s be real, LIFE HAPPENS) and someone IS let down, then make sure you make up for it. Acknowledge the mistake. An apology can go a long way.
9. Leverage routines and stick to them as much as possible. Routines build habits. Habits make it easier for us to be successful, without having to work so hard for it.
What systems do you have in your business to make sure you aren’t dropping the ball and hurting your brand reputation?
About Alison
Alison Beierlein is a Certified Business Coach and Systems Strategist who uses her more than a decade of international experience in operations management to help 6-figure entrepreneurs grow into confident 7-figure business owners. A passionate self-development junkie, she brings a well-rounded approach to her work that gets results that are aligned with her clients professional and personal goals.
Whether they’re struggling with how to bring on their first (or more) team member(s), how to increase their revenue, or how to create systems that will allow them more freedom to focus on the parts of the business they love, Alison helps business owners create a scalable model that creates a bigger impact (and more cash in the bank).
When Alison isn’t helping her clients multiply their income, she’s hanging out with her kids, and enjoying the back-country views around a campfire.
If you’re ready to expand your business, click here to book a complimentary strategy session with Alison to see how she can support you in profitably growing your business.
