Painting your way to success

If you’re a small painting business, with only a few staff members, or maybe you’re just a one-man band… there’s no need for systems, right?

Wrong.

Systems are a quintessential cornerstone for a painter’s business of ANY size in order to be efficient, and therefore successful.

A system is the written documentation of an entire process or procedure, from start to finish. It’s a “repeatable way of doing things” that has been perfected for efficiency and success.

Without a systemised business, the day-to-day operations live in your head, or are made up as you go along.

If you ever want a business that runs efficiently, you need to implement systems into your business TODAY.

Start by deciding who builds systems

If you are a one-man show with no employees, this will be you for obvious reasons. An advantage of this is you have complete control (and probably a better understanding of the tasks) over how everything is systemised.

Once you have established who will be creating the systems for each function, communicate this to them. They (or you if you’re the one who does the task) will need to understand: • How to make systems — Is it through a video recording or a step-by-step document? • The positive impact systems will have on your business (why you’re going through the systemisation process).

Now let’s get down to business

Follow our flow chart below for how to create systems. For the full story download our Systems EBook via this link https://www.lifestyletradie.com.au/apnsystems

#1 Dump it

Get everything out of your head and onto a page. Even include the small stuff “click here, open this tab etc.” It may seem insignificant to you — but think about somebody doing this for the first time, with only these instructions to explain.

#2 Simplify it

Now, try to cut this down into simplified steps that are easy to understand.

You’re all set!

You now have access to the exact steps to creating systems in your painting business, allowing you to get off the tools and spend more time on what really matters to you.

What a win!

#3 Record It

Utilise flowcharting software such as Lucidchart or Microsoft Visio to turn your brain dump into professional flowcharts. After it has been flowcharted, someone needs to test it out to make sure it’s right! Make changes if necessary, after this stage until the flowchart is perfect.

#4 Store it

Now you have created your systems, where do you put them? Your systems are useless if no one has access to them. Store it on a platform such as Google Sites. If you choose Google Sites, make the settings private.

#5 Share it

Give your team access to these systems and make sure you follow them EVERY TIME.

You’ve implemented systems because you value the many benefits, they provide your trade business. It’s everyone’s responsibility to follow your systems because it directly impacts long-term sustainability.

What’s next:

Check out our upcoming live events at lifestyletradie. com.au/events to find an event near you! Lifestyle Tradie Live is a free event that’s jam-packed with insider tradie knowledge that YOU need to know in order to build a strong, successful trade business. Bring your partner or a mate along to this full day training session, register via this link to put the right foot forward in 2021. https://www.lifestyletradie.com.au/apn

Angela Smith

A fellow trade business owner and co-founder of Lifestyle Tradie, a membership and community for tradies in business.

Lifestyle Tradie is an award-winning education service and community for tradies in business who want to make more profit and fast-track financial freedom. Visit our ‘Free Resources’ hub, where you can download free strategies and resources:

https://www.lifestyletradie.com.au/free-resources/

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