Every Sunday afternoon is family movie time in the Norbury household. We’ve recently got into watching the entire Marvel series in chronological order, which is helpful as it avoids a 45-minute argument on who wants to watch what film! 

This week was the turn of Thor. Even if you’ve not watched the film, it’s likely that you know that Thor wields a Hammer. 

Throughout the film, the kids were like: “Go Thor!” as he was smashing anything up that got in his way, including his enemy the Frost Giants. 

But it occurred to me that whilst most see Thor’s Hammer as a weapon to destroy, it was also a tool to build. 

Which brings me nicely onto this week’s Scale Lesson! 

Too many business owners right now are overwhelmed, stuck in the day-to-day reacting to issues, and too busy firefighting.  When you’re like this, you don’t have a business – you have a job. 

Our ultimate aim is to help you create a business that consistently runs, whether you turn up or not. 

The only way you can ever achieve this is to create the right environment, give the tools and then get out of the way. 

When I say tools, it’s not functional tools I’m talking about like access to your CRM system.  

Nor is it the green light for you to get distracted by going off investing in even more shiny new widgets or the latest marketing gimmick in the hope that if you throw enough mud, something may eventually stick. 

This is about: 

• Getting everything out of your head and into a process and system. There’s no excuse for a “it’ll just be quicker to do it myself”, or “my way is the best way” attitude.  
• Letting everyone in your business know what their role is, who is accountable, what 100% looks like. 
• A way to measure this across the business so that you’re alerted when 100% isn’t met and can take proactive action.  
• Getting your business into a rhythm and routine i.e. by having regular, structured meetings (same day, time, agenda) to capture, review and tick off issues, to allow you to constantly learn from your business.

This week I want you to allocate 90 minutes to think about:

1). All those functional jobs you’re currently stuck with.

2). Who else can be doing this (internally or externally)?

3). What ‘tools’ you need to give so that you can get out of the way and start focusing ON your business. 

Whilst we all think we can be superheroes and take on everything, the reality is we’re only human! 

BW,

Martin

Martin Norbury

Investor | Business Mentor at Advocate | Author of I don’t work Fridays

Image by K3KIR3 from Pixabay