Hello, reader!
Today, I want to share an experience that really drives home an essential truth about business: the process is the foundation. Recently, an artist reached out to me with an exciting and innovative business idea. He had all the outward signs of a functioning company—slick website, active social media, email capturing, and sign-up forms. But when I dug deeper, I realized something crucial was missing: the actual business process that would allow him to deliver on his idea at scale.
Let’s break this down in a way that’s easy to grasp.
Imagine you’re setting up a business that depends on processing a large number of transactions every day. For instance, think about the car dealership model, where there’s a lot of manual work involved—checking, balancing, and managing paperwork. Now, if you set up your business expecting to handle 1,000 transactions a day but haven’t figured out how to automate the process, you’re in for a rude awakening. Handling that volume manually is nearly impossible, especially if your pricing assumes automation.
Here’s the thing: the business isn’t just the idea or the outward appearance—it’s the process that makes it all work. This is where many people get it wrong. They focus on the flashy parts of their business—like branding or a beautiful website—without putting enough thought into the processes that will support their operations.
Let me put it another way. Imagine trying to bake 1,000 cakes a day in your home kitchen. You might have a great recipe, but without the right equipment or processes, you’re going to be overwhelmed. If your business model is based on the idea that you can churn out these cakes effortlessly, but the reality is that it takes you hours to make just a few, you’re going to run into serious trouble. You might even find yourself unable to compete with bakeries that have automated their processes and can produce cakes much more efficiently.
The lesson here is simple but powerful: the process is the business. Before you focus on growth or the outward appearance of your company, make sure you have robust, scalable processes in place. The success of your business isn’t just about having a great idea; it’s about having the systems in place to turn that idea into a sustainable, profitable operation.
In conclusion, remember that getting the process right is key to building a successful business. Without it, even the best ideas can fall flat. So, focus on your processes, make sure they’re solid, and then watch as your business thrives.
Until next time, keep refining those processes and building something great!