Hey goaldigger,

We all start businesses with the desire for a similar end result, regardless of industry. While there are nuances and level of clarity, at a core level we want work that uplifts us, makes a difference and makes us money without burning out in the process. So how do we get from a vague definition of success to a sustainable, successful business? Systems and strategies are essential, of course, but so too a clear game plan. In fact, without a methodically conceptualised vision, ‘success’ remains a loosely grasped concept rather than a state of being.

I was talking with a friend recently about the concept of business vs having a job. I’ve previously posed the question have you bought yourself a job but as my friend pointed out, at least with a ‘job’ in the traditional sense (ie the employment model) there are conditions to protect (at least in theory!) burnout such as holidays, sick leave and something I believe is called a ‘weekend.’ I jest, but we’ve all seen that meme about entrepreneurs leaving their 38 hour a week job for the ’freedom and flexibility’ of working 80 hours…

I talk a lot about sustainable, successful business models - a lot! That’s because I find the ‘sustainable’ part of the equation seems to get swept under the rug in much of the commentary out there. The simple matter of things is without a long term approach, one that doesn’t lead us down the road to burnout chasing that notion of success, we can never have a business that allows creative, time and financial freedom.

The flipside? A business owner with strategies, systems and processes that enable sustainable, considered growth and momentum towards a clearly articulated and defined vision. Bottom line? They know their end point!

I’m a sucker for a business plan, can’t and shan’t deny it, but a vision statement doesn’t have to be an extensive document that’s dusted off every now and then, if at all. While there’s a place for detail, I’ve witnessed some of the biggest shifts in my clients’ businesses from a simple 1 pager vision process that articulates an entrepreneur’s bigger picture for a successful business.

What does it take to run a sustainably successful business? While success can be measured across a raft of different lens, at the basic level of a time vs money equation, when a business isn’t set up to operate efficiently it can lead to working far greater hours for much less money. Those greater hours can also equal greater stress and an impact on wellbeing.

Where I see a lot of people going wrong is failing to recognise at the outset that business isn’t just delivering your expertise or skills - in fact, it could be argued that delivery is the easy part. Business is forecasting, planning, strategising, sales, financials, technology, research and development and operations. To be visionary, to take our gleam of an idea, our dream, our vision to fruition we need to have an eye on the end game. We can’t remain the CEO of everything which limits our momentum, growth, and overall, our sense of fulfilment. We need to know clearly, unequivocally what it takes to run a sustainable, successful business without burning out.

This means we know how to manage our time and our energy. We take holidays, we don’t work long hours All. The. Time. and we have clear boundaries that we stick to. We find the ways to do this, and do what we love, what we do best, what puts us in the state of flow. We do this by freeing ourselves from what doesn't, by delegating, or outsourcing, either to a team, or to technology. Enter systems and processes - ah, as a project manager from way back, my favourite!

Systems and processes are how we get to the heralded end point, our vision for our business. However, here's the kicker: these systems and processes do not, should not, have to be the sole domain of you. Few people go into business wanting to do admin! Admin and operational tasks are necessary - they are, after all, often the engine room of the business - but they are time and resource draining. They can be handballed! A team of experts in their own space in some shape or form has to be included as part of the end goal. It’s a collective approach that’s essential to sustainable success.

A team isn’t just people working for you. Rather it can be people who float in and out to have an impact on your business against different seasons and goals. For an example, an accountant doesn’t need to be an in-house role but they may a play a role in your business on a quarterly or even yearly basis, while a graphic designer can be an outsourced member of your team that you bring in and out as you release new programs or projects. Your ‘team’ can also include a technological solution such as a CRM to manage client interactions and experience.

The best part of entrepreneur life I believe is its fluidity and dynamic state. You don’t have to launch a business with a full team, but a team can grow as a business grows. Your team is about getting the help and support you need to expand your capacity in a way that’s considered and planned. With solid foundations in place it becomes relatively seamless to bring people onboard to help you achieve your end point. However, to get the very best out of a team, systemise your systems! Plot out and document workflows and processes for every moving part of your business so when you’re ready it’s not an overly onerous task to get someone up to speed to consistently perform a role.

Business needs to be proactive and future-focused but in a way that encourages smart, considered growth via internal efficiencies and effectiveness. It’s about intentionality - the type of work you’re doing and who you’re doing it with or for. This allows you to say no projects or to clients that don’t align to your vision, or to your values, for that matter. Diverse revenue streams can help achieve a vision, but again, intentionality is the key word. It’s better to have revenue from a range of sources so if one is no longer viable (such as one client making up over 60% of revenue) there are other options. Developing new services and programs are a way to stay curious, engaged and motivated. They rely on trial and error but in terms of growing a business also need to be strategic, informed and informative, rather than scattered.

When it comes down to it, systems and processes are the winning formula to reaching a vision. Clarifying that vision is something that can feel illusive and slippery when we’re in the day-to-day of life. I’m an expert sounding board for women in business. For more information about my holistic approach, please reach out.