Can a Kid Run Your Company?
You're running the most technically-advanced company in the whole-wide world.
You're bringing in customers by the droves; Businessweek's calling wanting an interview; you've landed Oprah. OPRAH! But then! All of a sudden!
Mr. Master-Of-the-Universe-Of-the-Galaxy decides he wants his 12-year-old daughter to run your company.
OH NO!
He tells you: "You have 7 days. My daughter will take over your company, and it must run as efficiently as ever. Or else!" OH what COULD HaPpEn? OH NOOOOOO! But wait! Here comes:
Mr. Save-YOUR-Boo-Tay to the Rescue!
You're going hysterical. There's absolutely no way you can hand over your business to a 12-year old and have it running in tip-top shape in a week -- you think. Mr. SYBT slaps you. He asks:
- Him: "If you somehow climbed mountains in the Himalayas for several weeks, could your company run without you?"
- You: Umm, no.
- Him: "Well, you're a disgrace to all of mankind, chump."
You cry. He slaps you again. Then, he goes on his teaching trip:
"TOP SECRET: Mr. SYBT's Business How-Tos"
Mr. SYBT's meticulous speech:
Point ^1: Automate your business.
Build a company where you can step away -- anytime you want -- and still have it run efficiently as ever.
Point ^2: Focus on automation.
How does McDonald's hire high schoolers to be the public faces of their kabillion-dollar empire? It's because those sons-of-@^^%^ automate the freak out of their business -- where pimple-faced Billy can run the joint.
Point ^3: Standardize processes.
Automate your business through standard hiring/training/management/manufacturing/deployment/the-yadda procedures. Have a set approach to handle employee and customer feedback. Standardize innovation. Ask: How would you want your company to run if you were out climbing Mount Kangchenjunga?
Point ^4: Can you leave effortlessly?
If your company can run without you, you've accomplished the hallmark of business: You're making money by exhausting none of your time or energy.
Point ^5: Expand value.
With newfound freedom from your company making money without your presence, you've opened up a can of kick-ass new opportunities -- which you can also automate -- to grow your business even more. Capitalize on your business -- exponentially. Make it grow. Give it hope. See it soar. (Mr. SYBT is very deep.)
So, for the Next Week..
Knowing Mr. Master-Of-the-Universe-Of-the-Galaxy means business, you start automating your business to its core.
- You create steps on hiring folks: where to prospect, traits to hire, standard forms to fill, et. al.
- Likewise, you create detailed-but-simple steps on managing folks, getting the most out of folks, generating new customers.
- You explain how to source vendors, respond to competitors, build product XYZ, handle customer inquiries, steps to ridiculously innovate, the yaddas.
Granting access: Senior managers, employees, consultants, vendors, and contractors will have access to individual sections/pages -- helping them do their jobs to-the-max. You then preface the secret book to its keepers:
"Note: This manual and its pages will continually change to optimize its value. I've included a section on how and when to change sections to make it even better."
And Then...
With a solemn bow, you hand over your secret book:
- You: Miss-Princess-Of-the-Universe-Of-the-Galaxy, with great honor, I present to you our company's secret manual.
- You: It will show you step-by-step how to run our company in very simple language.
- Her: "That's awesome."
- You: Soar.
Automate.
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Posted on January 18