Whether you’re brand-new here, a DaSilva Life loyalist, or a fellow business owner, we have no problem admitting we are big systems nerds around here.
Before we get into the reasons why we love systems, let’s break down what a system actually is – and why they’re important for your business.
When we talk about a business system, we’re referring to a process or tool that outlines (and hopefully automates!) how to do something. That something can be any task in your business – everything from invoicing clients, kicking off new projects, and completing a project from start to finish.
However, there are two systems that are the most crucial for your business: project management systems and client management systems – or CRMs. But how exactly can they transform your business? Funny enough, it’s for the same reasons we absolutely love them. Let’s talk through it together in the video below!
Want the reader-friendly version? We’ve got you covered below!
When you have a project management system and CRM in place, you don’t have to micromanage every detail of your work. That’s because most of it can be automated. Tools like ClickUp and HoneyBook have incredible features that actually take things off your plate (sending emails, invoicing, scheduling, and so much more), so tasks and projects can move along without you even lifting a finger!
If you have a team of people who help you manage internal operations or complete client work, systems are critical. They tell your team exactly what needs to be done, when it needs to be done, and – most importantly – how it needs to be done.
When it comes to clients, systems make it incredibly easy to do things like:
In other words: Systems make you look really good.
By having systems in place, you’re already communicating to others how you work: efficient, streamlined, and organized. You can also set expectations and create boundaries for your clients, your team, and yourself!
For example, with the right project management tool, clients will be able to see when deliverables will be ready and what’s needed from them along the way. Even better, they can communicate in the tool directly instead of emailing, calling, or texting you! What better way to set expectations and boundaries simultaneously?
Let’s be real: A lot of business owners aren’t all that organized. Think about how many times you’ve woken up in the middle of the night or have panicked while you’re on vacation because you forgot to send an email or deliver a project to a client. It’s not a great feeling, right?
With awesome systems like HoneyBook and ClickUp, you can actually house all of your to-do lists – business, client, and personal – with due dates, automations, and communications. No more writing down random tasks on loose sheets of paper, using all your brain space to keep track of everything, or constantly feeling like you’re forgetting something. Instead, you’re always on task, on time, and on top of everything else that’s going on!
Because everything will be housed in your project management system and CRM, you’ll be able to clearly see all the work, meetings, and deliverables you have at any given time. In a CRM like HoneyBook, for example, you can clearly see what meetings you have for the weeks ahead, so you can decide how to manage the workload before it comes down the pipeline.
The same goes for a project management tool like ClickUp! With an easy-to-read dashboard, you’ll know exactly what you and your team need to be doing on any given day. That way, you can break the cycle of working 16-hour days because you accidentally triple-booked yourself or spent the day scrambling because you didn’t know what needed to be prioritized or worked on.
No matter what type of deliverable or project you’re working on, collaboration with clients and team members can be fairly difficult – especially virtually. Back and forth emails, phone calls, chats, texts…it’s a lot to keep up with (and even easier to miss!). But with the right project management and CRM systems, all of your client and team collaboration happens inside the tool! You can drop deliverables, provide feedback, and even make edits all in the same place!
My last and final reason for loving business systems? They make it easy for you to do the work that you actually love. Because let’s be honest, not many of us love spending countless hours sending invoices, emailing clients, and doing other administrative tasks that keep you away from what you do best. But with systems in place, all of that work is streamlined and automated so you can focus more on your zone of genius.
Bottom line: You don’t have to be a systems nerd (like I am) to love them. That’s because they help you in so many ways beyond getting your business organized. Systems can help you:
We’ve seen first-hand how systems can transform businesses and – more importantly – the lives of business owners, and we want the same for you! So, if you’re ready to fall in love with systems, we can find a customized solution for you.
Whether you want to do it DIY-style through our Systems School, have it done with you, or have it done for you, I’m ready to help! If you’re not sure what’s right for you, reach out to us and we’ll work together to find the best solution for you and your biz.
