You’ve heard it from us before. Yes, all trade businesses need systems. From ease of training to consistency in service, fewer mistakes and control, systems are about your employees opening up their job management software and finding an immediate solution for themselves.
For you, systems are about breaking the cycle of chaos. For many of our Lifestyle Tradie members, systemisation is one of the main drivers to join the membership. In terms of results, the biggest wins can only happen when business systems and structures are in place.
But, what if your employees don’t follow them? In this article, Andy Smith shares his tips on how to get your tradies to follow your systems.
Tip 1: Set expectations about systems
This is a biggie. Do your employees understand the importance of systems in your trade business? Have you set expectations around systems and the reasons you’ve implemented them? Do your employees know the dramatic difference systems make to the business? If not, start here.
You have put particular systems in place because you know they work. This means the only time something will “go wrong” is when an employee “steps outside” the systems you have implemented. The only time something goes wrong in the business is when they don’t follow the systems.
Why should they care, it’s not their business? Good question.
Tip 2: Highlight the consequences
Sometimes, employees get lazy and decide to do things their way. As per the previous point, that’s when the mistakes and dramas happen. The thing is, what are the consequences if your employees don’t follow the system? Usually, it means your office staff has to fix up the bungle.
So, why not bring your employee into the office when a system isn’t followed, to highlight the knock-on effect? They’ll soon see how complicated it can be for someone to rectify a problem when they weren’t there on the job. It could be avoided by simply following the system.
Tip 3: Explain the bottom line
Finally, now your employee knows first-hand what the immediate consequences are when a system isn’t followed — and the headaches it causes — it’s important to share how this influences the bottom line. More time to fix stuff ups, means extra costs for the business.
What your employee needs to know is, it will ultimately affect their pay packet. You’ve implemented systems because you value the many benefits they provide your trade business. It’s everyone’s responsibility to follow your systems because it directly impacts long-term sustainability.
Are your employees taking systems seriously?
