We believe that many people venture into business and entrepreneurship seeking freedom, flexibility, and the potential for higher income. This journey is often inspired by the desire to make money, engage in activities they love, and spend more time with family or hobbies like golf and fishing. However, Bradley, founder of BlueprintOS, acknowledges a common paradox: the very freedom sought can sometimes cause resistance to the structure, processes, and routines that are crucial for success.
The Contradiction of Freedom and Systems
Bradley himself experienced this contradiction. He entered the entrepreneurial world because he wanted autonomy, the ability to choose his activities, companions, and timing, and the financial means to support this lifestyle. Yet, he found that true freedom and flexibility came from embracing systems and processes. This insight didn’t come immediately; it was a lesson learned through personal experience and observation.
For years, Bradley heard the importance of creating systems and processes but didn’t implement them right away. It wasn’t until he truly saw their necessity that he began to integrate them into his business. He realized that having great people is essential, but relying solely on people without systems is risky. When key individuals leave, they take their knowledge and expertise with them, leaving a significant gap in the organization.
Bradley’s podcast Episode 374 about “People Or Systems?” is itself an example of a system failure. Usually, his podcast team works weeks in advance, maintaining a comfortable buffer. However, this particular episode was recorded on the day it was released, which is atypical and a mistake. This incident highlighted the importance of systems and the gaps in their current processes.
Finding and Correcting Flaws In The System
The process of recording and producing the podcast typically involves clear roles, responsibilities, and tools. This established system usually runs smoothly, but the occasional slip-ups serve as reminders to continually improve and refine these systems. Bradley emphasizes that when mistakes happen, the focus should not be on blaming individuals but on identifying and fixing system flaws.
In this specific instance, Bradley’s team realized they lacked a critical system alert to indicate when they were running low on pre-recorded episodes. This realization led to immediate action: they communicated through their work management tool, Slack, and implemented a new system to prevent such oversights in the future. This proactive approach ensures that their production process remains efficient and reliable.
Bradley stresses the importance of extreme ownership, a concept popularized by Jocko Wilink. When something goes wrong, it’s crucial to take responsibility and seek systemic solutions rather than looking for someone to blame. This mindset not only fosters accountability but also drives continuous improvement.
Creating Freedom Through Systems
For entrepreneurs and business leaders, Bradley’s message is clear: systems and processes are not constraints but enablers of freedom. By establishing robust systems, businesses can ensure consistency, reliability, and the ability to scale. When issues arise, analyzing and strengthening systems rather than focusing on individual faults leads to sustainable growth and success.
Bradley’s own experience with podcast production serves as a practical example. Despite having a generally effective system, the unexpected slip-up provided an opportunity to further refine their processes. This iterative approach to system improvement is crucial for maintaining high standards and achieving long-term goals.
Through this experience, we want to encourage entrepreneurs to embrace systems and processes as fundamental components of their business strategy. These structures provide the foundation for achieving the freedom, flexibility, and income potential that inspired their entrepreneurial journey in the first place. By continually assessing and enhancing these systems, businesses can navigate challenges more effectively and create a more resilient and successful organization.
Check out how you can improve systems in your business when you take the Rainmaker to Architect Assessment. Our program members and those in our network take this assessment biannually to see how their business is growing and shaping. It’s free, and takes about 10 minutes to dive into your business. Click here to start.
The 2 Day MBA – August 6th-7th, 2024
Master your Systems and Processes For Growth
This 2 Day Experience from industry leaders is more practical and valuable than a 2 year degree that “qualifies” you to begin a venture. Join us to get the systems, processes, and insights you need to design a business that supports scale.
Master your Systems and Processes For Growth
The Best Part? This 2 Hour, 2 Day Workshop with Bradley Hamner and other business owners is totally free. Save your seat!
Grow Your Leadership
Bradley has many resources to grow your leadership in the area of vision and priorities. Check out a few of them:
Bradley recently shared insights from his latest video podcast episode, focusing on the invaluable lessons learned at the Tampa mastermind. The predominant theme that emerged from the discussions was the critical importance of knowing your numbers. This simple concept became the cornerstone of Bradley’s reflection and the basis for a comprehensive guide he is developing for the community – Know Your Numbers. Keep reading…
In this free WebClass, learn how to design & install an operating system that runs like clockwork. Learn more…
It’s difficult to get to your destination if you aren’t sure where you currently are! After all, the path from Minnesota to Canada is very different than the path from Mexico to Canada. If you aren’t certain where you’re at today in business, you need to take the Rainmaker to Architect assessment. It will gauge your strengths and weaknesses as a leader and in your business. Then, you’ll get detailed, specific suggestions for improvement. Take the assessment here.
MEET YOUR COACH
BRADLEY HAMNER
Bradley is a Business Growth Coach and Value Builder consultant, empowering entrepreneurs to become architects of their own success. He shares his revolutionary BlueprintOS methodology, unlocking businesses’ true potential and driving remarkable achievements.