Systems, don’t you just love them? For me I used to hate the idea of systems, and even more the actual necessity of writing them, but the more I have worked with businesses over the years I realise how essential they are for so many reasons.

My wife has been on a well earned holiday break this week, and before she went away she wrote down daily chores and systems, so that as each day as each day goes by, I can keep up with all the key things which need to function while she is away. How the washing machine works, when the rubbish goes out, what to feed all the different animals and when, and most importantly when to send my daughter off to school and what she needs to take etc. I’m pleased to report, so far so good. No major disasters, as the instructions have been exemplary.

To go back to business now, this is exactly what should happen when you (or indeed any of your staff) are ill or go on holiday. The systems should be so clear and complete, that anyone can cover, and make sure that when the missing person gets back, that everything is up to date and still running smoothly.

Is this the case in your business? If not what are you doing about it, and indeed when were you last able to go on holiday without constantly being in touch with your office?

Systemising your business not only ensures the smooth running of your business when you or other staff members are away, but it also means things are done consistently, and ultimately you create an eminently sellable business which can work without you.

When was the last time you went networking? It is something which I do regularly as part of my marketing strategy but recently I had noticed that my activity on this front had dropped significantly, so I decided it was time I increased this so I have set myself targets to do so.

The trouble with networking for lots of people is they don’t feel comfortable doing it, and therefore they look for any excuse to avoid it. A lot of networking is done at breakfast meetings starting around 6.45am, so that is enough to put many off. But in reality of course for most of us with children going to school, and/or those of us who have been getting up at 7.00am or earlier for most of our working lives, it isn’t really a hardship to get up half an hour to an hour earlier. Also it is effectively dead time in the working day, so it is additional time when you could be making contacts, and doing business.

The other things which put people off are the need to be sociable and mix with other business owners, and in some meetings to stand up and present their business to a room full of strangers. They say that they are no good at this side of things, and therefore don’t go. But again these are poor excuses, which allow you to let yourself off the hook. The socialising is really just talking about business, so it doesn’t require the ability to make small talk, and standing up to present yourself should be seen as a very cheap way of marketing yourself and your business to a whole load of potential new clients.

In fact the face to face contact is still the best way for people to find and do business (despite all the new technology). And getting out and meeting new business owners can be a very cost effective way of bringing in new contracts. You never know who you might meet at your next networking event.

What I do know is that if you sit in your office, or in front of your television you most certainly won’t meet the person who is going to make your fortune.

Last week I went to the launch of the Mary Portas town regeneration scheme in Braintree, (which will also help Witham and Halstead), and was delighted to find a real buzz of small business owners all trying to promote their wares, and trying to instill new enthusiasm in their town, with the general public.

Some of them had already been to a course on how to start up a business, and they were all keen to put the theory into practice. The thing that struck one most however, was although they had had the initial training, I could already tell that a number of them were floundering as to what to do next.

Being given some understanding of marketing, cash management etc. is of course better than nothing. But speaking from my own experience, even having taken copious notes at various seminars I have been to, without someone to back it up, and refresh your memory, it very soon gets forgotten, and the knowledge you thought you had is often so sketchy that it can become more of a hindrance than a help.

This of course is why coaching works. Instead of giving people a brief overview of a subject, and then leaving them to get on with it, the coach comes back time and time again, until they fully understand the tools they have been given, and can use them effectively.

Going back to the Braintree regeneration, I fear for a lot of these new businesses, if they don’t get proper support. Of course the Portas scheme should be providing that, so let’s hope it really brings what it says it will, and we see some of our local towns start to reap the benefits.

Over the last month I think we have been experiencing a collective reaction to the past couple of years of tough times, and indeed the promise of more hard times ahead. The feel good factor of the Olympics and Paralympics combined with the school summer holidays, gave everyone an excuse to put all the worries and fears to one side, and to say “no-one else is working, and I need a break from it all”, and then stick their head in the sand. A mass feeling of “if we don’t acknowledge it, it isn’t there”, has meant that many businesses have taken their eye off the ball, and hoped that when everything gets back to normal things will be better. But of course it doesn’t work like that.

Taking your hands off the steering wheel is not a viable option. It is virtually admitting that you have given up, and the recession has won. This is when as a business owner and leader, you have to stand up and be at your strongest. Yes things may be bleak, and the outlook uncertain, but all the more reason for redoubling your efforts, and planning what you need to do to stay afloat. In the immortal words of Shane Warne, the greatest Australian spin bowler, when asked what keeps him motivated, says that he tells himself “Never give up, just never give up!” You never know what might be just around the corner, or who you are going to meet to change your fortunes. If you stay on the railway line waiting for the train to hit, it most certainly will do so, but if you keep moving and keep working smarter, sooner or later the tide will turn.

So go to more networking events, try more new marketing ideas, and think about what else you could add on to your product portfolio. What has worked before, what haven’t you tried yet? Use the skills and ideas of your team, and keep taking positive actions to move your business forward.

If you have run out of ideas, don’t be afraid to admit it to yourself, and turn to others. Keep trying every avenue, and if you need some friendly advice, you could always try a business coach!