The 7 Elements of Your Operations Foundation

I’ve worked with business owners over the last 18 years with a mission to organize the business and have them align with their personal and professional desires.

While each business is unique, the foundation of Operations is the same across industries. What makes the difference between businesses are the policies, procedures, and preferences they choose - or need - to implement.

Whether you’re just getting started with organizing your business, or getting ready to do an Operations Overhaul, these 7 elements are where you should start this process. Checking in with them periodically also ensures that how you run your business and what you offer are aligned with what you really want.

In this post we’ll visit these 7 elements:

• Your Vision: The North Star guiding your operations
• Current Priorities: What's on deck for the next 6 months
• Upcoming Priorities: Planning your takeover for months 7-18
• Regulations and Compliance: Keeping it legit
• Supplier/Vendor Requirements: Building your A-team
• Resources Already in Place: Maximizing what you've got
• Important Dates: Owning your operational calendar

I’ve also included some of the questions I use during the Needs Assessment portion of my Systems Starter and Operations Overhaul services. Grab your favorite note-taking tools and let’s dive in!

🔮 Your Vision

Let’s explore the core of your business - your vision.

Understanding where you want to go is crucial for developing an effective operations strategy. Your vision is the North Star guiding your business operations. It's not just a statement, but a vivid picture of where you want your company to be in the future.

Key aspects:

• Defines long-term goals Inspires and motivates your team
• Shapes decision-making at all levels
• Aligns operations with overall business strategy

Remember: A clear vision provides direction, purpose, and focus for your entire organization.

📝 Your Current Priorites

(next 6 months)

Short-term priorities keep your business operations focused and agile. These are the immediate goals that drive your day-to-day activities.

Consider:

• Ongoing projects and their deadlines
• Quarterly objectives and key results (OKRs)
• Immediate market opportunities or challenges
• Pressing operational issues to address

Pro tip: Align your current priorities with your long-term vision for cohesive growth.

📅 Your Upcoming Priorities

(7-18 months)

Looking ahead to medium-term priorities helps you prepare and adapt your operations for future growth and challenges.

Focus areas:

• Expansion plans or new product launches
• Anticipated market shifts or industry trends
• Long-term projects in the pipeline
• Potential operational upgrades or transformations

Remember: Balance flexibility with planning to stay prepared for future opportunities and obstacles.

⚖ Regulations and Compliance

Staying compliant is crucial for smooth operations. We'll identify the rules and regulations that apply to your business.

Staying compliant is non-negotiable in business operations. It protects your company, employees, and customers.

Key aspects:

• Industry-specific regulations
• Local, state, and federal laws
• International standards (if applicable)
• Data protection and privacy requirements
• Environmental regulations

Pro tip: Build compliance into your operational processes to make it a seamless part of your business.

🤝🏽 Supplier/Vendor Requirements

Your relationships with suppliers and vendors are key to efficient operations. Let's examine these critical partnerships.

Your suppliers and vendors are integral to smooth business operations. Clear requirements ensure mutually beneficial relationships.

Consider:

• Quality standards and specifications
• Delivery timelines and logistics
• Payment terms and conditions
• Communication protocols
• Performance metrics and evaluations

Remember: Strong supplier relationships can be a significant competitive advantage.

🛠 Resources Already in Place

Let's take stock of what you already have. Identifying your current resources helps us leverage your strengths and address any gaps in your operations.

Taking stock of your existing resources is crucial for effective business operations. This inventory forms the foundation of your operational capabilities.

Key components:

• Human capital: Skills and expertise of your team
• Physical assets: Equipment, facilities, and technology
• Financial resources: Available capital and cash flow
• Intangible assets: Brand reputation, intellectual property, partnerships

Tip: Regularly assess and optimize your resources to maximize operational efficiency.

📅 Important Dates to Know

Planning around key dates ensures your operations support critical business activities.

Key dates anchor your operational calendar, helping you plan, prepare, and perform effectively.

Examples include:

• Financial year-end and reporting deadlines
• Contract renewal dates
• Industry events or trade shows
• Seasonal peaks or troughs in demand
• Scheduled audits or inspections

Tip: Use a shared calendar to keep your entire team aligned on crucial dates.

Getting in touch with these 7 elements is the first step into optimizing an intentional and aligned business.

Your next step is to transform them into a cohesive, actionable strategy with a plan of action.

As a Business Operations + Systems Strategist, my job and mission is to turn your vision into a concrete, implementable strategy that drives your business forward. If you'd like some experienced guidance, let's talk about it. Schedule an info session here https://aunteerik.com/tspinfo