Operating System Failed
I don’t know about you, me-though, I have this love-hate relationship with computers. When they work, I turn it on, it does what I want, I love it. Quite the opposite is true when I find myself with a computer in the shop. Three times in the last 8 months, each of my computers have been in for repairs. This week, the catastrophe was a failed operating system; it would not even accept my password. Such a small piece of equipment holds my livelihood within the 168 square inches of space it takes up on my desk. It doesn’t matter if I have the data backed up, it throws a wrench in my day, my life. I want things simple and easy. Turn it on, it works!
I take all these things in stride, after I throw a fit:) I’m lucky to have three computers and an external hard drive where I can access my data, so while I have to redesign my day a bit, my work can continue. This latest computer crisis had me thinking; “How do I handle my business when the operating system fails?” What is my backup plan? Is there a way to design my business where everything continues to flow smoothly before the hard drive is destroyed? Me being the hard drive!
The Owner is Responsible
Whether you are a one-man show, a team leader or the broker, you are the owner of your real estate business. Having an operating system in place is not an option. Planning how your business will continue with a missing piece is imperative to your success.While I am working from two computers right now to accomplish the same performance I could easily do with my one computer, I find my time is being stretched and time is my resource. What’s a woman to do – or man for that matter.
Systems Quelch Fires
In this business, there always seems to be a “right now” situation arising, some call them fires. Every fire we put out takes a bit more time away from our plan. So we need a fire extinguisher. A plan for extinguishing fires efficiently. Actually, everything we do needs to be completed with efficiency. Enter – an administrative assistant. This person for me, is full time, licensed and groomed to replace me at a moments notice. They should know everything I do, my inventory, my processes, my systems, which should be replicable. And they should be trustworthy! Fixing my computer is easy – finding the perfect admin assistant, not nearly as easy!
Our operating system should also include a plan for growth, how to grow, when to grow and how to manage the growth. Buyer agent associates also need a system in place for handling their business. Once again, replicable! Every system we have needs to be on back up, a hard drive, so the flow of business suffers no interuption.
Me – I’m off to make sure my business doesn’t suffer from failed operating systems. You – how do you manage your systems?
