This document discusses creating systems and processes to enable rapid growth for a startup. It outlines a framework for systems including increasing visibility of data, reducing friction, creating leverage through automation, and optimizing the team. Opportunities for systems include communication, file sharing, workflow, data management, recruitment, reporting, infrastructure, and accounts. Specific tools are recommended. Examples of implemented systems are provided. Best practices are outlined such as setting boundaries, using metrics, reviewing decisions, and automating where possible. Challenges of change management and scaling systems are also noted.

1. Creating systems and processes
that provide the framework for
rapid growth.
GarethKnight
http://wedo.co.uk/

2. Hello, and thank you ;-)

3. The Dream.

4. Let's do some sense checking:
Ecomm / SaaS / App / Service provider ?
Age of business?
Number of people?

5. Some context

6. I’m a zoologist.
I see ecosystems everywhere.

8. Wedo
2 Yrs in @PassionCapital space @whitebearyard.
Now in Oval & Store in Colchester.
1 to 4 in 2 yrs.
4 to 8 in 9 months.
8 to 40 people in 24 months.

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14. This is what I’ve learnt
thus far.

15. Systems &
automation are the
lever for
sustainablegrowth.

16. This talk is split into 4 parts:
1) The ”Framework”
2) Opportunities
3) Examples
4) Do’s and Don’ts

17. Maslow’s Heirarchy of
Systems for Startups.
Or, a framework of sorts.

18. 18

19. Increase visibility
You need to see where you’ve been and where
you’re going.
Data capture for this is time consuming.

20. Reduce friction
Friction is anything that slows you down.
Identify, then get rid of it.

21. Create leverage
Figure out processes that can be offloaded to
more junior people. Thenoffload.

22. Save time
Front to back.
Examples:
reporting weekly.
processing orders.
processing accounts.
updating / editing data.
deploying to production.
adding products / data / features.

23. Optimise team
Move away from manual work. Encourage
thinking and problem solving. Give opportunies for
career growth.

24. Always Be Nimble
Speed is your weapon in early stages.

25. Opportunities for Systems

26. Communication
Understand difference between idea, project, task,
information, data & wisdom. Use right tool for
each.

27. Elimination of reliance on email.
Rely on email at your peril. Focus on execution
and reducing friction between tasks.

28. File Sharing
X Drive?
Just use Dropbox for Business.
Until you get too big for it, then buy a NAS.

29. Workflow
Use central system fit for purpose.
Asana.

30. Data
Every piece of data is just a field in a database.
It can be retrieved, pivoted, looked up, compared,
sliced and diced.

31. Recruitment
150 – 300 cv’s per hire.
Hiring process & system with rules.

32. Reporting
What needs extraction?
What can be automated?
Google Docs & GA + GeckoBoard

33. Infrastructure
The days of manual serverbuild& config are over.
Speak to Jon Topper @ Scale factory.

34. Accounts
Manual >Magento>Xero>BrightPearl> ?

35. ERP
Magento > BrightPearl > ?

36. B2B Sales
Process? SaleForce?

37. Use the Cloud
It’s a Cliche, but…
Google: Mail, Calendar, Docs, Wiki
DropBox/ AWS / Trello/ Asana / TeamGantt
/wpTeamsite / Magento/ BrightPearl / Desk.com
Workable / GoSquared / Geckoboard / MixPanel /
Optimizely / CrazyEgg

38. Some (painful) examples

39. One Team, One Dream
The introduction of new systems means change.
People generally resist change.

40. One Click Deployments
Not just code. Entire platform as a Service.

41. The Recruitment Funnel.
Email > Desk.com > Resumator > Workable

42. Do’s, Don’ts, Gotcha’s

43. Do set boundaries

44. Do train your team to think in
systems, not absolutes.

45. Do use KPI’s to measure system
performance.
Set baselines and warning bells.

46. Do pick your KPI’s carefully

47. Do give team ownership of KPI’s.
Give them autonomy.
Teach them cause & effect.

48. Do use traffic lights to highlight
problems.

49. Do dig into your numbers

50. Do review your team decisions,
but let them own the outcomes

51. Do remove ambiguity:
the data doesn’t lie.

52. Do ask:
How can we automate this?
How can we move faster?

53. Read ”The Checklist Manifesto”.
Do use checklists for
consistency.
Train your team to do the same.

54. Don’t make assumptions

55. Don’t re-invent the wheel.

56. Don’t try to own your own
infrastructure

57. Each point of scale requires
different systems.

58. Peoplewillreachtheirlimits.
Peopleare the hardest to
systemetise.

59. Hire slow, fire fast.
Attitude over aptitude.

60. It takes time. It really does.

61. 61

62. Thankyou!
GarethKnight
@oneafrikan
http://wedo.co.uk/
http://oneafrikan.com/