Preperation is the key to just about everything – especially in your business

Tonight I’m pondering a cooking experiment.

I’m not much of a cook but I do like watching Chef Ramsey yell at people trying to cook on tv.

My cooking experiment will involve a few key ingredients:

Tilapia (I just discovered eating farm raised Tilapia may be worse than eating red meat due to its high fat content!)
Pecans
Flour
Breadcrumbs
Milk
Eggs
Oil
Salt

The last time I attempted this cooking experiment it ended in dismal failure and an upset “better half” who was expecting a delicious culinary delight to tantalize her palette. Instead, let’s just say the dish turned out more “blackened” than “sautéed” and ended up inside the dog after a couple of bites.

As I said, I’m not much of a cook.

Actually as a result of studying Dee Kumars Online MBA course, I’ve come to learn anyone can cook; but you must follow a system or recipe as they are better known in the cooking world.

Anyone who has attempted to cook blindly knows how hit or miss this can be. Especially when attempting a dish for the first time.

To say I don’t use systems is an accurate statement. Not in my cooking or in my business.

A few years ago I read a book called the E-Myth by Michael E. Gerber, which proposed that systems were the answer to all business both small and large. The premise being that if you could implement a system that could be operated by anyone within reason, your business would be successful.

Problem for me was I couldn’t figure out a system to finish the damn book so needless to say I certainly didn’t implement any tools or systems within my business.

Back to my cooking experiment.

For my dish to be somewhat edible, I can say without a doubt in my mind if I don’t follow the recipe, only a 9 lb mini Daschund named Molly will be happy tonight.

This week I learned the importance of having tools in place to propel my business forward. Systems and tools equal preparation and provide a road map to tackle tasks and projects.

This is key to any business and although they take a little time to formulate, I’m now certain they can be of massive benefit to anyone operating a business.

Now all this is easy to say but how easy it is to do only time will tell (and this weeks homework).

Lack of preparation can really affect your businesses bottom line in many ways.

Potential clients will want to see you are well prepared because if you aren’t, you competitor will be.

And as for my cooking experiment, you will have to come back next Friday to read the results. I’m sure as long as I follow my recipe, I will be fine.

- Till next time.

Laurence Samuels

Laurence Samuels is a blogger for the Online Marketing MBA. Follow my journey weekly and use the comments below to ask me questions. Visit Orlando Web Design to learn more about my business site.