We’re in the sales and marketing business, but we really see ourselves, and our clients, as being in the manufacturing business. At the end of the day, we need to make what we do repeatable and scalable.
We at Simplicity Lone Beacon have about 500 separate actions to conduct to create a successful outcome in our business. And if we miss just ONE element, our outcome will be a failure, much like an auto assembly line. We all can relate to that in one way or another. So then, who better than Elon Musk to learn from when it comes to creation, design, and manufacturing in our businesses? Before you create your next initiative, take the time to think about Elon Musk’s manufacturing principles.
Step 1: 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆.
Is the process of replicating your idea simple enough to be duplicated over and over again? The design or creation of one great thing, idea, or system is special…but not nearly as special as having the ability to scale that same outcome.
Step 2: 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.
Figure out how you can reduce the number of steps to achieve your outcome. This will save time, and money, and cut down on errors.
Step 3: 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.
We work specifically in the financial vertical, and so many systems and products could and should be automated. This cuts down on the risk of human error, saves time, and creates a better user experience.
Step 4: 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘇𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲.
One of our favorite expressions at Simplicity Lone Beacon is, “𝘋𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘧𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘯 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘴.” Our world, our industry, consumers, and technology are constantly changing…so we need to change to just keep pace.
Step 5: 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻.
This is unsexy, and it requires the discipline of a “mind the store” mentality. Don’t let dust get into the gears of your process. You can NEVER “set and forget” anything.
So, there they are. The five logical and very tangible things that we all should practice if we’re running any kind of business!
About the Author: John grew up in Schenectady, NY & received a scholarship to Norwich Academy. He began his broadcast management career at WOR, learning spoken word marketing from the best in the business with a specialty in financial and long form. John managed broadcast sales for some of the best-known sports teams in the world, at the most legendary stations. However, his true passion is in the world of direct response advertising to baby boomers and their parents. In this space, he has worked with some of the best brands in America. John lives in Boston with his wife, Melissa who is also a broadcast executive, and French Bulldogs Lou and Sal.
