by Doug Emerson
reprinted with permission
During the height of NASA’s space exploration program, the words that I loved to hear right before a launch were “All Systems Are Go”. Launching a rocket is no small feat, even for hundreds of rocket scientists. The rocket launch cycle was held together with a connection of systems like: communication systems, propulsion systems and life support systems. All systems had to be functioning properly for the launch to happen; the consequences of failed systems could result in deaths.
Now I’ll be the first to admit that most small businesses, including horse businesses, are nowhere near as complex as a lunar Apollo mission or a space shuttle trip. But, I’d like you to consider the importance of systems in your horse business for the next few minutes.
Written systems add stability for the day-to-day operations of a business as well as encourage efficiency. Some things that we consider routine and expect everyone to know may still need to have an established system.
As an example, let’s take a look at a simple system for water buckets in stalls. My system would include checking water levels four times daily and refilling if under half full. The system would state that emptying the buckets and refilling whenever they become contaminated with bedding or unwanted hay droppings. Buckets would be scrubbed with a special “water bucket only” brush once a week to remove accumulated residue. Even though you know all of these things are part of good horse health care, your employees and helpers may not. A written system helps eliminate confusion and smooth out the day.
Examples of other parts of your business, such as daily turnout practices, that will benefit from having a written system are:
Stall cleaning and manure handling
Daily feeding times and procedures
Welcoming new customers
Collecting payments from customers: Cash, check and credit cards
Answering the telephone and taking telephone messages and relaying to the proper recipient
Arranging and filing horse registrations and health papers
Reimbursing employees for expenses
Preparing for travel to a horse show
Dealing with sick or injured horses
Checking, changing, removing and storing coolers, sheets and blankets
The above is just a partial list. My point is that every part of your horse business that can be made into a system and placed in writing will be one less opportunity for confusion or opportunity for someone to say those dreaded words, “you never told me that.”
Invest the time into making systems for your horse business. The benefit of having simple, smooth and synchronized systems is that they provide the GO for a system for more profit in your horse business.
Doug Emerson helps professional horsemen struggling with the business half of the horse business. Find more articles about the horse business like this one at www.ProfitableHorseman.com