#601: Operating System Foundational Best Practices

In this solo episode, Bradley Hamner opens a short series on the foundational principles behind a business operating system. He goes back to a 2016 Strategic Coach session in Toronto, where an owner doing $40 million in revenue told him the difference came down to documented systems, processes, and a team, then pulled up his computer at lunch and showed him what those documents actually looked like. Bradley explains why documentation is an asset in the same way a rental property is an asset, and why most owners stall in front of a blank screen. He walks through four best practices: build one template so every document shares a look, appoint a systems champion instead of carrying the work alone, hold yourself accountable to the time you block, and expect resistance. He also shares what he lost when his first executive assistant left inside a year and every process they had built lived only in his head. This episode moves beyond the idea of systemizing and into the execution of it. What in your business exists only in your head right now? Who on your team is better suited to document it than you are? And what would you hand a new hire if the person doing the work left tomorrow? If you have believed in documented systems for years but have never finished building them, this episode is for you. Join us in the free Circle community and hop on the email list to get practical tools, resources, trainings, and updates on what we’re working on next. https://blueprintos.com/assets/ Resources Mentioned Pick up 10x Is Easier Than 2x by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy Check out The War of Art by Steven Pressfield (Reminder: add hyperlink) The E-Myth, referenced throughout the episode Listen to the earlier Above The Business episode on appointing a systems champion Thanks to our sponsors Coach P Consulting Coach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner, leading a large and stable team of top-performing professionals. Today, he shares the systems, delegation strategies, and specialization methods he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at: https://coachpconsulting.com Be sure to mention you heard about it on the Above The Business Podcast. Autopilot Recruiting Autopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every business day. They optimize your applicant tracking system, post job listings, and source candidates through social media and local communities. With their continuous recruiting approach, you can save time, reduce hiring costs, and receive pre-screened candidates without paying hiring fees or commissions. https://www.autopilotrecruiting.com Mention Above The Business Podcast when you reach out. Direct Clicks Direct Clicks specializes in digital marketing solutions designed for business owners who want measurable results. Their team supports companies through paid advertising, SEO, and strategic marketing systems that help generate consistent leads. Exclusive offer for listeners: https://directclicksinc.com/abovethebusiness Get a free marketing campaign audit where their team reviews your website, SEO, content, social media, and paid advertising, then provides actionable recommendations. If you partner with them, all setup fees will be waived. About Above The Business Above The Business is hosted by Bradley Hamner, founder of BlueprintOS, and focuses on helping small business owners transition from Rainmaker to Architect by building systems, teams, and operations that scale without their constant involvement.