I would be one of the first people to say “I love ChatGPT” and all the other AI apps that can help us improve what we do and be more efficient.

What I don’t love is how little attention people pay to removing the tell-tale signs that you’ve used ChatGPT or Co-Pilot or other.

Here’s what I mean – I received an email this week that was very nicely written.

It brought a smile to my face as I read the words, until I got to the end.

There was a line underneath the last paragraph and words along the lines of “If you like, I can add more emotion to make it sound more appealing?”

I’d been “chatted”.

The moment I read those AI words I felt disappointed. I wasn’t special after-all.

If you’re going to use AI and I do encourage it, please pay attention to the detail.

Just one little slip like that can cost you your credibility.

And here’s a little tip, you can actually request ChatGPT to remove the lines between sections of text so you can format it however you wish.

It’s the little things that make a big difference.

I’m curious, would you have noticed?

If you did, would you have reacted or just ignored it?

I might be a little sensitive because one of my goals is to be known for my writing.

When I visualise my future, I see myself being quoted at the beginning of chapters like other well-known writers.

You know the ones, the ones that are quoted, like this one in Rhonda Byrne’s book, “The Magic” at the start of Day 6:

“If you take any activity, any art, any discipline, any skill – take it and push it as far as it will go, push it beyond where it has ever been before, push it to the wildest edges of edges, then you force it into the realm of magic.” TOM ROBBINS (B.1936) WRITER.

What is it that you want?

What are you willing to push as far as it will go?

Reply and let me know. You know I’m in your corner.

And if you get AI to reply, please remove the tell-tale signs.

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The past few weeks we’ve been focusing on improving systems and streamlining operations.

Yesterday we ran the 1 day workshop “Get it Done” and we did.

Participants received a 34 page manual so they could work on their business operations and complete the activities.

At the end of the day they walked away with not only knowledge about what to do and how to do it, they also got it done.

They worked on mapping the processes of their business, determining the roles they need, developing Key Performance Indicators and Key Behaviour Indicators for the roles and of course, documented some procedures – including how to make tea. (Yes, that’s a thing. Not every young receptionist knows how to meet and greet customers and offer them a beverage, let alone make it.)

I particularly like this acronym for SYSTEMS:

Save

Your

Self

Time

Energy

Money

Stress

At the end of the day, one of the participants commented that one of her biggest ahas’ for the day was the realisation that she is the one getting in her way.  Because she has not trained her team, she finds herself doing their tasks.

With this new freedom and knowledge she is excited to be able to finally delegate and have trust and confidence that her team are capable of doing the work.

Woohoo! Here comes the freedom.

What does all this mean for you?

Perhaps it’s time for you to look at your systems.

Perhaps it’s time for you to reflect on the reasons your team may be “incompetent”.

Having clearly defined KPI’s and KBI’s is the first step.

Your team want to know what they have to do to what standard to succeed in the role.

Your job is to be clear with what the expectations are and the standard or measure for success.

You are also responsible for training the team.

They can’t do the work if you haven’t shown them how and the excuse, “it’s common sense” doesn’t cut it.  What might be easy for you or what you think is common sense, is not the same for your team.

Invest the time to get clear, train your team and all of you will have the confidence that the work is getting done to the required standard and you’ll all feel a sense of achievement.

Remember, SYSTEMS save you time, energy, money and stress.

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On Wednesday this week, we celebrated 19 years in business. Woohoo!

Reflecting back over the years, I recalled my first goal was to still be in business after 1 year.

When I made it to one year, the next goal was to make it to 5 years.

Sadly, achieving this goal was against the odds.

When 5 years came, I set the goal for 10, then 15 and now at 19 years, my goal is to make 20 years.

It all started by working with a friend to help her document her procedures, a bonus was her getting an extra day a month in time.

I was hooked.

I loved learning about what other people do in their businesses and how clever they are.

I love solving problems and so 3 weeks after asking my boss for part-time, I found myself in business with no plan, no capital and no idea.

When you jump in the deep end you have two choices, sink or swim.

It’s been a wild ride and I’ve met some wonderful people along the way. My beautiful clients, many of whom have become great friends and my fellow business colleagues.

My heart is filled with gratitude.

Gratitude for all the people. Gratitude for all the lessons. Gratitude for Ross’ support and gratitude for the person I have had to become.

We talk about property development in terms of improving the property so it becomes more valuable, well it’s the same with personal development.

Being in business is the biggest personal development course you’ll ever undertake.

Investing in your own personal development is the quickest way for you to become more valuable.

How are you going to invest in yourself?

Click on the image above to join in the celebration with this 2 minute video.

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The other morning, I heard a huge bang, then a thud and then again and again.

As I looked out the window, I could see my neighbour’s house being demolished.

A fence around the perimeter proudly displayed the name of the contractor and the services they provided.

That same afternoon we had to call our plumber because the handle broke off our tap in the sink in the ensuite.

I also received a call from a prospective client asking if I could help them with their systems.

I started to contemplate these seemingly random events, as I do.

I shared my findings with Ross, “Business is Problem Solving”, I said.

“What are you talking about?” he asked.

“Well, a lot of the time I feel awkward when it comes to having a sales conversation, but when you look around, business is actually problem solving.”

He looked at me quizzically.

“The neighbours want to rebuild. They need someone to come and demolish the old house. We needed our tap fixed. We called the plumber. My clients need systems and processes, they call me. It’s just problem solving. It’s just helping people to solve their problems.”

We started listing off all the businesses we use on a regular basis.

The list was very long.

When you think about it, it’s amazing how many problems we have and how many businesses have been created to solve problems for people.

I just love thinking about and talking about business.

I’m so impressed and in awe of the many different business ideas that people come up with and often, it’s to help others who are having the same problem that they solved for themselves.

Take a look at your business. It doesn’t matter whether you own it or work in it or both.

Think about the consequences for your customers if your business did not exist.  I’m talking about your industry, not just your business and leaving it to your competitors.

Imagine if there were no real estate agencies. How would we buy and sell our homes.

What if there were no grocery stores?  How would we feed ourselves?

Where would we get our clothes from if there were no fashion designers, fabric manufacturers, clothing manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers or the web.

I just marvel at how things work.

I’m grateful for all the businesses that help Ross and I solve our problems.  Thank you!

Your job this week is to come up with your own list.

Think about all the products and services you use to help you solve your problems.

At the end of the day, that’s what business is for.  Business is Problem Solving.

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