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Articles >
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Process/Systems
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All Process/Systems Articles
Here are some secrets to what you really need to know to start your business.
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Systems. This is about putting in place reliable structure so that most of your business goes on auto-pilot and you are freed up to do what you do best - your talent, your gift, your magnificence! There is one main area that I see entrepreneurs make a mis-step with their systems and that is day-to-day operations.
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I often talk about implementing systems in your business to keep everything running smoothly. Lots of people talk about systems and processes, but very few actually explain what that means.
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Creating processes and systems is all about setting things up so your business can pretty much run on its own. Of course, there are things that you must do to keep it running smoothly, but your processes and systems allow you to be out of the office, even unexpectedly, without everything grinding to a halt. Here's an example of just some of my processes and systems.
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Business Basics >
Process/Systems
Are You Worth It?
- Heather Dominick
When you constantly give your energy away to outside circumstances, you're left drained, empty and looking for ways to fill up. You search endlessly for the right "answer" to building your business, making more money. You take course after course, buy product after product and then, if you're honest with yourself, understand that what you're waiting for is someone to do it all for you.
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Wouldn't it be great to feel that way in your business? That you could just be in action, really quickly, creating high-quality marketing materials, attracting ideal clients, producing new products and programs and not even notice anything else around you...
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What does "Upgrade Your Client" mean? It means that you are ready for a new type of client. It might be one that is committed or further down the experience curve than your current client. There are certain points in your business life cycle where things are ready to change. You just have to listen and pay attention to the signals!
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Process/Systems
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Internet Marketing >
Email Marketing
Developing Online Credibility
- Eva Gregory
The Internet has changed the way the world does business. While the Internet offers business people many tools, perhaps the most important is the ability to communicate quickly and easily. While this ability offers huge advantages, it carries some dangers as well. People like to buy from people they trust. Without a voice for our customers and prospects to hear, or a face to show expression, how can we make sure that what we intend to say is what is heard?
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As a creative business owner, you want to spend your time doing your “great work.” This is the work of your passion and your purpose. Often, a successful business owner can get caught in the trap of doing the “good” work That means you get caught in the trap of “I’ll just do it” because it’s easier than explaining it or hiring someone to help you. Here’s the biggest reason to look for systems in your business.
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I was privately coaching with one of my EnergyRICH® Boot Camp members a few weeks ago (we’ll call her Debra) and she was frustrated with how to incorporate the EnergyRICH® concept of packaging her services. She was blocked and could not see how this could be done in her business.
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This brand-new article looks at the 5 easy steps you can take to ensure that your contact management system is working for you, and not against you. With the right system in place, you will be able to have a steady flow of clients and prospects coming into your business, and even create a waiting list when you have more clients wanting to work with you than you can manage!
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Undoubtedly, any business can slip into a slow period. BUT...the trick is to know WHAT to do to get your business back on track as quickly as possible and better yet, HOW to avoid slipping into a slow spot in it in the first place. Here are 5 tips I personally use to coach my clients out of slow and into "go!"
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Articles >
Business Basics >
Process/Systems
Systems = Freedom!
- Laura Howard West
I have a sticky note in my office that says "Systems = Freedom". I have become an avid fan of systems. I used to be rebellious of systems as though they would take away all my creativity and spontaneity. What I have found is that they give me the freedom to be creative, enjoy life and it keep me enjoying my business! Here are five reasons for you to embrace the idea of looking for and committing the initial time to develop systems.
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Process/Systems
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Multiple Streams of Income >
Virtual Teams
Ending Entrepreneurial Overwhelm Once And For All
- Kendall SummerHawk
Do you find yourself falling into the trap of focusing on what seems important, only to feel like you're missing out on creating the wealth, grace and ease you truly want from your business? Happily, the solution to this very common business problem is pretty simple. And, the good news is, it doesn't involve any complicated time management systems. So let's look at 4 simple tips that I personally use that will help you put the soul back into your day and more dollars into your bank account.
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If you've ever been around a 17-year-old (or been one yourself), you're likely aware of how effortlessly they can combine rudeness with a request for something from you. They're so focused on their own perspective in the relationship that you've become little more than a tool for getting what they want. So what does that have to do with marketing?
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Vision, Goals and Plans
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Alliances & Collaboration
The Millionaire Mindset
- Ann Ronan, Ph.D.
Do you have a millionaire mindset? Ok, maybe you don’t want a million or think that’s too high a goal. That’s ok. The purpose of this article is to get you thinking about the way you think about money.
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This brand-new article looks at one of the critical financial reports that you need to have in place for your business. I know that the thought of a Cashflow report sounds complicated, but it really isn't! I'll be sharing with you in 3 simple steps exactly what you can do to take charge of your budget and Cashflow!
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Learn 6 key strategies to make your solo entrepreneur business a success.
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Articles >
Internet Marketing >
Email Marketing
Articles >
Business Basics >
Process/Systems
Internet Marketing - What Comes First?
- Patsi Krakoff
Someone asked me recently, if I were to expand an existing professional services business onto the internet, what marketing steps would I take first: set up a web site, a shopping cart, a newsletter, or a blog?
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I've dealt with a few criticisms about including my personal story on my website, but, more importantly for every skeptic I've had at least 10 people tell me how much they admire what I share and how it resonates with them (and those folks usually end up coaching with me). So why share your personal story? Because it's going to be one of the fastest, most genuine ways to connect with those people that you are meant to serve in your business.
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In my brand-new article, I'm going to share with you 7 easy steps for getting your filing system in place. The summertime is generally a quieter time with a more slower pace of business, so use this time to get one of your core office systems in place.
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People are talking about a recession and that means fear is in the air. Well if you want your small or solo business or practice to flourish anyway, make sure you’re not making any of these common mistakes. Just correcting one of these can make a huge difference in the results you’re getting.
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When connecting with a potential client it's so powerful to be able to share stories from other folks who have used your services. The stories of others will do tons more than explanations from you. Having potential clients connect with the experience of others is a highly effective way to share what it's like to work with you and your business.
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In every potential client conversation there is a "money moment" when it's time for you to quote money moment arrives your heart sinks and your stomach does a quick somersault. (I'm right, aren't I?!) So what can you do?
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Here are 3 common situations that often crop up, and are perfect opportunities to use "no" to powerfully move your confidence, your business and your client relationships forward.
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I don't know about you, but as I look around I still see people jammed into shopping malls and spending, spending, spending. Compared with the rest of the world, we really have nothing to complain about. And for you reading this article, this recession will only be what YOU make of it. Here are three steps to turning this "lemon" of a recession into some entrepreneurial lemonade.
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Articles >
Business Basics >
Process/Systems
Summertime Blues
- Wendy Weiss
Life and work continue, even in the summer. If it’s too hot, then your prospects will be in their nice, air-conditioned offices—where you should be, too, making calls. If it is a beautiful day, some people may be out. The rest will not. So what should YOU do?
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In this brand-new article I share with you some of the Pros and Cons of the three main online marketing services that many solopreneurs use, and give you some pointers on choosing the right one for your business.
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There is a lot to be learned from those running a lemonade stand. Read on.
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As a solopreneur you are responsible for your keeping your own financial records. If you've not yet employed a bookkeeper to keep a track of your finances for you, follow my tips below and Banish Your Bookkeeping Blues once and for all!
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Most entrepreneurs get stopped because of the stories they tell themselves that spring from these kind of questions. These are what I call "Yeah, buts" and "What ifs". Usually they aren't anywhere near true, but you repeat them so often that you begin to believe that they are. And then that's where your energy goes. When your energies aren't aligned, you can't figure out what to do next (or if you do, you push your way through it and then wonder why you feel exhausted, burned-out or frustrated).
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As a solo service professional you'll eventually reach a point in your business where you either need to bring some team members on board, or go without sleep! Follow my top three tips for creating a successful virtual team so that you can grow your business and still manage to have a good nights' sleep!
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To prepare yourself to magnetize your ideal clients you want to first pre-pave the way for connecting with your ideal clients by having two strong, EnergyRICH® legs to stand on.
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One of the best time-saving strategies I've implemented is my client conversion system. You know the drill; a potential client comes along and emails/calls you asking about your services. You spend time responding, and then you never hear from them again! In this article I reveal three simple steps for creating your own client conversion system, so you only spend your time on the 'serious' clients.
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Do people want what you are offering or are you guilty of the "father know best syndrome"?
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Learn to recession proof your business. During this time solo entrepreneurs stand the biggest chance of not only surviving, but thriving. Learn why.
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Have you considered using assessments to your business but didn't know where to start? Assessments have now easy to use online and have a long "shelf-life" and can generate new client leads. Maximize their use today.
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For a solo professional having an up-to-date contact management database is one of the KEY administrative systems you have to have for your business. And, even more important, is having a system in place to create effective follow-up. Here are my top 5 strategies for creating effective follow-up and keeping your contact management system up-to-date.
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Getting things done fast is about possessing a certain attitude that causes you to take consistent action on your highest payoff activities. Learn more.
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The "idea phase" is one of the most exciting parts of the entrepreneurial process. This visioning is really important–but it'll stay just a pipe dream unless you put together a detailed plan to make it a reality, set incremental goals, and become very pro active and focused about following the plan.
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I've been talking about the law of attraction for some time. I just called it something different–the Entrepreneurial Mind Set. It's extremely powerful, but just like anything else worthwhile, you have to work at it.
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Everyone relates to the fear we face trying to succeed as entrepreneurs. Whether you're just gathering the courage to strike out on your own, or you've been at it for a while, at some point you're going to have to know how to prevent fear from stopping you from going after your dreams of building a successful small business.
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If you're serious and determined to build a small or home based business that will do more than pay your basic bills; a business that will create financial freedom for you, then you'll need to find some money to get it going to the next level.
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Does just the mention of the word 'spreadsheet' cause your mouth to go dry? Do you immediately think of sums, formulae, and figures? Well fear not any more -- I'm here to tell you that spreadsheets aren't just for sums!
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Learn the ten deadly mistakes of solo entrepreneurs and how to avoid them.
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You are running out of cash. Your website has been revised for the umpteenth time, but you are not attracting any clients. You know you need to be marketing yourself publishing articles and hosting teleclasses, but you just don't have enough time or money. As a soloentrepreneur, you just don't know what to do. Here are 3 suggestions to equalize your cash flow with your client flow.
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These days we are so overloaded with information that it's easy to lose sight of the basics of running a business, and you very quickly become overwhelmed and suffer from information overload!
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As a solopreneur being able to follow-up with your clients and potential clients is crucial in growing and sustaining your business, and keeping a steady flow of new clients coming on board. However the downside is the time it takes to follow-up with each and every one of your contacts – after all spending all day following up with clients isn’t a good use of your time; you also need to spend your time on income generating activities and generating cash flow for your business.
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Every day we are bombarded with hundreds of emails, only a small percentage of which are necessary. Spam filters are great at filtering most of the unwanted emails but a small amount do get through, adding to the number we have to sift through!
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Articles >
Business Basics >
Process/Systems
Do You See Failure or Success?
- Heather Dominick
I remember attending a meditation workshop with Mark Epstein, a well-known 'Buddhist psychologist.' He told a story about a meeting he had with Ram Dass, spiritual teacher and author, where Ram Dass had asked Mark Epstein about his work with his patients. As Mark talked about his work, Ram Dass interrupted him and asked, "Do you see them as already healed?"
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Every experience is an energy exchange. If you're focused on only what you can get from a prospect, your fear of not signing on the prospect or being withholding about the amount of time you're spending with this person, your energy will be resonating at a very low level. This makes all the difference in the world when you're interacting with someone (actually, even more than the words you say!)
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Take a look at the superstar women entrepreneurs in your industry and you'll see that they aren't wall flowers. Especially when it comes to flaunting their quirky personalities’ strengths in their marketing strategies. You can start to infuse more personality and style into your marketing strategies with these three simple tips.
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"Do I always have to come up with something new?" This is a question I get asked often by my private clients, and the answer is a resounding YES, if you want to continue to grow your business. Besides boring your target market after awhile, you'd get bored, too, so yes, you want to breath some life into your business by consistently coming up with new offers. This helps keep your list interested, and it helps you stay cutting edge in your market.
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Niche
1 Sure-Fire Way to Get Networking Results
- Heather Dominick
I remember being introduced to the concept of "business networking" when I started my first business. I thought, I will NEVER be able to do this. I remember getting ready to go to my first networking event and whining to my husband (then boyfriend), "I was miserable at this kind of thing when I was dating! How could this ever help my business?" And then I realized about networking what I've come to know about so many aspects of building business ...
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Starting the New Year on the right foot doesn’t have to be difficult. We’ve created a checklist that you can use to make sure that you are wrapping up everything you should be and getting a good start on the New Year.
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Process/Systems
Create a Powerful Vision
- Alicia M Forest
In the Client Abundance coaching programs, we work on implementing several strategies that are designed to PULL your business forward, almost effortlessly. One of those strategies is creating a powerful vision for your business. My private clients have found this exercise to be both motivating and inspiring, and I'm certain you will too.
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Process/Systems
Skip the Resolutions!
- Alicia M. Forest
Did you take some time this past week to think about and perhaps even write down your resolutions for 2008? -- To be honest, I'm not exactly a fan of resolutions - really, what's so different about January 1 that's going to make a dramatic difference in whether or not you keep your resolutions? If you just have a list of things you'd like to accomplish, well, the answer is 'not much'. But if you have a PLAN to go along with your list, well, that can make ALL the difference.
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Business Basics >
Process/Systems
Sexy Systems for Success
- Laura Howard West
Having systems which support your daily activities makes things flow with little effort. It feels...well...it feels sexy! You feel confident, things flow, you have ample energy because you aren't pulled down by particle details because they are being handled. Read on to find out how to develop great systems for your business, even if you are just starting out.
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I’ve dealt with a few criticisms about including my personal story on my website, but more importantly, for every skeptic I’ve had at least 10 people tell me how much they admire what I share and how it resonates with them (and those folks usually end up coaching with me). So why share your personal story? Because it’s going to be one of the fastest, most genuine ways to connect with those people that you are meant to serve in your business.
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Your potential clients often ask for a proposal even if they aren't sure about working with you. Don't waste your valuable time writing a proposal or creating a presentation unless you ask the Magic Question first!
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It's so important to be sure that you are bringing your distinctive fingerprint – your unique value proposition into the brand you are creating out in the world in a way that is authentic and right for you. So, how do you present yourself in the marketplace?
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There are a number of things you can do today to create a successful business. The key to success is founded in adopting a positive attitude and investing your time and effort to take consistent daily actions. This article shows you 15 ways to get a great start.
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Are you suffering from feelings of indifference or a lack of concern when it comes to marketing your business? Marketing apathy is widespread among today's businesses. Here are 10 solutions for overcoming apathy that you can start using today.
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Process/Systems
Masterful Business People
- Alicia Smith
Being masterful in business is what gives you the competitive edge in today's business environment. Knowing that you must continually be looking for ways to change and expand your product and give exceptional service to potential clients will make you a master of business.
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Where Businesses Fall Short
- Alicia Smith
It is important to be able to recognize those areas in your business that may be causing your business to fall short. By recognizing where your business needs help you are better able to focus your attention in the proper places.
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Over promising is a problem only when you under deliver. There are a number of ways that you can over-deliver to your customers or prospects, and as a result create a win-win situation for you both. The following are just a few of those techniques you can use to over-deliver for your clients.
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Resistance has to do with putting up blocks that prevent us from doing, being, or accomplishing what we want for our business. When we resist things, sometimes we miss out on opportunities - opportunities to work with new people, attract new customers, or even pursue a new product or service idea which could catapult us to new levels of success. What are you resisting in your business when it comes to marketing your products and services? And, what can you do today to move through it?
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The story behind the successful creation of my first Tips Booklet. How I got started. How I marketed it. A blueprint for how YOU can do the very same thing with your own Tips Booklet to start or expand your own profitable business.
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Here are the top seven favorite tasks that to do nearly every day to put you closest to the money.
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Membership (or "subscription") websites are all the rage right now. Look around and you'll see everyone starting their own club where members pay a monthly fee in exchange for information, coaching, teleseminars, community forums and other support. The temptation to jump on the membership band wagon is strong, but will it work for your business?
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The continuous use of effective business metrics and the systematic tracking of them will keep your business on course throughout the fiscal year. This process can decidely accelerate your success, yet it needn't be onerous or time-consuming for you. Learn more.
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Measuring the results of your business activities is critical to your success, and anyone can do it. Learn more.
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Six out of ten businesses are destroyed after a disaster strikes. While you can't prevent the unavoidable, you CAN reduce or eliminate most of the long-term effects of a disaster on your business by following three simple steps.
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Articles >
Business Basics >
Process/Systems
The Bucket and Sponge Trap
- Robert Gerrish
Robert explores the topic of pursuing too many opportunities. He calls this behaviour The Bucket and Sponge Trap. Read more..
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As a service provider, learn why it is important to start with your rules and procedures in place.
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A broad set of performance measures, or metrics, can help you manage your business for success. Take a deep breath if you�re reacting with the thought �that sounds like a lot of extra work�. Measuring what happens in your business doesn�t mean complex analysis and bureaucratic paperwork! Rather metrics are a simple source of information on how you�re doing.
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Strategic Systems are powerful because they get the ideas and information out of your head and onto paper. They allow you to see the big picture and focus on a fluid procession o |
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