Module 1: Systems & Operations Foundation

Course: Scaling Your Business
Duration: ~55 minutes
Lessons: 6
Outcome: You have documented systems, clear processes, and operational infrastructure.

Lesson 1.1: The Systems Mindset

The Founder's Trap: Doing → Managing → Owning. The 3 Types of Systems: Hard, Soft, and Self.

Lesson 1.2: Process Documentation (SOPs)

The SOP Formula: Title, Purpose, Tools, Steps, Quality Check, Escalation. Core SOPs every business needs.

Lesson 1.3: Workflow Automation

The Automation Decision Tree. Tools: Zapier, Make, n8n. High-impact automations for service businesses.

Lesson 1.4: Project Management & Delivery

The Project Lifecycle, templates, status updates, and quality assurance.

Lesson 1.5: Communication & Meeting Systems

The Communication Channel Matrix, meeting audits, and async communication.

Lesson 1.6: Your Operations Playbook

The Operations Playbook structure and building phases.

Module 1 Quiz

1. What's the purpose of business systems?

• a) To add bureaucracy
• b) To enable growth without chaos ✓
• c) To reduce headcount
• d) To increase costs

2. What does SOP stand for?

• a) Sales Order Process
• b) Standard Operating Procedure ✓
• c) Service Operating Plan
• d) System of Processes

Module 1 Agent Prompt

"Alex, I need to build my operational foundation. Please have Kai audit my current systems, Jordan document my core SOPs, and Sam set up my operations playbook."