Tunde frowned at his phone. “This guy had everything going for him—he launched a jollof meal kit business, sold out in his first week. But now? Nothing.”
Babs leaned forward, intrigued. “What happened?”
Tunde sighed. “The idea was great, but the systems? Not so much. He was doing everything manually—mixing spices, packaging meals, even taking orders through Instagram DMs. At first, it worked. But when demand grew, everything started falling apart. Orders were delayed. Customer complaints piled up. Eventually, people stopped ordering.”
Babs nodded knowingly. “That’s the problem. A business idea is just the start. To scale a business, you need solid business systems—systems that work no matter how big your business gets.”
He smiled. “Let me tell you a story about an idea that became an empire—not because of luck, but because of systems.”
McDonald’s: A Simple Idea That Became a Global Business
Richard and Maurice McDonald ran a small drive-in restaurant in San Bernardino, California. They sold burgers, fries, and milkshakes—just like many other diners across America. Their business was decent but nothing extraordinary.
Customers would drive in, place their orders, and wait—sometimes up to 30 minutes—for their food. While their food was good, the brothers knew they needed to improve efficiency if they wanted to scale their business.
To overcome the long waits, they decided that instead of running the restaurant like every other diner, they would redesign everything for speed and consistency. They created the “Speedee Service System,” an early version of a business automation system. Each worker had a specific task—one grilled the patties, another assembled the burgers, and another wrapped them. Orders were completed in less than one minute.
This became their unique selling point and turned customers into repeat customers. They didn’t just love the burgers—they loved how quickly they could get them. The brothers standardised everything, from how fries were salted to the exact amount of ketchup on each burger.
Ray Kroc, a milkshake machine salesman, saw the potential. He understood that if the system could work in one location, it could work everywhere. He convinced the brothers to franchise the concept. But instead of just selling a restaurant, he sold a scalable business system—a step-by-step manual that ensured every McDonald’s location operated exactly the same.
This is how McDonald’s grew into a global empire. Today, their business growth strategy is so effective that it’s not about having the best burgers—it’s about having the best business system for delivering food quickly and consistently. That’s why McDonald’s is the world’s largest and most profitable fast-food chain.
Why Business Systems Matter for Growth
Babs turned to Tunde. “The lesson here? It’s not about having the best business idea—it’s about having the best business systems to support that idea.”
Tunde raised an eyebrow. “So, are you saying my jollof meal kit business should focus on business automation like McDonald’s?”
Babs smiled. “Exactly. Your idea is great, but without scalable business systems, it’s like trying to drive a car with no engine. Businesses don’t grow just because of good products; they grow because they have systems that handle demand, scale efficiently, and keep operations smooth.”
Tunde thought for a moment. “Okay, but how do I set up these systems?”
Babs leaned forward. “It starts with understanding what your business needs. Let me break it down for you.”
Step 1: Identify the Core Areas of Your Business
Every successful business has key areas that need automation and efficiency:
- Inventory Management System – Prevent stock shortages with automated tracking tools.
- Customer Service System – Use chat automation to manage inquiries efficiently.
- Sales and Marketing Automation – Schedule content and nurture leads automatically.
- Financial Management System – Track income, expenses, and cash flow effortlessly.
- Operations & Delegation – Ensure smooth execution of tasks, even in your absence.
Step 2: Implement Simple Business Systems for Growth
Let’s say you’re starting small, just like Tunde’s jollof kit business. Here’s how to implement business automation and scalable systems from day one:
- Inventory Management System: Use tools like Google Sheets or a free inventory management app. Set up automated alerts for low stock and establish reorder points with suppliers.
- Customer Service System: Use WhatsApp Business or Facebook Messenger automation to send pre-set responses to common customer questions, reducing response time.
- Sales and Marketing Automation: Schedule social media posts in advance using Buffer or Hootsuite. Set up an email marketing system with Mailchimp or ConvertKit to nurture leads.
- Financial Management System: Track your finances with apps like QuickBooks or Xero. These tools help monitor cash flow, track expenses, and generate financial reports automatically.
- Operations & Delegation: Hire freelancers or virtual assistants for repetitive tasks. Train them using standard operating procedures (SOPs) so your business can function without your constant involvement.
Step 3: Scale and Optimise for Long-Term Growth
Once your business systems are running smoothly, you can focus on scaling:
✅ Optimise what’s working – Analyse sales and operations data to improve efficiency. ✅ Automate more processes – Reduce manual work by integrating tools for repetitive tasks. ✅ Expand without chaos – With a solid foundation, you can grow without sacrificing quality.
The goal is to make your business run efficiently—not just today, but for years to come.
The Key Takeaway: Systems Are the Secret to Business Growth
A business idea alone will not guarantee success. Business systems are the engine that drives long-term business growth.
McDonald’s didn’t become a global success because of its burgers—it became successful because of its scalable, repeatable systems.
If you want to grow your business, focus on setting up systems that allow you to:
- Serve more customers without burning out
- Automate repetitive tasks to free up time
- Scale efficiently without losing control
Your Next Step
Pick one area of your business that feels overwhelming. Start with a simple system to fix it.
👉 Which business system will you set up first? Share in the comments, and let’s help each other build scalable businesses!
