Running a business without systems can feel like watering a garden with a bucket—messy, time-consuming, and easy to forget something important. Just like an irrigation setup delivers the right water to the right plants at the right time, smart business systems help each area of your business run smoothly and reliably. In this post, we share a simple 5-step guide to choosing the right systems (from payroll and job management to bookkeeping support), so you can reduce stress, avoid costly mistakes, and free up more time to focus on growth.

This holiday season, I’ve been installing an irrigation system in my garden to ensure each plant gets watered exactly when it needs it, saving me time and ensuring that they are watered as much as they need it. As I worked, I found myself reflecting on how this process closely mirrors the experience of running a business and setting up effective systems.

For instance, just as a drip line delivers water directly to the roots of thirsty tomatoes while sprinklers gently cover the lawn, business systems—like automated payroll with software like Employment Hero, job management using Fergus, or Bookkeeping support with OMS — provide targeted support to different areas of the operation.

All require thoughtful planning: you need to understand which plants (or departments) have unique needs and then tailor your approach, so nothing is overlooked or wasted.

Just as an irrigation system ensures each plant receives the right amount of water at the right time, effective business systems make sure that every part of the company gets the resources and attention it needs to thrive, and nothing is forgotten. With a reliable irrigation system, I can relax knowing my plants are cared for—even when I’m away. Similarly, strong business systems allow a company to run smoothly and efficiently, reducing stress and preventing costly mistakes.

Here’s 5 steps to planning what systems your business needs:

Here’s 5 steps to planning what systems your business needs:

1. Check Your Business “Soil”
Just like you wouldn’t water a cactus the same way as a thirsty tomato, start by figuring out what each part of your business actually needs. Every corner of the operation has its own “thirst level”—identify where the dry spots or puddles are!

2. Pick the Wilting Plants First
Some business areas are like the sad fern in the corner—desperate for attention. Focus on the spots that are essential for growth or where things are drooping the most to stop problems from spreading.

3. Choose the Right Hose (or Fancy Sprinkler)
Don’t just spray and pray! Research which systems (or gadgets) match the needs of each business area. One size doesn’t fit all—your succulents do NOT want a monsoon.

4. Turn It On and Watch for Puddles
After setting up your new systems, keep an eye out. Are things running smoothly, or did you just flood the garden path? Tweak as needed to keep everything blooming and not bogged down.

5. Keep an Eye on Your Hoses
Systems need check-ups too. Like cleaning out clogged drippers or untangling a hose, regularly review and fine-tune your business systems so everything keeps growing strong—even as the seasons (and your business) change.

When systems work well, both gardens and businesses flourish—growing healthier, saving resources, and freeing up time. But when systems fail or are neglected, you risk wilting plants or missed business opportunities, leading to unnecessary headaches and wasted effort.

That’s where our bookkeeping services can make a real difference: by keeping your financial records organised and up to date, we help ensure your business stays robust and responsive. Let us handle the details, so you can focus on nurturing growth and seizing new opportunities with confidence.

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Shall We Shout You a Coffee? ☕

If you’d like support putting stronger systems in place—starting with your bookkeeping—we’d love to help. Office Management Solutions can keep your financial records organised, up to date, and easy to understand, so you can make decisions with confidence and focus on growing your business.

We’d love to shout you a coffee and hear what you need help with—book a coffee chat at www.omsolutions.co.nz/booking

This blog explores how a simple 5am “Opportunity Hour” can completely change the way you start your day and grow your business. Inspired by the SAVERS framework from Miracle Morning Millionaires—Silence, Affirmations, Visualisation, Exercise, Reading and Scribing—plus a bookkeeper’s essential extra step: List, Kathy shares how one focused hour has boosted her clarity, confidence, and ability to spot new opportunities (like Toastmasters) with ease. Whether you love early mornings or prefer a quiet hour at another time of day, this ritual can become your daily super-power.

Giving yourself one quiet hour at 5am to think, plan, and dream can turn an ordinary workday into a powerful opportunity.

This year I started my own 5am morning ritual. 

Many of us hate mornings so this can be done at any time of day that suits you, but because I’m a morning person I find it easier to do before my day starts, (but don’t ask me to do anything after 9pm)! 

So, waking up early wasn’t a difficult thing for me, but I found that utilizing that “POWER HOUR” in the morning has opened the door to fantastic opportunities for myself personally and for my business.  You wouldn’t think an extra hour in the morning would make that much of a difference, but my days have been transformed thanks to this simple change. 

What do I do in this one hour so early in the morning, I hear you ask? 😉wink 

Well, earlier this year I read a book called “Miracle Morning Millionaires” by Hal Elrod and David Osborn.  In this book they advocate a system using the acronym S.A.V.E.R.S.   

Silence, Affirmations, Visualisation, Exercise, Reading, & Scribing 

Silence, Affirm, Visualise, Exercise, Read, Scribe… and then the bookkeeper walked in and added L for LIST. Congrats, you now practise SLAVERS at 5am 😁

And I have added one of my own – can you guess what it might be from a bookkeeper?   

L = List  (A spreadsheet would be even better! 😉) 

Which makes the acronym SAVERSL or maybe SLAVERS 😁? 

Silence = Meditate or Reflect.  I put on a short 15 minute morning meditation, close my eyes and listen and this sets me up for success. 

List – Make a list of the 6 most important things to do today, then pick the 3 most important.  Ask yourself What’s working? What’s not working?  What should I start now to reach my goals? 

Affirmations = commitments and steps to reach goals (I have a little book of affirmations that I read through every day, as well as a list of my goals).  Looking at these daily creates passion and drive and helps me to see opportunities everywhere. 

Visualisation = Visualise what you really want, visualise yourself taking the necessary steps to reach those goals.  Visualise how you will use today to take another step towards those goals. 

Exercise = move your body however you like to –  after my power hour I do yoga and then go for a swim or walk the dog.  By then I think I’ve earned it! 

Reading = Read to learn, read to be inspired, read to get the most out of your life. 

Scribing = write down what inspires you, notes on what you have learned, ideas, lessons and review regularly what you have written.  

Write a letter from your future successful self – Visualise what your life looks like once you have completed your goals. 

Set goals in peak state – in your Power Hour, review regularly and reward yourself when you achieve them.  Once you’ve set your goal, make a plan to make it work. 

If you do all these steps with your end goal in mind, you make this simple hour your super-power! 

Often I do these in different order, sometimes it takes longer than an hour, sometimes less depending on what my schedule is, and it doesn’t have to be at 5am, just some time where you won’t be disturbed.  If you give yourself that hour in the morning to super-focus down on your goals, every day, you can create something magical. 

For example, one of my goals was to be a confident speaker, to network successfully and to meet fabulous people – up pops Toastmasters (which offers all 3!).  And because it was a goal that I have been focusing on, the opportunity was a no-brainer. 

There are so many other tips and tricks in this book to super-charge your life that I highly recommend you give it a read and create your very own miracle morning!