Heads up: this site uses CSS Grid. Your browser is older than that — content may look unstyled but everything still reads.

Most-highlighted by readers

Popular Highlights

The lines real readers chose to save. 1,244 Kindle readers have highlighted passages in SYSTEMology. These are the most-saved on Goodreads — sorted by how widely-quoted they are.

Want to read full reviews from business leaders? Browse 60+ endorsements →

  1. 01

    Just 20 per cent of the systems you create will provide 80 per cent of your efficiency wins.

    Chapter — Define
  2. 02

    Business is simply a game of problem-solving.

    Chapter — Optimise
  3. 03

    Systems development is a bit like eating an elephant: you have to do it one bite at a time.

    Chapter — Optimise
  4. 04

    Having worked with hundreds of companies over the years, I have found companies typically find themselves in one of four stages: #1 Survival; #2 Stationary; #3 Scalable; #4 Saleable.

    Chapter — Introduction
  5. 05

    Start by systemising based on where you are, not where you'd like to be.

    Chapter — Define
  6. 06

    It's simply a matter of identifying problems as they arise, prioritising them and then looking for a systems-centred solution.

    Chapter — Optimise
  7. 07

    Most business owners are great at solving problems, it's just that many get stuck solving low-quality problems over and over again.

    Chapter — Optimise
  8. 08

    You don't need to measure everything. In fact, focusing on too many numbers tends to do more harm than good.

    Chapter — Optimise
  9. 09

    The ultimate goal of SYSTEMology: complete business reliability.

    Chapter — Introduction
  10. 10

    The secret to ensuring your business develops a culture where systems are not just created, but actually used, is to introduce some level of accountability.

    Chapter — Integrate
  11. 11

    I just want to focus on two tools and what I believe you need to build a truly successful systems-centred business: 1) Systems management software, 2) Project management software.

    Chapter — Organise
  12. 12

    It's also probably unrealistic — and unnecessary — to ask your employees to reread the entire system every time they complete their tasks. That's where your project management software steps in.

    Chapter — Organise
  13. 13

    The CCF focuses on the specific objective of having the business make money without being dependent on any one specific team member.

    Chapter — Define
  14. 14

    I also suggest getting clear on the qualities your team members need to have to succeed within your business and building that into your recruitment process.

    Chapter — Scale
  15. 15

    Success is lumpy and opportunity knocks when you're least expecting it.

    Chapter — Introduction
  16. 16

    Play to your team's strengths and do everything in your power to make it easier for them to do their best work.

    Chapter — Extract
  17. 17

    Fix your team communications and you'll solve 80 per cent of your problems.

    Chapter — Organise
  18. 18

    Your business as a system is only as strong as its weakest link.

    Chapter — Optimise
  19. 19

    Small gains, when multiplied out, equal big wins on the bottom line.

    Chapter — Now is the time
  20. 20

    Systems-run businesses are always worth more because they function without key person dependency. They're more efficient, more reliable, and scalable.

    Chapter — Organise
  21. 21

    Systems really do set you free.

    Chapter — Scale · Den Lennie, in the Scale chapter case study