System I/O

Follow System I/O
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

What is an entrepreneur? Why is creating procedures so critical yet so difficult? And even if they are... Why don't people use them? Explore these questions and more in the System I/O podcast.

Tom Rolley


    • Jan 1, 2023 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 7m AVG DURATION
    • 381 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from System I/O with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from System I/O

    Lessons from this morning's surf session...

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 2023 4:33


    Failing a lot? Is it a lack of reps or a lack of technique? Private coaching will get you further faster. Stability is critical to your success. Find out why.

    Details matter!!

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2022 3:04


    Systems can fail at multiple points. If you are not getting the results a system is designed to create, then something is either broken in the system or something was not executed. And the failed results you are getting will help troubleshoot the system problem. Watch to find out more.

    Fail faster! Why failing makes sense…

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 30, 2022 5:36


    Refusing to fail only leads to stagnation… Failure may be avoided in the short term, but the long-term outcome is assured… yes, long-term failure. Willingness to fail in the short term provides the insights and corrections required for long-term success.

    How to overcome the fog of business?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 29, 2022 5:01


    To see what's being done in your business? What is not being done? This is traditionally difficult and can easily get too hard for people to bother tracking their work at all. Yet as team sizes grow… This ability is critical to ongoing improvement in the effectiveness of the work a business does. Watch to learn more.

    Magic Board vs Kanban? Which is best?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2022 5:01


    Kanban has been very popular for usage outside of its original context… But with the changing nature of work… Is it the optimal method of work management? Watch for a comparison of Kanban vs Magic Board styles of project management

    Why not anxious? That's a mess, brother!

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2022 5:42


    Ikea is a powerful business game… And many people will have faced the problem of converting a flatpack into actual furniture… And MOST SUCCEED! Why is this, and why is it important to your business? Listen now for the answer…

    What happens when you can't find a team to work in your business?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2022 7:24


    The acute shortage of workers is affecting many businesses… While adding more people to a business may allow you to do more, this is not an option if there are no people to hire. Businesses that can operate in these conditions will have a much bigger advantage over those that can only hire more people as their only strategic move. Learn what to do instead by listening to this.

    Should you track the location of your work?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2022 7:10


    Make no mistake… Tracking your work is SLOWER. But if you are interrupted? It's way FASTER! Find out when you should and should not track your work.

    Project management: Kanban vs Spreadsheet SAAS.

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2022 6:35


    You will have two major choices in styles of project management… Which one should you choose? What are the pros and cons of each? Discover when you should choose Kanban and when you should choose spreadsheet.

    Dangers of Minimum Viable products...

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2022 6:48


    The concept of a Minimum Viable Product is powerful… Do the minimum work and then get to test it out. Find out if it works… But like many conceptual ideas, the implementation holds many lessons. Listen to this now for a discussion and errors not to make!

    Rigid systems vs flexible frameworks...

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2022 6:54


    Keith Cunningham clearly knows business… And he is VERY NEGATIVE on systems. And he is RIGHT! Rigid, inflexible systems are of limited value. So is there any value to systems? If you set your systems up, so they are flexible and adaptable… Then you get the benefits of documentation in your business + the ability to customise every system to the specific needs of individual cases. Flexibility in the framework of your system is CRITICAL!! Listen to learn more…

    Stop recreating the same work over and over!

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2022 5:44


    It is very common for businesses that do not document their work to suffer this problem! Every piece of work has to be done from scratch. Not only done, but often a problem solved to work out what must be done in the first place. This is highly inefficient! Documentation at even a minimal level helps speed up the work AND improves the accuracy.

    How much is “a lot” to play on a golf course?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2022 1:51


    Some golf courses are cheap to play, and some are extremely expensive. Why would some people choose to pay for very expensive courses? The answer reveals a lot more about life and money than would first appear… This one is worth listening :)

    Don't score a zero.

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2022 3:28


    Is the minimum enough? If it is part of a habit, then the minimum may be the most important work you do that day… Why? Keeping the streak alive, even if it was just the bare minimum, has long-term benefits that go far beyond the apparent deficit on that day.

    Your software called “WarMachine”?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2022 4:27


    That is a pretty strange name for the software. But it seems we are moving into a far more difficult business environment. And the skillsets required for wartime and a peacetime CEO are very different. Listen to this now for more details on this important info.

    They don't tell you this when you start your business.

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2022 8:31


    There is a very difficult aspect of a small successful business... That what works with a small team… does not scale. And this leaves you in a very difficult position. Listen to this now to learn what to do instead.

    Where do the fires keep coming from?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2022 6:01


    The problem with fires is that dealing with them leaves no time to work out where they are coming from. Unfortunately, most businesses only see the fire when it is BIG. Yet… it was there for days or weeks before… The problem is the ability to see the fires while they are still small. Usually, this is extremely limited. What can you do to see the fires when they ARE small?

    What is a commitment device? And how can it help you?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2022 6:02


    If you ever wanted to know how to make good habits inevitable and bad habits impossible... Then knowing how to do this really makes a difference to your life value over time… From getting out of bed on time to daily exercise to business habits and everything in between… this is a powerful skill set to know.

    Where should you focus when setting up new habits?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2022 5:14


    Habits seem to have a critical feature… That they will not be started unless there is a “trigger.” If you do not hit the trigger, then the habit will not run. And if you do? It will… Knowing how to trigger your habits is a powerful skill set to get better results in your life…

    Is this the ideal setup for habitual success?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2022 4:14


    What are the factors that lead to habits “sticking”... And if these are known… Can they be utilised to increase the rate of instilling good habits? Listen to this now to learn an easy yet powerful change in your thinking that can make a big difference to the results you experience in life.

    Incomplete is worth less?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2022 3:41


    A half-built bridge has limited value. A completed bridge has massive value. How much of your work does not finish? Can you see where everything is up to clearly? Listen to this for more clarity around this important topic.

    What are the minimum results your business MUST have?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2022 6:58


    Every business must get results. Knowing these allows you to work out the work that must be done to get those results. Businesses can often create many results, but identifying the ones that absolutely matter is a wise move.

    The benefits of repeated habits…

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2022 6:28


    What creates our habits? One of the most powerful factors is your environment. If you are not getting the results you want from your habits - this episode is a must-listen.

    What are the three big problems with running a business without processes?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2022 6:03


    Are there problems with running a business WITH processes? Yes. But they are much less than the three BIG problems you will face trying to run a business without processes. Just like recipes for cooking and instructions for lego, having the processes documented in your business makes a big difference. Listen to this now to see if you are dealing with any of these three problems and know if you are… you have a process problem.

    What to do when there are no people to work?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2022 7:29


    Businesses around the world are facing a similar crisis... There are not enough people to work. This means many businesses are at risk of collapsing. Is there any solution to this? Is there any hope in such dire circumstances?

    The ironic difficulty of systems.

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 3, 2022 5:24


    Systems are potent… They generate specific results time and time again… Except when they don't. And the reason they don't is always the same. Find out why systems just DO NOT live up to their promise… And what to do about it!

    No contest! Your memory versus your SOPs.

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2022 4:32


    It is easy to remember the work you do every day… It's never long since it last got done. But as the time between system execution stretches - 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 12 weeks - which do you want to rely on? There is no doubt which one works better for these systems… Listen to find out why.

    Is this the “true” modern human superpower?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2022 8:33


    Imagine having the ability to radically change your reality. This was simply impossible for the vast majority of people who have lived before the internet age… But now? If you have these two simple ingredients… Radical transformation is available to you too…

    Focus on productivity!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2022 8:21


    The long-term improvement of humans has been based on one thing - improved productivity. Over time, productivity has been a very linear improvement curve… But if you had a way to significantly increase productivity ahead of this curve? Now you have a massive strategic advantage.

    When you do the work makes a difference…

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2022 10:14


    Many systems should be executed on a schedule… Miss that schedule, and you have to play catch up… or accept the consequences of letting it go… If you do choose catchup? You should know the one thing covered in this video BEFORE you begin.

    Why are systems a lot like vaccines?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2022 4:58


    Surely systems and vaccines have very little in common… One protects the body against illness… One tracks processes and results… But there is one aspect that they are extremely alike… And it is possibly the most important part of both… Listen now to find out more.

    The best place to focus on changing your habits?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2022 5:33


    Are your habits under your control? How do they get setup in the first place… And is there a place that is optimal to change them?

    To create the system or just get it done?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2022 4:48


    It is always quicker to just get the work done… At least the first time! But if you have to do that work again? It is wise to consider building the system, even the most basic version of it, at the same time…

    Goals are completely useless?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2022 5:59


    Is the focus on goals as being a critical component of success true? People who hit their goals, set goals… But for every person that does hit the goal, there are usually 20 more that fail… :0 Listen for more details!

    How to spend a lot of money quickly?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2022 5:26


    I knew systems could only be handled with software. And while massive developments have been made in software development… If you would like to invest a lot of money really quickly, then jump into software dev…

    1% better is how much improvement?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2022 6:08


    Kaizen Improve SOP Business operations

    Atomic Habits

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2022 5:17


    Restarting habits is a critical ability. The story of how James Clear got so passionate about habits is both confronting and powerful. The pace of change is phenomenal right now. Your skill sets are crucial to update.

    Aren't you packed a bit light travelling to America?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2022 7:25


    “Fortress Australia” finally opened for travel… The lady behind the check-in FREAKED me out as I checked in. Almost every other passenger carried huge suitcases. Mine was small and did not even appear to be full. Find out what happened when I flew to Maui for the first time in 2.5 years!

    Do bigger problems require System solutions?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2022 8:11


    Knowing what to say NO to can be just as important as what you say yes to… Even with a high potential for high revenue and profit - you might still choose to say “no”... Listen to this now to find one reason when it's a good idea to say no to good opportunities.

    Why is the value in the complete solution?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2022 8:15


    Your customers are interested in one thing… Results. Great results come when all the components to produce that result are provided. Partial solutions may have some value but cannot compare to the power of a complete solution. Listen to this now for more.

    Why software development is like house remodelling?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2022 5:43


    Software development and house remodelling have many similarities… Problems occur commonly with both and there is a significant risk of making errors that lead to much bigger problems. The cool thing is that lessons from either can easily be applied to the other. Listen to this now for more!

    Should all daylight saving just STOP?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2022 4:46


    Permanent daylight saving is an interesting idea. I love one part but struggle with the other… The problem? Daylight saving is a solution for a world that no longer exists. A better solution for the 21 century and the world we live in now? Listen to this now for the answer.

    Oh, I get a webinar too?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2022 7:08


    It is so easy to be overwhelmed and confused about business. What to focus on. What to do next. And many people just never get clear on their MARKETING - the underlying basis for who they are serving, what problems they are solving, and their offer to solve those problems. Once you have these… Then applying your marketing to your sales, ads and fulfilment becomes MUCH easier. Listen to this now for full details.

    What to do NEXT after you present your webinar?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2022 2:54


    You just presented your live webinar. You sent the replay and closed down the cart… And then… What to do? What about those people that did not buy? Listen to this now for the easy option to get more sales :)

    If you need more doctors tomorrow, how long does it take to train a doctor?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2022 11:10


    The coming health crisis is now unavoidable. The problem? We need more doctors and nurses for the aging baby boomer population in 6-8 years. But… it takes 12 to train them. :( Outcome? Expect healthcare to get expensive from 2028 onwards.

    No entrepreneur can succeed without these four marketing systems!

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2022 7:16


    Feeling overwhelmed with what to focus on in your business? How well do you have these FOUR systems working? Got it locked down? Great. Struggling or non-existent? You will struggle. Listen to this now for what to do!

    How to get a lot more done with a lot less people?!

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2022 5:38


    Either you are going to document how to do things or you are going to problem-solve. The first time you do any new system, you are going to have to problem solve it. The problem? If you do not document your solutions (ie your SOPs!) then you are going to have to problem solve it AGAIN and AGAIN and AGAIN. Find out what to do instead by listening to this now.

    The difficult choice you've got to make when choosing systems software.

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2022 3:43


    When selecting what software to use for your systems - you are going to have to make a choice. Either you choose to optimise for systems and productivity OR you optimise for processes and ensure compliance. When you choose one, you automatically decrease your ability to have the other. Listen to this now to work out which way you should go for your business!

    How to almost blow up your own car

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2022 4:46


    Knowing the instructions is essential. But incorrect execution of correct instructions will still lead you into trouble. Listen for more details on this simple yet powerful example of failed execution…

    How is your COMPLETE systems game?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2022 6:55


    Business is just one set of systems. As an entrepreneur, you will need more than just business on point. Find out the other three key areas and how they influence your productivity and profits. See www.playwarrior.io for the 42 day Warrior Challenge.

    Why is it better to prove your ideas before building software?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2022 10:54


    Before you automate… Prove it works manually first. This is a REALLY good idea. You will not waste money on ideas that do not work… AND… you will have a clean process to automate. Listen to this now for best practices.

    Claim System I/O

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel