An Introduction to Systems Thinking and Process Optimization
How to become a business coach. With Coaching Marketing Expert JJ Jalopy.
Mmm…. It smells good in here, doesn’t it?!
I’ve been cooking.
Mrs. Jalopy has left me to fend for myself for a couple of days whilst she spends some quality post-Easter time with her Mom.
Now, a year ago this seemingly innocuous event would have had a catastrophic impact on my nutritional well-being. After four days time I’d have been unable to move for takeout boxes.
I’ve since been led to believe that this isn’t particularly attractive behavior.
Mmmm…. Dominos!
And nowadays I’m ahead of the game!
I put on the silly white puffy hat and Chef Extraordinaire JJ Jalopé is born!
(Read it again in a comedy French accent, now you know it’s coming! Yann – you can do whatever you like! 
)
JJ Jalopé is an absolute genius in the kitchen. As long as there’s a detailed set of step-by-step instructions nothing is beyond his grasp!
This afternoon I created a shepherd’s pie and a meatloaf. I divided them up into meal-sized portions and put some of them in the fridge and some of them in the freezer.
Not only that, but the kitchen is spotlessly clean and everything is put away in its place, leaving me the whole evening to shoot the breeze with you lovely people.
As long as I maintain low expectations of variety in my diet, I’m all set for a few days!
Now, why am I telling you all this?
Well, let’s go back in time and think about what would have happened in Jalopyland a year ago…
Imagine a slightly more youthful JJ…
Mrs. Jalopy left a couple of days ago, leaving slightly-more-youthful-JJ alone with the Papa John’s takeout menu.
He’s just finished watching his 50th episode of Friends that day and he’s hungry. He can’t stomach the idea of more pizza, so he heads into the kitchen to find the silly white puffy hat.
Now the silly white puffy hat is on, JJ transmogrifies into Chef Extraordinaire JJ Jalopé!
Bonjour Monsieur!
As we know, JJ Jalopé is an absolute genius in the kitchen. He has his set of step-by-step instructions, so nothing is beyond his grasp!
In no time, he’s rustled up a shepherd’s pie and a meatloaf. He cuts off a slice of the meatloaf, puts it on a plate with some salad and takes it into the living room to eat in front of America’s Top Model.
So far so good, right?
Well now JJ is tired. He leapfrogs the pizza boxes and makes his way to the kitchen to tidy up before he gets ready for bed.
Imagine the horror in his eyes when he returns to that culinary laboratory. Every pot, pan and cooking implement in the house is either on the hob, in the sink or resting on the side!
And every one of them is filthy!
The prospect of tidying this mess is too much. JJ shuts the kitchen door and goes to bed.
Oh dear.
Now JJ discovers important things to do, and the kitchen door stays closed for a few more days.
When he finally braves the kitchen to get a piece of shepherd’s pie, he sees that he forgot to put the food in the fridge.
Whoops.
Food goes in trash. JJ phones for pizza.
Now Mrs. Jalopy is coming home tomorrow! It’s officially PANIC TIME!
Don't press! Don't press!
JJ drafts in a crack team of (un)willing friends to clean the house from top to toe. It’s a monstrous and unpleasant job but it’s just gotta get done…
Phew. It’s done. It’s okay. There’s some residual mess that Mrs. Jalopy will probably notice, but we did it. She’ll appreciate the effort, even if she disapproves of the process!
Now when Mrs. Jalopy returns and life returns to normal, JJ reflects on his time alone…
The result of this reflection is the difference between today’s cooking and cleaning efforts and the horrid fictitious scenario of yesteryear.
Pour yourself a drink as I explain…
As a business consultant I think in terms of systems and processes.
At the most macroscopic level, the business can be thought of as one big machine. Money, time and effort go in one end; some processing happens in the middle; and (hopefully) more money comes out the other end.
Sure, that’s a massive simplification, but it’s also a very helpful one.
Each task that happens within that machine can be thought of as belonging to a process with well-defined inputs and outputs. There are many of these processes within the business machine. Some are connected, others are not. There is no real objectivity to these processes. They are defined by you, the business owner, in the way that best suits your needs.
Identifying, describing and optimizing the processes in the middle of the business machine is the key to maximizing the amount of money that comes out the other end.
Oooh look – A money machine!
Yeah fine, JJ, but give me something I can work with here.
Okay.
Let’s look at the process of making shepherd’s pie.
The inputs are:
- ingredients (the output of the shopping process)
- JJ’s time and effort
The output is:
- Umm… Pie.
In slightly-more-youthful-JJ’s case the pie-making process is far from optimal.
It created a lot of mess, which had to be tidied up later in a time-consuming clean-a-thon. Also, most of the output was lost because it went off. So in our little efficiency equation…
Efficiency = Output (stuff, money) – Input (money, time, effort, stuff etc.)
…I wasn’t doing very well. The output was minimal because I had spoiled the pie. The input was massive because I had to get a load of friends to help me tidy up!
So, in my time of reflection, I looked at the pie-making process and split it into 3 different sub-processes.
- The food-making process (turning ingredients into pie)
- The tidying process
- Storing the food
The actual food-making process went pretty well. I successfully turned ingredients into pie. And it should have gone well because I had a recipe – step-by-step instructions.
I had already identified and described the process. (Or at least someone else had!) So it’s no surprise that this bit worked out okay.
The tidying process, on the other hand, didn’t go quite so well. Up to this point, I hadn’t actually identified this as a process at all. Now, just because I hadn’t identified the need for a tidying process, it doesn’t mean that I didn’t have one. I did. It was just a bad one.
My process was to leave all the kitchen implements, pots and pans wherever I was last using them. And then tidy them all up in one massive cleaning session when I’m done cooking.
Every boy scout knows that this isn’t the best way to do things.
And in analyzing my cooking processes in this nerdy way that I enjoy so much, I too was able to figure out a better way! 
The monumental realization I came to was to was this:
When I’ve finished using a pan, I’m going to have to put it somewhere… so I may as well put it straight in the dishwasher!
(You truly are getting cutting edge knowledge in this blog! )
So, after I’d identified the process, described it and realized how silly it was, I consciously crafted a new, optimized process.
Now, when I’m about to put down a pan or a wooden spoon I will ask myself if it’s the last time I’m going to use it. If it is, it goes straight in the dishwasher. If not then it stays on the side ready for the next time I need it.
Now I realize that most rational people do not need to map out their cooking processes to figure out that they’d save time by putting the spatula straight in the dishwasher! I’m sure, for example, that my Mom is shaking her head in bewilderment if she’s reading this right now!
What can I say? I’m strange. But this really has revolutionized my cooking!
Similarly, slightly-more-youthful-JJ had not recognized the need for a storing food process. Now I do.
I have meal-sized pieces of pie and meatloaf stored away in my fridge and freezer to prove it!
All packed up…
And I’m happily chatting to you in the knowledge that everything is working out well at Casa Jalopy!
In telling you that story I wanted to introduce you to the powerful world of systems- and process-based thinking.
It is key to a lot of what I do and much of what we’re going to discuss here as we work together.
I’d encourage you to have a think about the processes that run in your business and personal life. As you’ve seen, the mere act of identifying some of these processes can be very beneficial to you.
Tomorrow we’ll be visiting Japan to talk about the KEY to all personal and business development: Kaizen!
Stick around a while if you like. I’m going to take a nap!
Goodnight!
JJ Jalopy.
Comment by Sonya Lenzo
13 April 2009
You do realize that women will find this post HYSTERICAL????
Because we have been doing this sort of thing, while we multitask a half dozen other things, since we were teenagers? Perhaps why we make good managers, wives, and oh yes, what were Aprils Alexa ratings????
Tee hee
SunnyMarie
http://www.sunnymarie.wordpress.com
Comment by Dave Wood
13 April 2009
Haha!
There’s always fun at Jalopyland!!
Dave.
Comment by Steve Chambers
14 April 2009
Awesome post JJ!
Systems thinking and process analysis are powerful tools for business. I have heard it said that coming up with the solution to your solution is genius and the mark of true problem solving.
Systems thinking is like that. It’s like taking a mush larger view of things.
Steve
Comment by Lynn Lane
14 April 2009
JJ,
I’m a turf equipment tech. mechanic by trade. I can understand your process.
Lynn Lane
http://www.Warriorofsuccess.com
Comment by Christian Haller
14 April 2009
Looking forward to your post on Kaizen. I travel to Japan several times a year and have been working with Toyota since long before TPS was an acronym. To seen continuous improvement in action is facinating.
Christian
http://www.christianhalleronline.com
PS – Tell Extraordinaire JJ Jalopé he is welcome to host a guest post on my site.
Comment by Don Shepherd
14 April 2009
I’m still in the process of processing your process but i’m making promising progress.
Don Shepherd
oregon or bust
Comment by Rob Northrup
14 April 2009
Mr, Jalopy,
You are too clear and engaging in these posts, you are going to enrich a lot of peoples lives and I hope you can live with that…
Seize the Day,
Rob
Sales Eagles Soar Above the Competition!
Personal Asset Protection For Small Business Owners
Comment by Pam Schulz
14 April 2009
Chef Jalopy,
You really do need to read Christian’s blog today! Imagine the things you could whip up if you had the right ingredients paired together in the right proportions.
As always you humorous and light-hearted commentary always packs a powerful punch. Always a great read!
Pam
Great Minds, Great Wealth: How to Raise your Return, Reduce your Risk, Cut your Cost
Comment by Philip
14 April 2009
Now you just need the process for deciding what to cook.
Thanks for the great lesson.
Philip
Comment by Mommy Jalopy
14 April 2009
All these years of feeding you and I never realized I was using systems- and process-based thinking!! Enjoy the pie!
Mom
Comment by Duane Cunningham
14 April 2009
Hey JJ,
We even get to meet the family in Jalopyland! :-p
That my friend was truly inspiring and I must say your storytelling ability is sensational! Your ability to weave wonderful lessons into an engaging story and come out the other end is truly a rare talent and one that will make you an awfully wealth young/old man in Jalopyland and Im sure the Jalopy women will be pleased cause you can employ a chef!
Always enjoy your stuff! And looking forward to that JV down the track
Duane
Learn Winning Persuasion
Techniques that Work Like Magic by Tapping Into the Psychology of
the Mind with Persuasion Expert Duane Cunningham!
Comment by mark mallen
14 April 2009
JJ, When you can multiply profitable systems and processes in the business world, you have a real moneymaker. Your philosophy is the key to the success of profitable franchises. Mark
Marketingscoops
GlacierIceCream
Comment by Darryl Pace
14 April 2009
Great example to illustrate your point.
Health, Fitness — Darryl Pace
Comment by Pat Becker
14 April 2009
I am so happy you are going to feed on a healthful diet while Mrs Jalopy is off visiting Mum. It will sure be a lot less stressful the day before she returns. Which reminds me of your analogy – planning for success, not stress works better.
-Pat
Business Owners Fast Track to Internet Profits
Comment by Bob Kaufer
14 April 2009
JJ,
Great story to get the message to sink in. Thanks for the great writing.
Bob Kaufer
If you MOVE like the Tin Man, you will THINK like the Scarecrow and FEEL like the Lion
Comment by Philip Graves
14 April 2009
This is all fair enough… but now I’m hungry!
Philip
Consumer Behaviour Expert
Comment by John Ho
14 April 2009
Your great story lines and interesting cartoons& graphics make compelling read each time.
Good on you, JJ!
John Ho
Understanding Personalities for Better Influence & Persuasion (WordPress)
Understanding Personalities for Better Influence & Persuasion (Vox Blog)
Comment by Lisa McLellan
14 April 2009
Mmmmmmmm shepherds pie – I have to know – did you use real shepherds?
Lisa McLellan, Child Care Expert – Babysitters, Nannies, and Au-pairs
Comment by April Braswell
14 April 2009
Bonjour chef Jalopy indeed! mmmm, Dominos. OK, you had me at Pepperoni Pizza!
All the best,
April Braswell
Dating Expert and Online Dating Coach
Comment by Avery
14 April 2009
Mmmmm, did somebody say pie…?!!
Nice post, as always.
Avery
Comment by jc mackenzie
14 April 2009
Actually I’ve been thinking a lot about process lately. The course has forced a deep change in my thinking and doing and it did it FAST!
Always enjoy your posts, JJ
Thanks
JC jc
Comment by Yann Vernier - ProfitsTactics.com
15 April 2009
JJ Jalopé…? Hilarious. Doesn’t sound like I would have recruited you for my kitchen brigade when I was in hospitality.
Good take on systems and processes though – that’s the secret to serving 400 people from one tiny kitchen!
And, in my opinion, the key difference between a true professional and a merely competent person – in any business. One is in control, the other… well needs help to clean up.
All the best,
Yann
Comment by David Power
20 April 2009
Fantsatic post!!! awesome!
Expert in Medical Hypnosis, Success Thinking and Practical Parenting
David Power’s Hour