The execution problem: why most business owners get stuck after the books

Many business owners dive into books like Systemology by David Jenyns, The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber, and Scaling Up by Verne Harnish in search of the golden formula to grow and streamline their operations. These books are classics for a reason. They give the frameworks for systemising a business, removing bottlenecks, and building a scalable model. What we do at Spek'd is help translate those frameworks into daily operations so you actually see results.

Understanding the theory vs. implementing it

Here’s the common scenario: A business owner reads Systemology and becomes excited about the idea of building business systems that reduce their dependency on themselves. Or they dive into The E-Myth Revisited and realise they’ve been operating as a technician rather than a true business owner. They may even take notes from Scaling Up on strategic execution and people management.

But then, reality hits.

• “Where do I start?” – The book made perfect sense, but implementing it seems overwhelming.

• “I don’t have time for this.” – Business owners are already juggling multiple roles; creating and documenting systems feels like another full-time job.

• “How do I make these frameworks work for my business?” – Every business is different, and off-the-shelf solutions rarely fit perfectly.

This is where many business owners get stuck. They understand the ‘why’ but struggle with the ‘how.’

From concept to reality: Where Spek’d fits in

1. Systemology in practice

• The challenge: The book outlines the importance of systemising tasks, but businesses often lack the time or expertise to document workflows properly.

• Example: A plumbing business wants to standardise its job booking process, but without proper documentation, each technician handles things differently, causing inefficiencies and inconsistencies in customer service.

• How Spek’d helps: We help identify the most critical processes that need systemisation, document step-by-step workflows, and implement automation tools to streamline operations. We also train teams to follow these new processes, ensuring long-term success.

2. Living the E-Myth shift

• The challenge: Business owners realise they are stuck working in the business (as a technician) rather than on it (as a business owner). Making the shift requires stepping back requires proper delegation and structure.

• Example: A bakery owner is so focused on baking every day that they struggle to manage business growth, missing out on expansion opportunities and higher-level strategic planning.

• How Spek’d helps: We create clear job roles, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and team accountability structures so business owners can focus on growth instead of daily firefighting. We also assist in hiring and training key personnel to free up the owner’s time.

3. Scaling Up without chaos

• The challenge: The book provides insights on scaling, but executing the Rockefeller Habits, setting up dashboards, and implementing structured meeting rhythms can be difficult.

• Example: A marketing agency experiences rapid growth, but without a structured scaling strategy, employees become overworked, clients receive inconsistent service, and cash flow management becomes a nightmare.

• How Spek’d helps: We work with businesses to design a practical scaling roadmap, introduce financial tracking systems, and create regular meeting rhythms to ensure alignment at every level. We help businesses build dashboards to monitor KPIs and provide insights on hiring at the right time to sustain growth.

The missing piece: Execution

The reason these books resonate so much with business owners is that they highlight real problems—lack of systems, lack of delegation, and uncontrolled growth. However, without execution, these insights remain theoretical.

Why business owners struggle to implement

1. Time Constraints: They are too busy handling daily operations.

2. Lack of Expertise: They understand the high-level concepts but struggle with execution.

3. Paralysis by Analysis: Too many ideas lead to inaction.

How Spek’d closes the pap

• We prioritise the essentials. Not every system needs to be perfected overnight. We help businesses tackle the highest-impact areas first.

• We do the heavy lifting: We document processes, create structures, and implement tools, allowing business owners to focus on running their business.

• We provide ongoing support: Implementation is not a one-time task. We ensure businesses stay on track and refine their systems over time.

From knowledge to action

Reading these books is a fantastic starting point. But without practical execution, the concepts remain just that... concepts. At Spek’d, we specialise in translating these business theories into real, actionable systems that drive efficiency and scalability.

If you’ve highlighted the books but haven’t seen the change, let’s chat. We’ll help you turn those notes into action.