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200 THIS Is The One Thing Every Business Owner Needs
30th March 2026 • Upgrade Your Education Business • Sumantha McMahon
00:00:00 00:20:38

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In this episode, I share the one thing most tutors and education business owners are missing and how it affects your marketing, sales, and business growth.

I explain how systems bring clarity, consistency, and control to your tutoring business. From content marketing and sales planning to onboarding, I show how simple processes can help you stop guessing and start growing with intention.

Link to Upgrade Your Education Business

Enjoy :-)

Sumantha

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👋🏽 Hello! I'm Sumantha McMahon, and I've supported over 100 tutors and education business owners.

As a teacher 'dropout' turned professional tutor, combined with my 20+ years as a business owner, I'm in it with you! Yes, I'm qualified too :-)

My training leans on tried-and-tested methods that are completely tailored to our niche.


Work with me to breathe life into YOUR definition of success:

#1 Bespoke 1:1 Mentoring

High-touch 6-month programme for tutors who want to make their business more lucrative, in a sustainable way for the future, while protecting the impact they make.


#2 The Tutors' Mastermind

The leading membership for tutors that combines tailored training (live and recorded), a community of like-minded business owners and exclusive discounts.


This podcast is recorded using Riverside. Sign up for your account here (free plan available)

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Sometimes, I share links to resources and apps that I recommend. They are all based on my experience - if I don't love them, I don't recommend them. In some cases, I earn a small commission for my recommendation, at no cost to you.

© 2024 Sumantha McMahon

Transcripts

Sumantha:

I am going to talk about the one thing that the majority of tutors and education business owners and small business owners in general are lacking, and I am going to show you how to turn it around regardless of what stage of business you are at right now. Now, if we have not met, then welcome to the podcast.

Sumantha:

I am your host Samantha, and I am an independent tutor, or at least I am at the time of recording. Before that I was a teacher, and before that I was a qualified business trainer. Now I combine my education and business experience to support growth-minded tutors who want to design a business that serves them rather than one that runs them.

Sumantha:

What I am going to talk about in this episode can truly transform things for you. I know that sounds like a bold claim, but it will, especially for those who actually take action. So without further ado, let us get started.

Sumantha:

The thing I am going to talk about today is systems. Before you switch off, because systems do not sound exciting or creative, just hear me out. You can listen while doing something else, but stay with me because this will change things for you.

Sumantha:

Let us start with how to know whether you need systems in your business. When you do not have systems, things feel out of control. You are not on top of things, you are guessing, struggling with consistency, and constantly changing your strategy based on what you see around you.

Sumantha:

You try different ideas without knowing what will work. You end up scrambling at the last minute trying to make things happen, and when they do not work, you feel discouraged. It feels like you are always chasing your tail and putting off what really matters.

Sumantha:

If that sounds familiar, then you need systems. In this episode, I will explain how to create them. There is a quote by James Clear: you do not rise to the level of your goals, you fall to the level of your systems. This highlights the importance of setting yourself up for success.

Sumantha:

So what are systems? They can be automation, delegation, or processes. A system is simply a repeatable and streamlined way of doing something. It does not remove creativity; it gives structure while still allowing flexibility.

Sumantha:

For example, I plan my year or even two years ahead. I know when I am in a sales cycle, what I am selling, and what content I will produce. I also plan for quieter periods, which I call cooler periods.

Sumantha:

Even with a structured system, there is still room for creativity. During a sales cycle, I might choose different approaches like social media campaigns, email marketing, webinars, or challenges. But each of these still follows a plan.

Sumantha:

Having a system allows you to plan ahead, stay organised, and even delegate or automate tasks. Without a system, you cannot effectively hand things over or scale your efforts.

Sumantha:

Systems remove the guesswork. They prevent you from working hard without results and eliminate last-minute scrambling. Instead, you create a strong foundation that supports consistent effort and better outcomes.

Sumantha:

Let me give you examples of what you can systemise. This will vary depending on your business stage and goals. For instance, if you are just starting, you might systemise your launch process or how you identify your ideal client.

Sumantha:

A system is simply a well-thought-out plan, and it is useful at any stage. One area most people benefit from systemising is marketing, especially content planning.

Sumantha:

You start by defining your audience, including who you want to attract and repel. Then you identify your core messaging and turn it into content pillars.

Sumantha:

Content pillars can be types of content or deeper themes tied to your messaging. For example, I might focus on topics like creating space or managing a busy mind as a business owner.

Sumantha:

From each pillar, you generate content ideas and create prompts or templates. This builds a system that you or a virtual assistant can follow without relying on guesswork.

Sumantha:

Within that system, creativity still exists. You can decide on formats like videos, emails, or social media posts. The structure supports consistency while allowing creative expression.

Sumantha:

I also adjust my content systems based on whether I am in a sales period or a cooler period. During quieter times, I prepare my audience for future offers.

Sumantha:

This approach ensures that when I do sell, the right people see my content. It is strategic, planned, and effective. Even when results are not perfect, I refine the system continuously.

Sumantha:

Everything in business should be treated as an experiment. Systems allow you to test, refine, and improve over time. They make marketing easier, faster, and more effective. If you want to start systemising, list your tasks, focus on what truly matters, and turn them into clear processes. Thank you for your time, and if you can, please leave a review, especially on Apple Podcasts, as it helps me reach more people.

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