Using the categories
Overview
The Small Business System has been designed to accommodate everything that a business might possibly need.
But the converse isn't true. You don't have to use everything in the system. There's an entire category for shipping. But if you're a hairdresser, that's probably not something you need. And that's okay.
We encourage you to think about your business and how you might use the categories in areas 20-29 and 30-39. You probably shouldn't just copy one of these examples.
If you need help, just ask. Maybe we can tell your story?
Classifying what a business sells
We've divided businesses into four broad quadrants.
On one extreme you produce a thing. And on the other you deliver a service. And the thing you produce or deliver might be tangible or intangible.
╔════════════════════╦════════════════════╗
║ Produces ║ Delivers ║
║ tangible thing ║ tangible service ║
╠────────────────────╬────────────────────╣
║ ■ ║ △ ║
║ ║ ║
Tangible ║ ▙ ║ ║
thing ║ ║ ▲ ║
║ ║ ║
║ ║ ║
║ ║ ║
╠════════════════════╬════════════════════╣
║ Produces ║ Delivers ║
║ intangible thing ║ intangible service ║
╠────────────────────╬────────────────────╣
║ ║ ║
║ ║ ║
Intangible║ ║ ║
thing ║ ║ ║
║ • ║ ║
║ ║ ║
║ # ║ $ ║
╚════════════════════╩════════════════════╝
You produce You deliver
a thing a service
┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Key: │
│ │
│ ■ Manufacturer ▙ Custom furniture maker │
│ ▲ Wedding celebrant △ Gardener │
│ # Programmer • Johnny.Decimal │
│ $ Accountant │
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ What type are you?
In these four user stories, we've imagined four types of business that might exist. Then we've explained how each of them might use the categories in areas 20-29 and 30-39.
If you think about what type of business you have, this might help you decide what your go-to categories will be.
(■) A manufacturer produces a tangible thing
(△) A gardener delivers a tangible service