How to Build Your Own Revenue Operating System: Tools, Processes, and Clarity

Mike Simmons is the founder of Catalyst Sale and a strategic advisor focused on helping individuals and organizations create clarity, direction, and impact. In this episode, Mike guides listeners through building a revenue operating system—a repeatable framework for driving business growth by aligning people, process, and tools. With his calm, insightful approach, Mike breaks down complexity into actionable steps anyone can follow. “A system is a combination of process and tools that makes sure we use resources appropriately.” “Start small. Iterate. Build your own when it comes to these processes.” “Sales is ultimately problem-solving—it’s connecting known problems to known solutions.” Mike shares how to build your own revenue operating system by combining clear processes, useful tools, and guiding principles. By starting small and iterating, businesses can align their teams and improve decision-making, forecasting, and execution. The episode empowers listeners to design systems unique to their organization—not copy someone else’s. 🔑 5 Key Takeaways (with 3 bullets each) 1. Design Your Own System Off-the-shelf systems often fail with real people—build one that fits your needs. Start with a small version, then improve it over time. Align tools and processes with your team’s actual work, not theory. 2. Think from the Customer’s Viewpoint Understand who your customers are, what they care about, and why. Map their decision-making journey to align your sales process. Empathy fuels clarity and relevance in your messaging. 3. Clarify Your Internal Business Processes Forecasting success comes from understanding stages like “Qualified,” “Fit,” and “Proposal Approved.” Execution should follow a repeatable “wash, rinse, repeat” model. Clear processes improve forecasting, resource use, and team alignment. 4. Use the Right Tools with the Right Context Decision-making tools (like two-by-twos) spread clarity. Problem-solving frameworks (like the hexagon model) help both teams and customers. Communication tools (like call plans) align objectives and next steps in meetings. 5. Support with Guiding Principles Core principles help teams make decentralized, smart decisions. They give consistency across the system—even as things change. When embedded in daily work, these principles act as invisible catalysts. “Build Your Own Revenue Operating System: Tools, Processes, and Clarity with Mike Simmons” “Why Borrowed Systems Fail—and What to Build Instead with Mike Simmons” “From Chaos to Clarity: A Practical Framework for Business Growth” Find your Catalyst at https://findmycatalyst.com