Build, buy, or borrow: How to choose the right system

17 Dec 2024 — 1 min read

Why reinvent the wheel when you can borrow it?

Not every system needs to be built from scratch. The smartest businesses know how to decide between building, buying, or borrowing.

Here’s how I think about it:

Build

Want something 100% tailored to your needs? Building a system from scratch gives you full control, but it also takes the most time. Think of it as crafting your own workflow or designing a custom Notion board.

Buy

Sometimes, the easiest route is investing in software that comes with systems baked in. Tools like Asana or HubSpot have pre-built workflows that can save you time and energy. Bonus: you’re paying for updates and support, too.

Borrow

Why start from scratch when someone else has already figured it out? Borrowing a proven system, like a checklist, framework, or template, is a huge time-saver. Just adapt it to make it work for you. (Templates are my go-to for this!)

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There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. The trick is knowing when to build, buy, or borrow based on your goals, time, and resources.

I’m curious what’s holding you back from scaling your business? Share your thoughts in this quick survey and get early-bird access to tools designed to help you grow.

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