The Romans built one of the largest empires that the world has ever seen. How? The Roman army was both feared and respected. Wherever it marched, it conquered. It was the hammer that integrated the ancient world into one large empire.

How does the Roman army apply to your business?

If the Roman army were a company today, it would be known as the world’s greatest monopoly. It would carry more persuasive power than a government, move more money than a federal bank, and create more jobs than any fortune 500 company. This would all be made possible because of the Roman Army Business Model (RABM). The RABM is composed of four major aspects; (a) leadership, (b) training, (c) organization, and (d) adaptation.

Leadership

“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” –William Arthur Ward.

The Roman army was led by commanders that had both experience and expertise. These commanders studied their positions and understood their duties. They stood up for their mistakes and were humbled by their victories. Most notably, these Roman commanders were respected by the soldiers that served under them. They inspired the army to victory.

Does your business have this type of leadership? To test it, just replace your business name in the paragraph below.  

“(Your Business Name) is led by people that have both experience and expertise. These people study their positions and understand their duties. They stand up for their mistakes and are humbled by their accomplishments. Most notably, these people are respected by the employees that serve with them. They inspire the business to success.”

Training

Before a Roman soldier was ever allowed in the ranks of battle, they were put through extensive military training. They started out with the simple task of marching, which unified the entire Roman army. Next, they would begin sparring with wooden swords against thick wooden stakes; creating basic skills. If they could perform to a set standard, they were then allowed to work with a partner. Once they had mastered the sword, they were then allowed to practice using a wooden spear. This process would continue with the soldier mastering one weapon at a time until they had proven their abilities. Only after mastering the marching pace and each weapon, were they then allowed to join the main army.

In today’s world there seems to be a trend of increasing employee turnover rates. Businesses are constantly having to hire and train new employees. You have probably experienced this challenge in your own business and wondered how to best go about the training process.

Too often new employees are just thrown somewhere into the flow. A training program can be created that helps the employee grow and progress. This type of program can improve efficiency and reduce turnover rates. The Roman training process is paralleled below:

• Marching: Provide the new hire with a history of the company and introduce them to key individuals such as managers, team leads, HR personnel, etc. Help the new hire to understand how crucial they can be in the future history of the company.
• Wooden Weapons: Introduce the new hire to one task at a time. Provide an environment where they can feel safe to ask questions and to practice each task.
• Training with a Partner: Once the new hire has performed to your set expectations, allow them to work alongside an experienced employee. This mentor can help answer questions and help solve unforeseen problems that occur on the job.
• Joining the Main Army: This is the point where the new hire has knowledge, experience, and the ability to work on his/her own. They are able to take on any task without having to stop and ask questions. They create their own success.

Organization

Organization was key to Rome’s success when facing opposing armies. They invented many different fighting formations; each one designed from the same method of organization. One of the most notable formations invented by the Romans is known as the “Wedge.”







The wedge consisted of the best soldiers creating a triangle with the point facing the enemy. Additional forces were placed behind the wedge, reinforcing its integrity. Off each side of the triangle housed the regular lines of defense. On the edge of each line would be cavalry, preventing the enemy from flanking and overwhelming the wedge. The most important aspect being that each group works together at the same time and as a single unit.

Organizing your business can be the same as lining up to battle. Management, marketing, accounting, human resources, customer relationship management, receiving, ordering, and even collections need to be on the same page. The groups should work interdependent with each other in an automated way. If any one group suffers, the others may suffer as well. Increasing the strength of each group and how well they work together, will create a more successful business.

Adaptation

“The only thing that is constant is change.” –Heraclitus

As the Romans expanded their empire, they moved into different territories. Each territory posed a new kind of opposition requiring the Roman army to adapt. They created new formations, improved their weapons, and continued pressed forward.

Let’s face it, whether big or small, business is a risk. There are always going to be new challenges. What may grow a company for five years, could just as easily cripple them in the sixth. Examples of change include new government policies, shifting markets, development of new technology, and even natural disasters. Being both ready and willing to adapt will help you prepare for the changes that are constantly happening all around you.

The Roman Army Business Model (RABM) requires systems, you need the platform to promote leadership, automated and integrate processes, and one that allows you to adapt quickly. Allmoxy is the perfect platform to emphasize the Roman Army Business Model (RABM). It creates an environment for better leadership, automates processes within the organization, and is designed to adapt to changing situations.