Are you curious about what type of experts are involved in the Director of Operations Certification Program? 

I am joined by a very special guest today… one of my expert coaches in the Director of Operations (DOO) Certification Program, Liz Watson.

I am currently in the scaling phase of the DOO certification. I am bringing in experts to partner with me so I can leverage their expertise, and so that students can get more than one perspective. Every single discipline inside the DOO certification has an expert.

 

The people who are coming into the certification program are experts, and they get to shine their light on the area they feel the most confident in. Today I'm introducing you to our project management expert coach, Liz Watson. She will be sharing her journey through the program.

 

Liz Watson

Liz is someone who has a strong background in corporate project management. Today she is here to share how she has been able to make the leap from corporate project management to an entrepreneur who runs her own business, utilizing the exact same skill set.

About Liz’s Business

• Owns The Impact Trail
• Her intent is to serve small businesses who care about environmental sustainability
• She helps clients make sure they are operating well so they can truly make an impact in the world
• She niched into area she really cares about

 

Background of Corporate Experience

• Has a degree in International Business
• She graduated during a recession, so she took a front desk job in hospitality 
• Advanced to general manager and director of sales roles that opened her eyes to customer service and operations
• Got a job as a software trainer, worked as a contractor to implement a corporate wide rollout of software in a company, then stayed on as an project manager in IT
• Performed a variety of roles in the project management space: IT project management, program management, lead a group that established a methodology to run projects, supported leaders and mentored others

 

“Project management is truly an art and a science.” - Liz Watson

 

“The true art of project management comes into play when we are managing up; talking and mentoring to stakeholders and sponsors.” - Natalie Gingrich

 

When did you realize you were an operations expert?

• Realized it once she heard Natalie’s explanation of operations and her DOO program
• She looked back at her hotel management days and realized she served as on operator to run the hotel and lead the team
• Also recognized her operations role during project management in corporate IT as she was working the backend of the businesses 
• Didn’t think she had an operations background until she heard it defined, and was able to look back and make the connections

 

“Operations is what needs to happen to make the business run on a day to day basis.”

Share a project management teaching example

• Everything learned from corporate can be applied to her small business and supporting her current clients
• Common framework to use: design, develop, test, and release
• Design and think through your process 
• Develop your process then test it out
• Once it is tested, release it; which means deliver it to the world, whatever that may look like 

What does your business look like and how are you using project management in business today?

• Her business is service based and she offers the strategic mapping model
• • Clients can choose to utilize this service on a quarterly basis
  • She ties the mapping process back to their vision, mission and core values for their organization 
• Also offers DOO services to implement the strategic plan that was created
• Uses project management skills to run her own business as well

 

How have you secured your clients?

• Started networking after she left corporate
• Started sharing her expertise, and found clients
• Continues to build relationships 

 

About Liz

As leader on The Impact Trail Liz Watson is planning to save the world. She helps small businesses that care about environmental sustainability optimize how they operate so that they can make a bigger impact. Through strategic planning and executive-level operations management services Liz serves as a guide and accountability partner to turn goals into action steps that drive business results.

 

She spent 20 years in IT project management at a Fortune 500 company. When given the opportunity to leave, Liz decided to use her knowledge and experience to serve small business owners through her own business. She is certified as a Director of Operations and Project Management Professional. She is a proud mama, wine lover and is passionate about saving the planet.

 

Connect with Liz

LinkedIn

Website 

 

Weekly Ops Activity

Recall the 4-step framework that Liz spoke about: design, develop, test and release… What is the last project you tested, and what is your process for it? Let me know in the Facebook group!

 

Other Ways to Connect with Me:

Website

Private Facebook Community

Facebook Page

Instagram

This episode was first published at theopsauthority.com/podcast/58.