Run Your Business Like A Boss

Values are such an important part of running a successful business. However, for many business owners, we don't often reflect on the values of our business until we’re looking at our overall brand strategy. Today I’m sharing my musings on the importance of values, not just from a branding perspective but from the view that our values underpin everything we do, down to the everyday micro decisions. 

I speak a lot about the bedrock of your business, which is your vision, mission, and values. And while I often emphasise vision and mission, the significance of values can sometimes be overlooked. But until you define your values with clarity and align your actions with them, the foundation of your business won’t be solid. 

Every decision, challenge, and interaction in our businesses presents an opportunity to uphold our values. The smaller, seemingly insignificant moments can shape our reputation and impact those around us. And in an era where profit sometimes supersedes people, it’s crucial to remain mindful of the values we embody. Whether it's how we treat clients, communicate in our marketing efforts, or engage with our team, consciously aligning our actions with our values is key.

Throughout history, we’ve seen examples of larger corporations operating out of greed and corruption, but the importance of operating out of integrity doesn’t just apply to big business. The principle of values applies to businesses of all sizes. Each of us has the power to build a business that we are proud of, one that positively impacts others. Ethical conduct and considering the consequences of our actions on clients, team members, and anyone who interacts with our brand is essential.

After listening to this episode I encourage you to reflect on your values. Are your values clear and front and centre in your mind? Or perhaps you’re so busy working in your business that you haven’t given much thought to the values of your business. Take this moment as an opportunity for you to reflect on what is important to you and how your values show up in your daily interactions. Because when you embody your values, your business will have a rock-solid foundation to withstand anything that comes your way. 

LINKS:

Connect With Me:

• Free Download: Ideal Client Avatar Workbook
• Work with me:  90 minute Business Strategy Intensive | 6 Month Accelerator Coaching Program

I'm so excited to bring you today's special guest, one of my favourite authors of all time, Jon Gordon, who has written 28 books, including my favourite book, The Power of Positive Leadership. I attribute so much of the success I’ve achieved in my business and personal life to Jon’s work and I know you’re going to absolutely love this conversation as much as I did. 

With a strong focus on positivity, leadership, and the importance of connection in business and life, in this episode, Jon shares his valuable insights on how these principles can transform both your professional and personal journey. He talks about the significance of our mindset, and how we must choose to operate out of love, not fear. Love brings connection, union and oneness with ourselves and the people around us, whereas fear brings division and separateness. We talk about how this principle can be universally applied to the way we operate our businesses, our personal lives and our relationship with ourselves. 

One of the things I love about Jon’s work is how he simplifies concepts into tangible practices that are relevant in all areas of our lives and businesses. We spoke about communication and the importance of connection in client relationships. When we approach clients with a mindset of togetherness and genuine care, we foster empathy, commitment, and lasting relationships, which ultimately gives us a competitive edge.

We also talk about the need to slow down and be intentional about caring for our teams, clients, and ourselves. Jon and I discuss the principles of "loving, serving, and caring" as the foundation of success and how by putting these principles into practice, businesses can thrive, customers will feel valued, and teams will stay committed.

Towards the end of the episode, Jon and I discuss the importance of having a clear vision, mission, and values for both businesses and individuals. For entrepreneurs struggling with self-doubt and the onslaught of negative thoughts, Jon’s encouraging advice was to maintain optimism even in the face of challenges and that through your belief, you create a better reality.

We cover so much ground in this conversation and I have no doubt you are going to be encouraged and inspired by Jon’s contagious positive energy. This episode is a powerful reminder that success is not just about what you do but how you do it—with love, service, and care.

LINKS:

Connect with Jon Gordon:

Website:https://jongordon.com/

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jongordonenergy/

Instagram:@jongordon11

Podcast:Positive University

Books:https://jongordon.com/books/

Connect With Me:

• Free Download: Ideal Client Avatar Workbook
• Work with me:  90 minute Business Strategy Intensive | 6 Month Accelerator Coaching Program

When you’ve moved beyond the startup stage of your business and you find yourself in the messy middle, it’s easy for chaos to creep into your business. This has a real impact on your business, your clients, your family, and ultimately, your health. But it doesn’t have to be this way. With the framework and support in place, you can take steps to regain control and come back to running your business from a place of joy and ease. 

When you first start your business, your focus is understandably on getting things off the ground. However, as your business grows, not having a clear long-term vision can lead to chaos. Without a vision, you may find yourself distracted by bright, shiny opportunities and industry norms that don't align with your true goals. This lack of focus can introduce instability and chaos into your business. Today I share how getting clear on your vision, mission, and values will provide a roadmap for your business's future, helping you set goals and make informed decisions that align with your vision.

Another thing that can wreak havoc on your business and personal life is a constantly fluctuating schedule. When you lack predictability in your client schedule, you might take on clients who don't align with your business or regret hastily made decisions. This unpredictability also makes it challenging to plan holidays and maintain a consistent work-life balance, which as you’ve heard me say many times before, is absolutely essential for building a sustainable business. The answer here is to establish a predictable client schedule which reduces uncertainty and stress. 

Properly managing your time, calendar, and productivity is also crucial for maintaining order in your business. Without structure, you may find yourself constantly switching tasks, procrastinating, missing deadlines and quite frankly, being inefficient. Moreover, when you blur the boundaries between work and personal life, you risk burnout and strained relationships. In this episode, I share how to combat this chaos by creating a structured calendar, designating work hours, and prioritising your tasks effectively.

After listening to this episode I encourage you to take a broad look at your business and the way you operate from day to day. Are you feeling busy throughout the day but don’t have anything to show for it?

Are you spending nights and weekends working to squeeze in all the extra tasks you didn’t get to? Do you know what your week will look like, or are you chasing your tail each day, unsure what will inevitably land on your to-do list? 

Chaos can manifest in various ways within your business, especially during the messy middle stage. However, recognising and addressing these chaos points can lead to significant improvements in your business, whether your goal is growth or simply more ease, profitability, and joy. 

LINKS:

Previous episode mentioned:

Building an agency model business with Jemma Mrdak

Connect With Me:

• Free Download: Ideal Client Avatar Workbook
• Work with me:  90 minute Business Strategy Intensive | 6 Month Accelerator Coaching Program

This is a much-needed conversation today to talk about navigating the ever-changing seasons of business and life. Success is nuanced and ever-evolving and as business owners, we need to define our version of success and adapt to different seasons. Today I’m exploring how to honour what matters most during the different seasons of life and business and why accepting where you’re at is vital for your well-being and business success.

I really want to validate the juggle that many business owners face in trying to balance the demands of their business alongside challenges in their personal lives. No matter what your life situation, there will always be seasons of challenge. We need to be realistic about how these seasons impact us and adjust our focus to prevent burnout and frustration. 

The global landscape has been marked by significant changes and uncertainties, especially over the past few years. As business owners, we must adapt to these industry and worldwide seasons. Even within our businesses, seasons can vary. Growth seasons may demand more time and energy, whereas stable seasons allow us to maintain and enjoy our current level of success. 

Things can get particularly challenging when personal and business challenging seasons coincide. If you're currently in this season, I want to encourage you that you can get through it. And if you’re not in this situation, preparing your business fundamentals, such as operational models and automation, will help you navigate these challenging times more effectively.

As a business owner, it's essential to embrace the ebb and flow of seasons in both your personal life and your business. Success isn't about meeting someone else's standard; it's about defining your own path. Normalise your humanity, recognise the challenges you face, and adjust your focus accordingly. Your unique journey and your decisions shape your success. Remember, you can do difficult and challenging things, and no matter the season, you will be okay.

LINKS:

Connect With Me:

• Free Download: Ideal Client Avatar Workbook
• Work with me:  90 minute Business Strategy Intensive | 6 Month Accelerator Coaching Program

I’m so excited to bring you part 2 of my series on becoming an industry expert where I’m talking all things strategies for thought leadership. If you haven’t already listened to Part 1, make sure you go back and do so before diving into this episode. 

In Part 1, I laid the groundwork for your journey into thought leadership. Today I’m delving deeper into how you can step into your role as a trusted industry expert and share your valuable insights with the world. If you're looking to boost your visibility, influence, and impact in your industry, this series is absolutely for you. 

In this episode, I encourage you to begin by shifting your mindset. Instead of worrying about how you’ll be perceived, approach every message that you share with the question, "How can I serve?" Building trust and a loyal audience is a natural byproduct of genuinely serving your community. And as you step into your power, you'll attract the right people who need your expertise. This is the power of reciprocity.

This episode is full of practical and strategic tools to help you get your unique message out into the world. I dive into how you can use various platforms such as:

Social Media: Most of us are already on social media, but how effectively are we using it? I talk about speaking directly to your audience and going beyond the surface level to address the deeper problems and concerns of your ideal client.

Podcast Guesting: If you're not hosting your own show, consider being a guest on other podcasts, YouTube channels, or live events. I talk about the importance of pitching yourself thoughtfully and effectively to really showcase what you have to offer.

Blogging and Article Writing: Don't underestimate the power of blogs and articles. This is an incredible way to practise the skill of articulating your voice and putting your message out there. I talk about consistently honing in on your message and how this discipline prepares you for PR pitches and other opportunities. 

I also talk about hosting events, creating courses, and offering free resources like lead magnets to educate your audience further.

Remember, big results come from consistent and persistent small actions. Focus on posting, creating content, and sharing your message regularly. Don't worry about metrics at this stage; just take action and be persistent. What action will you take this week to kickstart your thought leadership journey? 

LINKS:

Previous episodes mentioned:

• Become an Industry Expert: Strategies for Thought Leadership (part 1)
• List building and email marketing made simple with Jenn Donovan

Resources mentioned:

Nicole LePera Instagram: @the.holistic.psychologist

Podcast Guesting 101 Masterclass:

Join me for a 60 minute in-depth masterclass, I'm sharing the tools, strategies and frameworks to land guest speaking spots on business podcasts. Podcasts are an excellent way to get your message out to new and relevant audiences and boost your thought leadership and personal brand profile.

This is a paid training and not a webinar with a sales pitch at the end.

REGISTER HERE

Do you ever wonder how some people in your industry manage to stand out, create an impact, and become recognised experts? Are you ready to take your personal brand to the next level and elevate your business? Boss, I know that’s you, which is why I’m sharing a special two-part series to dive deep into the world of thought leadership and personal branding. 

In this first part of the series, I’m focusing on building the groundwork for thought leadership and sharing a simple activity to help you identify your core topics and how they relate to your business. Thought leadership might sound like a concept reserved for the big names in your industry, but remember, every thought leader started from zero. It's all about showing up consistently and sharing your unique perspective.

I want this episode to inspire you that you have what it takes to be an expert in your industry. Thought leadership is about articulating your thoughts, beliefs, and experiences for others to learn from. The first step in this journey is to get crystal clear on your core topics and then consider different angles or perspectives within each topic. 

Remember, there's no one exactly like you in your industry, and that's your superpower. Stay in your lane, focus on your expertise, and ignore what others are doing. When you embrace your individuality, your thought leadership journey will shine even brighter.

Becoming a thought leader might seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be. It's a journey that begins with small steps. Start by recognising that it's a valuable move for your business, and it's achievable. After listening to this episode, I encourage you to take action by clarifying your three to four core topics and the angles you'll explore within them. And I look forward to sharing part two of this series with you, where we'll dive into easy visibility strategies to put your newfound knowledge into practice. 

LINKS:

Connect With Me:

• Free Download: Ideal Client Avatar Workbook
• Work with me:  90 minute Business Strategy Intensive | 6 Month Accelerator Coaching Program

As we gear toward the end of 2023, I want to set you a challenge. You can either choose to let your goals slip, or you can choose to go all in for the rest of the year. And doing this will require you to get really good at setting boundaries and saying NO. 

If you're constantly overwhelmed by endless commitments or have regrets when you say yes to things, this episode is a must listen for you. During this final quarter, it's so important to get intentional about how you spend your time and take stock of your priorities. Doing this will ensure that you have the time and energy to focus on the things that will really push the needle forward and achieve your goals. 

In this episode, I talk about setting boundaries and how this can be really uncomfortable, especially if you're used to saying yes to everything. But you don't need to justify your boundaries and it's not your responsibility to manage other people’s reactions. Embracing discomfort is part of the process as you prioritise what truly matters.

To successfully navigate your "no era," you must be aware of your choices. Every time you say yes to something, you're saying no to something else. I talk about why we need to avoid autopilot decisions and examine the impact of our actions. I share some poignant questions to ask yourself that will help you understand where you might be responding out of obligation, fear or ego and when it might be the right time to say no. 

So today I’m setting you a 10-day challenge. Really focus on what you're saying yes to during this period and ensure it aligns with your life and business goals. Being intentional about doing this will help you regain control of your calendar and create momentum in your business.

Embracing your "no era" is a powerful step toward personal and business success. It's time to prioritise what truly matters and set boundaries that support your goals. By getting intentional about your time, embracing discomfort, and making conscious choices, you can finish the year strong, achieving more than you ever thought possible. So, take charge of your calendar, and let's make these next few months count!

LINKS:

Connect With Me:

• Free Download: Ideal Client Avatar Workbook
• Work with me:  90 minute Business Strategy Intensive | 6 Month Accelerator Coaching Program

Let’s face it: insurance is not a sexy topic, and there are far more inspiring things to give our attention to in business. However, the reality is that mistakes do happen and things go wrong - and putting our heads in the sand will not make the risks disappear. 

In today’s episode, I’m chatting with special guest Casey Fenton to discuss why you need insurance for your business and which policies may best suit your needs.

Casey is the founder and managing director of Sparksure, a company that provides smart and simple insurance solutions for millennials, by millennials. Recipient of the Young Insurance Professional of the Year 2012 award, Casey has rich and deep experience when it comes to understanding the nitty gritty of insurance policies and negotiating with insurance companies on behalf of small business owners.

There are many different types of insurance policies out there, and the options can be confusing. So today, Casey demystifies and simplifies the process to give you a clearer understanding of the critical insurance policies that every business owner should have in place.

So why is business insurance important in the first place? While it’s not something that we always see the value in upfront, insurance is the best way to ensure you’re financially covered should the worst happen. Whether it’s a mistake made by you, your team or an act of crime by someone else, having the right policies in place tailored for your business is crucial in reducing the risk of becoming personally liable for an unexpected event.

Casey steps us through the variety of financial risks that we could potentially face, such as legal costs, theft, damage to property or online scams. We discuss the important insurance policies you should know about to protect your business against such incidents, including: 

• Workers' compensation insurance
• Public and products liability insurance
• Professional indemnity insurance
• Cyber insurance

If deciding on the right business insurance is an overwhelming idea for you, do not fear - there are many insurance experts out there who can properly assess your risks and give you the best recommendations for your specific needs. 

We can’t always control the way things play out in our business, but we can control how well it’s covered. So reach out to a professional today and take the first step in protecting not only your business, but your peace of mind!

LINKS:

Connect with Casey:

Website: https://www.sparksure.com.au/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spark.sure 

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseymfenton/

Connect With Me:

• Free Download: Ideal Client Avatar Workbook

Work with me:  90 minute Business Strategy Intensive | 6 Month Accelerator Coaching Program

If you've been grappling with procrastination, trust me, so many business owners struggle with this. It's a sneaky beast that can creep up on the best of us. So today, I’m exploring three reasons why business owners procrastinate and what you can do to overcome it.

Have you found yourself constantly delaying client work and feeling like you're just going through the motions? Sometimes this can happen due to boredom. Perhaps you've been offering the same services for so long that you've lost that spark and the connection to your mission. It might even be that you've outgrown your services and they no longer challenge you.

If this sounds familiar, in this episode I talk about how to inject some excitement into your business through new offerings. I also share how restructuring your organisation and workflow can make a huge difference. 

Another reason why entrepreneurs often fall into procrastination is because they have too many ideas. The endless possibilities of which direction you could take can leave you making no progress at all. I talk about focusing on one idea at a time, creating a clear plan of action and how strategies like time blocking can help keep you on track. I also talk about the benefits of seeking external support in the form of business coaching to help you prioritise and execute your ideas effectively.

In this episode, I also talk about why you need to understand the reasons behind your procrastination in order to overcome it. Is your goal genuinely meaningful to you? Are you afraid of failure or worried about what others will think? Or perhaps you've failed to allocate dedicated time in your schedule for your goals. Start by pinpointing the root cause of your procrastination. Then, establish accountability, create a clear roadmap for your goals and allocate specific time into your calendar to execute those tasks.

Procrastination can be a tough nut to crack, but you can overcome it. By acknowledging the reasons behind your procrastination and taking practical steps to address them, you can rebuild your self-trust and rediscover the joy in your business. Whether it's reconnecting with your purpose, honing in on your ideas, or staying committed to your goals, I hope the practical strategies I share today give you some tangible steps you can take to start moving forward today.


LINKS:

Previous episodes mentioned:

• Add power to your purpose, a ‘why’ process you've never heard before

Connect With Me:

• Free Download: Ideal Client Avatar Workbook

Work with me:  90 minute Business Strategy Intensive | 6 Month Accelerator Coaching Program

The highs of running a business are exhilarating, but the lows can be absolutely gut-wrenching. Trying to stay afloat with endless to-do lists and constant demands causes many business owners to want to throw in the towel. But how do you know if it's time to call it quits? 

In this episode, I’m unpacking four reasons you might be considering quitting your business, a few things to address before making that decision and some telltale signs that it may be time to say move on. This one is also a rather vulnerable share as I talk about my experience saying goodbye to my first business and what led me to that decision. 

If you’re struggling right now and considering quitting your business, I want you to know that I see you, and I'm here to offer support and insights that may help you navigate this challenging chapter. Today I dive into some detail about the following scenarios you might be experiencing:

1. You Hate Your Business: Running a business involves overcoming numerous challenges, especially in the early stages. Over time, these challenges can become overwhelming, leading to frustration and a sense of despair. If you find yourself loathing your business, it's really important that you identify the specific problems causing your dissatisfaction.

2. Financial Struggles: Financial difficulty is a significant source of stress for business owners. Whether you're not earning a livable income or your business is running at a loss, understanding the root causes of your financial struggle is vital. This may involve examining your pricing strategy, marketing efforts, or client acquisition methods.

3. Burnout: Burnout is an all-too-common issue for business owners, particularly in the messy middle stage of entrepreneurship. If your business is draining your energy and negatively impacting your health, it's crucial to address burnout. This might involve scaling back, seeking support, or making structural changes in your business operations so that you can take some time out.

4. Competitive or Declining Market: Economic challenges, such as a competitive or declining market, can put a strain on your business. While external factors can be daunting, it's essential to analyse your business's performance, expenses, and adaptability to determine if there's a path forward.

Closing or selling your business is not a failure; it's a transition. Whether you choose to move forward or step away, remember that your story will continue and new opportunities await. I hope my journey inspires confidence in your decisions and that this episode provides you with a sense of comfort that no matter what, you’re going to be okay. 

LINKS:

Previous episodes mentioned:

• This Multi Seven Figure Business Owner is closing down her business and taking a permanent sabbatical
• Reduce overwhelm with a minamalist business model
• Navigating an uncertain economy

Connect With Me:

• Free Download: Ideal Client Avatar Workbook
• Work with me:  90 minute Business Strategy Intensive | 6 Month Accelerator Coaching Program