Scaling UP! H2O

Last January, I started a group called The Rising Tide Mastermind. You probably have noticed that I've mentioned it quite a few times on the podcast. The fact of the matter is, I want to get the word out about this group. I can say that it has been transformational for its members. And me too!

Many of you in the Scaling UP! Nation! have asked questions about The Rising Tide Mastermind by going to our website and submitting your inquiry. The majority of questions hub around what the group does, and what you get out of it. I could easily answer these questions for you on a podcast episode, but instead of me answering them, I've enlisted some help. Today's conversation is all about what it is like to be a member of The Rising Tide Mastermind, from the perspective of four members of the group. Join me as I ask your questions to Mark Lewis, Conor Parrish, Eric Russo and Brian Fisk.

Quotes:

"We are fortunate to have a diversity of thought in this group."

"The Rising Tide Mastermind Group is showing us that our good is good, but it can be better."

"Ultimately, in The Rising Tide Mastermind Group, we have a highly functioning team who are bringing up problems, addressing them, holding themselves accountable, and developing themselves. It's a great format for any team that wants to achieve their goals."

"There is a clear structure on every call. We know what to expect every week, we follow it, and it keeps us on track."

"This is a genuine group of people getting together for a common goal that is not financial profit; it's self-betterment."

Timestamps:

What is a mastermind? [02:00]

Why join The Rising Tide Mastermind? [08:50]

What does a typical meeting look like? [12:15]

Holding each other accountable [17:56]

Expectations about the mastermind group [26:10]

Accountability Groups [32:20]

One to One Meetings [34:48]

Advice about joining the Rising Tide Mastermind [49:00]

Links Mentioned:

Join the Mastermind Group

Books Mentioned:

The Twelve Week Year by Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

How do you know how well you are doing if you don't measure it?

Ok, how about this... How would you know who was winning if they dint keep score?

Now try this: How do you know how you are doing if you aren't keeping score?

And the better question is: how do you get better if you don't know to get better?

I am talking about metrics. Metrics is how we can keep score on everything we do. If it has and input and an output, you can measure it. But the thing is, most of us don't measure anything. How long does it take you to service and account, run a test, write a report, or sale a new customer?

Peter Drucker said "What get's measured get's improved."

So, if we aren't measuring, we don't have the structure to improve.

One of the things we need to measure in business is our business. The is a limitless supply of items we can measure in business. But measuring them is only step one. Know what to do with that data and then how to know you are improvement is what is needed.

I'm guessing you are like me and you use a handful of metrics. But what about the ones you don't know to use because you've never heard of them. Those could be the ones that solve that problem you are dealing with. IF you don't know what they are, you cannot benefit from them.

That's why I partner with people that know more than I do. Napoleon Hill in Think and Grow Rich mentioned how Henry Ford admitted under oath that he didn't know everything he needed to know about business. But he had access to those people he needed to help him fill in the gaps. What are your gaps? How will you fill them in?

Having a partner like Mr. Ford alluded to is key. Today I talk with one of those partners,Adam Lean of The CFO Project. Adam lets us know what we should be thinking about when it comes to tracking how we are doing in business.

Many have asked me about how they can find someone to help them in particular areas like:

• Financial (CFO)
• Technical
• Virtual assistance
• Insurance
• And the list goes on...

I and the Scaling UP! H2O team have partnered with individuals and companies we trust and can help you with your questions. Remember, Henry Ford didn't know everything, he just knew who had the information he needed when he needed it. Isn't it time you started thinking like Mr. Ford?

Go to scalinguph2o.com/ta to find a trusted advisor to help you today.

Timestamps:

Hear more about Adam's background [08:48]

At what point does a business need a CFO? [12:50]

What aspects of financials are important to consider for a successful business? [16:41]

Understanding sustainable growth rate [22:17]

What does the relationship with the CFO look like? [29:30]

Important metrics for businesses to track [41:10]

Where to start learning more about your financials [45:11]

Lightning round questions [47:40]

Quotes:

"More often than not accounting is just looking at what happened, not how to be proactive to make something happen." - Adam Lean

"Fifty percent of all small businesses will fail within the first five years. It's because they did not focus on the right things that matter to have a profitable business." - Adam Lean

"Most business owners are very busy and are focused on the day to day operations because that is what they enjoy doing. In order to stay in business you've got to focus on the most important things needed to have a profitable business which turns into cash flow." - Adam Lean

"Imagine going to a baseball game and you don't know what the score is. So many people run their businesses that way and they simply don't realize how much that information can lead to better decisions" - Adam Lean

Connect with Adam Lean:

LinkedIn: in/adamlean

Schedule a time to talk to Adam!

Links Mentioned:

Rising Tide Mastermind

Trusted Advisors Network

Covid-19 Webinars

Books Mentioned:

The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber

Financial Intelligence for Entrepreneurs by Karen Berman and Joe Knight

12 Week Year by Brian Moran

The ONE Thing by Gary Keller

Bad Blood by John Carreyrou

I want to personally say thank you to all of the water treaters out there that are keeping our world running.

Please stay safe.

I am always looking for ways to find out what I don't know I don't know. The problem with that is you don't know what you don't know, you know...

For this reason, I try to put myself in situations to force what I don't know to become apparent to me. Some of the ways I do this is:

• Reading
• Going to events
• Listening to podcasts
• Participating in mastermind groups (like The Rising Tide Mastermind)
• Working with a personal coach
• Having others hold me accountable
• And the list goes on.

Again, you don't know what you don't know, so you have to put yourself in places that help bring the unknown to light. As the host of Scaling UP! H2O, I am very aware that there is a lot to know about running a podcast. And, there is a plethora of stuff I don't know. So, in following my advice I do all of the above.

About a year ago, I was at a podcasting event called Podcast Movement. It was a convention about podcasting. And boy, did I learn that I didn't know a lot of things! During one of the breakout sessions I went to attend a session on promoting your podcast through social media. It should have been named how to use LinkedIn better. Because it was all about LinkedIn. I'm not sure I would have attended it if it was called that. During that session, the presenter shared some fantastic tips about social media but specifically LinkedIn. Today's show is all about that session I attended and have been practicing from that time.

Here are the tips he gave during the session:

Many in the Scaling UP! Nation have asked me how to expand their network of contacts. I believe that today's episode will not only answer that question, but it will also help you polish your online presence.

Links mentioned On This Episode:

Scranton Associates

The Rising Tide Mastermind

Nation!, one of my favorite things to do on this podcast is to talk to other water treaters. As a fellow water treater, I can relate to the trials and tribulations others in our industry face. I am continuously amazed at how water treaters will selflessly help other water treaters with issues. We are a part of such a great community! I have developed some great relationships because I ask a fellow water treater a question on how to do something. The bottom line: don't be afraid to ask someone to help you!

Our guest today is a water treater that has seen a lot during his career. John Fleig of Chemenergy Water Treatment shares with us some of his experiences in the industry. This is a conversation you don't want to miss!

Please welcome John Fleig.

Links mentioned On This Episode:

Scranton Associates

John Fleig on LinkedIn

Chemenergy

Chemenergy on Twitter

Books:

The Miracle Equation: The Two Decisions That Move Your Biggest Goals from Possible, to Probable, to Inevitable

132 Pinks and Blues: 12 Week Year

Episode 132: Show Notes

As you know, I love to make goals. I love achieving those goals even more. At a very early age, I learned how to stretch myself to accomplish things I wanted to do. However, it wasn't until later in life that I learned tools to help me be more efficient at reaching those goals.

Last January, I started a Mastermind Group called The Rising Tide Mastermind. I am pleased to report it is a huge success. We have two full groups and a waiting list for another two groups. If you are interested in learning if this is the right fit for you, click here.

In the Rising Tide Mastermind, we expand our knowledge and help each other achieve our goals more efficiently.

• We use each other's past experiences to give advice.
• We act as a sounding board to help vet out ideas.
• We hold each other accountable to do what we say we are going to do.
• We read topical books to help expand our minds and make us better.

One of these books was the 12-Week Year written by Brian Moran. It not only teaches you how to create your goals, but it also teaches you how to plan and execute those goals. I was introduced to this book about two years ago when my business coach Tim Fulton recommended it as a part of our one to ones. A one to one is where you get together with a coach and solve issues. This is something I offer as a part of the Rising Tide Mastermind.

The book does a great job of giving you a complete process around your goals.

Here are the eight elements of the book:

• Vision: A compelling vision creates a clear picture of the future.
• Planning: An effective plan clarifies and focuses on the top priority initiatives and actions needed to achieve the vision.
• Process control: A set of tools and events that align your daily actions with the critical actions in your plan.
• Measurement: Lead and lag indicators that provide comprehensive feedback necessary for informed decision-making.
• Time use: Using your time with clear intention is a must.
• Accountability: Accountability is ultimately ownership. It is a character trait, a life stance, a willingness to own actions and results, regardless of the circumstances.
• Commitment: Keeping your promises to others, build strong relationships, and keeping promises to yourself builds character, esteem, and success.
• Greatness in the moment: The results are not the attainment of greatness, but simply confirmation of it."

Join me as a try my best to give you the in's and out's of this "game-changer" book when it comes to goals.

If you would like a copy of this book, please go to http://scalinguph2o.com/12weekyear .

This book is also available on Audible from the same link. If you don't have Audible, please enjoy a free book and a free month on us http://scalinguph2o.com/audible

Links mentioned On This Episode:

Scranton Associates

Virtual Assistants

Audible

Books:

The 12 Week Year: Get More Done in 12 Weeks than Others Do in 12 Months

During this time of crisis, we need to focus on what we can do to stay the course. We want to help you come out strong on the other end! That's why the Rising Tide Mastermind is hosting the Proactive Webinar Series. These webinars are completely free, so share this link with anyone you think can benefit. Our speakers will help advise us on what to focus on as we navigate this uncertain road. Join us Thursday at 1 PM EST!

• • Thursday, April 2 at 1 PM EST
    • Adam Lean from the CFO Project will be sharing what metrics we need to be looking at during this time. He will also share tips on how we can use these metrics as navigation tools at any time.
  • Thursday, April 9 at 1 PM EST
    • Adam Shapiro of the Sales Reform School, will be sharing What the Heck Should Sales Do with EOS®?: Whether you are currently implementing EOS or are just EOS-curious, you can prepare your sales team with a few EOS lessons. He will also share with us how we should be considering sales during these unprecedented times.

131 The One About Standard Operating Procedures

Episode 131: Show Notes

Nation! Are you as excited as I am about Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's). I'm guessing probably not. There was a time where I didn't get very enthusiastic about them either, but they have changed my life. I promise, they did!

SOP's are the specific items that have to be completed in order to perform a particular task or duty. As a business owner, most of these procedures were in my head because I was the one that did them (at least in the beginning.) For a solo-preneur, there is no issue with having all of your procedures in your head; you are the only one performing the task. The problem comes when you want to scale or, in other words, hire somebody who will take over those tasks. And this was my issue.

When I first started hiring people to do the tasks that I needed help with, the only way they could get that needed procedural information was to ask me. If they forgot how to do the procedure, they had to ask me again. If they needed the clarify something about the process, once again, they would have to ask me. I didn't have time to do my work because I was busy doing their work, or at least that was how I felt. The truth is I trained them that the only way they could get the information they needed was to get it from me. It wasn't that I was doing their work for them; I didn't provide them with the necessary tools so they could get questions answered without me. I had created a nightmare for myself because I didn't know how to put tasks into a procedure. Once I learned how to do that, everyone was happier.

Today's guest is Alicia Butler Pierre, a Jedi master at creating standard operating procedures. It was Alicia that helped me understand the problem I was creating by not having SOP's. She shared a technique using notes cards that allowed me not only to start thinking about writing the SOP's but made it very more comfortable to see, understand, and deliver to my team. She is going to share that same technique with you on today's show.

If you own a business, you need SOP's. If you work within a company, you need SOP's. If you do a task repeatedly, you need SOP's.

Please welcome Alicia Butler Pierre.

More about Alicia Butler Pierre

Alicia Butler Pierre is the founder and CEO of Equilibria, Inc., a 14-year-old operations management firm specializing in business infrastructure for fast growing small businesses. Alicia has a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Louisiana State University and an MBA from Tulane University. She's also a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and has authored business content generating over half a million combined views across various online platforms.

Alicia hosts the weekly Business Infrastructure: Curing Back Office Blues podcast. She's also the author of the Amazon bestseller, Behind the Façade: How to Structure Company Operations for Sustainable Success. Committed to doing the right things the right way, Alicia's mantra is "to leave it better than you found it."

Links mentioned On This Episode:

Trace was recently feature on the Business Infrastructure Podcast

Alicia Butler Pierre on LinkedIn

Alicia Butler Pierre on Twitter

Business Infrastructure.TV

Equilibria, Inc.

Scranton Associates

Virtual Assistants

GoCanvas

Books:

Behind the Facade

Scaling UP! Nation! , we are a community! And as a community, we can get through anything.

During this time of uncertainly, we must stay proactively positive.

As we socially distance ourselves, how do we stay connected? More specifically, how are you staying connected? Are you reaching out to people and letting them know you are thinking about them?

How are you punctuating the positives? Get yourself in the habit of recognizing positive things. Focus on things you can do, not things you cannot do. Choose to be proactively positive.

To help with this, the Rising Tide Mastermind is hosting The Proactive Webinar Series.

This week Cindy Miller, communications expert will tell us how we should be communicating with our customers. To register for this free webinar, go to http://scalinguph2o.com/webinar.

We will have a new speaker (expert in their field) every Thursday at 1pm.

Please help us spread and share this link.

Remember to be proactively positive.