The CEO Help Desk from Run Like Clockwork

Based on average conversion rates, do you have enough leads coming in to hit your revenue goals? If not, you may have a bottleneck. The Attract Bottleneck, to be specific.

In this episode of the Run Like Clockwork Podcast, Adrienne dives into the Attract bottleneck in this new bottleneck series happening over the next four weeks. If you haven't listened to last week's episode introducing bottlenecks, listen to that now.

Topics Adrienne covers in this episode:

• Bottlenecks do not follow a sequential order
• What the Attract bottleneck is (and isn't)
• Key question to ask: do you have enough leads?
• The importance of getting clear on your numbers and average conversion rates
• Creating lead + lag metrics to get clear on your numbers

• Which you should solve first if you have an Attract and Convert Bottleneck

• Why creating a new offer or service is not a solution

In order to efficiently solve an Attract bottleneck, you must first determine if you actually have an Attract bottleneck. Ahem, know your numbers. We can't tell you how many businesses think they have an Attract bottleneck, pay for a massive website overhaul or create a new offer, only to realize Attract is not their bottleneck. Super inefficient to solve the wrong bottleneck. If you do in fact have an Attract bottleneck, this episode will give you tips on identifying then solving it.

Based on what you learned in this episode, do you think you have an Attract bottleneck? What data is telling you that's the case? Let us know on Instagram!

If you want our support on busting your business bottlenecks, apply for our Accelerator program. You will also get instant access to a free, private training all about "How to take your 4 week vacation in the next 12 months" which dives deep into how to design your business + team that runs itself.

If your business is unable to grow at the rate you would like, you might have a bottleneck. A bottleneck is a point of congestion in a production system. Over the past decade working with hundreds of businesses of all sizes and industries, Adrienne created a bottleneck framework to help businesses get more results for less effort, input, and resources.

In this episode of the Run Like Clockwork Podcast, Adrienne introduces the bottleneck framework and kickstarts a bottleneck series we will have over the next several weeks.

Topics Adrienne covers in this episode:

• Explains the bottleneck framework
• Two key indicators that you have a business bottleneck
• A brief breakdown of each of the 5 bottlenecks
• Why you should not focus on more than one bottleneck at a time

If you're currently in a position where you're putting in a lot of effort but you're not experiencing the results you think are commensurate for that effort, this episode and series is for you.

Which one do you think is your current bottleneck? Let us know on Instagram!

If you want our support on identifying and busting your business bottlenecks, apply for our Accelerator program. You will also get instant access to a free, private training all about "How to take your 4 week vacation in the next 12 months" which dives deep into how to design your business + team that runs itself.

Every single quarter we have our team and our clients track their time so that we can see where your most valuable resource is actually going. It's the data we need to make improvements!

One of the most important pieces of clockworking your business + removing yourself from the day-to-day operations starts with a 4D time tracking analysis.

I know, I know...not the sexiest thing to add to your week, but it will 1000% be worth it for a few reasons.

1. This is DATA! Just like the financial data you rely on to run your business, you need data on where your time is going too.
2. We can use this data to figure out who your next hire needs to be, how much time you need them for each week, and you'll have a complete list of tasks you want them to be responsible for to use in the job description.
3. You'll be able to get time back THIS WEEK just by following today's steps.

In this episode, Adrienne shares the 3T's you'll apply once you have your time tracking completed, and she reveals the 4th "T" that didn't even make the book, but is going to change your perspective on everything you do in the day.

Share with us what you're 3T'ing this week over on instagram or share inside our free Run Like Clockwork Facebook Community.

Stay tuned for a new series beginning next week on all things bottlenecks!

Don't wait until [fill in the blank] to start to Clockwork. I'm sure you've heard this before: if you feel like you don't have time to Clockwork, then that's exactly why you need to Clockwork! This was exactly what brought today's guest to Clockwork: max-capacity and growth that brought her to tears.

Our guest on the Run Like Clockwork Podcast is Clockwork Superstar, Marcey Rader, award-winning speaker, author, coach and President of Rader Co.! Her training company partners with organizations to keep good people and rescue teams from burnout. Right up our Clockwork alley! So why did Marcey join? Because her maxed-capacity told her it was time and she knows even coaches need coaches.

Topics Marcey + Emily discuss on this episode:

• Why even coaches need coaches
• Clockworking a referral-based business
• What to do when growth feels like it is breaking your business
• The truth about the hard work required to make life easy

It is such a pleasure working with coachable clients like Marcey who bring a wealth of knowledge + expertise along with a coachable mind + attitude!

Would love to hear your key takeaways from this episode! Tag us on Instagram @rlclockwork

If you are interested in working with us to clockwork your business, apply for our Accelerator program. You will also get instant access to a free, private training all about "How to take your 4 week vacation in the next 12 months" which dives deep into how to design your business + team that runs itself.

Our goal is to help YOU design a business + team that runs like Clockwork… so you can take a fully unplugged 4 week vacation from your business!

Our goal at Run Like Clockwork: 200 CEOs taking a 4-week vacation

We have found there are two types of overworked and overwhelmed business owners:

1. Those who are desperate to take a 4-week vacation without their business falling apart… and
2. Those who love their work so "vacation" doesn't really appeal, but they want/need to be ready for other life events (health, maternity leave, moving, aging parents, etc) that happen so they can step away without their business falling apart.

In this episode of the Run Like Clockwork Podcast, you will hear from a few of our many Clockwork students who have taken 4-week vacations for various reasons! That is reason to CELEBRATE on this 100th episode for sure!

You will hear:

• Michelle Cooper shares about her experience Clockworking her company, Alchemy Accounting, for more profit and less pressure. Michelle is a phenomenal example of leading her team into clarity, efficiency and a 4-week vacation in India in 2021!
• Before Clockwork, Kevin Rogers, CEO of Copy Chief, couldn't imagine taking 4-weeks off without business hitting the fan. Now, he's confident his team of young free-lancers are prepared and systems in place so he can take 4 weeks off to vacation and write a book he's had inside for a long time.
• Before Clockwork, Katie and Elle, Co-Founders of Wellevation HQ, each took a maternity leave. Now they are each taking their second maternity leave back to back after having Clockworked their business through the Accelerator program. Their experiences during their first and second maternity leaves are drastically different...for the better now!
• Julie Herres, owner of Green Oak Accounting, shares how Clockwork helped her turn her anxiety worrying how her business would continue running while she was away on the cruise to now removing herself almost completely from her business while it continues to grow and serve!
• Tony + Meg Rulli, Co-Founders of Intentional Spark, share how taking a 4-week vacation in Europe trained them to not inject themselves back into the day to day of their business.

What would you do on a 4-week vacation? When was the last time you took a real vacation from your business?

As you'll hear in this episode, Clockwork is less about you taking a 4-week vacation from your business, and more about your business taking a 4-week vacation from YOU. If you'd like to understand more about why the 4-week vacation, we have a great blog post you can read here.

Now is the perfect time to prepare your business for a 4-week vacation!

If you are ready to design your business + team to run itself and get your 4-week vacation on the calendar in the next 12 months, then we'd love to support you in our Clockwork Accelerator. You can apply at clockworkaccelerator.com

Not sure if Clockwork will work for you and your business.

Spoiler alert: IT WILL. Period.

We have worked with hundreds of businesses of all industries, backgrounds, products + services, experience, team sizes. Clockwork has increased operational efficiency, got them out of the weeds, increased profit margins, allowed them to take 4-week vacations and remove themselves from their businesses.

Don't take our word for it.

On this episode of the Run Like Clockwork Podcast, you are going to hear from several Clockwork Accelerator students from various backgrounds, business models, and different reasons for clockworking their businesses + teams to run themselves. You'll hear how your business is not that special… said in the nicest way possible. ;)

You will hear from these Clockwork rockstars:

• Tanya Neufeld from The Strategiste shares about how Clockwork helped her break free from the hiring + firing cycle and grow from solopreneur to a solid team!
• Maleeka Hollaway, CEO of The OMG (The Official Maleeka Group), shares how going all in on Clockwork makes removing yourself from the business possible, even when you're the name/face of your business.
• Evan La Ruffa shares how Clockwork increased efficiency + impact in his non-profit organization, IPaintMyMind.
• Erica Courdae, Clockwork superstar and DEI expert, shares how to clockwork during your busiest seasons and why being booked + busy is a sign you need to clockwork.

You're sure to be inspired by hearing their experiences and find parallels between their businesses and yours. We promise: Clockwork can absolutely benefit your company.

Want to hear their full interviews?

• Clockworking to break the hire + fire cycle with Tanya Neufeld
• Going all in + embracing the process with Maleeka Hollaway
• Clockworking to Increase Efficiency + Impact of a Non-Profit with Evan La Ruffa
• How to Clockwork during your busiest seasons with Erica Courdae

Want to hear more examples? There are so many more for you here.

Did you miss out on our Live Virtual Conference to Clockwork your business? Don't worry…

You can still catch the replay and learn how you can take a 4-week, completely unplugged vacation in the next 12 months. Or how to eliminate the 5 biggest success-crushing beliefs you currently have about your role in your business. And so much more.

>>Don't miss the chance to get the inside scoop on how to clockwork your business! It's time to reclaim your freedom and create a business that runs like Clockwork.

Catch the replay

What do you think of when you hear the statement: "It is safe for me to slow down"?

• In theory I agree, but it's really hard for me.

• It makes me panic inside.

• Fixing business bottlenecks feels too urgent to slow down

In this episode of the Run Like Clockwork podcast, Adrienne is talking on the Morning Mindset call inside our Clockwork Accelerator program about the mindset shift needed and why it's necessary to embrace the statement: It is safe for me to slow down

Topics Adrienne discuss on this episode:

• If your intent for Clockworking is to create space, slow down to create it now
• Examples of why there's no reward for speed in Clockwork
• How to shift your mindset from urgency to efficiency

When it comes to clockworking your business, you do not want to sacrifice efficiency or accuracy for the sake of speed. In a recent episode [mentioned in today's episode], we interviewed Amanda Bond about her experience with slowing down to solve a bottleneck instead of maintaining a speed that only produced band aid fixes. She's an incredible example of embodying the statement that it is safe to slow down. Listen here.

Ready to work with us to clockwork your business? Apply now for our FREE Vip Virtual Conference to learn more about how you can take a 4-week vacation in the next 12 months!

Over our three sessions together, you'll learn:

• How to eliminate the 5 biggest success-crushing beliefs you currently have about your role in your business
• How YOU can take a 4-week vacation in the next 12 months no matter what niche or industry you're in
• Get the inside scoop from REAL Clockwork Accelerator students who have already done the work to Clockwork their business and are living the results during our Student Q+A

Apply now for our FREE VIP Virtual Event on Friday, March 19th!

APPLY NOW TO JOIN THE FREE VIP VIRTUAL CONFERENCE

Are you so busy micromanaging that you've lost touch with your superpower?

Does your company pass around the "ball of overwhelm"?

Are you navigating a Macy's Day Parade Snoopy balloon down your business streets?

Our guest on the Run Like Clockwork Podcast is Clockwork Superstar, Kevin Rogers, Founder and CEO of Copy Chief! Kevin packed this conversation with Adrienne full of amazing metaphors and analogies that will have you seeing business and Clockwork differently - through the eyes of a comic turned creative. Over the past year, Kevin has clockworked his business to the point that, soon, he will be taking his 4-week vacation!

Topics Kevin + Adrienne discuss on this episode:

• What to do when you've got caught passing the ball of overwhelm around your company
• Why Kevin said he was lying to himself, and why you may be doing the same
• The connection between your superpower and the Queen Bee Role (QBR)
• Snoopy balloon or the gold dancer (amazing visual analogy!)

Before Clockwork, Kevin couldn't imagine taking 4-weeks off without business hitting the fan. Now, he's confident his team of young free-lancers are prepared and systems in place so he can take 4 weeks off to vacation and write a book he's had inside for a long time. What a fantastic example!

If you are ready to start delegating like a BOSS and start getting the most of your team, tools and talent... today:

Join our Clockwork Your Business: Delegate to Accelerate Bootcamp

This 4-Day business bootcamp intensive + VIP Day, happening LIVE March 15-19, 2021, is designed to help you focus on creating the business of your dreams, (one that outlives you) by working smarter and not harder!

JOIN THE DELEGATE TO ACCELERATE BOOTCAMP

The definition of entrepreneurship has become convoluted. Instead of the focus centering around hustle, grind, do all the things to chase money, what if we flipped that definition on its head?

In this episode of the Run Like Clockwork podcast, Mike Michalowicz shares a new definition of entrepreneurship and talks frankly about your #1 job as an entrepreneur. As always, it's a lively conversation, so get ready!

Topics Mike + Adrienne discuss on this episode:

• The yes and framework
• The new definition of entrepreneurship
• Your #1 job as an entrepreneur
• Why you shouldn't hire another you
• Mike shares a breakthrough thought that'll get you thinking

What does the new definition of entrepreneurship mindset sound like? "I don't want to make six-figures. I want to create six-figure jobs. That requires a different level of thinking and work ethic." -Maya Elious Yes!

If this episode got your wheels turning when it comes to delegation, then we want to invite you to our 4 day Delegate to Accelerate Bootcamp!

We built it for YOU.

By the end of our time together, my team and I are going to help you shift from being maxed-out on time and energy, to delegating like a pro!

Mike Michalowicz is also doing a special, bonus masterclass called "Think Like a Shareholder", during the VIP virtual conference day! This masterclass is designed to help you eliminate the 5 biggest success-crushing beliefs you currently have about your role in the business, and how they're stopping you from getting everything you want!

Start getting the most of your team, tools and talent... today!

Join our Clockwork Your Business: Delegate to Accelerate Bootcamp

"There's no such thing as an overnight success." Guessing you've heard that. Guessing that may also feel true in your business and experience. Yet how many times do we want change to happen now?? We start to implement a new process, or solve a problem, or hire a team and want it to work seamlessly...today.

Our guest on the Run Like Clockwork Podcast is Amanda Bond - the Ad Strategist, a true Clockwork legend! She shares how she identified a bottleneck in her business… then set out on a year journey to Clockwork a solution (no more bandaids!)… and how the mindset shift that success happens in decades not days helped her maintain motivation and momentum!

Topics Amanda + Adrienne discuss on this episode:

• You've identified a bottleneck… now what?
• Strategies that helped keep Bond focused for 399 days on solving her business bottleneck (you read that right!)
• When slowing down is the best thing you can do for your business
• Metrics for measuring success of your bottleneck solution
• Why your best marketing is delivering on your big promise

To be successful in business, you must be in it for the long haul. The process is simple yet not easy. The problems in our own companies have one common factor: us. If you want to get past the problems, you need to get past your own mindset bottlenecks. Amanda Bond is an incredible example of overcoming the mindset that wanted to tell her to quit. Instead, she persisted and is reaping the rewards!

Want to hear more about Amanda and her team Clockworking? Listen to a previous episode with Amanda: Clockworking to break the burnout cycle and a recent episode with Laura Kwapien from Bond's team: Working on a team you trust

And if you are ready to start delegating like a BOSS and start getting the most of your team, tools and talent... today:

Join our Clockwork Your Business: Delegate to Accelerate Bootcamp

This 4-Day business bootcamp intensive + VIP Day, happening LIVE March 15-19, 2021, is designed to help you focus on creating the business of your dreams, (one that outlives you) by working smarter and not harder!

JOIN THE DELEGATE TO ACCELERATE BOOTCAMP