The CEO Help Desk from Run Like Clockwork

I can't believe we are at the last episode of 2022!

Right now Team RLC is taking two glorious weeks completely unplugged to rest and recharge.

I know offering this type of break isn't always possible, but in today's episode I want to encourage everyone to reflect on what improvements you want to make to your culture in 2023.

This is a conversation we are all incredibly passionate about, because having a strong culture is a crucial aspect to a business that wants to run like clockwork.

In this episode, Emily asks you to reflect on what your business look like today:

• Do you want to invest in additional support for your team like DEI or Enneagram
• How do you want to build rewards + recognition into your systems
• Is your culture still in alignment with your values?

After listening to the episode we challenge you to connect with us on Instagram (@rlclokwork) to share what improvements you are committing to! Be real, what do you want to change about your culture?

If you want to learn more about the work we do here at Run Like Clockwork, visit www.clockworkaccelerator.com

We're finishing this year strong with a mini-series on everything you need to do to get yourself ready for 2023!

One of the most important meetings we have all year at RLC is our annual planning meeting.

In this episode Adrienne + Emily break down the key things you need to include when you're planning your year, including:

• Reflections from the last year
• Check in with your values and visions
• Make sure you're still focusing on your Big Promise, QBR and current bottleneck
• Goals for each department
• Internal goals for the culture of your team
• What resources you need to make these goals a reality

If you think WE might be a resource that can help you in 2023, visit clockworkaccelerator.com to learn more about how we can work together!

Connect with us on instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/rlclockwork

We're finishing this year strong with a mini-series on everything you need to do to get yourself ready for 2023!

Today is all about financial forecasting... and our resident expert Tyler joins Emily to break it down simply.

They cover:

• What forecasting is exactly
• The simplest way to evaluate your data
• What this process looks like in the day to day
• How people use forecasting to make decisions
• The common mistakes people make

Forecasting is one of the most powerful tools you'll have in your arsenal when it comes to maximizing your efficiency, As Tyler shares, it doesn't have to be complicated or take a ton of time, but the data it provides makes it so much easier to make decisions!

If you're craving more freedom from your business, the time to join the accelerator is now! Visit clockworkaccelerator.com for more info!

Connect with us on instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/rlclockwork

Today on the podcast we're joined by our August "Clockie" winners Efren and Yuri to talk all about what it's been like to Clockwork their appliance business.

After starting in a storage unit without any AC or restrooms and growing to a bloated team of 12, they are now operating a lean and efficient team of 5, and have navigated all of the challenges those changes have brought.

They were nominated because of their perseverance as they've Clockworked their business, and their willingness to keep trying new things until they find the system or framework that works best for their business.

Efren started Frontline Appliances in 2016 to serve customers by providing affordable refurbished appliances matched with reliable service, and was later joined in the business by his partner Yuri.

Since enrolling in the Accelerator program in 2021 they have clarified their vision, drastically increased their efficiency, and maintained their revenue. And the best part? They've increased profits, employee pay, and their wages at the same time!. In their words "this is not to say times are always great as we've learned that Clockworking is continuous but we could not imagine NOT Clockworking our business!"

You can learn more about how to work with us to Clockwork your business, including the new offers we've created, at www.clockworkaccelerator.com

2022 is coming to a close, and my goodness do we have some big reflections to share with you.

It has been a year full of big wins… from a new Clockwork baby to a new Clockwork book, we've had a lot to celebrate, but we've also learned a few big (and painful) lessons the hard way.

On this episode Adrienne and Emily share:

• The results of the market research we conducted this Fall and how we've used it to create new offers.
• The biggest pain point our clients have that we were barely talking about, and how that caused our rebrand to miss the mark.
• How getting too comfortable with our results almost made us miss the warning signs that it was time to mix it up.

Transparency is key in this conversation!If you want to hear more about our ups and downs, you're invited to our live State of the Union call on December 6th @ 4pm ET. We'll also be sharing 6 ways you can grow your business in 2023!If you're on our email list you'll be getting all the info, and if not, you can sign up here

Celebrating small wins can create big changes

Acknowledging small wins sparks the reward circuits of our brains and releases chemicals that give us a feeling of pride and happiness.

On the flip side, not celebrating wins leaves us feeling depleted and apathetic and unable to recognize our successes.

This is a habit feedback loop, and in this episode, Emily and Julie talk about a simple, science-backed strategy you can use to break the habits that aren't serving you and build shiny new ones that fill your cup! And, because we always practice what we preach, they share a few of the wins our clients are celebrating to inspire you to pay attention to the types of wins you're experiencing too!

After listening we challenge you to find us on Instagram (@rlclockwork) and send us a DM with the wins you're celebrating this week.

Today, Julie is joined by Clockie winner, Eden Houghtaling, Lead Business Advisor and Owner of PinPoint Business Solutions.Eden was nominated for the Clockie after being put through the wringer with a tough team member loss right after a hire for a different role. "Instead of wallowing or throwing in the towel, Eden used that as an opportunity to take a step back, assess how to fill that gap, and has propelled herself forward by relying on her clockworking skills."

Eden's story is a fabulous example of how taking imperfect action and focusing more resources on having the right person in the right seat in your business can be the difference maker.

Most importantly she talks about the transformation that vulnerable and open communication has had on her company culture since focusing on Clockwork.

You can learn more about the work we do with our clients at www.clockworkaccelerator.com

You can be intentional about taking rest, or your body will tell you when you have to rest, but there is no way of avoiding it.

Rest is part of the work. It allows us to recharge, rejuvenate and relax.

In this episode, Julie talks about:

• How to model rest for your team
• The different forms of rest (it doesn't have to be a vacation!)
• The important role rest plays in team culture and staff retention

If the notion of rest feels like a lot to you and you maybe don't feel like you can even give your team the time to rest or you aren't sure how to foster a culture that can include it, we would love to work with you. Apply for our accelerator program clockworkaccelerator.com.

Do you ever feel like your business is ruining your life?

Ela did, and she almost abandoned it all together because of it. Until Clockwork showed her there really is another way to do things that doesn't completely deplete you as a business owner.

In this episode Ela shares with Julie - Why Clockworking allowed her to keep her business open

- The deconditioning her organization did to really reach that next level of success

- The radical trust she has been able to build in herself + team to be able to keep growing

Ela Thier is a producer and writer, known for Tomorrow Ever After (2016), Foreign Letters (2012) and A Summer Rain (2009). She is the founder of The Independent Film School where she helps screenwriters and filmmakers create the work that they'll be remembered for.

In Clockwork we preach how the most critical role for the CEO is to set and drive the vision for the company.

In order to do that you need to be really intentional with how you show up inside your business so your vision can become a reality

Leadership is not about being the best. Leadership is about making everyone else better.

You've probably risen to leadership because you're pretty awesome! Which IS awesome, but you don't want to be the best at all the things. In fact, the way you fully step into leadership is to help others become better.

In this episode Julie and Adrienne talk about all the different ways you can show up for your team and business, and how Adrienne has adapted the way she shows up during various seasons of her life.

Here are some reflection questions to mull over after listening to the episode:

• What does making others better look like for you? For your team?
• How do you think it might feel?For you? For your team?
• How might that benefit your business? Your culture?