The Ops Authority

Have ever wondered what it looks like to be a Director of Operations or to have one working inside your business? In this episode, I’m sharing a typical week in the life of a Director of Operations so that you can understand what this role entails.

 

You might be listening to this episode as the CEO of a business, or you might be someone is a service provider and loves supporting other business owners. Either way, you’ll get something out of this as I share a typical week in the life of a DOO. You’ll find out what a DOO does, what she doesn’t do, and what your next steps are.

 

What is a Director of Operations?

I give a full description of a Director of Operations in Episode 2, but here’s the basics:

A Director of Operations (or DOO) is someone who comes into your business as a “right-hand” person. They serve in a role similar to an “integrator” (as defined by EOS). 

In the corporate setting, this role is often referred to as Chief of Staff. If you are the CEO, having a Director of Operations allows you to ascend into a true leadership role.

Not every business needs a DOO. Part of this depends on where your business is at financially. Often a certified DOO is serving a business with a revenue range of $500K to $2M. 

Some DOOs have just one client, but some have more, depending on how much they want to work and the type of clients they work with.

A Week in the Life of a DOO

In this example, I’m sharing what a typical week might look like when a DOO is serving a CEO and managing a team of about 3-10 contractors or employees.

Ways a DOO will spend her time during the week:

• Project management
• • Spending time in the project management tool and making sure people know what they should be working on
  • Setting goals and targets for the week
  • Identify scope creep
• Preparing for a weekly one-on-one with the CEO. I spend time creating an agenda for the meeting so that I know what we need to cover in the meeting.
• • Discuss project status
  • Discuss team performance
  • • Before the meeting, I look at whether the team is meeting or missing the milestones

“Is the team meeting or missing their milestones?”

• • The base of this meeting comes from the Strategic Mapping™ process
  • Get feedback on projects to convey back to the team (if needed)
  • Capture new ideas from the CEO
  • Look for processes that need to be updated
  • Share what the coming week looks like
  • Let the CEO know what is realistic in terms of goals and projects
• Make updates to the weekly plans based on the meeting
• Reach out to contractors and make sure they know what is on deck for the week
• • Keep lines of communication open

 

“The best scenarios are going to come from people who are genuinely interested in being an advocate for the leader and an advocate for the employee.”

• Review the Profit & Loss sheet
• • Assess where the money is going and whether changes need to be made
• Look at the team and support as needed
• • Meet with teammates once per month for 30 minutes
  • Connect, get feedback, develop talent
• Deliver 2-3 processes each month
• Crisis management
• • Collect information
  • Try to protect the CEO from the information
• Hiring & developing talent on the team
• • Providing opportunities for team members to grow and test out new projects
  • Looking at organizational design and determine new roles that are needed to achieve the vision of the CEO
  • • Develop the job application for the role & do screening of potential candidates
• Marketing strategy and design
• • If a DOO has marketing background, they may support the CEO with creating a marketing plan
• Look at metrics
• • Develop the metrics tracking and collect the data needed
• Share report about the week’s work with the CEO

As you can see from what I’ve shared, the DOO does not implement in the business. However, the work a DOO provides is invaluable for a CEO who wants to move away from management and implementation and into leadership and revenue generating activities.

Your Next Steps

If you are someone who is interested in the DOO Certification, the next round is starting soon. Applications are open through January 24th, so be sure to learn more and apply now.

If you are interested in hiring a certified DOO, visit my hiring page and we’ll be in touch.

Previous Episodes Mentioned

Episode 2: What is a Director of Operations?

Stay Connected:

Subscribe on your favorite podcast app. 

Other Ways to Connect with Me:

Website

Private Facebook Community

Facebook Page

Instagram

This episode was first published at theopsauthority.com/podcast/26.

It's a brand new year, and you want growth, both professionally and personally. In this episode, we're going to identify your current stage of business, look at what type of team growth is needed for each phase, and determine exactly what type of support you need if you are ready to expand your business in the coming year.

Understanding the Stages of Business

Before we dive into how you want to expand your business in 2020, let's review the 3 phases of business:

• Building: foundations, testing
• Growing: visibility, operations (systems + processes)
• Scaling: team, revenue streams

These phases are sequential--each phase builds upon the previous phase. The focus areas build too. (You can learn more about the phases of business in episode 15).

If you "figure out" visibility in the growing phase, you don't outgrow it and stop it. You optimize it before adding more to your plate.

And it's when you start doing this over and over that the need for team growth happens. You want experts to come in and work in their zone of genius for you. This frees you up to being the CEO so that you can focus on sales, content, and connections.

Which stage are you in right now: building, growing, or scaling?

Now ask yourself: where would I like to be at the end of this year? Do I want to stay in the same stage, or advance to the next stage?

The majority of business owners I work with want to advance. But the length of time you're in each stage is different for every person, every business, and every industry. The goal is to identify where you are right now.

If it's growing, you're likely going to be spending the bulk of your time on visibility and systems + processes. If it's scaling, meaning you can remove yourself from portions of the business, then the focus will be on growing your team. There's more detail on this in episode 5, so go take a listen if you missed that one.

Now that you know the types of stages and which one you're at, let's talk about how you can utilize or grow your team in 2020 to expand your business, your revenue, and your impact.

How to Expand Your Business in 2020 Using Operations and Team Growth

Since you're listening to the Ops Authority Podcast, we're going to look at expanding your business primarily through the lens of operations and team growth.

Team Growth at Different Phases

Even in the building phase of business, there could be a need for support or service providers to come in and assist you. In the online space, it's common to start with assistants which will focus on administrative tasks.

In the growing phase, you'll begin looking for support in more specialized areas like social media management, marketing specialists, graphics, copy, etc. This allows you as the leader of the business to focus on content, networking, or product design.

In between the growing and scaling phases, you may start looking for a higher level of support. You may want to bring in someone like an online business manager, an operations manager, a digital marketer, or even a project manager.

These professionals minimize the physical output of the CEO by executing and implementing ideas as well as creating processes and procedures inside the business.

At this point, and definitely in the scaling phase, leaders often start to recognize the need to expand and therefore, they see a need to have a "right-hand" or second in command within the business. (Learn more about visionaries and right-hand roles in this post).

In order for you to grow, you need to let go of some of the day-to-day implementation and management of the business and truly focus on your role as visionary. In this case, you may be ready for a certified Director of Operations.

I created the Director of Operations certification because I found that my corporate experience in supporting the vision of a CEO was missing in the online and small business space.

But how do you know if you are ready for this level of support? I've got some questions to ask yourself to help you determine if you are ready for a DOO.

3 Questions to Ask to Determine Who You Need On Your Team in 2020:

Question 1: Do you need a "yes ma'am" or a "yes, maybe" person?

A "yes ma'am" team member will be someone who will complete the tasks you give them. They are excited to please you, and this is likely the type of person you hired during the building or growing phase. This is also someone who is an implementer in your business.

A "yes, maybe" team member is someone who will push back on your ideas and your requests. They will be a strategic counterpart to your business.

Question 2: Do you want a plan for your ideas or do you want to continue to be the person creating the plan?

Up to this point, you've been solely creating the plans and others have been executing. If you are ready for some help creating the plan to carry out your vision, you may be ready for a Director of Operations. This leaves you free to develop the vision, make or build relationships, create unique content and sell.

In addition, all certified DOOs are licensed to use my Strategic Mapping™ Model, which is an established framework used for strategic planning in corporate. It's been adapted for the small business and provides structure, clarity and direction.

Question 3: Are you ready to lead rather than manage?

Many business owners came into business without thinking about the scaling phase of business. But you're here, and now it's time to fully embrace your leadership role rather than continue managing the day-to-day.

"You won't get any further if you hold onto the day-to-day tasks or the individual management of the people that are supporting you."

This is what I call "big girl business" - it's time to start leading and let someone highly skilled in talent recruitment, management, performance management, and development take over those parts of the business.

For operations lovers like myself, we get fired up about doing these things that are likely draining for you!

If you answered yes to 1 or 2 of these questions, I encourage you to begin looking for at the option of hiring a Director of Operations. If you were a 3 out of 3, it's a must. I can help you find this person. Go to theopsauthority.com/hiring and we can help you out.

What if You are an Operations Gal?

Maybe you've been listening to this and thinking that you are the person who loves being in that right hand role. You love operations just like me, and you'd prefer to help the CEO make the plans.

Then I encourage you to check out our next round of the Director of Operations Certification. Applications are open through January 24, 2020.

Weekly Ops Activity

Did this episode help you figure out how you'll expand your business in 2020? I hope it did, so now it's time to do something with what you learned!

Inside of our Ops Insiders Facebook Group, I would like for you to share what stage you're in (Building, Growing, or Scaling) and then tell us what your next hire will be. If you are in a service provider role and you're not sure what type of role is best for you (VA, OBM, PM, DOO), go ahead and ask that question as well! I'll be there to support you.

Previous Episodes Mentioned

• Episode 5: The Seven Pillars to Your Business Strategy with Andrea Layne
• Episode 15: Where to Invest Next in Your Business

Stay Connected:

Subscribe on your favorite podcast app.

Other Ways to Connect with Me:

Website

Private Facebook Community

Facebook Page

Instagram

This episode was first published at theopsauthority.com/podcast/25.

It’s a brand new year, and you want growth, both professionally and personally. In this episode, we’re going to identify your current stage of business, look at what type of team growth is needed for each phase, and determine exactly what type of support you need if you are ready to expand your business in the coming year.

 

Understanding the Stages of Business

Before we dive into how you want to expand your business in 2020, let’s review the 3 phases of business:

• Building: foundations, testing
• Growing: visibility, operations (systems + processes)
• Scaling: team, revenue streams

These phases are sequential--each phase builds upon the previous phase. The focus areas build too. (You can learn more about the phases of business in episode 15).

If you “figure out” visibility in the growing phase, you don’t outgrow it and stop it. You optimize it before adding more to your plate. 

And it’s when you start doing this over and over that the need for team growth happens. You want experts to come in and work in their zone of genius for you. This frees you up to being the CEO so that you can focus on sales, content, and connections.

Which stage are you in right now: building, growing, or scaling?

Now ask yourself: where would I like to be at the end of this year? Do I want to stay in the same stage, or advance to the next stage? 

The majority of business owners I work with want to advance. But the length of time you’re in each stage is different for every person, every business, and every industry. The goal is to identify where you are right now. 

If it’s growing, you’re likely going to be spending the bulk of your time on visibility and systems + processes. If it’s scaling, meaning you can remove yourself from portions of the business, then the focus will be on growing your team. There’s more detail on this in episode 5, so go take a listen if you missed that one.

Now that you know the types of stages and which one you’re at, let’s talk about how you can utilize or grow your team in 2020 to expand your business, your revenue, and your impact.

 

How to Expand Your Business in 2020 Using Operations and Team Growth

Since you’re listening to the Ops Authority Podcast, we’re going to look at expanding your business primarily through the lens of operations and team growth. 

Team Growth at Different Phases

Even in the building phase of business, there could be a need for support or service providers to come in and assist you. In the online space, it’s common to start with assistants which will focus on administrative tasks. 

In the growing phase, you’ll begin looking for support in more specialized areas like social media management, marketing specialists, graphics, copy, etc. This allows you as the leader of the business to focus on content, networking, or product design. 

In between the growing and scaling phases, you may start looking for a higher level of support. You may want to bring in someone like an online business manager, an operations manager, a digital marketer, or even a project manager. 

These professionals minimize the physical output of the CEO by executing and implementing ideas as well as creating processes and procedures inside the business.

At this point, and definitely in the scaling phase, leaders often start to recognize the need to expand and therefore, they see a need to have a “right-hand” or second in command within the business. (Learn more about visionaries and right-hand roles in this post).

In order for you to grow, you need to let go of some of the day-to-day implementation and management of the business and truly focus on your role as visionary. In this case, you may be ready for a certified Director of Operations.

I created the Director of Operations certification because I found that my corporate experience in supporting the vision of a CEO was missing in the online and small business space. 

But how do you know if you are ready for this level of support? I’ve got some questions to ask yourself to help you determine if you are ready for a DOO.

3 Questions to Ask to Determine Who You Need On Your Team in 2020:

Question 1: Do you need a “yes ma’am” or a “yes, maybe” person?

A “yes ma’am” team member will be someone who will complete the tasks you give them. They are excited to please you, and this is likely the type of person you hired during the building or growing phase. This is also someone who is an implementer in your business.

A “yes, maybe” team member is someone who will push back on your ideas and your requests. They will be a strategic counterpart to your business.

 

Question 2: Do you want a plan for your ideas or do you want to continue to be the person creating the plan?

Up to this point, you’ve been solely creating the plans and others have been executing. If you are ready for some help creating the plan to carry out your vision, you may be ready for a Director of Operations. This leaves you free to develop the vision, make or build relationships, create unique content and sell.

In addition, all certified DOOs are licensed to use my Strategic Mapping™ Model, which is an  established framework used for strategic planning in corporate. It’s been adapted for the small business and provides structure, clarity and direction.

 

Question 3: Are you ready to lead rather than manage?

Many business owners came into business without thinking about the scaling phase of business. But you’re here, and now it’s time to fully embrace your leadership role rather than continue managing the day-to-day.

“You won’t get any further if you hold onto the day-to-day tasks or the individual management of the people that are supporting you.”

This is what I call “big girl business” - it’s time to start leading and let someone highly skilled in talent recruitment, management, performance management, and development take over those parts of the business.

For operations lovers like myself, we get fired up about doing these things that are likely draining for you!

If you answered yes to 1 or 2 of these questions, I encourage you to begin looking for at the option of hiring a Director of Operations. If you were a 3 out of 3, it’s a must. I can help you find this person. Go to theopsauthority.com/hiring and we can help you out.

 

What if You are an Operations Gal?

Maybe you’ve been listening to this and thinking that you are the person who loves being in that right hand role. You love operations just like me, and you’d prefer to help the CEO make the plans. 

Then I encourage you to check out our next round of the Director of Operations Certification. Applications are open through January 24, 2020.

Weekly Ops Activity

Did this episode help you figure out how you’ll expand your business in 2020? I hope it did, so now it’s time to do something with what you learned!

Inside of our Ops Insiders Facebook Group, I would like for you to share what stage you’re in (Building, Growing, or Scaling) and then tell us what your next hire will be. If you are in a service provider role and you’re not sure what type of role is best for you (VA, OBM, PM, DOO), go ahead and ask that question as well! I’ll be there to support you.

Previous Episodes Mentioned

• Episode 5: The Seven Pillars to Your Business Strategy with Andrea Layne
• Episode 15: Where to Invest Next in Your Business

Stay Connected:

Subscribe on your favorite podcast app. 

Other Ways to Connect with Me:

Website

Private Facebook Community

Facebook Page

Instagram

This episode was first published at theopsauthority.com/podcast/25.

It's the end of the year and you're inundated with people telling you to plan your 2020 strategy and review your mission, vision, and values. Those tasks are really good, but you can also gain clarity and increase productivity with smaller to-do's as well.

In this episode, you'll learn 10 little tasks that will help your business go into 2020 a bit more healthy and happy. And who doesn't want a stronger, more vibrant business? Let's get to it!

"During down time, we can take quick actions that will make a big difference in our business."

10 Quick Year-End Tasks with a Long-Lasting Impact

1. Review your tool inventory. Audit the tools you pay for to run your business and shed those you don't need in 2020.
2. Update your materials. Review your website copy to make sure it's current and relevant.
3. Clean up your desktop.
4. Organize (or purge) your files.
5. Review your analytics to understand what topics resonated the most with your clients and customers.
6. Audit your social accounts. Update your profile descriptions and pictures. Opt-out of groups you don't engage in.
7. Talk to your tax advisor about making donations or taking a distribution.
8. Update your Business Hub, aka where you keep your style sheet, client FAQs, the onboarding process for new clients.
9. Talk to your tax advisor about whether you should become an LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp.
10. Do what you can to get your inbox to zero.

Weekly Ops Activity

Complete this 10-point checklist. Pop into our Facebook group and share your progress or struggles!

Stay Connected:

Subscribe on your favorite podcast app.

Other Ways to Connect with Me:

• Website
• Private Facebook Community
• Facebook Page
• Instagram

This episode was first published a theopsauthority.com/podcast/24.

It’s the end of the year and you’re inundated with people telling you to plan your 2020 strategy and review your mission, vision, and values. Those tasks are really good, but you can also gain clarity and increase productivity with smaller to-do’s as well.

In this episode, you’ll learn 10 little tasks that will help your business go into 2020 a bit more healthy and happy. And who doesn’t want a stronger, more vibrant business? Let’s get to it!

 “During down time, we can take quick actions that will make a big difference in our business.”

 

10 Quick Year-End Tasks with a Long-Lasting Impact

1. Review your tool inventory. Audit the tools you pay for to run your business and shed those you don’t need in 2020.
2. Update your materials. Review your website copy to make sure it’s current and relevant.
3. Clean up your desktop.
4. Organize (or purge) your files.
5. Review your analytics to understand what topics resonated the most with your clients and customers.
6. Audit your social accounts. Update your profile descriptions and pictures. Opt-out of groups you don’t engage in.
7. Talk to your tax advisor about making donations or taking a distribution.
8. Update your Business Hub, aka where you keep your style sheet, client FAQs, the onboarding process for new clients.
9. Talk to your tax advisor about whether you should become an LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp.
10. Do what you can to get your inbox to zero.

 

Weekly Ops Activity

Complete this 10-point checklist. Pop into our Facebook group and share your progress or struggles!

 

Stay Connected:

Subscribe on your favorite podcast app. 

 

Other Ways to Connect with Me:

• Website
• Private Facebook Community
• Facebook Page
• Instagram

This episode was first published a theopsauthority.com/podcast/24.

As small business owners, we reflect at the end of each year. However, sometimes all this reflection can leave us in a negative headspace. We find it easier to think about what we didn't get done, how we failed, and what we neglected to start. This year, let's spend time looking at all the great things you accomplished.

In this episode, you'll learn how to track your accomplishments by using the Accomplishments Framework. It's so easy and will bring you so much joy!

Accomplishments Tracking

I recommend spending time documenting your accomplishments for about 30 minutes at the end of each month, or at least at the end of every quarter. Download this document to help you do that and then put your accomplishments in a tool like Trello or a spreadsheet.

Also, document your accomplishments before you think about your failures. Look at your strengths so you can build on those for the next year.

"There will always be failures, but there will also be accomplishments and successes too."

The Two Themes of Accomplishment Tracking

We'll track both feelings/subjective accomplishments and metrics/objective accomplishments through this process.

Feelings-based Accomplishments

Ask yourself these questions as you determine your subjective accomplishments this year.

1. What is the best compliment I've received about a product or service?
2. What is my proudest accomplishment of the month? (It may be intangible like finding the courage to make a hard decision.)
3. Who is the biggest champion of my work?
4. Who did I guide, mentor, lead, support? Or where did I volunteer?
5. How (outside of monetarily) has this role provided for my family, e.g. vacations, free time, my presence at every baseball game, etc.?
6. What new skill did I learn or acquire this year?
7. What decision have I made to move my business forward?
8. What risks have I taken? Where did I show courage?

Fact-based Accomplishments

Ask yourself these questions as you determine your objective accomplishments this year.

1. What am I bringing home financially? Make a game of this by finding out what day you made the most money, what your highest revenue month was, and which quarter was your most profitable.
2. What financial impact did my role have, e.g. my income, tithing to my church, paying down debt?
3. Look at your clients as a case study. Gather facts and information.
4. Review your product success by asking how much you grew this year, how large your email list is, and what is your conversion rate.

Weekly Ops Activity

Download the accomplishments framework here. Oh, and bonus points if you post your accomplishments in our private Facebook group.

Stay Connected:

Subscribe on your favorite podcast app.

Other Ways to Connect with Me:

Website

Private Facebook Community

Facebook Page

Instagram

This episode was first published at theopsauthority.com/podcast/23.

As small business owners, we reflect at the end of each year. However, sometimes all this reflection can leave us in a negative headspace. We find it easier to think about what we didn’t get done, how we failed, and what we neglected to start. This year, let’s spend time looking at all the great things you accomplished. 

In this episode, you’ll learn how to track your accomplishments by using the Accomplishments Framework. It’s so easy and will bring you so much joy!

Accomplishments Tracking

I recommend spending time documenting your accomplishments for about 30 minutes at the end of each month, or at least at the end of every quarter. Download this document to help you do that and then put your accomplishments in a tool like Trello or a spreadsheet.

Also, document your accomplishments before you think about your failures. Look at your strengths so you can build on those for the next year. 

“There will always be failures, but there will also be accomplishments and successes too.”

The Two Themes of Accomplishment Tracking

We’ll track both feelings/subjective accomplishments and metrics/objective accomplishments through this process.

Feelings-based Accomplishments

Ask yourself these questions as you determine your subjective accomplishments this year. 

1. What is the best compliment I’ve received about a product or service?
2. What is my proudest accomplishment of the month? (It may be intangible like finding the courage to make a hard decision.)
3. Who is the biggest champion of my work?
4. Who did I guide, mentor, lead, support? Or where did I volunteer?
5. How (outside of monetarily) has this role provided for my family, e.g. vacations, free time, my presence at every baseball game, etc.?
6. What new skill did I learn or acquire this year?
7. What decision have I made to move my business forward?
8. What risks have I taken? Where did I show courage?

 

Fact-based Accomplishments

Ask yourself these questions as you determine your objective accomplishments this year. 

1. What am I bringing home financially? Make a game of this by finding out what day you made the most money, what your highest revenue month was, and which quarter was your most profitable.
2. What financial impact did my role have, e.g. my income, tithing to my church, paying down debt?
3. Look at your clients as a case study. Gather facts and information. 
4. Review your product success by asking how much you grew this year, how large your email list is, and what is your conversion rate. 

 

Weekly Ops Activity

Download the accomplishments framework here. Oh, and bonus points if you post your accomplishments in our private Facebook group. 

 

Stay Connected:

Subscribe on your favorite podcast app. 

 

Other Ways to Connect with Me:

Website

Private Facebook Community

Facebook Page

Instagram

This episode was first published at theopsauthority.com/podcast/23.

This year was a big year for me, and perhaps it was for you too. I experienced audience, technological, messaging, and marketing changes. I moved from being a client-services business to an education-business model. That's a lot right?!

In this episode, I share year-end thoughts, reflections, and actionable exercises to help you wrap up this year. We want 2020 to be a more profitable and balanced year, so let's discover what we can learn from 2019.

How I Handle Change

I'm a slow start entrepreneur. (Check out the Kolbe A Index to discover if you're a slow start or a Quick Start.) When change comes, I freeze, try to make it right, and start systematizing and overthinking.

To handle change, I leverage the skills of the people around me to help me process the change and to motivate me to move well.

What 2019 Taught Me

In 2019, I learned …

1. To get support when I feel myself procrastinating. Before I launched this podcast I suffered from imposter syndrome, and doubts started to settle in. When I procrastinate, I need to lean on those around me to keep me moving toward my goals.
2. I need support when I travel for work. Traveling for business is stressful when the kids are at home. I need to rally the troops when I want to attend a conference.
3. There are more profitable social media channels outside of Facebook. Normally, I go deep into one platform. This year I diversified into Instagram and LinkedIn.
4. To go back to the marketing basics and create valuable opt-ins to grow my email list. When I honed in on the right offers for my ideal audience, my email list grew over 150%.
5. To leverage mediums like podcasts. I put my relationships to work by committing to being a guest on almost 40 podcasts in 2019.
6. Legal protection and polished image are worth the financial investment. I spent money to protect my intellectual property and to rebrand, and I couldn't be happier I did.
7. 1:1 calls have the highest conversion rate. Get on the calls if you have a high-touch, high-cost service.

"Connecting with people on a call leads to higher conversions. Period."

8. Data rules.

"With data, you learn. Without it, you gamble."

Weekly Ops Activity

Write a social post or blog post about what you've learned in 2019 and tag The Ops Authority. It feels good to take a few minutes to reflect and most importantly document. And there's something cathartic about being vulnerable and sharing it. That's growth, and I invite you to do this activity this week.

Stay Connected:

Subscribe on your favorite podcast app.

Other Ways to Connect with Me:

Website

Private Facebook Community

Facebook Page

Instagram

This episode was first published at theopsauthority.com/podcast/22.

This year was a big year for me, and perhaps it was for you too. I experienced audience, technological, messaging, and marketing changes. I moved from being a client-services business to an education-business model. That’s a lot right?!

In this episode, I share year-end thoughts, reflections, and actionable exercises to help you wrap up this year. We want 2020 to be a more profitable and balanced year, so let’s discover what we can learn from 2019.

How I Handle Change

I’m a slow start entrepreneur. (Check out the Kolbe A Index to discover if you’re a slow start or a Quick Start.) When change comes, I freeze, try to make it right, and start systematizing and overthinking. 

 

To handle change, I leverage the skills of the people around me to help me process the change and to motivate me to move well. 

 

What 2019 Taught Me

In 2019, I learned … 

1. To get support when I feel myself procrastinating. Before I launched this podcast I suffered from imposter syndrome, and doubts started to settle in. When I procrastinate, I need to lean on those around me to keep me moving toward my goals.
2. I need support when I travel for work. Traveling for business is stressful when the kids are at home. I need to rally the troops when I want to attend a conference.
3. There are more profitable social media channels outside of Facebook. Normally, I go deep into one platform. This year I diversified into Instagram and LinkedIn.
4. To go back to the marketing basics and create valuable opt-ins to grow my email list. When I honed in on the right offers for my ideal audience, my email list grew over 150%.
5. To leverage mediums like podcasts. I put my relationships to work by committing to being a guest on almost 40 podcasts in 2019.
6. Legal protection and polished image are worth the financial investment. I spent money to protect my intellectual property and to rebrand, and I couldn’t be happier I did.
7. 1:1 calls have the highest conversion rate. Get on the calls if you have a high-touch, high-cost service.

“Connecting with people on a call leads to higher conversions. Period.”

8. Data rules. 

 

“With data, you learn. Without it, you gamble.” 

 

Weekly Ops Activity

Write a social post or blog post about what you’ve learned in 2019 and tag The Ops Authority. It feels good to take a few minutes to reflect and most importantly document. And there’s something cathartic about being vulnerable and sharing it. That’s growth, and I invite you to do this activity this week.

 

Stay Connected:

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Other Ways to Connect with Me:

Website

Private Facebook Community

Facebook Page

Instagram

This episode was first published at theopsauthority.com/podcast/22.

The holiday hustle is coming! How can you balance the holidays with your family while being productive in your business? How can you think strategically in your business without sacrificing family time?

In this episode, I share seven ideas to help you manage the holiday hustle. These ideas aren't prescriptive so pick and choose what works best for you.

1. Remember You Have Less Time

During the holidays, you have less time, less focus, and lower productivity so readjust your expectations and don't take on new projects.

2. Take This Time Show Your Gratitude

Love on your people, e.g. your team, subscribers, social media followers. Show the human side of you.

3. Make a List of Everything Going On in Your Business and Life

Grab a sheet of paper. Make one line down the middle vertically. On the left side, write down your business tasks. On the right side, write down your personal tasks. Now take your business task column and determine what's a "Have To Do" and what items are "Like To Do." Do the same for the personal side of your list.

Making these lists will allow you to understand the magnitude of all you need to get done and then be strategic about it. Delegate what you can and create deadlines for the "Have To Do" items. Tackle your "Have To Do" list first then prioritize your "Like To Do" items.

4. Communicate Your Needs

You have a lot of commitments right now so communicate what you need in your business and in your personal life.

5. Give Yourself a Gift

What can you give yourself? For me, I dream of shopping with no kids or a day in the kitchen. For you, it might be upgrading your computer or investing in a course.

6. Make Sure the Season is Meaningful to You

You can continue to do the same activities at the same pace or you can slow down and enjoy the season. In our private Facebook group, let us know what makes the season special to you and how you'll carve out time for it.

7. Dream. Reflect.

Take the time to innovate and evaluate. And don't forget to make a way to capture your ideas all in one place. (I use the Notes feature on my phone. It doesn't have to be fancy!)

"This season doesn't have to be hustle, hustle, hustle."

Weekly Ops Activity

Grab a sheet of paper. Make one line down the middle vertically. On the left side, write down your business tasks. On the right side, write down your personal tasks. Now take your business task column and determine what's a "Have To Do" and what items are "Like To Do." Do the same for the personal side of your list. Now share it in our private Facebook group!

Stay Connected:

Subscribe on your favorite podcast app.

Other Ways to Connect with Me:

• Website
• Private Facebook Community
• Facebook Page
• Instagram

This episode was first published at theopsauthority.com/podcast/21.