The Up and to the Right | Small Business | Practical, Actionable, Sustainable Improvements

Full show notes: https://b50p.info/uattr034

Monday I didn't even take calls for work and I went from random task to random task not getting anything done.

That's how the week started for me.

Here's the story in my head "This week has been…"

• unproductive
• a bummer
• wasted
• low vibration
• hard
• disappointing

I wasn't inspired for a topic for the livestream/podcast.

I realized that there are times when you really do have to just put your energy to the task and just do it but also find a way to be ok in that moment.

Let's get into the grind!

Full shownotes: https://b50p.info/uattr030

If you're in business long enough you're going to have to endure some kind of economic crisis. In my professional career we haven't gone more the eight years without a major disruption to the economy.

While the current crisis regarding COVID19 is serious, it only represents another in an unending series of external challenges any business owner will face.

Understanding how a crisis impacts you and what you can do about it is vital to the survival of your business. In this episode we'll discuss some ideas about how to put a plan together and tips on implementing it.

Let's bridge that crisis!

Full Show Notes: https://b50p.info/uattr032

"When you stop growing... you start dying!"

Seriously...?! This is what we have to offer the people who have the courage to create value in our economy?

Instead of setting your sights on arbitrary business 'growth'... let's talk about what you want out of your business and design a system to bring you there!

Let's get growing... in the right direction!

Why did you REALLY start your own business? Have your reasons for business ownership changed over time?

Thanks for watching or listening!

Up and to the Right is live weekly - check the Podcast Page for details about when we're live and where!

You can subscribe to the Up and to the Right podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, TuneIn and now there’s even a playlist on the Beyond 50 Percent youtube channel!

Apple Podcasts: https://b50p.info/UattR_Apple_Podcasts
Google Play: https://b50p.info/UattR_Google_Play
Youtube: https://b50p.info/UattR_on_Youtube
Spotify: https://b50p.info/UattR_Spotify
Stitcher: https://b50p.info/UattR_Stitcher
TuneIn: https://b50p.info/UattR_TuneIn

As a small business owner, it can seem difficult to compete with the benefit packages of well established, larger corporations.

Startups can share this problem as well when they begin trying to attract talent.

How do you design a benefits package for your team when you don't have the financial resources required to put a competitive package together?

Let's scale those benefits!

For more detailed information listen to the audio version of the podcast or watch the livestream recording.

Business Principle

Commitment to Your Team

Scaling Benefits for Your Small Business

There may be no practical way to create a benefits package that can compare to one from a well established, large company. I guess the first thing to do is decide that that's ok and we'll do what we can.

Given that, we still want to be competitive so as a startup or small business with limited resources we have to look for innovating & creative solutions.

One possibility is to create a documented program that scales our benefits over time.

Practical Action

Download the template and design your own scaled benefit implementation plan!

• What benefits are common in your industry?
• What benefits are common among the potential employees in your area?
• Are there benefits your employees would value? Ask them!

Closing

What benefits does your business offer? Are there any you want to put in place? Drop a comment below and share what you're thinking!

Click the link above or use your favorite pod catcher to listen to the full episode.

Thanks for watching or listening!

Up and to the Right is live weekly - check the Podcast Page for details about when we're live and where!

You can subscribe to the Up and to the Right podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, TuneIn and now there’s even a playlist on the Beyond 50 Percent youtube channel!

• Apple Podcasts: https://b50p.info/UattR_Apple_Podcasts
• Google Play: https://b50p.info/UattR_Google_Play
• Youtube: https://b50p.info/UattR_on_Youtube
• Spotify: https://b50p.info/UattR_Spotify
• Stitcher: https://b50p.info/UattR_Stitcher
• TuneIn: https://b50p.info/UattR_TuneIn

Find the show notes at https://b50p.info/uattr030

Open Book Management shares financial information with employees with the expectation that they use that information to feel confident that the owner trusts them and that they can see where the company is spending money and how they might be able to help.

Let's get open... or maybe not?

Benefits
• Positive Employee/Employer Relationship - sets a stage of trust

• Helps employees understand the company as a whole

• Assists them in performing their job more effectively/efficiently

• Gives them perspective to come up with creative solutions to solve company/customer problems

Risks
▾ If your a sole proprietor or partner... this is your Personal Financial Data

▾ Employees 2nd guessing financial decisions

• They may not have a comprehensive perspective

• You don’t pay them to analyze and 2nd guess you

• Could undermine rather than strengthen employee feelings toward company

Closing
Do you have any experiences with open book management? Drop a comment on our podcast page or on the Youtube post and share what you've learned!

Thanks for watching or listening!

Up and to the Right is live weekly - check the Podcast Page for details about when we're live and where!

You can subscribe to the Up and to the Right podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, TuneIn and now there’s even a playlist on the Beyond 50 Percent youtube channel!

Apple Podcasts: https://b50p.info/UattR_Apple_Podcasts
Google Play: https://b50p.info/UattR_Google_Play
Youtube: https://b50p.info/UattR_on_Youtube
Spotify: https://b50p.info/UattR_Spotify
Stitcher: https://b50p.info/UattR_Stitcher
TuneIn: https://b50p.info/UattR_TuneIn

See the full show notes: https://b50p.info/uattr029

Productive mobility allows us to add value to our businesses when we aren't in the office. This gives us the freedom to work from a wider variety of locations improving our quality of life. But how do we make the most of this time? I've been using this kind of mobility for quite a while now and I've developed a kit that really works for me that I thought I'd share with you.

Let's get mobile!

For more detailed information listen to the audio version of the podcast or watch the livestream recording.

Business Principle

Key Components

Timbuk2 Backpack (https://b50p.info/timbuk2 - ;( sadly the one I have has been discontinued and while I wasn't super complimentary during the show I have to say that my Timbuk2 is by far the best commuting backpack I've owned.)

Tom Bihn Cafe Bag (https://b50p.info/cafebag)

Tom Bihn Cafe Bag Organizer (https://b50p.info/cafebagorganizer)

I double protect my Macbook Pro with a sleeve just to be on the safe side.

There's not much more to it. I try to keep my backpack as minimalistic as possible just to keep it light. Of course when I'm traveling by plane it gets a bit heavier but normally it's what you see here.

Practical Action

The next time you have a few minutes to think about it just go through your mobile work station... whatever that looks like and make sure:

• You have what you need
• It's well organized
• You don't have extraneous stuff (this reduced efficiency when you have to dig around stuff you don't need to find the stuff you do need)

Closing