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In this end-of-year solo episode, Hilary Corna looks ahead to 2026 and explains why it will be a “convergence year” where AI goes mainstream and operations become a true competitive advantage. She walks through three core questions every leader should ask about their operations before Q1, shows how lack of clarity (“who does what, when, and why”) caps growth, and reframes AI as a solution to real bottlenecks—not a shiny object to chase. Get intentional about the small shifts now so they can compound over 2026.

TIMESTAMPS
[01:28] Last episode of the year & why 2026 is your year for operations
[02:17] The #1 myth holding leaders back from using AI
[03:20] 2026 as the convergence year for AI, operations, and scale
[04:01] Three key questions to diagnose bottlenecks and opportunities
[05:57] Using AI as the solution to real operational problems
[07:28] Behind the scenes: saving 10 hours a week in content production
[08:15] The “quiet stretch” before Q1 and productizing your operation
[09:20] Mindset shift: from perfection to intentional, clear operations
[09:57] How to get support: masterclass, community, and resources
[10:29] Happy 2026 & holiday break sign-off

Enrolling now for The Ops Edge Academy Q1 2026 cohort and PDCA Certification. Reach out to [email protected]

In this solo episode, Hilary Corna shares how to boost revenue without adding more leads by tightening the quality of your sales process. She breaks down a simple three-stage pre-sales framework—prospecting, quoting, and closing—and shows where businesses commonly leak money through poor lead fit, inconsistent follow-up, and non-standard proposals or contracts. With practical examples, Hilary explains how to better qualify leads, standardize responses and documents, and create a clear onboarding roadmap so you convert more of the opportunities you already have.


TIMESTAMPS
[01:28] Why you don’t need more leads to grow revenue
[02:55] Where your sales process actually loses money
[04:12] Saying no to non-ideal clients & staying in your lane
[07:20] The three core stages of a pre-sales operation
[09:08] Stage 1 – Prospecting: defining lead sources & tracking quality
[16:08] Stage 2 – Quoting & proposals: standardizing and using AI
[22:11] Stage 3 – Closing: contracts, agreements, and low-hanging fixes
[27:18] Designing the onboarding roadmap & “what happens next” tool
[31:49] Wrap-up: improving quality to increase revenue from existing leads

Enrolling now for The Ops Edge Academy and PDCA Certification. Reach out to [email protected] to schedule a call.

Download our brand new free guide to (legit) boosting revenue without adding leads at www.hilarycorna.com/Learning-Center

Bold leaders don't guess, they implement.

In this special episode, Hilary Corna brings together the most powerful moments of 2025, where founders and experts revealed the specific processes they used to scale with clarity. Discover how they applied principles like PDCA to simplify operations, make data-driven decisions, and build impactful businesses without burning out.

Enrolling now for The Ops Edge Academy and PDCA Certification. Reach out to [email protected] to schedule a call.

Ready to launch your new processes with consistency and clarity? In this episode, Hilary introduces a powerful tool she uses with all her clients—a training template designed to simplify go live preparations.

Download the template at: https://rebrand.ly/training-template or visit www.HilaryCorna.com/Learning-center

This template ensures that every training session is structured, standardized, and impactful, so no one is left behind in understanding the process. Whether it’s new automation, onboarding deck, agenda or anything, this episode breaks down how to train your team effectively, ensuring everyone hears the same message, grounded in the context of your overarching company processes. Let’s talk about building the foundation for continuous improvement and how to sustain it long after the go live.

TIMESTAMPS:
[01:15]  The importance of standardizing training for successful go live preparation
[03:00]  What to include in a go live training template
[06:00]  Explaining the PCA process and its role in shaping training content
[09:45]  A breakdown of how to close the training effectively
[13:00]  Why standardizing the opening and closing is crucial for success
[15:00] The role of the training facilitator and their use of the template
[18:00]  Wrapping up with actionable steps and next steps for listeners

Register for our upcoming free masterclass on process mapping and identifying waste at www.HilaryCorna.com.

This podcast episode highlights how world-class organizations use breakdowns as opportunities for growth rather than setbacks. It explains how the PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycle transforms mistakes into structured learning that compounds over time, building operational resilience. As leaders look ahead to 2026, the episode challenges them to stop “winging it” and start systematizing their processes to prevent crises before they happen. By auditing key systems, documenting knowledge, and identifying single points of failure, companies can move from reactive to proactive. The episode closes with a reminder that even giants like Amazon experience outages—but with the right mindset and processes, failures become springboards for stronger, smarter organizations

Enroll one of your ops leaders in the 2026 Ops Edge Academy here: hilarycorna.com

Is your business growing, but things behind the scenes feel messy? In this episode, Hilary Corna reveals her proven framework for closing out Q4 with intention, so you can build an operational engine that truly supports your growth in 2026.

Hilary breaks down the five critical steps to transform your operations, from conducting a powerful retrospective to decluttering your systems. She shares the exact methodology she uses with her clients to leave them with scalable systems, tighter team alignment, and a clear framework to rely on as they grow. This episode is your strategic guide to finishing the year strong and entering the new one as a launchpad, not a scramble.

TIMESTAMPS:
[01:28] The Power of a Strong Finish
[02:15] Step 1: Slow Down to Speed Up
[03:55] Step 2: Optimize Before Adding More
[05:31] Step 3: Align Ops with Your 2026 Vision
[06:53] Step 4: Engage Your Team in the Process
[07:51] Step 5: Create a "Do Not Carry Over" List
[08:44] Recap & Building Operational Muscle

Download the free worksheet here: https://rebrand.ly/comm-sheet

Is your "go live" announcement ready to make an impact—or is it missing the mark? In this solo session, Hilary breaks down the exact tool she uses with her six-figure clients to plan high-impact, intentional communication. You’ll get an inside look at the Communications Strategy Worksheet, a quick but powerful guide to help you define the where, who, and what for announcing your live event. From choosing the right platform to making sure the right person delivers the message, this episode will give you the clarity and structure you need to make your next announcement unforgettable.

TIMESTAMPS
[02:30] What is a "go live" and how to structure communication for it?
[04:15] How to choose the best place to announce your live event?
[06:00] Defining who will announce the event and how to do it with impact
[08:30] Discussing how to ensure follow-through and effectiveness of communication processes
[10:45] How to use the worksheet and the importance of following the process seriously

Download the free plug n’ play emails here: https://rebrand.ly/golive-email

Ready to level up your launch strategy? In this episode, Hilary unveils her secret weapon: the Go Live Announcement Plug and Play Email Sequences. This powerful tool will help you streamline your business announcements with minimal effort and maximum impact.

Hilary walks you through the exact steps she uses with her six-figure clients to ensure smooth, stress-free launches. From automating emails to creating high-converting sequences, this episode is packed with actionable insights you can use today.

TIMESTAMPS
[01:30] The purpose and benefits of a streamlined communication process
[03:00] How these sequences are designed for high-impact results with minimal effort
[04:30] Practical examples: Using the email sequence for launches and updates
[06:00] The step-by-step process for setting up and customizing the sequences
[08:00] Case studies: Six-figure clients transforming their business processes
[09:30] Key takeaways and next steps: Implementing the Go Live tool in your own business

In this episode, Hilary Corna chats with Bill Tyndall, a business process improvement expert, about all things Kaizen and leadership. They dive into how to spark change in organizations, build a culture of innovation, and get past those common roadblocks. Bill shares real-world strategies on driving growth, fostering collaboration, and leading with impact.
Is business process improvement just about efficiency, or is it the key to unlocking innovation and lasting organizational success? Whether you're new to process improvement or a seasoned pro, this conversation is packed with tips to help you lead smarter, work better, and create lasting success.

TIMESTAMPS
[02:00] The role of Kaizen in fostering organizational change
[05:30] Overcoming resistance to change: Practical strategies for leaders
[08:15] Collaboration and teamwork: Keys to successful business transformation
[12:00] Leadership and its role in driving long-term organizational growth
[15:45] The impact of continuous improvement on company culture
[19:30] Real-world examples of process improvement successes
[22:00] Practical tips for leaders aiming to implement process improvements
[26:00] The future of process improvement: Emerging trends and technologies


ABOUT BILL TYNDALL
Bill Tyndall is a recognized expert in business process improvement and organizational leadership. With extensive experience in driving Kaizen and continuous improvement initiatives, Bill has helped numerous organizations streamline operations, improve efficiency, and build strong, sustainable cultures of innovation. A strategic thinker and mentor, Bill has worked across various industries to empower leaders and teams to achieve lasting transformation. His commitment to process excellence and leadership development makes him a valuable resource for anyone looking to enhance their organization's performance.

In this solo episode, Hilary walks you through our Go‑Live Checklist—a practical, easy-to-use tool to make sure every rollout feels smooth, supported, and on time. You’ll learn how to confirm trainings are truly complete, pre‑write your follow‑up emails, lock in comms channels, assign a single point of contact, and run a 48–72 hour pre‑launch walkthrough so launch day is calm and predictable.

Grab the free Go‑Live Checklist here:
https://rebrand.ly/golive

Follow @HilaryCorna.



TIMESTAMPS
[00:58] The tool: our Go‑Live Checklist
[01:29] What a successful go‑live looks like: grace, ease, no surprises
[02:23] Section 1 — Training & Enablement: everything must be done before go‑live
[02:38] If trainings aren’t complete, push the date
[03:04] Pre‑write and send follow‑up emails after every training
[03:48] Centralize & upload all training materials before launch
[04:07] Track attendance/completion + send recordings same day with deadlines
[05:23] Section 2 — Communications: finalize strategy, owners, channels & announcements
[06:52] Assign a single point person for questions + set up real‑time channels
[08:09] Section 3 — Final Checks: dates, calendar holds, access, post‑go‑live review
[09:07] Pro tip: run a 48–72 hour walkthrough to catch last‑minute issues
[09:22] Why this makes launches smooth, on time, and drama‑free