Work Less PROFIT More Business Podcast

Working fewer hours is the goal of most business owners who come to see me! It’s often difficult to imagine that it’s possible to work 3-4 hours a day, 3 days a week and make more $$$.

If you’ve been dreaming about reducing your workload while making more profit – and would like some support, please go to www.dianalidstone.com/apply -- fill out a short form and then book a call with me.  You can have the business and life you desire!

Check out the GROW Equation diagram here.

Share your feedback with me by clicking here and leaving a short voice message!

ABOUT ME:

Hi friends,

Want to escape the chaos of the day to day running of your business?  Then I’m your gal.

I’m a champagne lover and a sought-after business coach for small business leaders who want to grow, and scale their business.

I’m also a best-selling author, award-winning speaker and podcast host. After almost 40 years as an entrepreneur, I’m best known for my straight-talk, no BS and the simple business and marketing strategies that bring my clients more joy, profit and freedom.  My podcast, Work Less PROFIT More business podcast offers tips and strategies for small business owners who are tired of working too hard for too little profit, and having little or no free time. 

You can do this!

Connect with me here:

• [email protected]
• www.dianalidstone.com
• https://www.facebook.com/diana.lidstone
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/hiredianalidstone/

WORK WITH ME

Currently, there are 2 ways you can work with me:

I am only accepting private clients in my 12-month Business Accelerator program (here) or

By booking a VIP Grow Day which is intensive session designed to give you my undivided attention and acceleration to accomplish something extremely fast. More information here.

Share your feedback with me by clicking here and leaving a short voice message!

I’m calling this episode – the Eat Your Broccoli episode.  You know it’s what needs to happen but omg you don’t like doing it!!!

If you ever found yourself pulling your hair out because you’ve more than once trained a new employee for exactly the same job – then this is for you!

Welcome to Think Like a CEO series!

If you haven’t already, be sure to listen to the earlier episodes in the series:

• Part 1, Episode 108 – 11 Small Business Pitfalls to Avoid to Reach 7-Figure Success (here)
• Part 2, Episode 109 – What Got You Here Won’t Take You There!  (here)
• Part 3, Episode 110 – Are You a Chief Everything Officer or a Highly-Effective CEO? (here)
• Part 4, Episode 111 – Grow & Run Your Business Effectively - Like a CEO (here)
• Part 5, Episode 112 – How to Effectively Plan Your Week Like a Small biz CEO (here)
• Part 6, Episode 113 – Delegation: The Key To Freedom (here)

By the end of this episode, you’ll:

• Understand the sometimes confusing difference between systems, processes and SOPs.
• Have a simple 5-step ‘system’ for documenting your systems.
• Know 5  simple questions to ask yourself every step of the way.

ACTION PLAN:

1. On a scale of 1-5 … 1 I have no systems for anything …5 – I have everything documented. 
2. Where could you improve your systems?
3. Would it be helpful to have some support or accountability in this area?

Discover the #1 problem that’s holding your business back!

Take my FREE quiz - Business Freedom Calculator (here)

In 5 minutes, you’ll answer 22 questions that identify where you fall in one of the four stages of business growth. The calculator will lay out specific action steps you need to take now to ultimately achieve the freedom you desire.

Connect with me here:

• [email protected]
• www.dianalidstone.com
• https://www.facebook.com/diana.lidstone
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/hiredianalidstone/

Work with me:

Currently, there are 2 ways you can work with me:

1. I am only accepting private clients in my 12-month Business Accelerator program (here) or 
2. By booking a VIP Grow Day which is intensive session designed to give you my undivided attention and acceleration to accomplish something extremely fast. More information here.

Share your feedback with me by clicking here and leaving a short voice message!

I love delegating and helping others learn this skill!

It’s really quite a simple skill …

In this episode, I share:

• Why delegating is really so simple
• 2 key principles of delegation
• The rule of 70
• How delegating is like painting a room – there are 3 main steps! 
• Then I’ll answer the who, what, and when questions!

Once you learn to delegate, you’ll realize how much more time you have available to work ON your business.

If you haven’t already, be sure to listen to the earlier episodes in the series:

• Part 1, Episode 108 – 11 Small Business Pitfalls to Avoid to Reach 7-Figure Success (here)
• Part 2, Episode 109 – What Got You Here Won’t Take You There!  (here)
• Part 3, Episode 110 – Are You a Chief Everything Officer or a Highly-Effective CEO? (here)
• Part 4, Episode 111 - Grow & Run Your Business Effectively - Like a CEO (here)
• Part 5, Episode 112 –How to Effectively Plan your week like a small biz CEO (here)

When to delegate – view graphic here.

ACTION PLAN:

1. If you haven’t already, do your time audit as suggested in the previous episode.
2. Highlight those tasks that are $10/hour – those you can prepare to delegate by writing out HOW you want the task done; then you can delegate it.
3.  As you write out your process for each task, be sure to include a measurable outcome/result so that the person who takes ownership of the task knows whether they have done a good job or not.
4. Continue to explore whether you can delegate some of your $100/hr tasks using the same process as above.
5. Enjoy your free time!

Share your feedback with me by clicking here and leaving a short voice message!

Discover the #1 problem that’s holding your business back!

Take my FREE quiz - Business Freedom Calculator (here)
In 5 minutes, you’ll answer 22 questions that identify where you fall in one of the four stages of business growth. The calculator will lay out specific action steps you need to take now to ultimately achieve the freedom you desire.

Work with me:

Currently, there are 2 ways you can work with me:

I am only accepting private clients in my 12-month Business Accelerator program (here) or 

By booking a VIP Grow Day which is intensive session designed to give you my undivided attention and acceleration to accomplish something extremely fast. More information here.

Share your feedback with me by clicking here and leaving a short voice message!

I’m busy.  I can’t take time off.  I don’t have time for ______ (fill in the blank).

If you’ve said anything like that recently, then this episode is for you because I’m going to show you how to regain time in your calendar – perhaps 7+ hours a week!

In this episode, I share:

• My Work Less PROFIT More rules for creating a calm agenda and getting more done.
• Where successful CEO’s spend their time.
• 2 essential business concepts that will help you escape the chaos.
• 6 simple steps for structuring your weekly agenda.
• Why it’s important to shift where you’re spending your time as your business grows.

Welcome to Think Like a CEO series!

If you haven’t already, be sure to listen to the earlier episodes in the series:

• Part 1, Episode 108 – 11 Small Business Pitfalls to Avoid to Reach 7-Figure Success (here)
• Part 2, Episode 109 – What Got You Here Won’t Take You There!  (here)
• Part 3, Episode 110 – Are You a Chief Everything Officer or a Highly-Effective CEO? (here)
• Part 4, Episode 111 - Grow & Run Your Business Effectively - Like a CEO (here)

DOWNLOADS:

1. Entrepreneurs Freedom Scorecard – view here
2. Time Audit Exercise – download here
3. Diana’s Week at a Glance – view here
4. Business Freedom Timeline – view here
5. Where to spend your 30 hours/week? – view here
   
   ACTION PLAN:
6. Download the free templates.
7. Do the exercises.
8. Share with me where you saved the most time!

Discover the #1 problem that’s holding your business back! Take my FREE quiz - Business Freedom Calculator (here)

In 5 minutes, you’ll answer 22 questions that identify where you fall in one of the four stages of business growth. The calculator will lay out specific action steps you need to take now to ultimately achieve the freedom you desire.

Connect with me here:

• [email protected]
• www.dianalidstone.com
• https://www.facebook.com/diana.lidstone
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/hiredianalidstone/

Work with me:

Currently, there are 2 ways you can work with me:

I am only accepting private clients in my 12-month Business Accelerator program (here) or 

By booking a VIP Grow Day which is intensive session designed to give you my undivided attention and acceleration to accomplish something extremely fast. More information her

Share your feedback with me by clicking here and leaving a short voice message!

There are really 3 secrets to taking your business to the next level:

1. Knowing where you are currently i.e. Business Freedom Timeline
2. Knowing where you want to go
3. Working on the right activities to get you there

If you want freedom from the day-to-day running of your business, you have to grow and run it like a CEO – in other words, you want to become the leader in your business versus your business running your life!

In this episode, I clarify the difference between a Chief Everything Officer and a small business CEO.

Then, I explain why and how you should run your small business like a CEO and how doing so will help scale your business to exponential heights (minus the loss of sanity!).

Listen to this episode to find out: 

• How I got stuck in the ‘growth trap’ in my retail business
• Why you should think like a CEO
• What does a CEO do
• 5 key activities of a highly effective CEO if you want to scale
• What’s the role of CEO & how do you know if you’re doing a good job in that role
• How to spend your time as a CEO
• Top 4 characteristics/traits of a highly effective CEO

By the way, to better understand the concepts in this episode, I highly recommend you listen to the previous episodes in this “Think Like a CEO” series:

• Ep 108 (here) 11 Small Business Pitfalls to Avoid to Reach 7-Figure Success
• Ep 109 (here) What Got You Here Won’t Take You There!
• Ep 110 (here) Are You a Chief Everything Officer or a Highly-Effective CEO?

Be sure to subscribe as next week, we will discuss one of my favorite topics – How to plan your week like a highly effective CEO!

ADDITIONAL READING … read what others are saying about this topic!

• Running your firm like a C-suite, Source: Firm of the Future (here)
• 5 qualities of a CEO that make them awesome at their job, Source: Resources for Employers (here) 

Discover the #1 problem that’s holding your business back!

Take my FREE quiz - Business Freedom Calculator (here)

In 5 minutes, you’ll answer 22 questions that identify where you fall in one of the four stages of business growth. The calculator will lay out specific action steps you need to take now to ultimately achieve the freedom you desire.

Connect with me:

• Work Less PROFIT More business podcast
• [email protected]
• www.dianalidstone.com
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Instagram 

Work with me:

Currently, there are 2 ways you can work with me:

I am only accepting private clients in my 12-month Business Accelerator program (here) or 

By booking a VIP Grow Day which is intensive session designed to give you my undivided attention and acceleration to accomplish something extremely fast. More information here.

Share your feedback with me by clicking here and leaving a short voice message!

Welcome to part 3, of the Think Like a CEO series!

Be sure to listen to :

• Part 1 – 11 Small Business Pitfalls to Avoid to Reach 7-Figure Success (here)
• Part 2 – What Got You Here Won’t Take You There! (here)

In this episode, 

• Relate the hot chocolate story to a business owner’s growth timeline
• Outline 5 mindset SHIFTs that will help you reach 7+ figure success
• Share 5 step process to help you identify your most highly valued work 

Check out the Business Freedom Timeline here.

ACTION PLAN:

• Read - https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/careers/article-want-to-be-ceo-be-prepared-to-learn-unlearn-and-relearn-every-day/
• Identify your stage of business growth
• Identify your zone of genius & focus on doing that work.

Share your feedback with me by clicking here and leaving a short voice message!

Discover the #1 problem that’s holding your business back! Take my FREE quiz - Business Freedom Calculator (here)

In 5 minutes, you’ll answer 22 questions that identify where you fall in one of the four stages of business growth. The calculator will lay out specific action steps you need to take now to ultimately achieve the freedom you desire.

ABOUT ME:

Hi friends,

I’m Diana…. A champagne lover and a sought-after business coach for entrepreneurs wanting to build a well-oiled business machine.

I’m also a best-selling author, award-winning speaker and podcast host. After almost 40 years as an entrepreneur, I’m best known for my straight-talk, no BS and the simple business and marketing strategies that bring my clients more joy, profit and freedom.  My podcast, Work Less PROFIT More business podcast offers tips and strategies for small business owners who are tired of working too hard for too little profit, and having little or no free time.

Connect with me here:

• [email protected]
• www.dianalidstone.com
• https://www.facebook.com/diana.lidstone
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/hiredianalidstone/

Work with me:

Currently, there are 2 ways you can work with me:

1. I am only accepting private clients in my 12-month Business Accelerator program (here) or 
2. By booking a VIP Grow Day which is intensive session designed to give you my undivided attention and acceleration to accomplish something extremely fast. More information here.

Share your feedback with me by clicking here and leaving a short voice message!

In this mini-episode, I share with you my personal, pivotal story – I call it the Hot Chocolate story.

I talk about:

• My daughter’s journey to wellness
• The 2 big bold statements that changed everything
• How this impacts your business

ACTION PLAN:

1. Download a free copy of SHIFT INTO RICH here
2. Be sure to listen to episode 108 – 11 Small Business Pitfalls to Avoid to Reach 7-Figure Success here
3. Subscribe so you won’t miss the rest of the Think Like a CEO series!

Share your feedback with me by clicking here and leaving a short voice message!

Discover the #1 problem that’s holding your business back! Take my FREE quiz - Business Freedom Calculator (here)

In 5 minutes, you’ll answer 22 questions that identify where you fall in one of the four stages of business growth. The calculator will lay out specific action steps you need to take now to ultimately achieve the freedom you desire.

ABOUT ME:

Hi friends,

I’m Diana…. A champagne lover and a sought-after business coach for entrepreneurs wanting to build a well-oiled business machine.

I’m also a best-selling author, award-winning speaker and podcast host. After almost 40 years as an entrepreneur, I’m best known for my straight-talk, no BS and the simple business and marketing strategies that bring my clients more joy, profit and freedom.  My podcast, Work Less PROFIT More business podcast offers tips and strategies for small business owners who are tired of working too hard for too little profit, and having little or no free time.

Connect with me here:

• [email protected]
• www.dianalidstone.com

Work with me:

Currently, there are 2 ways you can work with me:

1. I am only accepting private clients in my 12-month Business Accelerator program (here) or 
2. By booking a VIP Grow Day which is intensive session designed to give you my undivided attention and acceleration to accomplish something extremely fast. More information here.

Share your feedback with me by clicking here and leaving a short voice message!

The statistics are alarming -- According to the Kauffman Foundation, only 6% of all entrepreneurs ever achieve 6-figure business success, and only 2% ever achieve 7-figure success.

But sometimes the best way to learn how to do something is to learn how not to do it -- how and why those who have tried before haven't succeeded.

With that in mind, here are 11 pitfalls that keep most businesses from ever reaching seven figures, and how you might avoid those same mistakes.

At the end of the podcast, I reveal the root cause of these pitfalls!

Share your feedback with me by clicking here and leaving a short voice message!

Discover the #1 problem that’s holding your business back! Take my FREE quiz - Business Freedom Calculator (here)

In 5 minutes, you’ll answer 22 questions that identify where you fall in one of the four stages of business growth. The calculator will lay out specific action steps you need to take now to ultimately achieve the freedom you desire.

ABOUT ME:

Hi friends,

I’m Diana…. A champagne lover and a sought-after business coach for entrepreneurs wanting to build a well-oiled business machine.

I’m also a best-selling author, award-winning speaker and podcast host. After almost 40 years as an entrepreneur, I’m best known for my straight-talk, no BS and the simple business and marketing strategies that bring my clients more joy, profit and freedom.  My podcast, Work Less PROFIT More business podcast offers tips and strategies for small business owners who are tired of working too hard for too little profit, and having little or no free time.

Connect with me here:

• [email protected]
• www.dianalidstone.com

Work with me:
Currently, there are 2 ways you can work with me:

1. I am only accepting private clients in my 12-month Business Accelerator program (here) or 
2. By booking a VIP Grow Day which is an intensive session designed to give you my undivided attention and acceleration to accomplish something extremely fast. More information here.

Share your feedback with me by clicking here and leaving a short voice message!

Most business owners undervalue their services (products and programs)! 

When it comes to discussions about money and especially raising our prices, we squirm, self-doubt, cringe and end up delaying when we could be making more profit.

In this episode, I explore the hard truths about: 

1. How our relationship with money impacts our business.
2. Missing business skills around money including positioning and anchoring.
3. How to calculate your ‘value’ and quantity of your ‘worth’.
4. Importance of a Profit Plan.

ACTION PLAN:

1. Become  AWARE of your money type.
2. Know your target market's wants
3. Understand YOUR brand’s positioning.
4. Establish your ‘value’.
5. Quantify your worth – uniqueness in the marketplace.
6. Build your Profit Plan.

Share your feedback with me by clicking here and leaving a short voice message!

Discover the #1 problem that’s holding your business back!

Take my FREE quiz – Business Freedom Calculator (here)

In 5 minutes, you’ll answer 22 questions that identify where you fall in one of the four stages of business growth. The calculator will lay out specific action steps you need to take now to ultimately achieve the freedom you desire.

ABOUT ME:

Hi friends,

I’m Diana…a champagne lover and a sought-after business coach for entrepreneurs wanting to build a well-oiled business machine.

I’m also a best-selling author, award-winning speaker and podcast host. After almost 40 years as an entrepreneur, I’m best known for my straight-talk, no BS and the simple business and marketing strategies that bring my clients more joy, profit and freedom.  My podcast, Work Less PROFIT More business podcast offers tips and strategies for small business owners who are tired of working too hard for too little profit, and having little or no free time.

Connect with me here:

• [email protected]
• www.dianalidstone.com

Do you sometimes wonder what YOUR next step should be in growing or scaling your business?  I hear it all the time… I just wish I knew!  Well, I’ve finally figured out a way to help you answer that question.

It’s my new Business Freedom Calculator – FREE – only takes 5 minutes and you then get a report that gives you your next best step for where you are in your business right now! www.dianalidstone.com/quiz   

Share your feedback with me by clicking here and leaving a short voice message!

Can technology really help small firm owners with workflow efficiencies?

Do virtual, online services such as accounting and bookkeeping really work?

Guest Eric Saumure and I talk about:

• Why he founded an online, 100% remote, accounting service 
• Why some business owners might be reluctant to try 100% remote services for their financial services
• His suggestion to other firm owners who might be considering the shift to online and 100% virtual
• How his business facilitates a positive work culture – great ideas
• Tech tools that can help you save time with your finances including:
  • DEXT - here previously Receipt Bank
  • KARBON – collaborative workflow platform (here)
  • Any appointment scheduler
  • Ignition – for proposals and pricing
  • Zapier – for a 3rd party connector between software
  • PLOOTO 
  • XERO

Listen to Eric and his team on their recently launched podcast – Small Business, Big Insights

ABOUT ERIC
Eric Saumure is not your traditional accountant. While he’s formally trained as an accountant (CPA, CA), he has experience advising C-suite executives and business owners on all areas of business finance, including succession planning, restructuring, building processes, and managing remote teams.

He enjoys simplifying jargon and complex tax/accounting concepts. He got sick of the big firm feel and decided to change the way people see their accountant and started Zenbooks.

Zenbooks is an online Canadian accounting firm that’s 100% remote and leveraging the latest cloud-based tools to advise small business owners across Canada. Eric has been sourced in CBC National News, CTV News, and various radio interviews.

Connect with Eric here:

• Business Name: Zenbooks
• Website: https://zenbooks.ca/
•  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericsaumure/
•  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZenbooksCloud
•  Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheOfficialEric

ACTION PLAN to increase workflow efficiencies:

1. Identify bottlenecks
2. Ask ‘who’ can do this work, not ‘how’ will it get done
3. Ask if there a tech tool/app that can increase efficiencies

Here’s the graphic of my GROW Equation.

Share your feedback with me by clicking here and leaving a short voice message!