The CEO Help Desk from Run Like Clockwork

What do you do when you have a team member resistant to Clockworking? This question comes up much more often than we ever anticipated within our Accelerator group, so we figured we'd cover it here on the podcast in addition to the new module training within our program.   Three clues to know if this episode is for you: You've decided to Clockwork your business but have a team member resistant to i...

Metrics, spreadsheets, and data - oh my!   Metrics may feel like one of the most adult aspects of your business. My guess is, either you're naturally inclined towards spreadsheets + analytics… or it's a struggle bus because you're more of a creative visionary.   Metrics are vital in order to know where you are heading and understand when you've reached your target. Lead metrics, like a GPS, provid...

Exciting news!   In light of everything going on in the world, between the pandemic, the Black Lives Matter movement, and economic uncertainty, what feels more important than ever before is community . I've wrestled with the idea of creating a Facebook community for a while because I wanted to make sure our team had the capacity to support and hold the energetic space for a community, but now I've...

One of the common hiring concerns we get from our Clockworking clients is that they worry hiring might blow out their 'expenses' category when also following Profit First.   On this episode of the Run Like Clockwork Podcast, Emily + Laurie from Team RLC share how Clockworking and Profit First can absolutely coexist when hiring. In fact, not only can they coexist, they can be a dynamic duo to make...

Are you fighting for your limitations? You're probably saying "Of course not, Adrienne! That would be ridiculous."   I know, I know. To our logical, high-achieving, goal driven brains fighting for a limitation is not a smart move. Yet it's a question worth considering.   If you're listening to this podcast, I know you are a business owner who has big goals... and you also know that you desperately...

Many people are talking about what to do if your business + sales are completely tanking right now. But what about the flip side? What if you are actually experiencing explosive growth?   On this week's episode of the Run Like Clockwork podcast, I want to address what you need to do to keep up with fast growth and high demand. I have 5 quick tips on what to do if your business is growing too quick...

"Many businesses are getting temporary relief for longterm agony."   The biggest challenge we face is knowing what our biggest challenge is. As a result most businesses stay stuck in a pattern of 2 steps forward and 3 steps back.   On this episode of the Run Like Clockwork Podcast, Mike + Adrienne talk about Mike's newest book, Fix This Next.   Mike has spent the past five years researching the "D...

In every new season in our life + business, it's important to reevaluate efficiency. Time tracking is a great tool for understanding where you can improve your efficiency.   Last week we talked about creating efficiency in this new season and how, likely, efficiency in this season will look differently than it did in the past.   In this episode I discuss: How often we do time tracking as a team Th...

Needless to say, this is a very different and potentially challenging season for all of us.   In this episode, I share what efficiency looks like in this new season for me and the Run Like Clockwork team and give you some food for thought of what you can do to reevaluate potential shifts you can make towards better efficiency.   A big component of clockworking is this idea of continuous improvemen...

It's one thing for the CEO to clockwork themselves out of the business to take a 4 week vacation, but how about team members? Is it possible for them to take a 4 week vacation?   Adrienne interviewed Mike Michalowicz on a previous episode and he mentioned Kelsey as an integral part of his team. Listen here. We knew we had to have Kelsey on the podcast!   This week Kelsey shares how she went from a...

The most important question you need to be thinking about right now: What is your opportunity?   Continuing to do everything in your business is … EXPENSIVE.   Efficiency is all about understanding how to use your resources (time, money, labor, etc.) more effectively so that you can use LESS and get the SAME or BETTER results.   That's no longer a luxury, that's essential to stay in business over...

Guess who's back?! Back again!   Yasssss! I'm back and had a delicious, completely unplugged 4-week Bae-cation (when you take time off to have/take care of your baby ;) ). Not only did I NOT check in even once (often tempting), the Run Like Clockwork team took the business through cart close, onboarding and serving new Accelerator students, and hiring + onboarding a new team member. I guess you co...

DITCH the job titles. I know, it sounds radical and can feel rebellious, but trust us on this one - it's the thing to do!   When you shift from job titles and degree labels and instead focus on strengths - GAME CHANGER.   You've probably had many job titles in your life and likely have a degree (or two). But what do you really do ? What are you really great at? What is the common thread between al...

We often hear that people think clockworking is going to be too hard // too time consuming // too much change // no one else can do it like I can // insert whatever excuse here.   You can either have excuses or you can have success. In this Team Takeover episode of the Run Like Clockwork Podcast, Emily is here to dispel the most common falsehoods about Clockworking. This is what we wish you knew a...

What's that saying "straight from the horse's mouth"?   That's what you get in this episode!   You're here because you know the value of designing a business that runs like clockwork and want to start or continue clockworking your business. Today you get to hear straight from the team's mouth 5 Top Tips to apply as you clockwork.   Be confident in your clockworking and do not turn your back on thi...

We did it! Adrienne had her baby Kit and took her 4 week "vacation"...and Team RLC held down the fort! Phew!   On this special "Team Takeover" episode, Emily, Laurie and Erica share how the 4-week vacation went for the team.    The team shares WINS that happened on the backend: Hired Gabbi Closed a cart without Adrienne Enrolled new students Made big decisions on our own System Improvements & upgr...

The definition of "clockworking" is to design a business + team that runs itself. In order to do that, as the business owner, you need to empower your team to take responsibility for the outcome and anonymity in their decision-making.   On this episode of the Run Like Clockwork Podcast, Erica + Emily discuss 4 things to NOT to do to your team when clockworking your business:   What NOT to do: Inse...

Which goal would you prefer to pursue? -To be a business owner who takes a 4 week vacation    Or -To become a CEO who runs their business as efficiently and responsibly as possible.   Do you hear that subtle shift between the performance goal and identity goal? The goal of Clockwork is not just the 4 week vacation, which is a performance goal. #operationvacation  But ultimately, help business owne...

A common complaint or fear we hear from owners regularly is — "I'm super excited and invested in clockworking my business… my team just doesn't seem to care as much. How do I get them to care as much as me?"   We get it! When it's not your business, inherently the stakes aren't as high.   While Adrienne is on her 4 week vacation/maternity leave, Emily & Laurie do a Team Takeover episode and share...

Here's a juicy episode for you! I'm answering ALL your questions, rapidfire!   Questions I answer on this episode:   How can I start implementing Clockworking with new hires from the very beginning? When hiring someone new -- how long should it take to get them fully integrated + into a fully 'delegated' state? What do you do when you want to fire almost everyone? How do I support my team with hit...

"We first make habits, and then our habits make us." John Dryden   There's no doubt that habits play a huge role in the success (or failure) of a business. While we all live by habits, some habits are more intentional than others. Today I'm sharing 5 habits I have developed that help me stay efficient AND productive.    My top 5 habits are: review my projects / PM system daily end of day standup ...

This episode is super special because, not only am I sharing incredible WINS of Clockwork Rockstars + how they did it, I'm doing it with my lead team member, Emily! Since one of Emily's Clockwork hats is coaching within our Accelerator program, I thought who better to join me to shout out some of our incredible students and hopefully inspire you as you kick off the New Year in your business!   Sin...

Wow! With 2020 ( and a new decade!) HERE, I thought it would be perfect timing to talk about the power of big thinking and designing your 2020 plan. I know many business owners struggle with making time for the visionary pieces of the business.   If you're like so many of our clients and entrepreneurs we talk with, you're a high achiever and pride yourself with being a "hard worker." That can be o...

I thought this would be the perfect time of year to talk about the idea of balance vs. presence.    I've never been a fan of balance personally, it just doesn't make much sense to me and always leaves us feeling guilty or split between our worlds. Even the idea of the word balance makes us feel like things should also be split EQUALLY in terms of time in order to be balanced, but that's just one m...

As we continue preparing for our own 4-week "vacation" we're taking you behind the scenes again this week to share the nitty gritty logistics of HOW this will all work.    What are the rules for this maternity leave / vacation?  How will the team handle things on the day-to-day while Adrienne is away? Will they be able to reach out if they need something?  What happens to your clients during this...