The Ops Authority

As you lead your business, do you experience mental blocks, time challenges, or the desire to bring in more revenue? Every entrepreneur experiences these issues while battling feelings of overwhelm because she's trying to do it all.  In this episode, I talk with two-time A-Team alum Veronica Staudt, owner of Vintage Meet Modern, about what the A-Team is, how it works, and what you'll get out of it...

Have you ever wondered where to invest in your business? Do you ask yourself who's trustworthy? What makes a business investment smart? There are countless ways to invest in your business. Which one is right for you? In this episode, you'll learn the types of investments available, what to consider before you make a financial investment to grow your business, and what paid options are best for eac...

Visibility is a key aspect of any business, but how can you stand out in a crowded digital space? And what will work for you at your current stage of business?    In this episode, I break down what I've done the past three years in my own business, what I'm doing now, and how you can create a strategy that works for you. Whether you want free visibility or you're ready to invest, this episode will...

You have a passion and gifts that you want to share with others so you decided to start your own business. Your passion comes with 1 million ideas and you're putting in the time and energy to bring your passion to the marketplace. Then you grow. Now you feel paralyzed by too many tasks. You feel tired and pulled in so many directions. You start second-guessing being an entrepreneur -- or at least...

Money equals business. You got started in business because you wanted to make a profit. Yet money is not just business; it's emotional too. Money can cause disagreements, make us feel amazing, or frustrated. So what's a practical way to view money in your business?    In this episode, you'll learn how to set real, practical, and beneficial financial goals for your business. We'll look at how else...

It's difficult to thrive when you feel inefficient and overwhelmed. That's where systems come in. But what does a system look like? How can it help you grow and scale your business? In this episode, we're going behind the scenes of my business. My right-hand operations superstar Esther Littlefield shares what systems we have in place, what steps make up those systems, and how systems can fail.  If...

Do you feel sluggish in your day-to-day work life? Are you curious if you use your time wisely? Are you ready to run a more profitable business? Every small business owner has limited time and desires success, so here's how you can inventory your productivity and maximize your time.   If you feel like you're in a work slump and you're unsure how to get out, start by assessing your productivity. Le...

How can you find the right project management tool for your business? What should you look for? What questions do you need to ask before investing money and time into a system? How does the way you think impact the tool you need?    In this episode, certified DOO and founder of Simplified Ops Collective Cadri Cunningham and I talk through what a project management system is, why you need one, and...

Would you like to be more productive in your business and finally get that long to-do list checked off? Or maybe you want shorter work days or less stressful (and more profitable) launches. If that's you, listen up.   Today we're talking all about productivity. But this won't be what you're expecting… or what you always hear about on this topic.    While productivity doesn't necessarily fall insid...

From the perspective of the CEO, what is it like to be supported by a Director of Operations? Why do you need a DOO? What are the first action items a DOO will handle in your business?   In this episode, I visit with Dana Malstaff, CEO of Boss Mom, and Amy Lockrin, Dana's DOO and CEO of The Operations House, about what the CEO-DOO relationship looks like. We pull back the curtain on how these two...

How can you measure the effectiveness of your business? And how do you create these measurements? In this episode, you'll learn what a KPI is and how to establish KPIs for the most important areas in your small business. There's no need to be overwhelmed by setting KPIs because I'll show you how to do it in five easy steps.    What is a KPI? KPI is an ominous acronym that makes you feel like, "I'l...

As a small business owner, you feel pulled in a thousand directions, right? Well, there are seven reasons for this because there are seven areas vying for your attention all day, every day. Keep in mind that in the corporate world, there's a C-level position for all seven of these areas.    So what are the seven areas clamoring for your attention? How can you prioritize them? What are the question...

What's the difference between your mission statement and vision statement? Where do values fit in? Why is it so important to articulate these pieces?   The core of your business is your mission, vision, and values. You need to clearly identify and articulate what these are, especially as you bring on members for your team. Walk through the mission, vision, and values exercise with a free workbook...

What is a business foundation and how do you create one? How can you have a greater sense of what's going on in your business?    In this episode, I'll walk you through a business summary and strategic operations planning. If you've ever wondered how to be more organized and intentional about growing your business from the foundation up, then this episode is a must-listen.   Decades ago, starting...

What is a director of operations? What does this role do? And how do you go about finding one? In this episode, you'll learn all about the skills your Director of Operations (DOO) needs and what a DOO does not do. Plus, you'll get your weekly ops activity to keep your business moving forward.    Let's say you have a 2-year-old business. It's doing well and you're contributing to your family's fina...

As a small business owner, what do you need to know about business operations? Why are operations important to your business? What is the difference between front-office and back-office activities?   Welcome to the first episode of the Ops Authority Podcast! Throughout this podcast you'll learn about processes, people, systems, projects, and how they pertain to your business.   In this inaugural e...

Operations can seem ominous but really, it refers to the backside of your business. By definition, operations are the day-to-day functions that support profit-producing activities. And that's exactly why we're in business - PROFIT, baby! This topic is one that so many people glaze over but it's THE key ingredient to taking your business to the next level.  On this show, we're going to  unpack oper...