Sprints are energizing

Sprints are energizing. They happen quickly. They are focused. The ‘finish’ is close. Progress can be felt.

With bigger projects and quarterly goals, it can be helpful to set up a number of sprints within it. A sprint could be based around a specific deliverable or phase of the project that can be clearly checked off. A sprint could last just 1-2 weeks which keeps action focused. After each sprint, a quick (not long) reflection is needed to take learnings and apply them to the next sprint.

I’m applying this to a big (EXCITING) project that is underway and I’m looking forward to sharing. Give it a try yourself ;) It maybe just what you and your team need!

Quarterly Focus

A quarter is a beautiful thing.

I often talk in initiatives (=group of projects with central impact on the business) which then get broken into quarterly focuses. Not everything needs to happen all at once. It’s easy to try to accomplish a lot in just a month which leads to less progress and more frustration. If your managers have one central project per quarter that gives them the focus needed to make tangible progress, while still doing their daily responsibilities. A month is often not enough time but a quarter can be.

A quarter can create urgency on the project while also acknowledging the time needed for daily responsibilities. Sometimes going ‘slower’ can mean going faster.

Making it fun again

Figuring out new systems can be mentally draining when you are so close to it.

You feel the urgency for it to work. You also see all the swirling details around it that it can be overwhelming to try to find the solution.

Shake it off!

Have a conversation with someone to find the simplicity to take the next step. I regularly make time for these conversations because I love them - I love helping and I love the inspiration that I get from these conversations. Anyone that has worked with me knows that I am not a pushy sales person. It’s not my style and not my desire. Whether you talk with me or someone else that is genuinely looking to be a safe space and help, do it. Reach out. It’s just 30 mins to talk, maybe laugh and get new insights to move forward.

Assessing skills

Assessing skills is tough when you are not the expert in that field.

An example that comes up often is Marketing.

Many business owners are not marketing mavens and do not want to be.

They do know when results are lagging on their financial results, social media metrics, newsletter growth, customer conversion and customer feedback. This can be so frustrating to know things are off but not know what to do about it.

Trust your gut. You know what junior versus intermediate skills look like, regardless of the field. There are systems that can be set up to help them…without hiring a new $100k Marketing Director to lead them, without an expensive marketing plan from the marketing boutique and without pulling your hair out. Email me for a 30 mins conversation :) There may be a free tool on this website or a small project for us to do together to set up a new system for your team to support their growth AND the business’ growth.

What are systems?

Systems are how the processes, tools and people connect to carry out work.

A system is not a software program.

I often hear business owners say they need a new software program to solve their problem.

It’s not true…

Software programs do not solve capabilities gaps in people or processes…aka your current systems. They can make it pretty, easier, etc. to move information around.

It does not solve the true problem of understanding, making decisions and taking action.

Before buying or putting the time into a new software, think about whether there is a skills gap on your team. Implementing a new software program before addressing the skills gap, will continue to delay progress and results.