Corporate CPR Episode 103: How Playing It Safe Might Be Killing Your Company

/ Jana

On today’s episode we are talking about how playing it safe might be killing your company. 

John Miller is the Founder of Scribewise, a dynamic content marketing agency dedicated to aiding B2B firms and healthcare providers in achieving growth through thought leadership and demand generation. His team of writers, designers, and strategists excels in humanizing complex business conversations by crafting and disseminating compelling, audience-focused content. With a firm belief in courageous marketing, John advocates for breaking free from the mundane and injecting excitement into the business world. His passion extends to his book, a manifesto at PlayingItSafeSucks.com, aimed at inspiring marketers and companies to adopt a bold and impactful mindset.

Episode Highlights:

Courageous Marketing Manifesto: The book, “Playing It Safe Sucks, A Courageous Marketing Manifesto,” challenges the prevailing mindset of playing it safe, emphasizing the importance of making companies stand out, build credibility, and trust.

Assessing Risk and Timing: Delving into the concept of risk in marketing, the discussion highlights the importance of assessing the right time for bold marketing moves and the need for internal champions to push innovative ideas.

B2B Marketing Focus: The conversation underscores the distinctive aspects of B2B marketing, emphasizing the longer consideration cycle and the need to build trust at scale rather than merely focusing on website traffic or SEO.

Effective Communication within Organizations: Addressing the challenges of communicating courageous marketing ideas within organizations, the emphasis is on starting small with experiments, proving concepts, and gradually expanding initiatives. Internal champions and alignment with company culture are vital.

Navigating Uncertain Times: The discussion challenges the “Playing It Safe” mentality during uncertain times, urging marketers not to give in to the temptation of playing small. It encourages finding ways to bring innovative ideas to market, even in the face of internal politics and red tape.

John’s Top 3 Takeaways for the Audience:

  1. Be courageous in your marketing.
  2. For B2B companies, let go of your obsession with website traffic and SEO.
  3. Don’t follow trends or follow the masses. Focus on figuring out your message and audience instead. 

How to Connect with John:

Website: https://scribewise.com/

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/johnmillerscribewise/

Corporate CPR Episode 102: How Lack Of Alignment Within Your Organization Might Be Stunting Your Growth

/ Jana

On today’s episode we are talking about how lack of alignment within your organization might be stunting your growth. 

Jim Stevenson, Founder and CEO of Bletchley Group, an International Growth Consultants firm, specializes in Strategy, Transformation, and Growth. Committed to making growth the focus of strategy, he excels in creating customer-centric plans, go-to-market strategies, and aligning capabilities for revenue growth. As the visionary behind Tech Startup Machine, Jim collaborates with global brands and startups, providing digital services, from e-commerce to brand protection. Noteworthy clients include Guardian News, Bacardi, and Hilton Hotels. A Thought Leader and Speaker on Digital Strategies, Marketing, and Business, Jim’s specialties encompass Strategy, Transformation, and Growth. His versatile roles include Interim/Fractional Chair, CEO, Leader, Consultant, or Coach.

Episode Highlights:

Cultural Foundation: A strong, shared culture is foundational for a growing company’s success. Maintaining this culture becomes challenging as organizations expand, but it is crucial to prevent the formation of silos that hinder overall alignment and productivity.

Vision and Leadership Alignment: Continuous emphasis on the North Star or overarching vision is vital for a growing organization. Lack of alignment at the leadership level, including the board, CEO, and C-suite, can lead to divergent objectives and hinder overall progress.

OKRs for Strategic Alignment: Implementing Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) is a powerful strategy for aligning teams with overarching company goals. Focusing on challenging OKRs, cascaded from the top down, ensures a balance between aspiration and achievability.

Testing and Learning: Embracing a mindset of continuous testing and learning is crucial, especially for smaller entrepreneurial companies. Setting a clear time horizon for metrics and accepting the possibility of mistakes are key to the learning process.

Start Small for Big Impact: Initiating change through smaller, impactful projects can have a significant effect when steering a large organization. Proving success on a small scale generates enthusiasm and paves the way for broader and more significant transformations.

Jim’s Top 3 Takeaways for the Audience:

  1. Culture is a big thing.
  2. Alignment at all levels of the organization is critical.
  3. Focus on executive sponsorship. 

How to Connect with Jim:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimstevenson/

Unwrapping Relaxation: A Guide to Stress-Free Work During the Holiday Season

/ Jana

The holiday season is upon us, and while it’s the most wonderful time of the year, it can also be the most stressful—especially when it comes to balancing work commitments and festive celebrations. However, fret not! In the spirit of giving, we’ve wrapped up some tips on how to breeze through the workday without letting stress take the joy out of your holidays.

1. Plan and Prioritize:

Just like planning your holiday shopping, planning your work tasks can make a world of difference. Create a to-do list, prioritize your tasks, and set realistic deadlines. Knowing what needs to be done and when will help you manage your time more effectively, leaving room for some holiday cheer.

2. Set Boundaries:

It’s essential to establish boundaries between work and personal time, especially during the holidays. Communicate your availability to colleagues and clients, and be clear about when you’ll be taking time off. Setting these expectations will allow you to fully enjoy your time away from work without constantly worrying about what’s happening in the office.

3. Embrace Flexibility:

The holidays are a time for joy and spontaneity. Embrace flexibility in your work schedule when possible. If you find yourself with some free time during the day, take a break to enjoy a festive treat or go for a walk to soak in the holiday spirit. A little flexibility can go a long way in reducing stress.

4. Delegate Wisely:

You don’t have to carry the entire workload on your own sleigh. Learn to delegate tasks and trust your team members. Delegating not only lightens your load but also provides others with opportunities to shine. A collaborative effort can make the workload more manageable for everyone.

5. Unplug and Recharge:

Remember that your mental well-being is just as important as your work commitments. Take the time to unplug from work emails and notifications during designated holiday hours. Use this time to recharge, spend quality moments with loved ones, and engage in activities that bring you joy.

6. Celebrate Small Wins:

Acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. Completing a project, meeting a deadline, or successfully wrapping up a challenging task deserves recognition. Celebrating these wins can boost your morale and help you stay motivated during the holiday hustle.

7. Practice Self-Care:

Amidst the holiday rush, don’t forget to take care of yourself. Whether it’s enjoying a cup of hot cocoa, taking a few minutes to meditate, or getting a good night’s sleep, self-care is crucial. A well-rested and rejuvenated you is better equipped to tackle work challenges and enjoy the festivities.

8. Reflect and Reset:

As the year draws to a close, take some time to reflect on your accomplishments and lessons learned. Use this reflection to set positive intentions for the upcoming year. A fresh perspective can provide clarity and motivation as you head into the new year.

By implementing these strategies, you can navigate the holiday season with greater ease, balancing work responsibilities and festive celebrations. After all, the most wonderful time of the year should be enjoyed stress-free! Cheers to a joyful and productive holiday season!

Corporate CPR Episode 101: Why You Might Be Killing Innovation Within Your Organization

/ Jana

On today’s episode we are talking about why you might be killing innovation within your organization. 

Robyn Bolton, Founder of MileZero, collaborates with medium to large businesses, guiding them through uncertainty to drive revenue growth. With a focus on innovation, she transforms deep customer insights into viable businesses, having worked with notable companies such as Medtronic and Teachers Pay Teachers. Formerly a Partner at Innosight, she served Global 1000 firms, including Nike and Nestle, shaping new markets and business models. Robyn, an MBA graduate from Harvard Business School, began her career at Procter & Gamble, leading the North American launch of Swiffer. A respected thought leader, her articles on innovation appear in major publications, and she frequently speaks on topics like Intrapreneurship and Design Thinking. 

Episode Highlights:

Strategic Innovation for Growth: Innovation is pivotal for organizational growth, addressing the “growth gap” and maintaining competitiveness in dynamic markets.

Adapting to Rapid Change: Established companies face the challenge of adapting to accelerated technological change, necessitating quicker innovation cycles for sustained relevance.

Clear Definition Drives Alignment: A shared and clear definition of innovation is essential to align diverse perceptions within organizations, ensuring cohesive efforts.

Diversified Portfolio Approach: Success in innovation requires a balanced portfolio encompassing incremental, adjacent, and transformative approaches, each demanding specific structures for optimal execution.

Leadership’s Dual Mandate: Leaders play a pivotal role in maintaining operational efficiency while fostering the adaptability essential for driving and sustaining innovation initiatives.

Robyn’s Top 3 Takeaways for the Audience:

  1. Leaders, the tension you feel between operating and innovating is real. You goal now is to figure out how to live with that tension and both operate and innovate in the best way for your organization. 
  2. Innovation isn’t an event. It can start with one, but make sure you have a plan for how to keep the momentum going. 
  3. Get really good at incremental innovation and set up a separate team and structure to focus on adjacent innovation.

How to Connect with Robyn:

Website: https://www.milezero.io

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynmbolton/

Nurturing Success: The Art of Stakeholder Engagement

/ Jana

Let’s discuss a topic that’s often underestimated but plays a crucial role in the success of any project or initiative: Stakeholder Engagement.

Keeping your stakeholders engaged is like tending to a flourishing garden. You need to plant the seeds, water them regularly, and make sure they get enough sunlight. In our corporate world, the seeds are ideas, and the sunlight is effective communication and collaboration. Let’s break it down.

1. Involve Them from the Get-Go: Ever hosted a party without inviting your closest friends? Probably not! Similarly, involving stakeholders from the project’s inception is key. Their insights and perspectives are invaluable, and by including them early on, you set the stage for a collaborative and inclusive environment.

2. Communication is the Glue: Imagine trying to complete a puzzle without the picture on the box. Communication is the picture on the box in our business puzzle. Regular updates, transparent communication, and sharing the big picture help stakeholders understand their role and the project’s progress. Whether it’s good news, challenges, or changes in direction, keeping everyone in the loop is vital.

3. Address Concerns Promptly: Like any relationship, there will be concerns. Addressing them promptly is like putting out a small fire before it turns into a blaze. Whether it’s clarifying misunderstandings, mitigating risks, or adapting to changing circumstances, showing that you’re on top of issues fosters trust and loyalty.

4. Feedback: The Secret Sauce: Ever tried a dish without salt? It lacks flavor! Similarly, a project without stakeholder feedback may miss critical elements. Encourage open and honest feedback. It’s the secret sauce that enhances the quality of your project. Learn, adapt, and evolve based on what your stakeholders are saying.

5. Celebrate Together: Success tastes sweeter when shared. Don’t forget to celebrate milestones and victories, big or small. Acknowledge the contributions of your stakeholders and make them feel like they’re part of something meaningful.

Stakeholder engagement isn’t just a buzzword; it’s the beating heart of successful projects. Like any relationship, it requires effort, communication, and mutual respect. By involving stakeholders, addressing concerns, and valuing their feedback, you not only maintain their support but also pave the way for future collaborations.

Corporate CPR Episode 100: How Communication Might Be Killing Your Organization

/ Jana

On today’s episode we are talking about how communication might be killing your organization.

Pam Hurley, PhD, is the founder and president of Hurley Write, Inc., a certified women-owned small business. Pam’s teaching style has been described as “energetic” and “straightforward.” Indeed, many clients credit Pam with giving them the strategies they needed to start thinking critically about their own writing. 

Episode Highlights:

Impact of Effective Writing: Effective writing plays a critical role in shaping an organization’s reputation, customer relationships, and financial success. Poor writing can lead to confusion, questions, and damage to the company’s image.

Undervaluation of Writing Skills: Many organizations undervalue the importance of writing skills, expressing a need for quality documents while neglecting to invest in the development of their employees’ writing proficiency. There is an assumption that a college education ensures adequate writing skills.

Time and Cost Consequences: Poor writing has not only communication quality implications but also significant time and cost repercussions due to repeated document iterations and reviews. This is especially noticeable when employees, such as project managers, are burdened with excessive reviewing responsibilities that detract from their primary roles.

Equal Rigor for Internal Communication: Internal communication, encompassing emails and other documents, deserves the same level of scrutiny as client-facing communication. Miscommunication internally can lead to problems, impacting relationships and rapport within the organization.

Audience-Centric Writing: Deep understanding of the audience is crucial in effective writing. Knowing the attributes, relationships, and context of the reader aids in tailoring the tone, voice, and content appropriately. This prevents misunderstandings and enhances the overall effectiveness of communication, both internally and externally.

Pam’s Top 3 Takeaways for the Audience:

  1. Think of the organization in terms of the communication. Is there an organizational problem? Do you have a communication standard in place?
  2. Writing should be part of your overall strategic plan for the company. 
  3. Always think about the planning of your documents. 

How to Connect with Pam:

Website: https://www.hurleywrite.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hurleywrite/

Navigating Project Management Waters: Challenges and Solutions for Small Businesses

/ Jana

In the dynamic world of small businesses, project management often becomes a juggling act. While big corporations may have dedicated teams and sophisticated tools, small businesses face unique challenges in managing projects effectively. Let’s dive into the hurdles and discover tailored solutions to keep the ship sailing smoothly.

 The Challenge of Limited Resources

Small businesses are often strapped for resources, both human and financial. This can lead to overburdened teams wearing multiple hats, making it challenging to allocate time and expertise to project management.

Solution: Embrace simplicity. Utilize user-friendly project management tools that streamline processes without overwhelming your team. Prioritize tasks and focus on key project elements to maximize efficiency within constraints.

Communication Hurdles in Small Teams

In a smaller setting, the lines of communication should be clear, but the reality is often different. With fewer team members, miscommunication can have a significant impact on project outcomes.

Solution: Foster open communication channels. Regular check-ins, concise updates, and utilizing collaboration platforms can enhance team communication. Create a culture where team members feel comfortable expressing concerns or asking for clarification.

 Adapting to Change

Small businesses are agile by nature, but adapting to unexpected changes in a project can be a stumbling block. Lack of established processes may lead to chaos when the unexpected arises.

Solution: Embrace flexibility. Establish a framework that allows for adjustments without derailing the entire project. Encourage a mindset that views change as an opportunity for improvement rather than a roadblock.

 Balancing Act: Quality vs. Speed

Small businesses often find themselves torn between delivering projects quickly and maintaining high-quality standards. The pressure to compete can compromise the quality of work.

Solution: Find the sweet spot. Clearly define project goals and set realistic timelines. Prioritize tasks based on importance and potential impact, allowing your team to focus on delivering quality results within achievable timeframes.

Building a Project-Centric Culture

Unlike larger corporations, small businesses may not have a well-defined project management culture. This lack of a structured approach can lead to projects losing direction.

Solution: Cultivate a project mindset. Invest in project management training for your team and encourage the adoption of best practices. Establish a project-centric culture where everyone understands their role in contributing to successful project outcomes.

While small businesses face unique project management challenges, they also possess the agility to overcome them. By implementing tailored solutions that align with the company’s size and resources, small businesses can turn project management into a strategic advantage, driving growth and success.

Understanding The Differences: Software Implementation vs. Integration  

/ Jana

We’re unraveling the mysteries behind two crucial concepts in the ever-evolving realm of business technology: Software Implementation and Integration. You might have heard these terms thrown around in board meetings or water cooler conversations, but do you know what sets them apart?  

Imagine your business as a blank canvas waiting to be painted with efficiency and innovation. That’s where software implementation comes into play. It’s the process of introducing a new software system to your organization. Picture this as the grand opening of a new restaurant—new menus, chefs, and recipes. It’s all about bringing in a fresh perspective, upgrading your digital arsenal, and embracing change.  

As businesses navigate the complexities of modern technology, software integration emerges as a crucial strategy. Integration is about making different software systems work seamlessly together, creating a harmonious workflow. It’s like having the front of the house seamlessly communicate with the back of the house in a restaurant. This digital collaboration eliminates the potential for lost orders or miscommunication, transforming your business into a smooth, well-oiled machine. Much like orchestrating the flow in a restaurant, software integration ensures that various applications work in unison, optimizing processes and enhancing overall operational efficiency.   

Software Implementation:   

When you opt for software implementation, you adopt a new software system as a standalone entity. It’s like setting up a satellite office with its processes and procedures for your business operations. Here’s what you need to know:  

  1. Fresh Start: Implementation is your chance to hit the reset button. You’re introducing a new system to revolutionize the way your business operates. Whether it’s a project management tool, CRM software, or an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, it’s all about embracing the new and bidding farewell to the old.  
  1. Training and Adoption: Brace yourself for a learning curve. Your team needs to get comfortable with the new software, so training becomes crucial to the implementation process. It’s not just about introducing the software; it’s about ensuring your team can navigate it like pros.  
  1. Customization: The beauty of implementation is customization. You can tailor the software to fit your business like a glove. From workflows to reporting structures, you have the power to mold the software to align perfectly with your unique business needs.  

Integration: The Digital Harmony  

Conversely, integration creates synergy between existing software applications, ensuring they communicate seamlessly. Here’s the lowdown:  

  1. Streamlining Operations: Integration is your secret sauce for operational efficiency. It eliminates the need for manual data entry across different systems, reducing errors and saving precious time. The magic wand turns your tech ecosystem into a well-oiled, synchronized orchestra.  
  1. Data Flow Nirvana: Imagine data flowing effortlessly between your CRM, accounting software, and project management tools. Integration makes this dream a reality. No more data silos or bottlenecks—just a smooth flow of information that empowers your team to make informed decisions.  
  1. Cost-Effective Collaboration: Instead of investing in a whole new software suite, integration allows you to leverage your existing tech investments. It’s like building bridges between islands, fostering collaboration without breaking the bank.  

Software implementation is about introducing something new and exciting, while integration ensures all your existing tools play nicely together. It’s the difference between launching a brand-new spaceship and communicating seamlessly with all the spacecraft in your fleet.  

As technology evolves, understanding the nuances of software implementation and integration becomes paramount for businesses aiming to stay ahead of the curve.   

Agile vs. Waterfall Project Management: Choosing the Right Approach for Your Project

/ Jana

Project management methodologies form the backbone of successful project execution. Among the most debated and utilized methods are Agile and Waterfall. Each has its own set of principles, practices, and advantages. Determining which one is suitable for a project can significantly impact its success. Let’s delve into the comparison of these methodologies to help you decide which might be the better fit for your project needs.

Understanding the Basics

Waterfall Methodology

The Waterfall methodology is a traditional, linear approach to project management. It follows a sequential order, where each phase must be completed before the next one begins. The process typically includes phases like requirements gathering, design, implementation, testing, deployment, and maintenance. Changes are challenging to incorporate once a phase is completed.

Agile Methodology

Agile is a more flexible and iterative approach. It focuses on adaptive planning, incremental development, and encourages rapid and flexible responses to change. Agile breaks the project into smaller cycles or sprints, allowing for continuous improvement and adaptation. It values collaboration, customer feedback, and the ability to respond to changes quickly.

Comparison

Flexibility and Adaptability

Waterfall is known for its rigid structure. It’s suitable for projects where requirements are well-defined and unlikely to change significantly. In contrast, Agile is highly adaptable and welcomes changes throughout the project lifecycle. This makes it ideal for projects where the requirements might evolve or aren’t entirely clear from the outset.

Risk Management

Waterfall’s linear structure makes it easier to manage and mitigate risks early in the project. However, it’s less equipped to handle changes or unexpected challenges. Agile, with its iterative nature, allows for constant risk assessment and mitigation, thus being more suitable for projects with uncertain or evolving requirements.

Client Involvement and Feedback

Agile encourages constant client involvement and feedback, leading to high customer satisfaction as the product can adapt to changing needs. In Waterfall, the client’s involvement usually occurs at the beginning and end of the project, potentially leading to misalignments between the final product and customer expectations.

Project Visibility and Progress Tracking

Waterfall offers clear milestones for tracking progress but might lack visibility until the end of each phase. Agile, with its regular iterations, provides frequent updates and transparency into the project’s progress.

Choosing the Right Approach

The decision between Agile and Waterfall depends on various factors, including the project scope, requirements clarity, client involvement, team structure, and industry standards. Consider using Waterfall for projects with fixed, well-defined requirements and where changes are expected to be minimal, such as construction and manufacturing projects. On the other hand, Agile is recommended for projects with evolving requirements or where constant client involvement and flexibility are vital, such as software development or creative projects.

The choice between them isn’t about declaring one superior to the other but rather understanding which suits the project’s needs and environment best. Some projects might even benefit from a hybrid approach, taking the strengths of each methodology to suit specific project phases. So before making a decision, it’s crucial to assess the project’s unique requirements, team capabilities, and the overall organizational context. By understanding the nuances of these methodologies, project managers can make informed decisions that ultimately lead to successful project outcomes.

Corporate CPR Episode 99: Making Finance-Driven Decisions

/ Jana

On today’s episode, we are talking about making finance-driven decisions.

Paul Barnhurst, known as The FP&A Guy, is a seasoned Finance Professional with over 12 years of experience in finance and Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A). He holds a bachelor’s degree from BYU, an MBA specializing in finance, and a Master of Information Management from Arizona State University. Paul’s diverse career spans various industries, including government, travel services, finance, automotive, Cyber Security, and Ecommerce. His expertise lies in budgeting, forecasting, financial planning, modeling, report building, and business partnership. Paul recently launched The FP&A Guy, offering FP&A consulting for small and mid-sized companies, FP&A training, and content creation. Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, he’s an active thought leader on LinkedIn in the FP&A field.

Episode Highlights:

  • Financial Modeling for Informed Decisions: Financial modeling is a critical tool for making informed decisions. It involves creating dynamic models with inputs and outputs to estimate the financial implications of various scenarios, such as business expansion. Good financial modeling helps in projecting likely outcomes.
  • Aligning Strategy with Finance: Financial modeling in the corporate context plays a key role in aligning strategic plans with financial considerations. It engages different departments in the budgeting and forecasting process, ensuring that business decisions are financially sound and in line with the company’s overall strategy.
  • M&A as an Art and Science: Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) strategies should combine both financial analysis and a deep understanding of market dynamics. Successful M&A deals require discipline to avoid overpaying or making unrealistic assumptions. It’s both an art and a science.
  • Building Robust M&A Models: In M&A, success hinges on having a robust financial model, conducting effective due diligence, understanding the strategic fit between companies, and structuring deals intelligently. Consideration of market conditions and future exit strategies is essential.
  • Key Considerations for Informed M&A: When considering M&A, focus on key factors such as financial aspects, the technology state of the target company, cultural fit, legal risks, and understanding industry growth or decline. These considerations are fundamental for making well-informed decisions during mergers and acquisitions.

Paul’s Top 3 Takeaways for the Audience:

  1. Modeling is only one decision-making tool. It should be used to help guide your decisions, not dictate them.
  2. Most M&As do not result in a return to the buyer so make sure you bring discipline to your process and try to remove emotion.
  3. Make sure you’re asking Finance for help. Finance can bring a lot of value, especially if they are willing to learn & partner with the business.  

How to Connect with Paul:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy/   

Email: Pbarnhurst@thefpandaguy.com

Website: www.thefpandaguy.com