Let's talk about time; and specifically about the tool I use to save 10+ hours a week.

That tool? Is a project management system, specifically Clickup.

In today's episode, I unveil five key strategies I use to save over 10 hours a week with the project management system I have love heart eyes for.

And side note? You can get ALL of these inside of Operational Elegance, which is 99% off (originally, it sold for $20K) AND is bundled with Lifestyle Business School. Check it out here.

1. Our Task Management Process

The first thing I cannot live without? My task management process inside of Clickup, where I am able to document every recurring task and give my business a "skeleton" with EVERYTHING required to make it run.

I attached SOPs to each tasks so that it can be completed by ANYONE, and it has built for me a business engine that doesn't require ME to run it. Magical :magic_wand:

2. Our Productivity Process:

We've implemented a Productivity Process, which is used to make sure that I (and anyone else in the business) is ALWAYS focused on the right, MOST-needle moving one to three tasks.

3. Our Business Command Centre

Our Project Management system is set up to operate as our entire business command centre; or in other words? A centralized hub for standard operating procedures, curriculum, content, testimonials, and key resources.

4. Our Client and Lead CRM:

We have set up the MOST beautiful and seamless client relationship management and lead management system, where new leads and clients automatically pull into there without us needing to manually do it, every form, detail, note and interaction is documented in the one place.

5. Automations

Finally, we have systems and automations set up that "talk" to our project management system, and which allow me to action items WITHOUT needing either my own manual effort OR a team member.

Want this level of organisation and magic?

Inside Operational Elegance, we provide our entire backend template for project management, including detailed training on productivity processes and more.

This closes TODAY, and afterwards, you won't be able to purchase Operational Elegance AT ALL.

Click here to get the bundle before it expires.

When You're Ready, Here's How We Can Help You:

Join our program which hands you the COMPLETE Lifestyle Business Operating System for current and aspiring expertise-based business owners who want to build a leveraged lifestyle business. Enrol now: https://www.thecoursecartelacademy.com/lifestylebusinessschool

Pre PS Our Black Friday deal is live. Get Operational Elegance bundled into Lifestyle Business School for the duration of your $149/m membership. This is a 99% saving on the original price of Operational Elegance (which was originally sold as Legacy for $20,000 in a high ticket format). Get it here.

Let me tell you: The way I THOUGHT this year would go, versus the way it went? WORLDS APART.

This week marks my birthday, and my business birthday, and it's always a time of reflection.

On the years gone by, what worked, what didn't and what I want to do next month, next year, next SEASON.

This year, I have grown as a person, as a mother and as a business owner.

It wasn't always easy - making big, courageous decisions never are - and it wasn't always fun. Growth, especially in self, is usually uncomfortable. But I'm ending this year feeling proud.

Of myself. Of this business, and the impact it continues to make. And more than anything? I feel excited for the future.. but in a more grounded way than ever before.

In this week's podcast episode, I'm recapping the year that was.. and what's coming next. The theme?

Expectation v Reality; because let me tell you that absolutely sums up 2023 for me.

My expectation in January vs where I'm sitting now?

WILDLY. DIFFERENT.

And, for the better.

Let's dive in.

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BLACK FRIDAY BUNDLE REMINDER: Right now? You can get:

• Our Operational Elegance program (last offered for $20k);
• Bundled with Lifestyle Business School (includes five programs totalling $8,800 in value, plus a community, upcoming template vault, private podcast and a free Kleq six month subscription worth $1,200 - total value $16,000).

For 99.9% off JUST the price of Operational Elegance alone.

In total, it's $36,000 worth of value (Operational Elegance + Lifestyle Business School) for $149/m. Click here to join. 

When You're Ready, Here's How We Can Help You:

Join our program which hands you the COMPLETE Lifestyle Business Operating System for current and aspiring expertise-based business owners who want to build a leveraged lifestyle business. Enrol now: https://www.thecoursecartelacademy.com/lifestylebusinessschool

Wondering how to diagnose the health of your expert business? 🏥

Set and read the vital signs!

Vital signs are key Performance Indicators for each key area 👀

In today's podcast episode, we're breaking down 17 key metrics and KPIs to track in your business across three key areas. 

Having clarity on these metrics is game-changing, because it gives you CONTROL over your business. 

You are empowered because you know what is going wrong, and exactly how to fix it. 

Or, what is working - and how to do more of it! 

Later this week, we are hosting a free class called Operational Elegance, where we will break down these metrics in more detail and show you how you can track, report and improve on them to help you to make your business more efficient. 

Who knew math could be so fun.. and freeing!

🖤 CEO/Top Level Metrics

CEO metrics will give you a clear picture of the overall health of your business - how much money you are making, how much you are keeping (profit), how much you are working to get it and how much of that work is needle-moving “genius zone” work. From there, you can measure your personal hourly rate, and you’ll have a baseline to improve.

Metrics to track: 

• Revenue
• Personal Profit
• Profit Margin
• Hour Worked
• Hours in Genius Zone
• Hourly Rate
• Fulfilment Rating

🖤 Marketing Metrics

Marketing metrics measure the HEALTH of your marketing and sales initiatives. If they’re unhealthy, it will show up in your CEO metrics a month or two later so it’s important to keep them well. In addition to the “qualitative” metrics above, focus also on metrics you can 100% control - being, quantatitve metrics like NUMBER of posts, NUMBER of podcast episodes and NUMBER of emails. You can’t always control the “outcome”, but you CAN control what you do.

Metrics to track: 

• Traffic
• Leads
• Organic Reach
• Downloads
• Actions

🖤 Delivery Metrics 

Delivery metrics are the lifeblood of your business. If you aren’t delivering EXCEPTIONALLY well, your marketing won’t work long term (people talk, and unhappy students leave). Keep a pulse on client happiness and outcomes ALWAYS.

Metrics to track: 

• Retention
• Renewals
• Testimonials
• Anon Feedback Rating
• Results

Of course, these are just example metrics and the actual metrics you track will depend on your business. 

The best way to track and measure these? 

Implement a scoreboard and track them all weekly. 

Even better, assign key metrics to other people and have THEM be responsible for them, plus track and measure them and report them to you weekly. 

🟢 Colour them green if you’re hitting your goals;

🟠 Orange if you’re off track;

🔴 Red if they are bombing.

What gets measured, gets improved. 

Track > optimise > improve > repeat.

When You're Ready, Here's How We Can Help You:

Join our program which hands you the COMPLETE Lifestyle Business Operating System for current and aspiring expertise-based business owners who want to build a leveraged lifestyle business. Enrol now: https://www.thecoursecartelacademy.com/lifestylebusinessschool

Ready to reclaim five to ten hours of time, know with CRYSTAL CLEAR CLARITY what to work on next and feel certain that nothing will EVER get missed in your business?

You need Operational Elegance 😉

In today's podcast episode, I'm breaking down the three C's of operational elegance, which is the term I use to explain a business that has ditched "hot mess express" for systems, streamlined processes and structure that ultimately hands the founder their time back.

To recap, here's what they are, and why you need them.

1) Capacity: Capacity refers to creating space in your schedule by prioritising the most impactful activities in your business. It requires the following:
     a) Auditing and Categorising Your Time
     b) Optimising Your Time
     c) Leveraging your Time With Systems
     d) Leveraging Your Time With (LEAN!) Team
     
2) Clarity: Clarity refers to setting up clear metrics, benchmarks and data tracking to make intelligent decisions and forecasts in your business.
     a) Sales System Data
     b) Sales and Revenue Data
     c) Scorecards and KPIs

3) Cadence: Cadence is my fave, and refers to setting up rhythms for  running both the "big picture" and day to day of your business through planning processes and project management
      a) Business Planning
      b) Project Management

Next week, we are running a free class called Operational Elegance where we will be sharing how we have installed the three C's into our business, with a revealing insight into our business back end. If you are ready to swap the hot mess express approach to running a business for real structure, systems and streamlined processes to set you free, do not miss this. To register, click here. 

When You're Ready, Here's How We Can Help You:

Join our program which hands you the COMPLETE Lifestyle Business Operating System for current and aspiring expertise-based business owners who want to build a leveraged lifestyle business. Enrol now: https://www.thecoursecartelacademy.com/lifestylebusinessschool

Feeling like you need a five year bachelor degree in Marketing just to show up on Instagram?

In today's podcast episode, Britt Worthington from The Social Britify (@thesocialbritify) is back to help you escape Instagram post-paralysis and get the visibility, attention and leads your business needs with a simple formula for reverse-engineering your content strategy (and finally stop overthinking it).

She's on a mission to make Instagram fun again, and those vibes are CONTAGIOUS. I have personally taken some of her approach into my Instagram strategy recently, and my engagement has never been higher. 

Here's a few of the things we cover: 

• Why everyone is over the standard advice on Instagram, and how it is stopping people from showing up at all; 
• Why content pillars are the worst approach to planning your Instagram content, and what to do instead; 
• The "top down" approach to planning your Instagram content, and how to map out concepts that align with your goals; 
• The importance of leaning into your own strengths and preferences when it comes to choosing the vehicle for your Instagram posts; 
• How to start seamlessly creating authentic, genuine and impactful content that gets you in front of the right people;
• HOW IT MAKE IT ALL FUN!

Britt is also hosting an anti-masterclass this week (it's a masterclass, but with none of the boring bits) called "How to Make Instagram Fun Again." To register (I'll be there with BELLS on), head to https://thesocialbritify.txfunnel.com/registerhere

With love,

Stevie

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PS Don't miss Britts Instagram class on Thursday, to register and find out how to make Instagram fun again, click here: https://thesocialbritify.txfunnel.com/registerhere

PPS Doors to Lifestyle Business School are always open, this is the complete Operating System for building (or re-building) an expertise-based online business to the Lifestyle Business Sweet Spot. Our steadfast view? The earlier you join, the BETTER the deal you get and for those joining right now - you are in for a treat, because you will get access to something HUGE coming next month at the current foundation rate. To join Lifestyle Business School, go to http://www.lifestylebusiness.school

PPPS We've just made FREE for a limited time our 76-point Business Diagnostic for expertise-based businesses to help them self-assess the health of the back end of their online business. To get your hands on it, click here: https://www.thecoursecartelacademy.com/cioy5saz

When You're Ready, Here's How We Can Help You:

Join our program which hands you the COMPLETE Lifestyle Business Operating System for current and aspiring expertise-based business owners who want to build a leveraged lifestyle business. Enrol now: https://www.thecoursecartelacademy.com/lifestylebusinessschool