Hey, Kayvon Great to have you here today. Thanks for joining me on the simplifying entrepreneurship podcast.
Hi, Peter. I'm glad to be here. Thanks for having me.
Yeah, well, I wanted to get you on right away here. You know, we talk a lot about simplifying your business, simplify and mind simplifying entrepreneurship, you know, we're in the same frame and in the same sort of mode a lot of the times and always enjoy our conversations together, and today, we'll kick it off with the question, what are the advantages of simplifying your business? Why don't you kick that off? kayvon? For us?
That's a good question. And and yeah, I always enjoyed my conversation with you. And we might as well record them, right. Yeah, for sure. So what are the advantages of simplifying the business world? The Well, I think it's all advantages, right? Because it's obvious that we do not want anything complicated or complex in our life, everything simple. It would be the gateway to everything easier. So the appeal is there. But I'm guessing, for example, the lifeblood of the business is money and finances. If finances are not simplified that you cannot quickly look at them, and realize what's going on as far as cash flow or bottom line and that sort of thing. If it's going to be complicated, well, how quickly can you respond to that? So simplifying, finances or any other operation in business, increases your response time, and higher chances to course correct. Because, you know, plans are fine. But many things happen, you know, as as we go on market changes, customer change, and all of that. So our ability to be able to quickly and properly respond, is very important. So that is one of the biggest advantages of simplifying that I can think of.
Yeah, I like that cave on and with on the financing, financial side of things. Are you do you suggest dashboards and that sort of thing? Are? Can you sort of flow that out a little bit more? Yes?
Well, the short answer is that I do not suggest anything. Because different people, different things work for them. So if dashboards work for you, go for dashboards, if paper report works for you go for that. So first of all, my recommendation is always pick the tool method approach that works for you, because that's another way of simplifying the processes, because not every method is the right for every kind of person. You know, just to simplify that idea, some people are big picture people, and some people are detail oriented picture, people, and they have their own advantages. So there isn't one tool that works for everyone. I like to look at bottom line of spreadsheets, right? So dashboards, they make sense, they're good. But for a person like me, who visits them not after often as some other people, you know, a spreadsheet that somebody else prepared, and it's a kind of a, like a route. So let me put it this way. As far as instead of dashboards, which is constant observation, I prefer reports, which is snapshot snapshots of, of the situation on a periodic kind of basis.
Yeah, no, I like that, too. You know, when I look at simplifying, I always look at ways of reducing frustration, you know? And that's, that's a big one for me. How would you suggest in some of the work that you're working with, and your clients and things like that? What are you doing to help them through some frustration?
Right? The biggest key to removing frustration for me, and the work that I do with my clients is, and we kind of talked about it is designing everything about around themselves and how they operate, like, what is their mo modus operandi? What is their strength? Right. So you and I will talk about different tests like disc and Colby and that sort of thing? Yeah, those are the job that they all do is to give us an external and valid point of view about ourselves because we do have our own opinion. But we really don't really do not see ourselves in the environment. So know thyself, is my first step in the approach to see so and also, I like to look at myself or encourage my clients to look at themselves on a third person. So if I'm going to use myself as an example, if I'm working with Kayvon, which is, you know me if I'm working with Avon, what works for him. Is he a morning person? Is he is an afternoon person is he Is he the kind of person that works in short sprints, or long marathons, detail oriented or big picture, then design everything around the strength and mode of operation of each person. So that's my first approach. Because it's that old saying of before we can fix things, we want to remove all the obstacles and frustrations. The not to do list is the first step rather than what should I be doing? Let's stop the things that they're not working. And remove the frictions, therefore, reduce the a lot of frustrations on the way.
I like that, you know, what would you What would you say to somebody Kayvon, who came to you and said, you know, what, everything's working fine. I don't really need to simplify anything, you know, things are things are rolling along. And what why do what why do you think I need to simplify?
Well, if that's true, don't touch it. Yeah, if there is no frustration, if there is no friction, but you know, let's look into that. Because everything that matters is worth looking at. You know, on one hand, you might prove that, yes, your observation has been correct. Now, we know that or maybe we find things that they can be improved, then now we know that so everything should be looked at, on a periodic kind of a basis. So depending on the topic, maybe annual, maybe three months and, and that sort of thing. And at the same time, we can also always benefit from the reverse of the question, like, Is everything going, Okay, is one type of the question, but the flip side of that is what frustrates you these days, or what has been like, the last time that you got, you know, frustrated with something. So, by examining back and forth, we can realize if there is something going on, or can be done or cannot be done. That's one of the things and also us as coaches, because we have this, you know, exposure to what's available out there. As far as tools and methodologies. Many times it's just a matter of letting him know, oh, you have been doing it that way. Did you know you can do it this way, which is so simple, but it's easier, less steps, less investment faster? Not cheaper? That kind of thing?
Yeah, I like that. I like that. One of the, you know, some of the things when I talk about simplifying, it's about starting off with a couple of small things that might make some immediate results with people. And what are the what are the kinds of things that you find are sort of quick wins for people that really haven't looked at simplifying very much, or really haven't kind of dug into it? What what things would you start to, you know, that are common, let's say, problems that people deal with that. Maybe they didn't know, there was a solution? Or maybe they didn't realize that they should be looking at things in a different way. They're listening to his podcasts for the first time, we're saying, Yeah, I never really give that a thought, what where would you? Where would you say like, I might want to start here?
Well, first of all, I really like what you just said, as in a small step is small when so as miniscule as possible, the things that is easy to do. I think calendar is always a good place to start. Yeah, you know. And, you know, there are a few general rules that they have to be in the calendar, for example, at least 25 30% of your calendar, everyday should be empty, you know, empty space, nothing is scheduled. So you have the freedom to move things around. Just one look at your calendar. So listeners, right now, they can open up the calendar, if it's back to back to back to back to back. It's kinda overestimating what can be done in a day. And I have a guest that everyday, some things are moving to the next thing, and then something overflows to the next day. So just compare that with a day, like to two scenarios a day that you have fewer items, and some empty space, and everything gets done, or a day that you have it all full, no empty space, and things move to the next day, another everything gets done.
I like that. I like to keep one. And you know, I think we've talked a little bit in the past about doing a couple of episodes in the future. And I think that's maybe one we should pick apart and go down into calendar and time blocking and those kinds of things.
Definitely, that would be that would be a great episode. I really don't have a lot to say about that. For sure.
I think it's a great topic for our listeners. And it's one that we both are sort of passionate about. So I think we can take that to the next level. So as we finish up the conversation, yeah, just one more last thought to encourage and challenge our listeners on simply, you know, simplification.
Yes. You want I know focusing being the ability to focus on what's in front of you can can change everything, everything can change, the results can change the fulfillment, and all of that. And you and I have the book club going. So, in one of the future books, I like to suggest the book, the one thing. And in that book, there is this question. They call it the focusing question. I think that would be a good, good question to answer at least once a day at the beginning of the day. And the question is this, what is one thing that I can do such that by doing it, I make everything else easier or unnecessary? What is one thing that I can do such that by doing it everything else is becomes easier or unnecessary? And then do that?
Awesome. While it's on my book, shelf behind me, it's probably on your bookshelf behind you. So it's a great book by Gary Keller, I think yes. As I recall, and so yeah, let's let's explore that, too. So just for those that want to get in touch with the cable and just ask you to share to the audience on how to get ahold of you if they want to reach out to you.
Right? Well, my website would be a good place to get started. It's simplify dot zone. And actually, if if they want to take it to the next level, I am working on a program right now, which is all about getting things done. I call it the implementation advantage. So simplify that zone slash implementation.
Excellent. Well, thanks so much for spending some time with me. Look forward to doing another podcast with you here in the near future. Yes. Thank you for having me. All right. Make it a great day. You too. Bye bye.
