Grow Smart, Not Hard: Secrets to Building a Thriving Business 

Grow Smart, Not Hard: Secrets to Building a Thriving Business 

by | May 16, 2024 | Business Chaos, Busy Trap, Juggle Street, Peak Performance, Time Freedom

Smart growth in business isn’t about relentless hustle or sacrificing your well-being for the sake of performance. 

Instead, smart growth focuses on combining strong leadership and effective people strategies to ensure that you, your team, and your business thrive.

If you want to reclaim time and step away from being everything to everyone, so that you can work smarter, not harder then it’s time to lean into smart growth.

Let’s look at how you do this.

Strong People Leadership

By fostering a culture where your team can make decisions independently, you free yourself from daily operations.

This takes a commitment to empowering your team, coaching and supporting their skill development.

It also means you drop any micro-management behaviours that could have snuck in.

The payoff? 

Enhanced productivity and increased job satisfaction for you and your team. 

Redefining Business Success

What does success mean to you?

Is it just about turnover targets getting achieved at all costs?

Or does it include caring about your team’s mental health?

Is it about reacting to economic uncertainties at all costs? 

Or do you embrace challenges without compromising your health and that of your business? 

True success combines profitability with well-being, steering clear of burnout and building resilience against whatever challenges get thrown your way.

Strategic Focus for Daily Challenges

Managing a business or a team requires constant attention to operations, client delivery, and lead generation. 

It’s easy to get sucked into the vortex of the whirlpool and feel like you’re drowning.

The challenge is to remain proactive rather than reactive.

For you to remain forward-thinking and robust you need to step on the balcony and focus on the bigger picture.

Without the ability to take time to work on your business instead of in it, you are leaving yourself open to feeling like business is chaotic.

Empowerment Through Decision-Making

What would you rather – a team of decision-makers or a team of doers? 

Decision-makers need structures to follow to set them up for success.

They need to be able to make mistakes and learn from them, be supported to grow and learn.

This shift not only empowers your team but also ensures that the business can continue to operate effectively, even in your absence. 

When you have a team that operates autonomously, you get the time freedom to focus on whatever is next for you.

Where do you sit right now?

We’ve created a 60-second quiz for you to identify which phase of business growth you’re in.

Your results will identify which one of these four categories you fall into – Crisis, Build, Growth or Momentum mode.

And we’ll give you the blueprint to move to Momentum from whichever phase you’re in.

The blueprint includes our favourite tools (you’ll get access to them straight away) that are working for our clients at the moment with sales productivity, profit planning and team engagement.

Click here to do the survey now – https://businesstogether.typeform.com/smartgrowth?typeform

Ness is a Business and Leadership Coach. Her approach is grounded in practicality and empathy because she believes in the power of careful, thoughtful decision-making that respects your needs. Having run successful coaching businesses since 2015, Ness is obsessed with helping business owners and leaders thrive. She helps her clients install smart business growth strategies and leverage leadership for peak performance.

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The Business Conundrum: Action vs. Non-Action

The Business Conundrum: Action vs. Non-Action

by | Mar 1, 2024 | Business Chaos, Peak Performance

Greg Plitt’s quote, “When every action has a purpose, every action has a result,” really hits home for me, especially when it comes to hitting a goal, whether that be a work or personal goal.

Think about it: every choice you make, every task you complete, all have the power to either move you closer to success or steer you off course.

That’s why it’s absolutely essential to make sure your actions are in line with your goals and purpose.

If they aren’t then you’re just wasting your time.

Some days back in my corporate job where I was receiving hundreds of emails a week, it felt like I was playing a game of Tetris, especially towards the end of the week when they came in thick and fast.

Although I was taking action and responding to emails, I wasn’t focused on what mattered the most, I was focused on what I could action quickly.

Has that ever happened to you: feeling busy doing stuff but not really getting anywhere?

Maybe you’ve been putting off important tasks, like those nerve-wracking sales conversations, only to realise later that of course it’s affecting your bottom line.

Trust me, I’ve been there—lots of coffee chats but not enough follow-through on the sales front, resulting in zero income during the first 3 months of my first business.

Whether you’re taking action or choosing not to, each move you make shapes the path your business takes.

So, how do you navigate through this?

Clarity and purpose are key.

Reconnecting to why your business exists, and what it’s here to achieve is the starting point.
It’s not just about setting goals; it’s about tying those goals to a bigger picture, and giving your team a clear vision to rally behind.

As a leader, it’s your job to communicate this purpose to your team in a way that they can connect with it.

Because when everyone understands how their work contributes to the bigger picture, it adds meaning to what they do and helps to keep them engaged.

This clarity also makes decision-making easier for everyone involved and after all, isn’t that what you want from your team: the ability to make decisions for themselves instead of looking to you for all the answers?

Once you set your team up to succeed, it’s time to turn the mirror back on yourself.

Just because you can do everything doesn’t mean you should.

You need to set boundaries and identify your priorities.

Focus on doing things that align with your goals, and be mindful of what you’re sacrificing by saying yes to one thing over another, especially when it comes to outside of work time.

Here are some questions to help you decide on your priorities:

  • What’s most important right now?
  • What can wait?
  • Is this action moving me closer to my goal?
  • If I say yes to this, what am I giving up?

Treat these questions like a matter of life and death, and put your energy where it truly matters.

Consistently aligning your actions with your purpose and goals helps you steer clear of the unproductive busyness trap.

This role modelling helps to create a culture of purpose-driven action within your team, fostering autonomy and engagement.

Remember, every move you make shapes your business journey—so make sure to make each one count.

Meet Nicky & Ness

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Breaking Free from the Busy Trap: Prioritising Life for Success

Breaking Free from the Busy Trap: Prioritising Life for Success

by | Feb 1, 2024 | Profitability and business growth, Smart Growth

Unless you’re brand new to leadership or business, you already know that taking a step back to plan strategically is a game-changer for long-term sustainability and success. 

But nobody addresses your key problem – even though you know that to be true, chances are you are caught in the busy trap and if you do get time to step away from the business, it is taking you away from time with your family and friends.

How do you prioritise setting aside dedicated time for proactive planning?

The key is to focus not only on planning for the business but also on carving out space to prioritise personal goals. 

I’ve seen (and experienced) this approach, where you prioritise what’s important in your life alongside all the business objectives and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

What goes in hand with that shift, is a reframe of the belief that ‘there isn’t enough time’. 

Hanging onto this “excuse” (harsh, but true!) will become a barrier for you, leading to a constant struggle stuck in the whirlwind of daily activities. 

A shift in perspective is crucial. 

Instead of thinking about the lack of time, consider how to make the most out of the available time in a strategic and effective manner.

One of the ways we do this is by using a framework, we call the True North wheel. 

This model integrates three core components: business growth, managing finances, and prioritising life. 

The synergy between these elements creates a well-rounded strategy that not only propels business success but also enhances the overall quality of life.

And this approach can be shared with your leaders.

When you sit alongside your leaders and share your priorities (including life priorities) there’s deeper accountability, support and empowerment within the team.

I put the challenge out to you… in the next 24 hours identify one activity that contributes to prioritising your life. 

This could range from scheduling personal appointments (the doctor visit you’ve been putting off or the overdue haircut?) to planning fun activities outside of work (breakfast with your family perhaps?). 

Want extra points because you’re a high achiever? 

Extend this challenge to your team members, encouraging them to incorporate self-care and life priorities into their schedules.

Ultimately, the aim is to create a culture that values both professional success and personal well-being. 

As a business owner or leader, acknowledging the importance of prioritising life not only fosters a healthier work environment but also attracts and retains top talent. 

The ripple effect of this approach leads to enhanced engagement, reduced burnout, and a more fulfilling experience for everyone involved.

And that is what makes achieving your goals so much more fulfilling.

Ness is a money coach, helping businesswomen like you gain clarity over your financial goals, building wealth and financial security for themselves.

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Navigating the Feast and Famine Cycle in Business

Navigating the Feast and Famine Cycle in Business

by | Nov 28, 2023 | Business coaching for women, Money Mindset and Management, Profitability and business growth, Smart Growth

As a successful businesswoman, you’ve conquered numerous challenges so far:

  • Started your business and been going long enough for it to be a viable and ongoing concern
  • Grown a team, because let’s face it, your clients need and want what you have to offer
  • Juggled the balance of work and home life (sometimes, not very successfully but the kids/pets are still alive and you have a healthy waiting list of prospective clients)

And yet, when you look at your bottom line, the profit margins (aka money in your personal bank account) just aren’t showing up as you expect and want them to be.

Yes, you can tweak some expenses, perhaps look at increasing your prices but when you feel like you’ve pulled all the levers and you’re still not feeling rewarded sufficiently for your hard work, then you’re missing a key point.

And this is it – there’s a silent, somewhat uncomfortable, barrier standing between you and your next level of success: your money mindset.

And now is the time to address it, head-on.

Your money mindset is like a silent puppeteer pulling the strings, and if you’re not careful, it will hold you back from creating the financial success you know you’re worthy of.

Your money mindset is this intricate blend of upbringing, culture, family vibes, and life experiences.

It shapes your financial DNA, influencing how you view money, wealth, and success.

Rewind to your childhood… what money messages were whispered in your ear? 

For me, it was phrases like “money doesn’t grow on trees” or “you have to work hard for your money” – innocent at first glance, but they built a foundation of money beliefs that I had never stopped to question.

Your money beliefs are like a fingerprint, unique to you based on your life adventures, experiences, role models and upbringing.

The bad news?

Your current results are influenced by your current beliefs.

The good news?

Your money beliefs aren’t carved in stone; it’s just a vibe you have until a breakthrough happens. 

Recognising and challenging your beliefs is the secret sauce to propelling your business forward.

So if you are feeling stuck or experiencing a plateau, here’s your call to action: 

  1. Grab a pen and paper. 
  2. Jot down the money belief that’s been pulling the strings right now (i.e. anything that comes after you say the words, I’d be better off financially if/but…)
  3. Ask yourself the following questions:
  • Is it gospel truth?
  • What if it’s not?
  • What could be a better belief right now?

Challenge your beliefs and notice the impact it has on your bottom line.

If you want some extra help, feel free to reach out. 

Helping women break through their money story and build wealth for themselves into the future is something I can talk about until the cows come home!

Meet Nicky & Ness

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Unlocking Your Business Potential with Extended DISC Profiling

Unlocking Your Business Potential with Extended DISC Profiling

by | Nov 2, 2023 | Business coaching for women, Busy Trap, Time Freedom

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying ‘going into business is the biggest personal development journey you can go on’.

Cheesy? Yep!

Also true though? Absolutely! 

Looking back at my 8 years in business, I just can’t help but wholeheartedly agree with that statement. 

No matter who you are, when you start a business, the only certainty is that it will stretch you beyond what you think you’re capable of. 

And those who don’t lean into the growth fall into the 60% that shut down their business within the first 3 years (figures from the ABS). 

There’s no other way through it: overcoming fears and reshaping belief systems becomes essential for success.

 As a coach, I often find myself helping clients explore the depths of their behaviour and motivations. 

Self-awareness is key, and one powerful tool we use is the Extended DISC profiling tool. 

DISC helps us understand what drives our behaviour, why we procrastinate on certain things, and why we’re naturally drawn to some activities but avoid others.

You see, it’s not just about knowing how to run a business; it’s about understanding human behaviour and how it impacts everything in business – from what you focus on to how you communicate. 

We all have things we avoid like the plague… perhaps it’s handling conflicts, scheduling appointments, or making important phone calls. 

Then there are tasks that come naturally to us, making us effortlessly productive and feeling like we have the energy to keep going for hours.

Extended DISC profiling is the best tool I have come across that helps us understand this and more importantly, helps us understand what we need to do differently.

The DISC model distributes behaviours into four primary styles: 

🔴  (D) Dominant

🟡  (I) Influencer

🟢  (S) Stabiliser 

🔵  (C) Conscientious

Each style has its unique characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses.

The Dominant (D) style is future-focused, outcome-driven, and direct. 

They thrive on taking quick actions and are often seen as assertive and results-oriented, yet can come across as direct and blunt

The Influencer (I) style is charismatic, extroverted, and sees endless possibilities. 

They excel in communication and connecting with people but can be easily distracted by shiny new opportunities.

The Stabiliser (S) style is the nurturer, reliable, and great at building relationships. 

They excel in creating a sense of community and are always willing to help others integrate into a team, but tend to not share their opinion easily

The Conscientious (C) style is analytical, detail-oriented, and introverted. 

They love diving deep into data and are often seen as experts in their field and can appear as cold and withdrawn

What’s fascinating is that most people have a blend of these styles, so can’t be pigeonholed as only one particular style, which makes understanding your unique mix incredibly empowering.

For example, in my partnership with Nicky, she leans towards the Influencer (I) and Dominant (D) styles, while I leans towards the Conscientious (C) and Stabiliser (S) styles. 

This becomes especially evident in our business roles, and one of the reasons why our clients love working with us because we cover all four styles.

Nicky gravitates towards the creative aspects of our work, such as website design, sales pages, and content creation, all the fun stuff. 

On the other hand, I tend to excel in the behind-the-scenes work—finances, detailed processes, and content organisation.

This harmony in our behavioral styles allows us to handle diverse tasks effectively. 

Understanding our differences and knowing how to make the best of them has been a game-changer in our business. 

The beauty of DISC profiling lies in its ability to simplify complex behaviour patterns. 

As a predictor of human behaviour, it’s not about boxing people into categories; it’s about gaining insights into your specific behaviour and using that knowledge to your advantage.

If you’re curious to find out about your own DISC style or how we could help you and your teams to communicate more effectively by understanding each other, reach out for a chat.

Meet Nicky & Ness

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