The Business You Really Want

Are you in control of your systems, or are your systems controlling you?

In this episode of "The Business You Really Want," hosts Gwen Bortner and Tonya Kubo invite you into the world of systems and how the behaviors within your business shape the results you see. Whether you're running a solo operation or managing a growing team, understanding and optimizing your systems can lead to more efficiency, less stress, and greater success.

Here’s what you can expect in this episode:

• 2:38 - Systems are actually just behaviors
• 6:32 - Learn your behaviors by consciously observing them
• 10:00 - How to document your systems once you know they work
• 12:35 - How to identify the behaviors that make up your systems.
• 17:28 - Why being too flexible might be sabotaging your business success
• 20:28 - Creating intentional systems that align with your goals and values
• 22:58 - The time it takes to standardize behaviors into effective systems
• 27:54 - Free yourself by standardizing behaviors for recurring decisions

Key Takeaways:

• Systems are not software: Understand that systems are the consistent behaviors and processes that happen in your business every day.
• Observe your behaviors: Start noticing the automatic decisions you make daily; these are your true systems.
• Document only when necessary: Don’t waste time writing down processes until you know they are effective and repeatable.
• Balance flexibility with structure: Too much flexibility can lead to chaos; find the right balance to keep things running smoothly.
• Leverage outside perspectives: Sometimes, you need an external observer to point out unconscious behaviors that could be impacting your success.

Ready to optimize your business systems? Try this:

1. Start by observing: Take a week to note down every step you take in completing your daily tasks. What patterns do you see?
2. Ask why: For every action, ask yourself why you are doing it that way. Is there a better or more efficient way?
3. Streamline your processes: Identify areas where you can reduce steps or make things more straightforward.
4. Get feedback: Consider working with a coach or a trusted colleague to gain insights into your habits and how they could be improved.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review!

Also, be sure to check out Episode 8, where we explore solving the right problems in the right order.

Feeling overwhelmed by all the tasks on your to-do list? Struggling with which to tackle first when everything seems equally urgent?

In this episode of The Business You Really Want, hosts Gwen Bortner and Tonya Kubo discuss the challenge many entrepreneurs face: managing the overwhelming sense of urgency that leads to paralysis. Together, they explore how to prioritize tasks, the myth of multitasking, and practical tips for regaining control when everything feels equally important.

Here’s what you can expect in this episode:

• 3:05 – Why are entrepreneurs constantly getting overwhelmed by “urgent” tasks
• 3:41 – The lie entrepreneurs believe about multitasking
• 8:09 – The "G.I. Joe Rule": Knowing is half the battle in overcoming overwhelm
• 13:17 – How to distinguish between what’s truly urgent and what just feels urgent
• 18:40 – A practical question to determine what’s actually urgent
• 20:26 – How to avoid creating busy work in order to feel productive
• 24:21 – How to balance daily tasks with long-term strategic priorities
• 27:40 – Practical steps for prioritizing tasks and eliminating unnecessary busywork

Key Takeaways:

• Multitasking doesn’t exist: Switching rapidly between tasks is not effective and can drain more energy than it saves.
• Not everything is urgent: Ask yourself, "What happens if I don’t do this now?" to identify what’s truly important.
• Focus on 1-3 key tasks per day: Making slow, steady progress on big goals is more effective than trying to do everything at once.
• Eliminate busywork: Some tasks might feel important, but they could just be habits that don’t move the needle in your business.
• Prioritize self-awareness: Recognizing when you’re overwhelmed is the first step to addressing it.

Ready to manage your business without feeling overwhelmed? Try this:

1. List all tasks: Write down everything you think is urgent and assess how much focus each task requires.
2. Ask, "What happens if I don’t do this now?": This will help you separate urgent tasks from important ones.
3. Focus on 1-3 key tasks per day: Prioritize tasks that truly make an impact.
4. Create space for long-term goals: Remember, daily tasks shouldn’t overshadow long-term strategies.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

The Everyday Effectiveness team practices true accountability internally and in partnership with their clients. If you’d like to experience the Weekly Course of Action for yourself, join the waitlist here: https://forms.gle/eqSzk6oktYdoCUaM9

The Mars Pathfinder overwhelmed to the point of paralysis: https://www.tiktok.com/@thatmakessensetome/video/7196121424539487530

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review!

Don’t miss Episode 11, where you’ll learn whether there’s such a thing as a bad goal and how to set objectives that truly serve your business and align with your values.

Are you ready to delegate effectively without sacrificing quality?

In this episode of "The Business You Really Want," hosts Gwen Bortner and Tonya Kubo dive into the essential skill of delegation—a crucial but often misunderstood aspect of leadership. Learn what true delegation looks like and how mastering it can transform your business.

Here’s what you can expect in this episode:

• 3:11 : Why true delegation is harder than you think
• 5:13: The phases of effective delegation
• 12:15: The difference between delegating tasks and delegating responsibility
• 19:49: How to handle delegation gone wrong
• 25:00: Why it's important to stay curious when mistakes are made
• 29:29: Which mistakes to avoid when delegating

Key Takeaways:

• Understand the multi-phase process of delegation and why it’s more than just handing off tasks.
• Learn why empowering your team with full responsibility is crucial for growth.
• Discover how to hold your team accountable without micromanaging, ensuring they own their successes and failures.
• Get actionable advice on how to delegate effectively and overcome common challenges.

Ready to delegate like a pro? Try this:

• Break down the delegation process into manageable phases, starting with clear communication and training.
• Gradually transfer responsibility while maintaining oversight until your team is fully self-sufficient.
• Focus on outcomes rather than micromanaging the process, and allow your team to learn from their mistakes.
• Regularly evaluate and adjust your approach to delegation as your business grows.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review.

Also, be sure to check out Episode 5, where we talk about accounting and making sense of the numbers that matter most.

Have questions? Email Tonya at [email protected] to potentially have your question featured in a future episode.

Have questions? Email Tonya at [email protected] to potentially have your question featured in a future episode.

💡GET NOTIFIED OF NEW RELEASES: www.thebusinessyoureallywant.com

💡 Subscribe to our GEARshift newsletter: pages.everydayeffectiveness.com/gearshift

__________

Connect with Gwen:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/gwen-bortner/

Connect with Tonya:

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTonyaKubo

Instagram: https://instagram.com/tonyakubo

Twitter/X: https://x.com/tonyakubo

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@tonyakubo

#podcast #entrepreneurship #businessadvice

In this episode of "The Business You Really Want," hosts Gwen Bortner and Tonya Kubo dive into the five key functions of business operations and how to identify the bottlenecks within each.

Here’s what you can expect in this episode:

1:00 - Understanding symptoms vs. root causes in business issues

2:29 - What really causes cash-flow problems

5:45 - Why root-cause discovery is a challenge

8:12 - Introducing to the GEARS framework

16:00 - How business functions intersect

20:58 - Why quick fixes often fail to solve the real problems

26:12 - What happens when you ignore underlying issues

Key Takeaways:

• Learn how key business functions interconnect and affect your operations.
• Discover why it's crucial to dig deeper into business problems rather than just treating the symptoms.
• Explore common operational issues and practical solutions that can be applied to your business.

Want to shift GEARS in your business? Try this:

• Assess each area of your business to identify potential bottlenecks (listen to the episode for the full breakdown).
• Focus on one area at a time to make meaningful improvements.
• Avoid quick fixes and invest time in uncovering the root causes of your business issues.
• Implement changes gradually and monitor their impact on your overall operations.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review.

Also be sure to check out Episode 3, where we dig deeper into setting goals that you’ll actually want to achieve.

Have questions? Email Tonya at [email protected] to potentially have your question featured in a future episode.

💡GET NOTIFIED OF NEW RELEASES: www.thebusinessyoureallywant.com

💡 Subscribe to our GEARshift newsletter: pages.everydayeffectiveness.com/gearshift

__________

Connect with Gwen:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/gwen-bortner/

Connect with Tonya:

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTonyaKubo

Instagram: https://instagram.com/tonyakubo

Twitter/X: https://x.com/tonyakubo

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@tonyakubo

#podcast #entrepreneurship #businessadvice

Do you find yourself solving the wrong problems in your business? Or maybe solving the right problems, but in the wrong order?

In this episode of "The Business You Really Want," hosts Gwen Bortner and Tonya Kubo discuss the importance of identifying and solving the right problems in the right order. This episode dives into the common pitfalls business owners face when trying to fix issues, the difference between symptoms and root causes, and how solving problems in the wrong order can lead to wasted time, resources, and frustration.

Here’s what you can expect in this episode:

• 2:38 - Why the order in which you solve problems matters
• 6:02 - Finding someone who can own the problem - and the solution
• 9:12 - Identifying root causes versus treating symptoms
• 13:17 - The impact of solving problems in the wrong order
• 16:21 - How to prioritize problems as a business owner
• 21:25 - Mindset shift and asking the right questions
• 25:11 - Look outside the “vertical path” of the problem

Key Takeaways:

• Avoid rework by solving problems in the right order: Understand that solving issues out of sequence can lead to more work and wasted resources.
• Identify root causes, not just symptoms: Go beyond the surface to understand what is really causing your business challenges.
• Get outside perspective: Sometimes, having someone from outside your organization or a new team member can provide the clarity needed to identify the real issue.
• Ask better questions: Instead of just asking "what" or "why," ask "does it have to be this way?" to open up new possibilities and solutions.
• Prioritize effectively: Use a checklist or a set of criteria to help prioritize which problems to solve first for maximum impact.

Ready to tackle your business problems more effectively? Try this:

1. Name the problem clearly: Define the issue you’re facing in a specific and concise manner.
2. Assess the impact: Detail the impact of the problem on your business operations, including costs and lost opportunities.
3. Identify root causes: Look beyond the obvious symptoms to find the underlying causes of the problem.
4. Seek external feedback: Engage with a mentor, coach, or peer to gain an outside perspective on the problem and potential solutions.

MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE

Gwen’s Small Business Book Club recently discussed A Beautiful Constraint by Adam Morgan and Mark Barden: https://www.amazon.com/Beautiful-Constraint-Transform-Limitations-Advantages-ebook/dp/B00QL30Q90

Wonder which experts Gwen and Tonya leaned on for the rebrand of Everyday Effectiveness and the branding of The Business You Really Want? Here are the service providers who have contributed to the project:

• Logos and primary brand - https://www.boumadesignco.com/
• Assets and brand expansion - https://authenticvisionmedia.com/
• Podcast assets - https://www.evokemedialabs.com/

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review!

Also, be sure to check out Episode 9, where we delve into building a resilient business model that can weather any storm.