Lazy Leverage

Checkout my newsletter! John and I discuss the essential ideas from his new book about Output Thinking. He explains that many obstacles in business, particularly barriers to scaling, often stem from a lack of clarity about expectations. The role of employees, he argues, is not merely to do work, but to produce outputs. This requires a shift from traditional org chart thinking to a more systematic view, where the emphasis is on the results or outputs of each role. However, this output-focused approach should consider 'shadow' or 'phantom' outputs, unanticipated actions that aren't officially part of someone's job but contribute value. The discussion covers the importance of recognising the variability in people's ability to deliver outputs, and the critical role of managing these outputs. Output-thinking is presented as the key that lets workers play to their strengths, ultimately leading to more efficient and successful businesses. 00:00 Introduction and Discussion on Output Thinking 00:59 Understanding the Importance of Output Thinking in Business 01:13 The Role of Employees in Output Thinking 01:55 The Misconceptions about Job Creation and Output Thinking 02:20 The Frustrations of Business Owners and the Need for Clear Expectations 03:23 The Different Types of Outputs in a Business 03:45 The Nature of Labor and its Relation to Output Thinking 05:00 The Impact of Output Thinking on Employee Satisfaction and Identity 05:58 The Connection between Output Thinking and Systemization 09:06 Understanding Phantom Outputs and their Impact on Business 11:31 The Role of Outputs in Sales and Marketing 33:54 The Promise of Output Thinking and its Benefits

Binsi and I discuss the importance of effective feedback in any work relationship, focusing on a method they refer to as 'Stop, Start, Continue'. We suggest asking feedback on what one should stop doing, start doing, and continue doing. Various practical situations were discussed including how to handle challenges of disorganized workflows, lack of one-on-one feedback, and dealing with unexpected calls or tasks. The discussion also stressed the importance of fostering an environment where employees feel comfortable making mistakes and learning from them, as well as pushing employees to take on challenging tasks to enhance their skills and knowledge. The 'Stop, Start, Continue' approach is suggested as an effective tool to improve professionally. 00:00 Introduction to Feedback in Professional Settings 00:30 Personal Experiences with Feedback 01:07 Cultural Differences in Feedback 01:21 The 'Stop, Start, Continue' Feedback Method 01:34 Practical Examples of 'Stop, Start, Continue' in Action 02:50 The Importance of Written Communication 09:48 The Impact of Feedback on Personal Growth 10:36 Implementing Feedback Systems for Better Organization 14:08 The Power of Proactive Communication 16:27 The Value of Challenging Tasks and Continuous Learning 17:40 Conclusion: The Importance of Regular Feedback

Subscribe to my free newsletter! Peter and I talk about maximizing the productivity of remote assistants. The conversation explored the concept of speed to tasking, which focuses on reducing the friction between wanting a task done and getting it to the assistant in an organized manner. They also stressed the importance of using structured instructions and communication for task delegation. They introduced a military-style five-paragraph format for giving instructions and discussed the role of AI in refining thoughts. The conversation emphasized the importance of balancing convenience to the employer with effectiveness for the assistant, noting that what might be convenient for the employer could be complicated for the assistant, leading to potentially increased error rates. 00:01 Introduction and Catching Up 00:25 Reflections on the NARPM Conference 00:50 The Role of Software and Global Talent in Property Management 01:06 The Impact of Headcount on Profitability 01:47 The Growing Demand for Global Talent 02:13 Hiring an Assistant and the Concept of Speed to Tasking 03:39 The Challenges of Delegating Tasks 04:30 The Importance of Building a Habit of Delegation 07:18 The Impact of Becoming a Parent on Work Habits 09:08 The Concept of Speed to Tasking 09:22 The Importance of a Ticketing System for Task Management 15:36 The Benefits of a Kanban Board for Task Management 23:17 The Challenges of Communicating Tasks Effectively 26:37 Conclusion: The Value of Writing Good Memos

⁠Subscribe to my free newsletter! ⁠ Peter and I discuss our experiences with hiring remote talent. Peter details his recent experience of hiring a personal assistant from the Philippines, and the successful onboarding process he followed, influenced by my advice and experience. We emphasize the importance of clear instructions, creating an environment for trust and success, setting realistic expectations from the outset and the willingness of the new hire to learn and adapt. We discuss various tools and software helpful in remote setups, and stress the need for personal connection to foster a harmonious remote work relationship. 00:00 Introduction and Controversy 00:13 Hiring a Personal Assistant 00:49 The Hiring Process 01:35 The Interview and Selection 02:48  The Importance of Vibe Check 03:38 Starting the Work Relationship 06:18 Building Trust and Setting Expectations 09:29 Assigning Tasks and Ensuring Productivity 16:34 Payment and Compensation 17:44 Conclusion and Reflections

⁠Subscribe to my free newsletter! ⁠ Peter and I explore the effective methods to source candidates, with a primary focus on the Philippines, while also shedding light on hiring from different parts of the globe depending on the job role. We discuss the importance of using a system like JotForm or a basic ATS to stay organized when handling numerous candidates is highlighted. An emphasis is placed on the need to hire full time rather than part time due to cost-effectiveness while considering the candidate's English proficiency level for certain roles. The hosts further provide guidance on candidate disqualification and share helpful preparatory steps, such as conducting a time audit and creating an online resource point with all pertinent information to facilitate smoother onboarding. 00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage 00:09 Discussing Hiring Options and Preferences 01:06 Understanding the Importance of Hiring from Different Regions 03:56 Exploring the Different Levels of English Proficiency in Hiring 07:18 The Importance of Cultural Fit in Hiring 08:54 The Process of Posting Job Ads and Screening Candidates 08:59 Discussing Full-Time vs Part-Time Hiring 15:54 Preparing for Onboarding and Success with New Hires 16:15 Final Thoughts and Next Steps

⁠Subscribe to my free newsletter! ⁠ Peter and I discuss the nuances of offloading tasks to an offshore assistant. We outline the importance of considering the areas where time is consumed the most, such as scheduling, email management, data collection for KPI, and basic design tasks through platforms like Canva. Our conversation offers practical examples and turns theoretical concepts about needing an assistant into tangible tasks that an offshore hire could handle. We also highlight how reducing even tiny friction points can save substantial amounts of time for executives. 00:00 Introduction 00:21 Discussing the Need for an Assistant 00:53 The Role of Offshore Talent 01:13 Identifying Time-consuming Tasks 01:31 The Importance of Documentation 03:50 The Role of an Assistant in Scheduling 04:40 Email Management and Efficiency 05:20 The Role of an Assistant in Home Management 06:16 The Role of an Assistant in Task Completion 06:49 The Role of an Assistant in Content Management 09:35 The Role of an Assistant in Scheduling Revisited 12:10 The Role of an Assistant in Data Collection 14:13 The Role of an Assistant in Convenience 16:21 The Role of an Assistant in AI Utilization 16:57 Conclusion and Next Steps