Lazy Leverage

In part three of my insightful conversation with @BetterCeo, we dive into the final installment of our discussion celebrating the launch of his new book, "Output Thinking." The conversation takes an unexpected turn right from the start, as I find myself disagreeing with Jon within the first 30 seconds. Our focus on the 'buckets'—essential outcomes for any organization—reveals profound insights into aligning business strategies with the owner's ultimate goals. Through our conversation, you'll discover: 00:00 - We begin with an introduction and a light-hearted disagreement on the concept of 'buckets' in business. 00:00 - Exploring the fundamental 'buckets' that represent the outcomes organizations strive to achieve. 00:58 - Discussing the eighth bucket, highlighting the paramount importance of aligning the business with the owner's visions. 01:55 - The significance of setting clear, actionable goals for both business and personal growth. 02:14 - Delving into the four primary objectives of business owners: flexibility, leisure, financial prosperity, and meaningful work. 08:54 - Examining how emotions play a crucial role in business operations and decision-making processes. 11:29 - An overview of the seven buckets focusing on customer satisfaction and sales effectiveness. 14:00 - Understanding the sustaining buckets related to people management, financial health, and information dissemination. 15:45 - The critical importance of communication and efficient information flow within an organization. 17:30 - Strategies for fostering effective communication in the workplace. 18:30 - The need for discrete communication policies to enhance organizational coherence. 19:09 - Insights into the 'Information Bucket' and the significance of a consistent meeting rhythm. 19:12 - The 'Cafe Bucket' - a look at compliance, administrative support, and facility management essentials. 19:52 - Discuss scaling strategies for sustainable company growth. 20:21 - Strategic insights with Peter on navigating business challenges. 22:17 - The imperative of adopting respectful communication etiquette in business. 24:38 - Cultivating a culture of output thinking and systematic efficiency. 27:58 - The role of Notion and similar tools in establishing a system-focused organizational culture. 32:56 - Concluding thoughts and a final push for the "Output Thinking" book. Enjoyed this episode? Make sure to subscribe to our podcast for more insightful discussions. If our conversation today sparked new ideas or helped you see your business in a new light, we'd be thrilled to hear your feedback—please leave us a review. Stay connected for the latest episodes and exclusive insights by following ⁠@MatznerJon⁠ on Twitter and subscribing to our newsletter at ⁠lazyleverage.beehiiv.com⁠. Next Episode Teaser: Don't miss our next episode, "Writing Stuff Down: How to Change Your Business," where we'll explore the transformative power of documenting processes, ideas, and strategies. Learn how the simple act of writing can drive clarity, alignment, and significant growth in your business. Stay tuned!

In this episode, John (@BetterCeo) and I continue our enlightening conversation on the transformative power of "thinking in systems" within your business. We delve into the untapped potential lying dormant in many companies, discussing how encouraging employees to adopt an owner's mindset can lead to significant improvements in efficiency and growth. This chat is particularly special as we celebrate the launch of John's new book, "Output Thinking," which is currently available for pre-order. Join us as we explore the practical steps to systemizing your business, drawing examples from a diverse range of sectors, including law firms, veterinary clinics, and tax companies. Through our conversation, you'll discover: 00:00 - Introduction to our discussion on "Output Thinking" and its importance in business systemization. 00:37 - John provides an overview of output thinking and how it can drive efficiency and growth across various business sectors. 02:29 - We discuss the critical role of systems in fostering business growth and the benefits of systemization. 04:34 - Exploring how systemization streamlines business operations and contributes to overall success. 07:33 - The synergy between systemization and outsourcing, and how it affects business scalability. 07:44 - Discussing the impact of systemization on the process of business acquisition. 10:07 - Addressing the roles of fear and laziness in hindering systemization efforts. 12:03 - The importance of aligning systemization with individual skills for optimal performance. 13:58 - A deep dive into the different types of systems: recipes, dances, and creations, and their applications in business. 16:11 - How systemization enhances business efficiency and facilitates consistent output. 18:08 - The long-term impact of systemization on business growth and innovation. 21:14 - Wrapping up with a look forward to the future of systemization and a teaser for the next episode, "Output Thinking - Part Three: The Eight Buckets." Interested in more insights and tips on systemizing your business for success? Subscribe to our podcast to never miss an episode. If you found value in our discussion, consider leaving a review and sharing it with your network. For the latest updates and exclusive content, follow @MatznerJon on Twitter and subscribe to our newsletter at lazyleverage.beehiiv.com. Looking forward to our next deep dive in "Output Thinking - Part Three: The Eight Buckets," where we'll explore the nuances of business systemization further.

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