Scaling With People

Send us a textWhat if the key to sustainable business growth lies in effective goal setting and team alignment? Join us as we sit down with Donna Dubé to explore how getting the right people in the right seats and investing in one-on-one time with team members can make all the difference. Donna offers invaluable insights on setting realistic, data-driven revenue goals and translating them into actionable steps, ensuring every team member is engaged and aligned.The pressure to meet launch deadlines in a startup environment can be overwhelming, but aligning your team's capacity with organizational goals can significantly ease that burden. We'll guide you through assessing your team's readiness, reallocating tasks, and breaking down annual objectives into manageable 90-day segments. This approach not only keeps the team motivated but also links their daily tasks to the company's overarching goals, making every contribution count.Effective communication is the cornerstone of strong team leadership. By involving higher-level team members like fractional CFOs in strategic planning, you can create an inclusive environment rich with diverse perspectives. We'll highlight the importance of consistent and varied communication methods to ensure everyone is on the same page. Learn how reconnecting with individual contributors and providing regular updates can foster a collaborative and motivated workplace. Tune in and discover practical tips you can apply in your own work environment today!

Send us a textUnlock the secrets to mastering leadership, culture, and conflict resolution in today's dynamic organizations. I'm Gwenevere Crary, founder and CEO of Guide to HR, and join me as I engage with Dan Tocchini, co-founder of Take New Ground, for an insightful conversation on why organizational culture often resists change, especially during critical phases like scaling startups or mergers. Learn how candid communication and self-management can transform leadership effectiveness and help build a coherent and robust culture.Discover the art of building trust in high-pressure environments. We break down how openness and understanding differing viewpoints, especially during conflicts, can foster deeper respect and team cohesion. Listen to us explore the importance of leaders being willing to follow and consider all perspectives, ensuring everyone feels heard. Additionally, we address the pitfalls of unilateral decision-making and the necessity of timely communication to prepare and align teams for upcoming changes.Balancing creativity and business expectations is a tightrope walk for tech startups, and we delve into this critical tension. Hear how maintaining a culture of creativity while meeting investor demands requires effective communication and the willingness to ask the right questions. We discuss the value of feedback and being open to new ideas, even those that seem initially threatening. We also offer strategies for fostering a proactive and accountable culture, emphasizing the power of clear requests and promises to achieve leadership growth. Join us as we share actionable insights and strategies to help you navigate the complexities of organizational leadership.

Send us a textUnlock the secrets to successful startup growth as talent optimization expert Matt Peopsel joins us to reveal key insights into the dynamics of early founding teams. Discover how diverse behavioral styles among co-founders impact communication and decision-making, and learn why a shared vision and values are crucial for harmony and success. Matt sheds light on the Predictive Index, a powerful tool that can help founders understand team personalities and navigate the tumultuous waters of rapid expansion.As your company scales, maintaining direct communication and enthusiasm becomes increasingly challenging. Matt discusses the hurdles of managing multiple tiers of managers and the importance of transparency in attracting top talent. Embrace flexibility in leadership and organizational practices to balance technological advancements with a human-centric approach. With practical advice from Matt, you’ll gain valuable strategies to enhance team collaboration, foster a sense of belonging, and drive your startup toward sustained success.

Send us a textPrepare to unlock the secrets of revolutionizing your engineering and product development teams with the uncanny insights of Talila, the tech oracle with a wealth of knowledge spanning two thrilling decades. This enlightening conversation promises to equip you with the tools to identify when your processes need a shake-up and how to spearhead a transformation that empowers your organization to scale with agility and precision. Our dynamic dialogue demystifies the true essence of processes in the tech world, revealing that they are not the nemesis of innovation, but rather the bedrock upon which scalable success is built.Venture beyond the conventional with us as we share the compelling tale of how a startup skirted the brink of a total codebase overhaul and discovered the power of strategic modularization. This episode is brimming with wisdom on how to synchronize your team with the heartbeat of your company's objectives, embracing a 'commander's intent' mindset to foster adaptability and a crystal-clear direction. We also delve into the transformative realm of employee engagement, highlighting how non-monetary rewards can significantly outshine financial incentives. Join us for this masterclass in nurturing a culture that celebrates the right hires, seamlessly welcomes fresh faces into the fold, and ensures a synergy that sustains your company's exponential growth.

Amit and Kumar Ramlall from Chintan Project discuss the intricate relationship between family and business. They emphasize the importance of human capital over financial assets, likening business partnerships to marriages. The conversation delves into the necessity of open communication, evolving roles, and understanding human behavior in partnerships. They also explore the emotional challenges of business ownership, stressing the impact of internal dynamics on the success of a business.

Send us a textEver felt anchored down by administrative tasks when you should be steering the ship of your business into new waters? Our latest chat with Hilani Ellis, founder of Exceptional Admins, promises to equip you with the insights to recognize when it's time to bring on administrative support. We dissect the common trepidations entrepreneurs face, from the daunting prospect of training new team members to concerns about maintaining accessibility. Hilani breaks down the transformative impact a strategic executive assistant can have, not just on productivity, but on propelling your company's growth and keeping executive burnout at bay.Imagine having more hours in your day to focus on what truly matters for your business growth. That's the heart of our discussion on choosing the right business support. Whether it's contemplating a virtual assistant for those pesky tasks eating away at your time or engaging a full-fledged executive partner to synergize with your vision, we uncover the nuances of each option. Resources like Squared Away emerge as lighthouses, guiding us through the tailored approach needed to find that perfect fit for your unique leadership style and business needs.The real game-changer, however, could be right at your fingertips. I open up about my own search for an executive assistant, sharing the critical questions that helped me find a strategic partner aligned with my workflow and ethos. We revel in the potential synergy between executive and virtual assistants, a collaborative force that can refine your operations to near-perfection. Tune in for an episode that doesn't just shine a light on the benefits of hiring a business partner—it blazes a trail for leaders ready to embrace support and soar to new heights of success, with special nods to Hilani for her invaluable guidance along the way.

Send us a textEver wondered how the combination of blue and white-collar expertise can redefine success in today's workforce? Adam Hurd and Tom Marino of Atomic Business Coaching join us to illuminate the world of Purple Collar Workers, the hybrid visionaries excelling in both hands-on trades and managerial tasks. In a candid exchange, we uncover the unique hurdles they face, particularly when balancing their multifaceted skills with the demands of business management. Our guests articulate their dual-focused coaching philosophy that promises not only to elevate your business but also to refine your personal approach to leadership and growth.Unlock the secret to working smarter, not harder, as we dissect the 80-20 rule and its potential to revolutionize your efforts. Say goodbye to the glorification of busywork and hello to strategic action that aligns with your passions, driving substantial outcomes with less burnout. This episode isn't just about strategies; it's a holistic call to infuse positivity and self-care into our professional lives, a trend that's rapidly becoming a top priority as we navigate the complexities of the modern work environment.Wrapping up this thought-provoking session, we challenge the traditional view of employment costs, urging founders and CEOs to see their teams as investments with rich returns. Sharing my own journey, I vouch for the profound impact of nurturing quality talent, an ethos that transcends industries and is especially resonant with those leading Purple Collar Workers. Join us for a transformative conversation that's not just about enhancing your business but about enriching the lives of those who help build it.

Send us a textUnlock the transformative power of dialogue in tech and avoid the rabbit hole of unnecessary complexity with insights from Douglas Squirrel. On our latest Scaling with People podcast episode, we're joined by the tech conversationalist extraordinaire for a masterclass on steering your engineering teams toward success. With Squirrel's quarter-century of wisdom, we traverse the terrain of tech pitfalls, shining a light on how founders can employ effective communication to align complex technology with true customer needs. His strategies are not just theories—they're practical tools for any founder looking to scale up without losing sight of what their customers really want.Ever wondered how to elegantly slice massive projects into success stories? Listen in as we introduce the 'elephant carpaccio' strategy—a game-changer for dealing with intimidating endeavors in tech and beyond. We discuss how this method brings products and customer needs into harmony, starting with minimal viable features and expanding through direct feedback. This episode isn't just about improving products; it's an education on choosing the right customers who are open to evolution and growth, fueling both customer satisfaction and your competitive edge. This podcast isn't just about the tech; it's about the people behind it. We delve into the sensitive topic of managing underperformers during critical growth spurts, offering actionable strategies for startups to foster skill development and set clear expectations. Discover the importance of hiring individuals aligned with the startup mindset and the art of 'back briefing' to keep projects on track and teams in sync. Douglas Squirrel brings his trademark insights to bear on these challenges, and by the end of our conversation, you'll be equipped with a toolkit for ensuring your startup thrives with the right tech and talent. Join us for this enlightening discussion that's as much about human conversations as it is about technological innovation.

Send us a textUnlock the full potential of your team as you tune in to our conversation with the dynamic duo, Dan Haakenson and Emily from Haakenson Consulting. In a world where teamwork is the lifeblood of every successful enterprise, we dissect the key elements of leadership that drive high-performance cultures. We dive deep into strategies for taking a team's pulse with tools like the Team Assessment Report and reflect on the past year's evolution in team dynamics, preparing you to navigate the leadership landscape of 2024 with confidence.This episode is a treasure trove of insights on the subtle art of nurturing trust and the profound impact it has on fostering open, meaningful dialogue within organizations. As we grapple with the challenges of talent acquisition and the critical need to support new managers, you'll learn why investing in the growth of your people is not just good practice but an essential strategy for organizational resilience. Dan and Emily highlight the transformative power of creating an environment that not only supports but celebrates development, ensuring your team is well-equipped for the challenges that lie ahead.Finally, we zoom in on the tactics that maximize team success and the development of individual members, including the innovative 'feed forward' approach. Discover how to understand your team's current state, the importance of alignment with business goals, and the necessity of clear communication in fast-paced environments. Dan and Emily share their expertise on predictive tools and strategies that can optimize team dynamics and reinforce the importance of trust and empathy. With these valuable takeaways, you'll be ready to steer your team toward a future of sustainable success and development. Connect with Dan: http://linkedin.com/company/haakenson-consulting

Send us a textUnlock the transformative power of lean processes and join us as we explore their impact on business growth and customer satisfaction. Lean expert Catherine and Fabrice, CTO of Theodore, share their insights on human communication, team engagement, and the disciplined approaches that propel companies forward. Discover how the legendary Steve Jobs and Jeff Bezos wove lean thinking into their corporate tapestries, and get an inside look at how these methodologies can revolutionize your business from the ground up.This episode is a treasure trove of strategic wisdom, where we dissect the evolution from Lean to Agile within the tech industry. Catherine's mastery of Lean tools like Kanban and Andon, and Fabrice's decade of experience incorporating these principles, provide practical examples of driving efficiency and nurturing a supportive work environment. By examining our own organization, we reveal the substantial benefits of adopting Lean, including revenue boosts and high employee morale—proving that success and well-being can indeed go hand in hand.Ever wonder how to sustain long-term growth in your business? It's not just genius and luck—it's about cultivating every team member's creativity. We delve into the heart of lean thinking and continuous improvement, emphasizing the importance of staying close to the 'Gemba' and nurturing craftsmanship. For those ready to embark on their own journey, Fabrice's candid reflections offer a roadmap for adopting lean principles and fostering innovation within your team. Tune in for a conversation packed with actionable insights and resources to guide your organizational evolution. Connect with Catherine: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-chabiron-43ba6b16/