The CEO Help Desk from Run Like Clockwork

Despite how desperately we all wish it were true… you aren't one magic hire away from solving all the problems in your business. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't hire anyone, especially if you're looking to grow your business this year! In this episode Adrienne and Emily are joined by a live audience on zoom to dive deep into all things building, leading and mentoring a team through growth, like: The top 4 challenges that come with a team The S-Curve concept Addressing challenging situations Plus answer they answer a few listener questions. Wish you could have joined us live? Don't worry, we're recording part 3 live on March 23rd at 1pm Eastern. Click here to add our final part in this series to your calendar! Want to grow your business this year? Grab our free training, 6 Ways To Grow Your Business here! Ready to talk to Gio from our team about joining Clockwork? Book a call with him here! And keep your eye out for a special announcement on next week's episode!

We are not creating oxygen! You've heard it before, you love it, and hopefully you live it… But if you aren't quite living into those words just yet, maybe that's because you need to listen to this episode. In this episode, Adrienne shares: Why she lives by this motto What it means in the day-to-day life of a clockworked business How you can adopt this into your business now! You can join in this conversation with us anytime over on Instagram → @rlclockwork Or if you want to work with us find more ease in your business, check out the Clockwork Accelerator → www.clockworkaccelerator.com

As Mike and I were looking for the most efficient organizations on the planet…we found bees. Everything they do + the very way they operate takes EFFICIENCY into the equation. They do many different things to leverage efficiency, but most importantly…is their understanding of their resource use in relation to their highest priority goal. The goal of a bee colony is to survive — that's nature, right? They've used this principle to identify the SINGLE most important activity inside their colony, and because nature knows best, we stole the idea We call it the Queen Bee Role. Adopting this one concept can change everything. So that's why we're revisiting this episode again.We should talk about this every day, to be honest. Want to chat more about it? Come share your thoughts with us on Instagram → @rlclockwork Want to learn more about the work we do?Clockwork Accelerator → www.clockworkaccelerator.com

Many of our conversations with our clients these days are centered around how to grow and scale their businesses while still remaining as lean as possible. In order to grow, there are three major shifts you're going to have to focus on, and today we are talking about the first one: your leadership. In this episode, Adrienne and Emily are joined by a live zoom audience to talk about why you need to focus on your leadership skills, and what kind of obstacles you might need to overcome along the way, from the perspective of both the business owner and a team member. They also share insights and answer questions from the live listeners. As you're listening ask yourself these questions: Is your leadership growing at the same rate as your business? What's been the most challenging thing for you as a leader? What leadership skill are you focusing on growing? If you want to participate in the conversation for part two, our next live recording is February 23rd at 1pm ET. Click here to add the event to your calendar. Enjoyed this format? We definitely want to know! Come share your thoughts with us on IG Clockwork Instagram → @rlclockwork Want to learn more about the work we do? Clockwork Accelerator → www.clockworkaccelerator.com

We've got a brand new format for the RLC Podcast today, Clockworkers, and we can't wait to hear what you think about it. We're sharing 3 recent "big news" stories, and breaking down just how applicable they are to small business owners. (Spoiler alert… they aren't at all) Too often we see entrepreneurs model their decisions on the dangerous or impractical actions of larger corporations. But we want to make sure you're focused on running your business with efficiency at all times, and not getting bogged down worrying about made up trends like "quiet hiring". On this episode Adrienne and Emily discuss: "Resenteeism" and why it's not a thing "Quiet hiring" and how it's actually rebalancing your team The big layoffs and why you should never do it this way… Enjoyed this format? We definitely want to know! Come share your thoughts with us on IG Clockwork Instagram → @rlclockwork Want to learn more about the work we do? Clockwork Accelerator → www.clockworkaccelerator.com

We've reached our 200th episode! Now, that is a milestone worth celebrating, and what better way than reflecting on all of the wins that got us to this point. In this episode, Adrienne is joined by the entire Run Like Clockwork team to share, reflect and celebrate a handful of our most impactful wins over the past four years. As a thank you to all of you, we're celebrating 200 episodes by giving away 5 copies of Clockwork Revised and Expanded! To enter our random draw all you have to do is leave us a podcast review, and send us an email at [email protected] with a screenshot of it. If you've already left us a review, just share that with us! We'll be choosing 5 random people who email us by Tuesday, February 7th at 5pm ET. Enjoyed this episode? Listen to Nathan Foeller's episode here: https://www.runlikeclockwork.com/podcast/ep196 Check out Brenda's story here: https://www.runlikeclockwork.com/podcast/ep161 Want to learn more about the work we do?Clockwork Accelerator → www.clockworkaccelerator.comClockwork Instagram → @rlclockwork

"I can't Clockwork my business because if I'm not working there is no business". If that's a thought that has run through your head, this is your episode! Julie is joined by Darcy O'Daniel, Executive Director of Noteable Progressions, and recent recipient of our Clockie award! After starting her business by accident in 2011 (a family friend needed support), Darcy was able to grow her practice enough to leave her full time job and fully commit to the business in just one year. And the growth just kept coming. After reading Clockwork in 2018 she convinced herself, like most service based entrepreneurs, that while it was nice in theory there would be no way to fully implement this in her business because all of the actual services depended on her. However, in Spring of 2021 after her husband had unexpectedly lost her job, it became more apparent that Clockworking was not a "some day" thing anymore… it needed to happen NOW for the security of the business and her family.In this episode Darcy shares: Why she no longer wants to have all the answers The struggle of leaninging into continuous improvement How clockworking has has helped her grow the business while doing less Want to learn more about the work we do?Clockwork Accelerator → www.clockworkaccelerator.comClockwork Instagram → @rlclockwork Want to learn more about Darcy? After developing an early love for music, Darcy knew she wanted it to be a part of her career path. She hated performing (still does!) and didn't feel that being a music teacher was right for her. When she had the opportunity to go to a presentation about a music therapy program at an adult day center, she knew she had found her future profession! Darcy has completed advanced training in Neurologic Music Therapy and Sprouting Melodies. Her areas of specialty are early childhood, older adults, and neurologic music therapy. Her model of practice focuses on community music therapy, working with people in context with social and cultural factors and serving as a forum for advocacy and community awareness. In addition to supervising the team of music therapists at Noteable Progressions, Darcy is an active presenter providing workshops and in-service opportunities to teach and support agencies and families to use music purposefully in the centers, classrooms, and homes. Find her here: https://www.instagram.com/noteableprogressions/ https://www.noteableprogressions.com

Motivational speaker Jim Rohn says that we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with. Why? The law of averages. At the end of the day, a successful clockworked business is dependent on upholding a culture of efficiency, and that starts with you. To show up as the leader you want to be, you need to be intentional with who you spend your time with. In this episode, Emily asks Adrienne about the 5 people she spends the most time with, and how that influences her leadership style here at Run Like Clockwork. As always, this is an open book conversation about the realities of life being a wife, mom, and entrepreneur, and how the different seasons of life can (and will) impact them all. We encourage you to listen to this episode and then take inventory of the 5 people you're spending the most time with. Are they helping propel you forward?Do they balance you out in the ways you need?Or are they keeping you stuck at your current level? Ready to introduce a new top 5 person to the mix? The Accelerator community may be the perfect fitClockwork Accelerator → www.clockworkaccelerator.comClockwork Instagram → @rlclockwork

I have 2 questions I need you to answer... 1- Is one of your goals for 2023 to grow and scale your business? 2- Do you know the most efficient way to make that happen?For many people, the answers are "Yes!", then "…. No?" And that's why we turned our live training from December 2022 into this podcast, the info was just too good for it not to have a place on the pod! In this episode Adrienne summaraizes her research on the 6 strategies you can use to grow your business, ranked most to least efficient.Plus ideas to allocate your budget to make it all happen.So if you are looking to grow your business by even 1% but aren't sure the best way, give this one a listen, and then let us know which of the 6 you're trying!Clockwork Accelerator → www.clockworkaccelerator.comClockwork Instagram → @rlclockwork

Do you want your business to be better?I don't know a single person who would ever say no to that question… so assuming you said yes, this is the podcast episode for you. Today Emily is joined by recent Clockie winner Nathan Foeller of Minuteman Press of Stroudsburg.We're eager to share this episode because Nathan represents a niche of our Clockwork students that have been underrepresented on the podcast… manufacturing, in-person services, and franchises. And he also has a lot of valuable insights to share in this episode about how to make Clockworking work for your business, including: Getting your team on board when they don't typically work at a computer How to continue evolving in your own role as the CEO + leader of the company The positive impact focusing on efficiency will have on your revenue and profit margins In Nathan's own words, "I can't even put into words fully the difference this has made in our business, and I hope that everybody out there listening gets to experience the same thing we've been able to." If you want to learn more about how to work with us to Clockwork your business too, visit www.clockworkaccelerator.com Nathan lives in Northeast PA with his wife, Laura and their three daughters. What initially started as some graphic design for his church turned into a side business that eventually led to buying a failing local print shop (a Minuteman Press franchise). Over the next nine years, they acquired three other local printing companies and rolled them into the business. They've now grown to a team of seven and the business has become very successful. You can learn more about the amazing services Nathan and his team are offering at mmpstroudsburg.com and at rafflesforless.com Connect with Run Like Clockwork on instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/rlclockwork

I can't believe we are at the last episode of 2022! Right now Team RLC is taking two glorious weeks completely unplugged to rest and recharge. I know offering this type of break isn't always possible, but in today's episode I want to encourage everyone to reflect on what improvements you want to make to your culture in 2023. This is a conversation we are all incredibly passionate about, because having a strong culture is a crucial aspect to a business that wants to run like clockwork. In this episode, Emily asks you to reflect on what your business look like today: Do you want to invest in additional support for your team like DEI or Enneagram How do you want to build rewards + recognition into your systems Is your culture still in alignment with your values? After listening to the episode we challenge you to connect with us on Instagram (@rlclokwork) to share what improvements you are committing to! Be real, what do you want to change about your culture? If you want to learn more about the work we do here at Run Like Clockwork, visit www.clockworkaccelerator.com

We're finishing this year strong with a mini-series on everything you need to do to get yourself ready for 2023! One of the most important meetings we have all year at RLC is our annual planning meeting. In this episode Adrienne + Emily break down the key things you need to include when you're planning your year, including: Reflections from the last year Check in with your values and visions Make sure you're still focusing on your Big Promise, QBR and current bottleneck Goals for each department Internal goals for the culture of your team What resources you need to make these goals a reality If you think WE might be a resource that can help you in 2023, visit clockworkaccelerator.com to learn more about how we can work together! Connect with us on instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/rlclockwork

We're finishing this year strong with a mini-series on everything you need to do to get yourself ready for 2023! Today is all about financial forecasting... and our resident expert Tyler joins Emily to break it down simply. They cover: What forecasting is exactly The simplest way to evaluate your data What this process looks like in the day to day How people use forecasting to make decisions The common mistakes people make Forecasting is one of the most powerful tools you'll have in your arsenal when it comes to maximizing your efficiency, As Tyler shares, it doesn't have to be complicated or take a ton of time, but the data it provides makes it so much easier to make decisions! If you're craving more freedom from your business, the time to join the accelerator is now! Visit clockworkaccelerator.com for more info! Connect with us on instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/rlclockwork

Today on the podcast we're joined by our August "Clockie" winners Efren and Yuri to talk all about what it's been like to Clockwork their appliance business. After starting in a storage unit without any AC or restrooms and growing to a bloated team of 12, they are now operating a lean and efficient team of 5, and have navigated all of the challenges those changes have brought. They were nominated because of their perseverance as they've Clockworked their business, and their willingness to keep trying new things until they find the system or framework that works best for their business. Efren started Frontline Appliances in 2016 to serve customers by providing affordable refurbished appliances matched with reliable service, and was later joined in the business by his partner Yuri. Since enrolling in the Accelerator program in 2021 they have clarified their vision, drastically increased their efficiency, and maintained their revenue. And the best part? They've increased profits, employee pay, and their wages at the same time!. In their words "this is not to say times are always great as we've learned that Clockworking is continuous but we could not imagine NOT Clockworking our business!" You can learn more about how to work with us to Clockwork your business, including the new offers we've created, at www.clockworkaccelerator.com

2022 is coming to a close, and my goodness do we have some big reflections to share with you. It has been a year full of big wins… from a new Clockwork baby to a new Clockwork book, we've had a lot to celebrate, but we've also learned a few big (and painful) lessons the hard way. On this episode Adrienne and Emily share: The results of the market research we conducted this Fall and how we've used it to create new offers. The biggest pain point our clients have that we were barely talking about, and how that caused our rebrand to miss the mark. How getting too comfortable with our results almost made us miss the warning signs that it was time to mix it up. Transparency is key in this conversation!If you want to hear more about our ups and downs, you're invited to our live State of the Union call on December 6th @ 4pm ET. We'll also be sharing 6 ways you can grow your business in 2023!If you're on our email list you'll be getting all the info, and if not, you can sign up here

Celebrating small wins can create big changes Acknowledging small wins sparks the reward circuits of our brains and releases chemicals that give us a feeling of pride and happiness. On the flip side, not celebrating wins leaves us feeling depleted and apathetic and unable to recognize our successes. This is a habit feedback loop, and in this episode, Emily and Julie talk about a simple, science-backed strategy you can use to break the habits that aren't serving you and build shiny new ones that fill your cup! And, because we always practice what we preach, they share a few of the wins our clients are celebrating to inspire you to pay attention to the types of wins you're experiencing too! After listening we challenge you to find us on Instagram (@rlclockwork) and send us a DM with the wins you're celebrating this week.

Today, Julie is joined by Clockie winner, Eden Houghtaling, Lead Business Advisor and Owner of PinPoint Business Solutions.Eden was nominated for the Clockie after being put through the wringer with a tough team member loss right after a hire for a different role. "Instead of wallowing or throwing in the towel, Eden used that as an opportunity to take a step back, assess how to fill that gap, and has propelled herself forward by relying on her clockworking skills." Eden's story is a fabulous example of how taking imperfect action and focusing more resources on having the right person in the right seat in your business can be the difference maker. Most importantly she talks about the transformation that vulnerable and open communication has had on her company culture since focusing on Clockwork. You can learn more about the work we do with our clients at www.clockworkaccelerator.com

You can be intentional about taking rest, or your body will tell you when you have to rest, but there is no way of avoiding it. Rest is part of the work. It allows us to recharge, rejuvenate and relax. In this episode, Julie talks about: How to model rest for your team The different forms of rest (it doesn't have to be a vacation!) The important role rest plays in team culture and staff retention If the notion of rest feels like a lot to you and you maybe don't feel like you can even give your team the time to rest or you aren't sure how to foster a culture that can include it, we would love to work with you. Apply for our accelerator program clockworkaccelerator.com.

Do you ever feel like your business is ruining your life? Ela did, and she almost abandoned it all together because of it. Until Clockwork showed her there really is another way to do things that doesn't completely deplete you as a business owner. In this episode Ela shares with Julie - Why Clockworking allowed her to keep her business open - The deconditioning her organization did to really reach that next level of success - The radical trust she has been able to build in herself + team to be able to keep growing Ela Thier is a producer and writer, known for Tomorrow Ever After (2016), Foreign Letters (2012) and A Summer Rain (2009). She is the founder of The Independent Film School where she helps screenwriters and filmmakers create the work that they'll be remembered for.

In Clockwork we preach how the most critical role for the CEO is to set and drive the vision for the company. In order to do that you need to be really intentional with how you show up inside your business so your vision can become a reality Leadership is not about being the best. Leadership is about making everyone else better. You've probably risen to leadership because you're pretty awesome! Which IS awesome, but you don't want to be the best at all the things. In fact, the way you fully step into leadership is to help others become better. In this episode Julie and Adrienne talk about all the different ways you can show up for your team and business, and how Adrienne has adapted the way she shows up during various seasons of her life. Here are some reflection questions to mull over after listening to the episode: What does making others better look like for you? For your team? How do you think it might feel?For you? For your team? How might that benefit your business? Your culture?

We LOVE it when our Clockworking business leaders include their team in the process because we know how much more efficient it is to have us walk their team through the implementation of these frameworks rather than have to act like a go-between (aka bottleneck). Team members are often the closest ones to the actual problems inside your business, and can generally help you create the most efficient solutions… as long as they are empowered to make changes. In this episode, Julie talks with Nicole Kuyten, the communications coordinator at Bio AG Consultants and Distributors and a recent Clockie winner about how clockworking has transformed her day-to-day life. They cover: The key characteristic of a clockworking team member Why everyone should actually want to feel replaceable in the business How she has been able to spearhead the clockworking efforts at the company with such success If you're ready to invest the resources in your team to bring more ease and joy into their roles, visit clockworkaccelerator.com

The more connected we can be, the harder it has become to disconnect, and after 30 years of everyone being hyper focused on productivity, hustle culture has become a different type of pandemic. But the tides are changing, and the stats are undeniable that the workforce is demanding change. 72% of polled Americans would consider leaving a company to find a more inclusive culture. Today on the podcast, Julie and Emily talk about 10 very clear signs that there is a storm brewing in your culture. If you aren't loving the way your company feels these days, visit clockworkaccelerator.com to learn more about how implementing Clockwork can completely turn your company culture around at

"If you think you're leading the same workforce that you were in February 2020, with the same mindset, mentality, desires, and priorities… you're nuts!" - Scott Sonenshein 91% of millennials will stay in their job for less than three years and 73% of candidates are passive job seekers, which means there are more high-quality applicants looking for new opportunities than ever! The key is knowing where to find them, and how to communicate that you are the right fit for them!In this episode Emily covers: How to write a clear job posting The key to an application that works Where to actually find these top applicants The hiring process doesn't have to feel overwhelming or intimidating. The key is being clear about what you need and speaking directly to the people who are the best fit to work with you. And if you need support to figure that out visit clockworkaccelerator.com

"I can't Clockwork, my business is too new/established/small/big/unique/structured…"Sound familiar? I'm sure you've thought something similar about your own business, or role. That it is too something to clockwork. Every business is unquestionably on its own journey, AND, that doesn't mean it can't be Clockworked exactly where it is right now. Emily recently sat down with Caroline Somer of Somer Design to learn more about her experience clockworking her 13-year-old business. They talk about: Why Emily nominated Caroline for the Clockie award The challenges and rewards of employing an international team How to navigate the rollercoaster of solving a Delivery bottleneck. About Caroline + Somer Design: Somer design has grown from a single freelancer to a full-service agency offering a range of brand, web, design, and marketing services. They help purpose-driven business owners find clarity and confidence in their brand, drive traffic to their website, engage with their target audience, and build authority. To learn more about Somer Design visit: https://www.somerdesign.co.uk/ Sign up here for their next training A Straight Talking Guide to Digital Marketing Ready to Clockwork with us? Visit www.clockworkaccelerator.com to learn more.

I'm sure some of you out there can relate that there are a certain set of challenges that come with trying to run a business with a partner. Whether it's a platonic or romantic partnership, having two captains for your ship can add an extra layer of complexity to your Clockworking. This week on the podcast Adrienne is joined by her Co-founder (who also happens to be her husband), Tyler to discuss all the ups and downs of running a business and growing their family together. Nothing is off the table in this candid conversation about: How they've struggled to release control. What their day-to-day lives look like now with 2 kids. The impact clockworking can have on a CEO's creativity. And most importantly… what they now know is possible for the future of the business. Tyler and Adrienne aren't an anomaly. These are the typical types of results our students get when they put their all into Clockworking the business.

It's no secret that the more choices you have to make, the more it wears on your brain, and after the last few years we've all had… I don't know many people who aren't feeling the effects of decision fatigue. In this episode, we share: Four main symptoms you may be experiencing The psychological effects of not addressing it now Our top three solutions for combating decision fatigue Ready to kick decision fatigue to the curb and free up some brain space for things that matter? Join us at the Delegate to Accelerate Bootcamp to learn how to delegate anything off your plate for good!

Freedom or control… what do you want more? Because you can't have full freedom and full control. Too often people either want freedom from their business, but can't let go of the control… or completely abdicate from the business and are frustrated by the (lack of) results. On this episode Adrienne and Emily share one of the most important mindset shifts our CEO's need to make when they are preparing to Clockwork their business. So, where do you fall on the Freedom/Control spectrum? If you're looking for support to move down the line towards more freedom or more control definitely join us at our Delegate to Accelerate Bootcamp! Go to www.clockworkbootcamp.com for all the details. We get started September 19th!

The revised and expanded edition of Clockwork is out today! Clockworking is an iterative process, and after years of working with our clients and learning the best ways to implement these systems, it became apparent that the content in the book needed to be updated to reflect the most efficient ways to Clockwork. This has been a long time in the making for us, and we are thrilled that old and new readers alike will get to experience the true transformations that are possible In this episode Adrienne and Mike go deep on: Why the revised and expanded edition has over 60% new content Why each and every chapter of the new book has a clear way to engage your teams What the process is like writing a revised edition of a book, and what you can expect whether you've read the first book or not (because this is a completely different book!) Remember, clockworking is not about extracting you from the business so the business doesn't need you. It's allowing you to find where you fit within the business, so you can design it to run itself. But you need to take the first step. You can grab Clockwork Revised and Expanded: Design your Business to Run Itself here, or wherever books are sold.

There are a lot of really fun reasons to clockwork, like vacations, retirement, and parental leave. And those are the types of reasons that you can anticipate. You plan for them, practice your systems, and make sure all of your ducks are in a row… for a lot of people it can actually be very neat and tidy. And then, on the other side, there are really serious, unplanned, and scary reasons too. In this week's episode, Dave Jereb, owner of Move About Therapy, gets candid about the realities of Clockworking in his industry, and how fortunate he was to have already started the process when crisis struck his family. Not only is Dave an incredible leader inside his own business, but he shows up and supports our Clockwork community with such enthusiasm and commitment, and it's for this reason that he was recently awarded as our Clockie of the month! Be sure to pay extra close attention to this episode, because Dave is full of incredible insights you can apply to your business as you implement the clockwork systems. And if you want to learn more, you can check us out at www.clockworkaccelerator.com

Today we want to talk about one of the clockwork traps we need everyone to watch out for - the 3T Trap. When we talk about clockworking we often focus on the leader's role - how we can move them closer to their ideal 4D mix and remove them as the bottleneck. And that IS true, but we have to be careful not to turn someone else into the bottleneck in the process. In this episode of the Run Like Clockwork Podcast, Emily and Gabbi: Briefly explain the 3Ts Share more about why we must reverse engineer this process in order to do it responsibly Talk about Gabbi's story of becoming the tech bottleneck on our own team! Even with the best of intentions this often happens slowly, so you don't realize it's happening until it's too late. Successfully "3Ting" is essential to clockworking though, so if you need a little extra guidance on how to rebalance the tasks on your team, check out www.clockworkaccelerator.com to learn more!

Clockworking is a lifelong practice, so like any major lifestyle changes or habits you are working on developing, it's only natural that there will be ebbs and flows as you implement it. In this episode Emily talks about the three most common reasons our clients feel like they stall out on their progress: "I don't have enough time in the day" "I can't do it perfectly so I'm not doing it at all" "I keep getting distracted by a million little fires" She also covers 3 simple ways to jumpstart after an extended break. Most importantly, if you're experiencing a lull, remember to give yourself grace. This is to be expected, it happens almost like clockwork ;) The key is to seek out the support you need to push through these seasons. And if that's us, you can learn more at www.clockworkaccelerator.com

Sometimes (a lot of the time) it's the small tweaks to a system that make the biggest impact. But sometimes knowing that there are endless things you could be doing to improve your business is more overwhelming than your actual workload. This is why we are so focused on continuous improvement here at Run Like Clockwork. The mindset shift from "everything must be perfect" to "done is better than perfect" has been instrumental in the success of our clients. In this episode of the Run Like Clockwork Podcast, Emily is joined by Clockworker Ruth Newman, who shares her experience clockworking her architecture firm of over 14 years, and the ups and downs that managing her international team has experienced.It's a really honest conversation about the realities of entrepreneurship. If you are looking to learn more about how to work with us like Ruth, visit www.clockworkaccelerator.com

She's back, folks!After a 13 week maternity leave Adrienne is plugged back into Team Run Like Clockwork and she's ready to share all the details about what it's really like to be unplugged from the business for that long. She's joined by Emily in this episode, and they cover everything, like: What her new role will look like now that she's back Advice she would give to the 2017 version of herself The unexpectedly hard part about being gone that long And the singl The lessons and takeaways we share in this episode are just further proof why the 4-Week Vacation is always going to be a cornerstone of the Clockwork system. It is vital to the health of your business, yourself, and your team. Visit clockworkaccelerator.com to get started preparing for yours. And if you have more questions about what this process was like, let us know on instagram @rlclockwork

Mistakes happen all the time.But unfortunately, the culture around admitting your mistakes can be highly problematic. People are afraid of being vulnerable. They are worried that admitting they made a mistake will weaken their position at a company, or undermine their authority. We need to reframe mistakes as a necessary part of the process because they are unavoidable. In this episode Gabbi and Julie talk about the top reasons why making mistakes is more than just "ok", it's absolutely necessary, like: We need to make them so we can learn and grow They are an opportunity to improve or create systems They foster teamwork and community Shifting your culture can be hard work, which is why it's a huge focus of the work we do here at Run Like Clockwork. Want to learn more about how? clockworkaccelerator.com

Today we wanted to record an episode specifically for all the team members, so if you have a team be sure to share this one with them. As you know, we are obsessed with continuous improvement here at Run Like Clockwork, and that doesn't just refer to our systems… we are also focused on improving ourselves!We are responsible for our own growth… which for a lot of team members can oscillate between feeling both super exciting and super daunting. In this episode, Julie, Gabbi, and Emily share more about our favorite growth tips and strategies and provide some insight into the good, bad, and super uncomfortable parts of our own personal journeys. We also cover the S Curve, which we learned about in Whitney Johnson's book Build an A-Team, which is one of our favorite concepts to teach to our clients. If you're struggling with your own growth, or have team members who you know aren't tapping into their own strength, this episode can help provide a clearer path to finding it!

Just over a year ago, on this episode, we interviewed Julia O'Grady about her experience Clockworking her business ITM Events during the pandemic.We get a ton of positive feedback and general curiosity about how Julia's business is doing now that her industry is opening back up… so we knew we had to have her on again. Julia is an incredibly valued member of our RLC community and is notoriously generous when it comes to sharing her experiences, so there is no topic off the table in this interview.In this week's episode, she opens up about: What worked and didn't work about Clockworking while business was really slow The unconventional (for her industry) boundaries she and her team live by How she has shifted their culture around valuing time as a commodity And soooo much more. These are the important topics and conversations that we here at RLC want every CEO to be having. The myth around "work/life balance" is crumbling. Perpetuating hustle culture isn't something to be proud of. Team members aren't putting up with toxic leadership styles anymore And to that, we say… finally. You can learn more about Julia and the work she does here, and you can connect with us to learn more about Clockworking your business at www.clockworkaccelerator.com

Every quarter we host a quarterly planning call for our clients, and while we don't have time to do a whole session on this podcast, we do want to share a few high-level tips for you to get started! These planning sessions are essential to the growth and success of our business, so grab a pen and paper because we are covering exactly what to cover and how to structure your meetings.In this episode we talk about: Why, when, and how to do your quarterly planning The importance of reflecting on wins of all shapes and sizes Five main categories we focus on when having a planning session Unfortunately these meetings often get bumped to the bottom of the to-do list to make room for some of the more urgent fires that are always popping up.The reality is… NOT prioritizing this activity is often what leads to the fires in the first place!If you know you need support around building a business that isn't constantly on fire, click here: www.clockworkaccelerator.com

Well, we did it!Team RLC passed the final Clockworking test for our company – we planned, preppedt and hosted a brand new 2-day live event totally without Adrienne. While we have considered ourselves "Clockworked" for a while, meaning Adrienne can be completely removed from the day-to-day of the business, she is still the face of the company.So when she announced her second pregnancy to the team and her intention to take a longer maternity leave this time, we knew this was the perfect opportunity to put ourselves to the test and see how well our team could perform under the ultimate stress test. In this episode Emily, Julie, and Gabbi talk through exactly what this process has been like over the past few months… all the highlights, obstacles, and learnings from the team. They also offer a few words of advice to other teams who are about to undergo their own 4-week vacations so they can be as smooth sailing as this was. This was a massive milestone for team RLC, and we don't hold anything back in this debrief. You can learn more about how to make this a reality inside your own business at www.clockworkaccelerator.com

We are laser-focused on improving team culture standards and we've identified one of the fastest ways to undo it. We work hard at Clockwork to create autonomy on teams, and along with autonomy comes the understanding that we have to take personal responsibility when things don't exactly go to plan. But too often people turn to blame. In this episode, Emily talks about how personal responsibility is the antidote to this, and how important it is for business leaders to model this behavior. She also shares some really interesting research from a Harvard Business Review article that explains just how damaging of an impact the blame game can have on your business. This is a huge passion and focus of Team RLC, so if you are looking to learn more about how we address this with our clients check out www.clockworkaccelerator.com

Overcoming resistance is one of the bigger challenges our Clockwork leaders face during their journey with us. It can be frustrating, time-consuming, and overwhelming, but not addressing it head-on often leads to even more issues. In this episode, Emily talks about the two distinctly different types of resistance that leaders face as they are clockworking their business, and some tips to get to the root of the problem.She also discusses her favorite book to help on the topic!You can learn more about how we help our students overcome resistance and improve their business at clockworkaccelerator.com

Part of our process here at Run Like Clockwork is encouraging our students to take multiple vacations a year. But it's not actually about you getting a break, not that you don't need one. It's about your business and team having multiple opportunities to run without you. This is the most efficient way to highlight any gaps with your Clockworking which is why we provide a debrief call with Team RLC when you return to work. In this episode, you'll get a sneak peek into a 4-Week Vacation debrief Julie recently had with clockworker Danielle Cherewky. They discuss: The limiting beliefs Danielle had to overcome to take the vacation Why she doesn't believe in the term "work family" How her team stepped up during her time away Plus they conducted a thorough debrief of her time away and identified the next steps.It's a really interesting look into both how the vacation can work, and how we work with our clients! Ready to take your own 4-week vacation? Learn more about how we can help make that happen at www.clockworkaccelerator.com

The first module in our program asks the question "What are the qualities of the leader you want to become"?We've been collecting the responses to this question for years and the answers are fascinating. You can be confident in the mechanics of running your business, but that's only the tip of the iceberg. You need to have the leadership skills to back it up. In this episode, Emily and Julie analyze the data to uncover the top 5 most common qualities our Clockwork students shared in the responses to this question of their implementation exercise.Does your current leadership style align with your values and goals for the company? What qualities would you put on your list? If the answer isn't quite what you want it to be and you need a little support, you can learn more about how to work with us at www.clockworkaccelerator.com

With Adrienne out on a 12-week clockwork vacation, we thought this would be the perfect time to throw it back to one of the Run Like Podcast origin episodes! In this episode, Adrienne shares what the new verb she made up, "clockworking," your business even means, why the vacation is just a carrot + not really the point of it, and how to get started clockworking your business. Plus she dives into the mindset shifts you need to make to be successful. She even shares a super tip on how to recoup 15 days this year of your time with one simple shift. If you want to learn more about clockworking your business check out www.clockworkaccelerator.com

We talk a lot of hype about the 4-Week Vacation, and as our Clockwork CEO's unplug from the business their team members are always asking us the same question – What is this actually going to be like? Team RLC has expanded our team recently and as we prepare for Adrienne to take her own unplugged leave from the business, our newest team members have been wondering the same thing – how will this play out here?. In this episode Emily and Julie connect to chat about some of their questions like: Does she really not checkin? How long does it take to prepare for the vacation? What happens if something goes wrong while she's out? How will her work get divided on the team? What was it like when she come back? It was so fun to share a little glimpse of our own Clockworking, even for us this process is never over. If a 4-week vacation is on your 2023 vision board and you're looking for a little extra support to make it a reality you can learn more about the work we do at clockworkaccelerator.com

The best part of the Run Like Clockwork Podcast is having the chance to share the stories of our amazing Clockworkers, and on this episode we are joined by Brenda Blakenship, owner of Express The Hearts School of Performing Arts. After 24 years in business, Brenda was ready for some operational changes to her business and new that Clockworking would give her the freedom she was looking for. She chats with Julie about her success over the last few years, including taking test vacations during their 2 busiest times of the year! She also shares with us about the heartbreaking health scare that hit her family during the last week of her 4-week vacation, and how her team was able to give her the gift of all the time she needed to focus on her familyBrenda is proof that Clockworking is not something that can wait for a rainy day, and that being prepared for the unexpected is the most responsible thing you can do for both yourself and your team. If you're ready to implement clockwork so you too can be prepared for whatever is coming your way, you can learn more at www.clockworkaccelerator.com You can learn more about Brenda at www.expressthearts.com

You asked, we're answering! We've been talking about hiring and retaining your staff for a few weeks now and we have been loving all the questions you've been asking in response.This is such a nuanced process and can be very specific to the season your business is in, so we knew we needed to dedicate an entire show to it.In this weeks episode Emily answers your top hiring questions, like: How many steps is our hiring process Where find quality candidates How can we be sure that applicants are not just telling us what we want to hear? How to make sure you're hiring practices are diverse, equitable and inclusive How do we make our part time team members feel as included as full time If these answers just brought up more questions for you, maybe it's time to check out clockworkaccelerator.com to learn more about Clockworking your business.

When you don't have a team you can trust, it's impossible to step away from the business for any length of time. You're constantly being pulled back in, you can never fully unplug, and things can't move forward without you… But you can't do it alone, either — finding your dream team is essential to the business no longer being dependent on YOU. In this weeks episode Emily shares more details around: Why you might be afraid to hire How to attract higher-quality candidates An exciting new training from us to help build your dream team! Whether you're making your first hire or you've been through the hiring process before, we want to invite you to join us at our 2-day workshop "Build Your Dream Team" workshop.Learn all the details here: http://www.letsbuildyourdreamteam.com/ Learn from the pros and ensure that your next hire is a number one draft pick that can go the distance!

When Team RLC was making our nominations for Clockie recently, Danielle was a unanimous winner. Not only is she dedicated to making the clockwork systems work for her, but she's also built an incredible team of 40+ women during the process. And the icing on the cake? She has now officially taken all of her Clockwork vacations, and is a member of the 4-Week Vacation Club!In this episode, Danielle chats with Julie about: What it was really like to clockwork her rapidly growing salon business Her powerful "hit by a bus" strategy to engage her team. How she solved her biggest bottleneck and created a system that will develop incredible new team members for her in one shot. Danielle is truly a Clockwork superstar, and has so much valuable experience to share, particularly with those in the service industry. She is living proof that this Clockworking can work for all business models. If you're ready to take the next step, visit clockworkaccelerator.com If you want to follow along on Danielle's clockwork journey you can learn more about her and The Head Room at the links below The Head Room (IG) Danielle Cherewyk (IG) The Head Room (FB) Website

You might feel like you've crossed the finish line once you've made that new hire, but in reality, you're just getting started. Now we must begin the (arguably harder) work of retaining them. In this episode, Gabrielle and Emily share their top tips for keeping your team, including: The importance of building an S-Curve together How we conduct our annual reviews What the data from your time tracking will show you Why we pay close attention to everyone's love language Hiring can be a really arduous process, so let's make sure that once you do find that perfect fit for your team, you can retain them for as long as possible.Looking for ways to improve your company culture so you can keep your team members longer? Check out clockworkaccelerator.com for more info!

If there is one thing that never hurts to focus on, it's finding the joy in the mundane. And that includes your hiring process.Too often we overlook the multitude of ways that finding and onboarding a new team member can change our lives because we are too bogged down in the day-to-day of it. In this episode, Adriana and Julie dive deeper into: Her journey into Clockworking, and how she knew after 3 years that now was the time to really get serious about it The value in being able to design your business and team in a way that supports your vision How she got her newest team member autonomous in such a short period of time The new lens she uses every time she builds a new process in her business The beauty of Clockworking is how it can shift your focus from feeling frustrated and overwhelmed, to hopeful and excited! You can learn more about it at www.clockworkaccelerator.com Want to learn more about Adriana? You can find her here: instagram.com/thecodingspacerd https://www.linkedin.com/company/thecodingspacerd thecodingspacerd.com