Mar 12 2019
0

The rise of the intrapreneur

By | CEO Tips, Leadership, Success Mindset, Team & Outsourcing | No Comments

I was talking with a friend recently about a role she was struggling to fill on her team.

“I’ve tried a few people already in this role and it hasn’t worked. You know who I really want? Someone who is tired of running their own business and wants to work with someone else… I feel like they would get it and have the drive I’m looking for.”

On the other side of the coin, I have another friend who has owned and run successful businesses for over 20 years and decided to temporarily shut down her business a couple of years ago to take a sabbatical.

In her words “I was tired of my business. Tired of the hustle. Tired of the grind. The thought of letting my business go felt like freedom to me, and so I shut it down and spent the next year as part of the executive team for another business.”

There is a middle ground opening up between having a job and having our own business. Between being an employee vs. an entrepreneur.

It’s the intrapreneur.

Put simply, an intrapreneur is someone who brings the characteristics of an entrepreneur into the work they are doing for another business. Talked about often in corporate circles, the intrapreneur has a lot to offer to smaller businesses as well.

Vision. Drive. Passion. Innovation. Ownership. Experience.

They can plug into the vision of the company and see the possibilities.

They have the drive to own a project and make it happen, with the ability to tap into the resources of the company they work for.

They can focus their energy on work they do best, vs. trying to get better at things they aren’t good at.

They take ownership of a specific project or division and have the freedom to create results in their own way.

And if they have the experience of running their own business, they bring a level of insight into ‘what it takes’ to make things happen.

The benefit to the intrapreneur – the ability to do their best work and create results, without having to carry the ‘weight’ of the entire business on their shoulders.

I’ve spoken with countless individuals over the past few years who are done with their business. They are tired of the hustle. Tired of the heaviness of total responsibility. Tired of the constant struggle to find or manage clients. Tired of having to jump in when a team member drops a ball. Tired of working too many hours for what often feels like a small return.

They are also lonely.

And yet – they can’t imagine having to go get a job. Having to fit into someone else’s mold. Being told what to do and when to do it.

What if having to ‘get a job’ wasn’t the only option for the disillusioned business owner?

The benefit to the business hiring an intrapreneur – someone who isn’t afraid to take ownership of a project/division and be responsible for the results.

I’ve worked with small business owners now for over a decade in hiring and building teams, and they are equally as tired.

Tired of trying to find good people. Tired of trying to manage and motivate people. Feeling like they are spending all of their time telling them what to do, how to do it and chasing them down to make sure it gets done. Having high standards of work that it seems no one can meet.

At times it can feel like the only option is to do it all themselves, even when they KNOW they need support to take things to the next level.

The number one request I hear from business owners is that they want to hire a ‘self motivated’ individual – someone who bring the intrapreneur characteristics of plugging into the big picture, seeing what needs to be done and taking ownership to make it happen.

I can’t help but wonder – what is possible when we each stop trying to ‘do it all’ and instead look to come together and bring our best in the pursuit of a common goal?

How much more successful could we be when we join forces? When both the risk and the reward are shared?

There are key shifts to be made on boths sides to ensure this kind of relationship works – if you would like me to write another article on these shifts comment below and say ‘more please’. I’m happy to write a ‘part 2’ if it would be helpful. 🙂

And in the meantime, may you know and own your brilliance… and marinate in the possibility of what is created when we come together.

Mar 01 2019
0

The Vacation Test

By | General Biz, Systems & How-Tos | No Comments

There is no better way to gauge the health of your business foundation than taking the ‘vacation test’ and asking yourself one simple question…

Feb 10 2019
0

Solving the Root Problem

By | Uncategorized | No Comments

I’ve seen too much time, energy and money wasted on trying to solve the wrong problem… the ‘symptom’ problem. We try different things over and over again and can’t seem to get it figured out. <– perhaps you can relate?

It’s highly frustrating, not to mention costly, when we aren’t focused on solving the ‘real’ problem. The one that can make all the difference.

Jan 31 2019
1

Ego metrics

By | Leadership, Success Mindset | No Comments


I was listening to Ali Brown’s most recent podcast and she was talking about the idea of ‘ego metrics’ and how easy it is to go off track measuring the wrong things in our business.

Ego metrics are those things that make us look good to the outside world, but don’t necessarily reflect the success and health of our businesses. Things like:

  • Revenue numbers – I don’t care how much money you make, how much do you keep? Are you paying yourself consistently? Are you behind on your taxes? That 5-6-7 figure launch could quickly lose it’s shine when you realize how much of that money could be going right back out the door again. #profitfirst baby
  • Social media likes – you may see someone with a lot of followers on their profile, page or group but how engaged are they with their content? Are they the right people for the business? It’s not hard to get big numbers on social media these days but that doesn’t guarantee success. I was listening to a Facebook expert recently who has just over 1000 people in a group and has turned down about 9000 more who requested to join. Why? Because she only allows those who are a fit to join her group and doesn’t care about the ego metrics of “I have thousands in my Facebook group”… and she’s built a highly successful business from that ‘small’ group
  • Luxury lifestyle photos – expensive cars, fancy mansions and trips around the world can give us the impression that someone is living an amazing life and we can do the same! But how far in debt is that person? Do they own that house/car or was it rented for a photo shoot that day? Nor does it represent what real life looks like as an entrepreneur… often giving the impression that our lives are supposed to look this way. HA! I was joking online recently with someone that I’m going to do a ‘glamour shoot’ of me and my Hyundai Santa Fe – driving the kids to school in my gym clothes, wind in my hair. 😉

Don’t be afraid to question the things that people share online as it may not reflect the truth of their success.

And always track the things that matter in our businesses – profit, leads, conversions, client satisfaction, freedom, etc. <– This is where real success is created. 

1. Join the Fearless Women Leaders Group 
This is our collaborative Facebook community where we share high-level insights, advice and real stories about what it takes to grow, lead and be the impact in our industries. — Click Here

2. Next Level [Strategy and Leadership Mastermind]
An exclusive and elite group I personally created to support the next level leaders who are shifting into doing business differently. Making an impact. Building a business on purpose. Collaborating. As you feel that call within yourself to take things to the next level, go to m.me/tinaforsyth and type the word “Next Level”. 

3. Top Level [Private Coaching]
Work directly with me and my team to help you scale your business model, expand your team and take your business to the next level… send me message at m.me/tinaforsyth and type the word “Private”……. tell us about your business and where you feel the blocks are. We will get back to you to discuss a personalized strategic plan.



Jan 29 2019
0

How to stop micromanaging

By | Leadership, Team & Outsourcing | No Comments

“Tina, I know I’m micromanaging my team but I just can’t seem to stop – I’m driving both them and myself nutty. Help!”

There are two main reasons why we micro-manage:

1) We don’t TRUST that the work will be done right and on time

Your business is your baby – and if you don’t yet have trust in the people you’ve hired to take care of your baby, it’s pretty hard to let go!

What creates trust in a team?

  • Knowing that the work is done right – this is about being clear in your REQUESTS and having solid SYSTEMS in place. 

    Are you being as clear as possible in what you are asking your team to deliver? Anytime we are unclear in our requests we leave room for assumptions – and their assumption often won’t match your expectation.  Have you laid out a clear process for the things you want done ‘your way’? When you have standards for what you want things to look like be sure to lay out a clear process w/templates – so that they can follow the process vs. making up their own. 

  • Making sure it’s done on time – this is about AGREEMENT and ACCOUNTABILITY

    Give a deadline for all requests and make sure they are in agreement – many business owners forget this piece and then wonder why it’s not being done, when the team member didn’t realize there was a deadline or they didn’t agree to the deadline. And accountability is simply about checking in once the agreement is made to ensure tasks are being completed on time. And if not, then you know there is a breakdown occurring somewhere. 

2) We don’t know what our new role is!

This one was a biggie for me when I started expanding my team, in particular when I hired my first OBM back in 2010. Being great at her job she was clearing my plate, but I was left wondering what the heck I was supposed to be doing instead! I was used to being the one to do it all, to swoop in and save the day but I was no longer needed there… it was an identity crisis that I wasn’t prepared for. 

Expanding your team means redefining your own role – this can be confusing and challenging. Shifting from DOER to LEADER it is a whole other way of working, and when we aren’t clear on what that looks like or are afraid of stepping into the leadership role we can easily slip back into doing what we used to do. Like a well worn pair of shoes, we find ourselves slipping back into doing what is known and comfortable… even when we aren’t supposed to be doing it anymore. 

Perhaps you can relate

P.S. As you are ready to grow… here are 3 ways we can help:

1. Join the Fearless Women Leaders Group 
This is our collaborative Facebook community where we share high-level insights, advice and real stories about what it takes to grow, lead and be the impact in our industries. — Click Here

2. Next Level [Strategy and Leadership Mastermind]
An exclusive and elite group I personally created to support the next level leaders who are shifting into doing business differently. Making an impact. Building a business on purpose. Collaborating. As you feel that call within yourself to take things to the next level, go to m.me/tinaforsyth and type the word “Next Level”. 

3. Top Level [Private Coaching]
Work directly with me and my team to help you scale your business model, expand your team and take your business to the next level… send me message at m.me/tinaforsyth and type the word “Private”……. tell us about your business and where you feel the blocks are. We will get back to you to discuss a personalized strategic plan.

Jan 24 2019
0

Opposites attract on a team… or do they?

By | Leadership, Team & Outsourcing | No Comments

It’s important to have a variety of people on our teams, but there are some potential challenges to be aware of…

Jan 18 2019
0

How delegation led to my identity crisis

By | Uncategorized | No Comments

2010 was the year that my business officially became bigger than me.

It was the year that I shifted my business model from 1-1 service provider to a training/coaching model.

And as part of the shift there was simply too much work for me to keep doing it all myself – so I needed to start hiring.

My very first hire that year was my OBM Tiffany. She jumped in with both feet – working side by side with me to manage projects and move the business forward. I delegated stuff to her and she took it on.

It was EXACTLY what I wanted, but what I didn’t expect was how I was going to feel about it.

I remember waking up one morning thinking:

“If I’m no longer the one DOING all the work – then what value am I bringing to the table?”

It was a major identity crisis for me! I had spent the past 10 years of my business as the DOER. It was what I was good at. It was what people paid me for. It was the place I knew best and felt comfortable in.

And suddenly here I was – less doing on my plate (which is exactly what I wanted) and feeling like I needed to keep myself involved, constantly checking in with my team and looking over their shoulders because I didn’t know what else to do with myself!

Thankfully I had a great coach at the time who walked me through this, and helped me to realign my identity from DOER to LEADER. To realize that my role was now to be a leader for my team, my clients and my business.

Perhaps you can relate?

I find that when people struggle with delegation it is often based on an underlying fear of losing their identity. And that if they aren’t careful they will default to ‘taking it all back’ simply to keep that identity in place.

If this resonates with you my best advice is this:

  • Notice It – we can’t change that which we can’t see
  • Honor It – your identity has been the foundation of your success to date and it deserves to be honored!
  • Redefine It – what new identity will serve the next level of your growth? Maybe it’s the shift from DOER to LEADER (like it was for me.) Maybe it is something else
  • Shift It – operate as though the new identity is in place. Make decisions from that space. Spend your time in that new identity. Initially it will be uncomfortable to make this shift and the lure of going back to your old identity may be strong… but the only way to make the change is to stay the course here until your new identity becomes your norm.
Nov 23 2018
0

Are you hiring to the task or the vision?

By | Uncategorized | No Comments

There are two different ways to approach hiring.

You can hire to the TASK.

Or you can hire to the VISION.

When you hire to the task you – and the person you hire – are focused on WHAT needs to be done. On the specifics. The nitty-gritty. The stuff.

When you hire to the vision you are focused on the WHY. The bigger picture. Bringing the pieces together.

Traditional hiring is very task focused. Create a description of the role. Find someone who has those skills. Hire them and manage them to make sure stuff gets done.

Vision based hiring takes it to another level.

It’s about first being crystal clear on the vision of your business. Why you are doing what you do. Who you are impacting.

And first looking to find people who CONNECT with your vision. People who are aligned with the mission and excited about the possibilities.

Then looking at tasks of the role, and either hiring to the needed skillset OR being open to training someone to the role. (I’m a huge fan of training someone up into a role when they are aligned to the vision and bring the enthusiasm and energy we are looking for.)

When you hire to the vision you hire people who CARE.

Who care about whether or not things get done, because they see the bigger picture and know their part in it. They are willing to go the extra mile when needed. To look at additional ways to support at a higher level.

They bring the best of who they are to the table, because they are plugged into something that matters.

This is the kind of team that rises up and makes a real difference in the world.

This is the heart of my new book Hire Up – where I’m exploring the impact of connection & collaboration in teams.

All things are possible when we come together. Work together. Laugh together. Create together.

Wouldn’t you agree?

Nov 20 2018
0

Feeling restless…

By | Uncategorized | No Comments

I get it. I’ve been feeling restless too.

Feeling like there is something more that I’m being called to. Another level of LEADERSHIP. Another level of service.

Feeling like I have so much more to give. Tapping into my GENIUS work and really getting to own my gifts. My natural talents.

Feeling like I want more CONNECTION. More collaboration. Tired of being the ‘lone wolf’ in my business.

Even feeling a bit frustrated – and I daresay bored – at times with what I’m doing.

If you are feeling this way too I want to honor that. I want to create a space to ALLOW it…

You are feeling restless for a reason.

There is something calling to you. Another level. A deeper way to connect and serve.

It can be easy to try and avoid this call. Ignore it. Keep pushing.

But it doesn’t go away… the more we try to avoid it, the more restless we feel.

As I honor this in myself, my own journey, I invite you to do the same.

Allow yourself to dream. To breathe. To play with the possibilities of what is coming… even if you can’t see it clearly yet.

I have (quietly) started a new group where together we are taking things to the next level. Based on the values of collaboration, connection and creation. We have only 2 spots left and I invite you to reply to this email to let me know if you are feeling called to join us.

There is power in the restlessness if we choose to listen. <3

Nov 16 2018
0

Do you want comfort or do you want a breakthrough?

By | Leadership, Success Mindset | No Comments

Oooooeee! Today’s new video is a doozy and timely for many of us (myself included.)

As you feel the call to take things to the next level, you need to be willing to step into the discomfort…

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