A 5x5 Guide on How to Whisper Your Projects to Life
by Brett Linnenkohl
AN IDEA HITS.
Immediately, you can see the different ways it would positively impact your business. From the workflow, to the revenue, to the industry itself–if this idea came to life, it would be something that could set you apart from your competition. It could even create or solidify your success! You feel elated, excited, and motivated.
But.. your mood quickly sours when you start to think about how you could actually turn this dream into a reality. What would your first step be? Who would you call to begin? How would this even happen? Almost as quickly as your idea struck you, it’s gone. And so are the opportunities (and revenue!) along with it.
Entrepreneurs and small business owners have tons of ideas like this, but often, they just become too difficult to execute. Projects drag on forever while self-doubt creeps in.
You can’t even count the number of times you have floated an idea, maybe even gotten it started, but it just got left at the wayside while you got sucked into regular business. You start to wonder if you’re just lazy, hired the wrong people, or both!
You probably know how to fix something or what you need to add, but why don’t you? Why can’t you just build it? You grow more and more frustrated until eventually, you hardly even get inspired anymore.
Maybe the reason your dreams are stunted isn’t because you are incapable or your team is a bunch of time-wasters. The reason often is because your strategy is not effective enough! Plus, your team is just not fully optimized to provide the space for your ideas to come to life.
YOU NEED A PLAN, AND YOU NEED A TEAM THAT SUPPORTS THE STRUCTURE OF THAT PLAN. TO DO THAT, SOME CHANGES MUST BE MADE.
IN ORDER TO CHANGE A SYSTEM, YOU CAN REALLY ONLY DO TWO THINGS: ADD SOMETHING NEW OR IMPROVE WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
If your sales team just is not hitting their numbers, for example, you can either abandon your current method and use a new way of selling, such as implementing a new software to complete follow-up contact for clients. But if you were interested in simply tweaking the sales process, perhaps creating a PDF of commonly asked questions and sending it to the sales team before a call would do the trick just as well.
Either way has its advantages and disadvantages, but what changes an idea from an abstract notion to an integrated business practice is your method and your team.
For example, if you’re hoping to win a Tony award, you can’t produce a play with just a great script! You also need skilled actors, compelling set design, and a powerful ensemble to create that magic of storytelling.
NOW LET’S GET BACK TO THAT IDEA OF YOURS.
Imagine if you were able to turn it into reality–quickly! If you had a process that encouraged inspiration, a sounding board to sharpen and fine-tune your raw ideas, and the structure to implement them, the journey from your mind to the workplace would be smooth, pain-free, and exactly as you have imagined.
SOUND TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE?
Well, here’s an effective model you can use to bring projects to life. Using this model process with an optimized team will pave the road to ensuring your visions become a reality!
Brainstorm
First, you need a big picture. Imagine a bird-eye view of your business and brainstorm freely. You need to think on the macro level and define in broad strokes what it is that you want and how long you want to dedicate to achieving it. Some bigger projects might take months, but other tasks can take less time.
Plan
To make any plan successful, you must have a step-by-step plan to guide you. Otherwise, you’re just driving with a blindfold on!
Build
Plan outlined, it’s time to actually build the system. Maybe this is creating that PDF for your sales team, or maybe it’s installing a new method of organizing leads. Whatever your plan is, this is the stage to actually knuckle down and do the work of the project.
Test Drive
After all that collaboration and planning, it’s time to see the fruits of your labor! Begin operations and bring the plan to action. Run it, and see how it goes.
This process is almost like planning a city. You need to think about transportation, waste management, housing–the list goes on and on. The thing is, you need systems in order to keep your structures together. And to do that, you need to work with people.
One of the fatal flaws of entrepreneurs is that they get used to thinking they can simply do everything themselves. But, they fail to realize that creation and delegation are their zones of genius. These are the specific areas in which they thrive! But, different stages of the project process require different zones of genius. Think about it: you can’t ace a math test by studying your his- tory notes!
You need a team to help you create the space that will allow your dreams to grow. Here are the five types of people you need to be able to perfect the project process, everytime:
Visionary
The idea generator. This person knows the company better than anyone else. Often, this person can simultaneously think about the needs of the company and issues at hand while brainstorming. This person outputs raw ideas, and the following steps refine those ideas.
Implementer
Every plan needs a builder! This person is just good at making things happen. They are able to start piecing together the parts of the plan, and building the system that is needed.
Operators
These are the people or person who actually will use the systems being implemented by your team. It is important that the operators are able to provide feedback about the systems, because they’ll be the ones who know first if they are working or not. They can report issues or flaws and allow the system to be improved.
Automator
This person creates and maintains key performance indicators (KPIs). You may find that you can simply automate this aspect. Relying on automations tightens the bolts of this process, and keeps it purring to perfection.
Each of these people act as a filter, transforming your raw ideas into a profitable product.
Every layer makes it better, smoother, and gives you a more perfect and refined version of your vision.
You need a team to help you create the space that will allow your dreams to grow. Here are the five types of people you need to be able to perfect the project process, everytime:
Does this idea seem interesting to you, but...a little challenging?
Are you sick of sorting through applications, trying to find the perfect integrator or operators?
JUST GIVE US A CALL, AND WE CAN HELP!
We operate as floating integrators, and excel at transforming your raw ideas into reality. We fix the most tangled systems, straighten your operations, and get your processes running like clockwork!
The messier, the better. We love challenges, and we love helping businesses be the best versions of themselves possible. Additionally, we have an ample network with just about anyone for any job. We can come in to adjust your systems, connect your team to additional resources, and leave your business better than ever.
Imagine how far your ideas can go by just whispering them to life. Give us a call, and let’s get to work.
A 5x5 Guide on How to Whisper Your Projects to Life
by Brett Linnenkohl
AN IDEA HITS.
Immediately, you can see the different ways it would positively impact your business. From the workflow, to the revenue, to the industry itself–if this idea came to life, it would be something that could set you apart from your competition. It could even create or solidify your success! You feel elated, excited, and motivated.
But.. your mood quickly sours when you start to think about how you could actually turn this dream into a reality. What would your first step be? Who would you call to begin? How would this even happen? Almost as quickly as your idea struck you, it’s gone. And so are the opportunities (and revenue!) along with it.
Entrepreneurs and small business owners have tons of ideas like this, but often, they just become too difficult to execute. Projects drag on forever while self-doubt creeps in.
You can’t even count the number of times you have floated an idea, maybe even gotten it started, but it just got left at the wayside while you got sucked into regular business. You start to wonder if you’re just lazy, hired the wrong people, or both!
You probably know how to fix something or what you need to add, but why don’t you? Why can’t you just build it? You grow more and more frustrated until eventually, you hardly even get inspired anymore.
Maybe the reason your dreams are stunted isn’t because you are incapable or your team is a bunch of time-wasters. The reason often is because your strategy is not effective enough! Plus, your team is just not fully optimized to provide the space for your ideas to come to life.
YOU NEED A PLAN, AND YOU NEED A TEAM THAT SUPPORTS THE STRUCTURE OF THAT PLAN. TO DO THAT, SOME CHANGES MUST BE MADE.
IN ORDER TO CHANGE A SYSTEM, YOU CAN REALLY ONLY DO TWO THINGS: ADD SOMETHING NEW OR IMPROVE WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
If your sales team just is not hitting their numbers, for example, you can either abandon your current method and use a new way of selling, such as implementing a new software to complete follow-up contact for clients. But if you were interested in simply tweaking the sales process, perhaps creating a PDF of commonly asked questions and sending it to the sales team before a call would do the trick just as well.
Either way has its advantages and disadvantages, but what changes an idea from an abstract notion to an integrated business practice is your method and your team.
For example, if you’re hoping to win a Tony award, you can’t produce a play with just a great script! You also need skilled actors, compelling set design, and a powerful ensemble to create that magic of storytelling.
NOW LET’S GET BACK TO THAT IDEA OF YOURS.
Imagine if you were able to turn it into reality–quickly! If you had a process that encouraged inspiration, a sounding board to sharpen and fine-tune your raw ideas, and the structure to implement them, the journey from your mind to the workplace would be smooth, pain-free, and exactly as you have imagined.
SOUND TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE?
Well, here’s an effective model you can use to bring projects to life. Using this model process with an optimized team will pave the road to ensuring your visions become a reality!
Brainstorm
First, you need a big picture. Imagine a bird-eye view of your business and brainstorm freely. You need to think on the macro level and define in broad strokes what it is that you want and how long you want to dedicate to achieving it. Some bigger projects might take months, but other tasks can take less time.
Plan
To make any plan successful, you must have a step-by-step plan to guide you. Otherwise, you’re just driving with a blindfold on!
Build
Plan outlined, it’s time to actually build the system. Maybe this is creating that PDF for your sales team, or maybe it’s installing a new method of organizing leads. Whatever your plan is, this is the stage to actually knuckle down and do the work of the project.
Test Drive
After all that collaboration and planning, it’s time to see the fruits of your labor! Begin oper- ations and bring the plan to action. Run it, and see how it goes.
This process is almost like planning a city. You need to think about transportation, waste management, housing–the list goes on and on. The thing is, you need systems in order to keep your structures together. And to do that, you need to work with people.
One of the fatal flaws of entrepreneurs is that they get used to thinking they can simply do everything themselves. But, they fail to realize that creation and delegation are their zones of genius. These are the specific areas in which they thrive! But, different stages of the project process require different zones of genius. Think about it: you can’t ace a math test by studying your his- tory notes!
You need a team to help you create the space that will allow your dreams to grow. Here are the five types of people you need to be able to perfect the project process, everytime:
Visionary
The idea generator. This person knows the company better than anyone else. Often, this person can simultaneously think about the needs of the company and issues at hand while brainstorming. This person outputs raw ideas, and the following steps refine those ideas.
Implementer
Every plan needs a builder! This person is just good at making things happen. They are able to start piecing together the parts of the plan, and building the system that is needed.
Operators
These are the people or person who actually will use the systems being implemented by your team. It is important that the operators are able to provide feedback about the systems, because they’ll be the ones who know first if they are working or not. They can report issues or flaws and allow the system to be improved.
Automator
This person creates and maintains key performance indicators (KPIs). You may find that you can simply automate this aspect. Relying on automations tightens the bolts of this process, and keeps it purring to perfection.
Each of these people act as a filter, transforming your raw ideas into a profitable product.
Every layer makes it better, smoother, and gives you a more perfect and refined version of your vision.
You need a team to help you create the space that will allow your dreams to grow. Here are the five types of people you need to be able to perfect the project process, everytime:
Does this idea seem interesting to you, but...a little challenging?
Are you sick of sorting through applications, trying to find the perfect integrator or operators?
JUST GIVE US A CALL, AND WE CAN HELP!
We operate as floating integrators, and excel at transforming your raw ideas into reality. We fix the most tangled systems, straighten your operations, and get your processes running like clockwork!
The messier, the better. We love challenges, and we love helping businesses be the best versions of themselves possible. Additionally, we have an ample network with just about anyone for any job. We can come in to adjust your systems, connect your team to additional resources, and leave your business better than ever.
Imagine how far your ideas can go by just whispering them to life. Give us a call, and let’s get to work.