HOW-TO: Accelerate Your Business in 2014 (by Keeping a Business Journal)

How to Accelerate Your Business by

Keeping a JournalLess Overwhelm, More Self-Assurance

+Chris Mohritz | chris@mohritz.co | #IdeaToOperations

OUR JOURNEY

● The norm● Pain points● Looking to change● Making it better● Get started

We’ll jump right inFeel free to ask about my background after session

WHAT’S THE NORM?

A DAY IN THE LIFE

● Information overload● Lack of clarity & focus (due to overwhelm)● Too busy for more productive habits● Knowledge comes & goes● Lessons-learned come & go● Inefficient staff turnovers● Second-guessing decisions● Erratic momentum● Motivation struggles (“why am I doing this?”)

WHERE ARETHE PAIN POINTS?

COMMON PROBLEMS

● There's too much to remember● A lot slips through the cracks● Repeating past mistakes● Sending good money after bad● Duplicated effort● Knowledge lost● Less-than-harmonious staff● Indecisiveness● Slow execution

WHAT’S MISSING?

THINGS WE CAN CHANGE

● Need focus time to think things through● Need “success habits”● Need daily inspiration (reinforce progress)● Needs to be consistent● Need a “paper trail” for troubleshooting● Need to capture lessons-learned● Need habit of self-assurance

WHERE CAN WEMAKE IT BETTER?

CLOSING THE GAP

● Keep a record of your journey● Consistency ● Momentum● Compounding progress (accelerate growth)● No second-guessing (nimble & decisive)● Record of what worked, what didn't work● Daily inspiration● Efficient use of marketing resources● Easier capital (investors ❤ journals)

LEVERAGE THE INFORMATION

● Create “real” business plan● Turnover to CEO● Turnover for merger or acquisition● Staff turnover (training)● Greater ROI marketing (SEO)● Greater ROI operational changes

ORGANIZATION WIDE

● Works for staff status reports as well (gold)

GETTING STARTED

DEVELOP THE HABIT

● Daily is ideal (weekly is fine to start)● Put it in your (daily) to-do list● End each entry on a high note ● Quickly becomes addictive● Periodically review entries (weekly)● Keep it fun and relaxed

Reinforce what you learned

Clarify your decisions

Celebrate your accomplishments

Set tomorrow up for success

OPTION #1: TYPE IT { GOOD }

● Blogger, Wordpress.com, etc.● “noindex” if Internet accessible● Password protected

OPTION #2: WRITE IT { BETTER }

● Handwritten● Can be paper or tablet/phone

OPTION #3: SPEAK IT { BETTER YET }

● Can be hand recorder, PC, or tablet/phone

OPTION #4: VIDEO IT { BEST }

● Can use webcam or external camera● Can store as “private” on YouTube

RECAP

● Use a checklist● Its all about the focused thinking time● Make it a habit● Leverage the information (everywhere)

Questions?Feedback?chris@mohritz.co