Category: Blog

It’s happening. I’m officially a member of the EOS Integrator Mastery Forum. It’s a big moment for me and for Your2IC. In becoming a part of this community, I’ll have access to a wide range of resources, best practices, and real-world experiences that will help me refine my skills. It’s an incredible opportunity for me to learn from some of the best in the industry, and I’m looking forward to diving right in. Want to know more? Read on. 

What do you know about the ‘Integrator Role’? 

You may not have heard the term. Put simply, an Integrator is a person responsible for executing the vision of a business. They don’t create that vision – that’s the ‘Visionary’s’ job – but instead take vision and turn it into a reality. 

The Integrator Role also manages day-to-day operations, it leads the teams, solves the problems and creates systems – all in aid of achieving the company’s goals or ambitions. It’s an important role in any business and is often the glue that holds operations and objectives together so a business can have meaningful growth. 

The Integrator Role and Me 

It’s no secret. My personality type lends itself classically to being an Integrator. I’m that guy that loves to stand back, take it all in, come up with a plan of action, then resolve the issues one by one – bringing order to the chaos. And this is true not only in work, but personally as well (ask my wife!)  

You can then imagine how this translates in business. Whether it’s leading a team, resolving operational challenges, or ensuring that all parts of a business are aligned, I find real satisfaction in driving things forward and seeing it all come to life. And this is why I’m so exciting to be a part of the EOS Integrator Mastery Forum. 

Walking the talk 

So, I’m practicing what I preach somewhat. I’m the first one to tell my clients that you must keep learning and developing your skills to thrive in business. Being a member of the EOS Integrator Mastery Forum is my opportunity to do this myself, learning from the best as I go along.  

The forum allows me to connect with those that are passionate about business growth and continuous improvement. It’ll be a space where we share experiences and solve problems together. I’m eager to learn from other highly experienced Integrators who have been faced with similar business challenges and can offer practical advice that I can apply to my own work – maybe to your business. 

So, watch this space as I commence this new journey. I’m excited to share my growth with you, but even more excited to apply what I’ve learned to drive even greater results with the businesses I work with.  

– Dave

When did you last celebrate success with your team?

Do you remember the feeling of getting a pat on the back or a “Good job!” from your manager?

It’s just too easy to point out issues, or problems– and when it comes down to business, that tends to be what people focus on. And it happens all too often at work, forgetting to celebrate the wins.

Let’s look at the why’s and how’s of celebrating our achievements.

Don’t be too busy to inspire

Yes, you have soooo much to do – but celebrating wins is a priceless way to inspire your team. It can boost everyone’s mood and energise them to be more productive. It can take just a few minutes and doesn’t always have to cost a cent.

Little things mean a lot

Reserve a little time to do “little” celebrations:

• Verbally praise your team at your daily or weekly meetings.
• Post a GIF or a congrats card in your team’s online chat group.
• Insert a shoutout in your next group email or message.
• Write a personalised thank you note to express appreciation.

Write it all down

If you take the time to think about the wins, you may realise there’s more than you expected. A great way to take stock is to go old-school, putting pen to paper.

Write down your wins. It’s therapeutic to see how much you’ve achieved, individually and as a team. Across every win, write down how you will celebrate and when you will do them. Try and spread them over several weeks.

Go big and be generous

If you have more time and some budget, here are more ways to celebrate bigger wins:

• Set up a recognition wall to showcase team achievements.
• Allow flexible work options on special days or for a limited time.
• Arrange for perks like a snack station or a massage.
• Let the team choose where to give a charitable donation.
• Give out personalised fun awards for individual contributions.
• Award company-branded merchandise like shirts and mugs/tumblers.
• Go on a team retreat or outing (where nobody talks about work!)
• Give the team an extra day off or a longer lunch break.

Celebrating wins begins with you

Every true leader wants to bring out the best in their team. You want to encourage growth and productivity?

• Step up and invest in making your people feel valued.
• Reinforce the idea that hard work pays off and brings rewards.
• Build a positive team culture where every member is appreciated.

Over time, your team will become more engaged, proactive, and have a stronger drive to excel.

It’s a balance of positives and negatives

You don’t need to ignore mistakes, but you can view them in positive ways. For example, instead of making just a list of wins, create a table of four columns.

The first column is your “Did Well” (wins to celebrate) list.

The second is your “Do Better” (things to improve).

The third is your “To Do” column – what you will do to improve  the items in the “Do Better” Column

You can set due dates under the last column.

So, your table will look something like this:

You can do it first then ask each team member to do the same; or you can do it for the whole team, asking them for inputs. No need to limit it to a particular number of rows, if there’s anything significant to add, keep adding.

The best part of this is in actioning the third column. Sounds exciting?

A few more ideas

To cap this off, here are some extra tips for celebrating wins:

• BE SPECIFIC: Specifying what is being celebrated can make it more real and more meaningful.
• BE SINCERE: You want to praise your team, not flatter them. Don’t say anything if you don’t mean it.
• BE TIMELY: The sooner you celebrate, the stronger the impact on the team.
• PERSONALISE IT: It’s better to send individual messages instead of a generic email.
• MAKE IT FUN: No tuxedos, gowns, or a red carpet are needed. Just go have fun at a team lunch, have a few drinks, or spend time playing games.
• MAKE IT A HABIT: Celebrating regularly and often can help create a culture of continual growth.
• BE INCLUSIVE: Everyone should be given a chance to be appreciated and recognised, not just the top performers.
• BE FLEXIBLE: You can celebrate wins and cheer your team on right in the middle of a project.
• BE CREATIVE: You can come up with better ideas for celebrating wins because you know your team better.

Finally, FOCUS ON THE HUMAN ELEMENT: Highlight the stories behind the achievements – the missed lunch break, the extra hours, and the hard work put into it. Real stories resonate better with people.

Beyond Feeling Good

Taking the time to reflect on and celebrate our accomplishments is more than simply a feel-good exercise. It is essential to building a high-performing team. The goal is not perfection but a culture of growth and improvement.

With a little love and respect, everyone wins.

Metrics – they’re everywhere in business, right? I’ve seen businesses measure too much and some not enough. And it can be hard to know if you’re sitting pretty or missing out. And the big question is: are you even measuring the right things?

Here’s a real-life story for you

I recently worked with a client who was having a rough time with their sales. They had a big sales team and plenty of data, but something wasn’t quite right.

They were laser-focused on lagging indicators – the stuff that shows you what’s already happened. But here’s the thing: no matter how hard you stare at a lagging number, you can’t change it. It’s like shouting at the TV during a footy game – the outcome’s already been decided.

This approach meant they were in the dark about the stuff that really mattered: the actual steps leading up to a sale.

So, what did we do?

Working with the leadership team and the sales manager, we rolled up our sleeves and got down to business. We honed in on what the sales team should be focusing on. We got clear on the key parts of the sales process and what would really move the needle on those sales targets. And we set up measurements for those key areas.

It’s like we suddenly had a giant magnifying glass. All the stuff we wanted to measure was in clear view, and our goals were right there with it.

The sales team got it – they knew what they needed to focus on. And they had the right tools to keep everyone accountable and in the loop. Those new scorecards were a game changer – they made sure the right people had the info they needed, when they needed it.

And guess what? Over time, the sales team got their mojo back. Sales became steady again, and the process was more consistent.

Now, it’s your turn

So, time for a bit of honesty – are you measuring the right things in your business?

If you’re not sure, then let’s chat. Your business deserves clarity. Your team deserves to know what they’re aiming for. And you deserve to have a handle on your metrics.

Give me a shout, and let’s talk about how we can bring structure, clarity, accountability, and better communication into your business. The right measurements can make all the difference, and I’m here to help you find them.

We are excited to announce that we have just launched Your2IC’s brand new website! The upgrade makes it easier for business owners to find the support and information they need – and easier for Your2IC to help them better in running their business.

“We understand the headaches of a small business owner – cash flow management, attracting and retaining staff, sometimes even their own personal hurdles,” Your2IC owner Dave Hamilton explained.

“That’s why we spruced up our website. Now it’s easier for visitors and clients to connect with us and to get the support they need. It also better reflects who we are and what we do.”

Business coach plus more, supporting small business growth

Your2IC is a business coach, general manager on-demand, and fractional integrator rolled into one. We are glad to support small businesses and clients in various industries, including IT services, manufacturing, professional services, agribusiness, event management, non-profits, distributors, and training organisations.

We are proud to be helping business owners move forward and overcome challenges, and glad to hear from them about how our work has helped their business. for one, was happy that we enabled them “to recoup a severe deficit and increase our membership base.”

Anna of Wonderland RV, also our client, told us how “Your2IC has been a fantastic mediator, always able to get our directors back on track, focused and aligned to our core values.”

Sanity and less stress for business owners

Your2IC looks ahead to helping more business owners deal with their struggles before their stress mounts up into burnout. Dave explains, “We aim to walk side-by-side with our clients, helping them to regain sanity, get back on track, and focus on their priorities.”

“Being a business owner myself, I know how passionate we can get. When everyone has already gone home, we’re still chugging away at our to-do list. Sometimes we have to work till unholy hours and even on weekends.

“But I also have a family. I understand the importance of balance. My goal is for small business owners to have more of that, by streamlining their work and coaching them to success.”

Learn more about how Your2IC can support your business – visit https://your2ic.com/ or browse How We Can Help.

If you’re looking for a new website too, talk to the team at B2Me Marketing!

As a business coach, I’ve seen countless businesses struggle with maintaining a strong company culture. But the truth is, a company’s values can be the driving force behind its success. In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing market, it’s more important than ever for businesses to build a strong culture that aligns with their purpose and values. In this article, I’ll discuss the importance of values in building a successful business and share practical ways to embed values into your day-to-day operations.

But first, what are values?

Values are not just a set of words on a website or a plaque on the wall. They are the guiding principles that shape a company’s culture and identity. By defining what a business stands for, how it operates, and how it treats its customers, employees, and stakeholders, values can have a powerful impact on the success of a business.

Let’s dive into how they help drive success…

1. Attract and Retain Customers and Suppliers:

Customers and suppliers are more likely to trust and do business with companies that share their values. By clearly communicating your values and demonstrating how they are lived and rewarded in your business, you can attract and retain loyal customers and suppliers who believe in your purpose.

2. Motivate and Engage Employees:

Employees who feel aligned with a company’s values are more likely to be motivated, engaged, and proud to work for the business. A positive and collaborative work environment where employees respect each other and work together towards a common goal can lead to increased productivity, innovation, and growth.

3. Foster a Positive Reputation:

A business that operates with integrity and aligns its values with its actions can enhance its reputation and credibility in the market and the community. This can lead to increased brand awareness, customer loyalty, and positive word-of-mouth.

Now, the important part… embedding your values!

Embedding values into the day-to-day operations of a business is key to making them a practical tool for decision-making, problem-solving, communication, and collaboration. Here’s how you can do that…

1. Communicate values clearly and consistently to all stakeholders, internally and externally: Make sure that your values are clearly communicated to everyone involved in your business, including your employees, customers, suppliers, and partners. You can achieve this by sharing stories, examples, and feedback that illustrate how your values are lived and rewarded in your business. Consistent communication of values can create a shared understanding and purpose among stakeholders.

2. Align values with goals and strategies: Ensure that your company’s vision, mission, and objectives are consistent with its values and reflect its purpose and impact. By aligning values with goals and strategies, you can create a roadmap that helps your team make decisions and take actions that are aligned with your values.

3. Embed values in policies and processes: Design systems and procedures that support and reinforce your values in every aspect of your business, such as hiring, training, performance management, customer service, etc. For example, if one of your values is “customer-centricity,” you can design a customer service policy that ensures that your employees always put the customer first.

4. Empower employees to act on values: Give your employees the autonomy and authority to make decisions and take actions that are aligned with your values, even if they involve risks or trade-offs. This can help your team feel more engaged and motivated and can also lead to more creative and innovative solutions to problems.

5. Recognise and celebrate values: Acknowledge and appreciate employees who demonstrate your values in their work and share their successes and learnings with others. For example, you can create an employee recognition program that rewards employees who consistently demonstrate your company’s values.

Where To From Here…

Values are not static; they evolve over time as a business grows and changes. By regularly reviewing and updating values, and involving all stakeholders in the process, a business can ensure that its values remain relevant, authentic, and meaningful for everyone. As a business coach, I encourage you to take the time to define your values and embed them into your day-to-day operations. By doing so, you can build a strong company culture that drives success and creates a positive impact in the world.

Need help? Book your free consultation today!