![073: A is for Access [ABC’s of EYB]](https://shawnwashburn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/073-a-is-for-access-abc-s-of-eyb_thumbnail.png)
by Shawn | Jun 29, 2021 | Podcast
Today, we’re kicking off our ABCs of Engineering Your Business with A is for Access.
There are few things as frustrating as not having access to the tools, people, resources or knowledge needed to accomplish a task.
And yet, often, we put barriers in place to this access without even knowing it.
They may not be permanent barriers, but they can be barriers that will cost time and momentum for sure.
The most common barrier is more one of omission. It’s not making the actual connection to the resource.
It’s telling Susan to see Tom for more info about the project but making her try to figure out who Tom is or the best way to contact him or what his background is, etc.
As well, when we’re talking about access to people, when we can make the personal introduction ourselves, in person or electronically to connect our team member with the resource, we’ve not only saved them time but we’ve jump started their own connection and conversation. Our people don’t have to be intimated or feel like they are imposing on someone who is already really busy.
We have the power to cut that off at the start and give them the confidence and authority to reach out for the info or help they need.
I’ve seen this done poorly, where the person with the task is left just kind of lost out there on their own. And I’ve also seen it done well, where the one making the connection walks the other all the way to the resource, introduces them, tells each about each other and really makes a huge impact there.
Another way we block access is by not showing our people exactly how to get to the file or the software that they need. “You can find it on the network drive” is not a great help and can lead to them either searching all over, or worse, finding an outdated file to use by accident. Give them links or walk them through on a Zoom call.
So, there’s access to people and access to files and information.
One final crucial access that we need to give our people is access to us. With the understanding that we expect them to do all that they can do on their own first. But if they have questions and have already done their research, they can know that we are there to help guide them if need be.
Having that confidence will help them a ton if they get stuck or feel that there was something missing. If they can know that they don’t have to feel bad running something by you and that you’re receptive, you will only help them accomplish their task or finish their project more efficiently.
Give them the access they need.
Check back in tomorrow as we turn our eyes to “B is for
If you’ve been enjoying the podcast and haven’t left an Apple Podcasts or iTunes review, I’d love it you’d take a minute to do that. You can head to shawnwashburn.com/apple to take you right there. Thanks for spending some time today to help you and your business thrive.
by Shawn | Jun 28, 2021 | Podcast
So, I was looking back at over 70 episodes so far as we’ve looked at various topics related to both People and Processes in your business.
And I thought it would be good to dig into a new series that can tap back into some of those main themes in a new way.
So, starting tomorrow, we’re going to begin some ABCs of Engineering Your Business. Now, when I say ABCs I don’t mean that if you were starting a business from scratch these are the steps you’d take.
But rather, these are some of the foundational items that will help you, in whatever position you’re in in your company, leverage your people and processes best to eliminate waste, strengthen your culture, improve your efficiency and bottom line so that you can be leaner and meaner and grow your business while wowing your customers.
I’m excited about the series as I think it will allow us to circle back on some of the major themes that I’ve seen pop up over the years as well as dig into some new ones.
And don’t worry, we’ll still be taking a few breaks to make room for new Odes to the Office as well.
I hope you’ll join me tomorrow as we start off with “A is for Access”. If you haven’t yet, hit subscribe so that you’ll get each day’s episode automatically dropped into your podcast player and ready to hit play.
If you’ve been enjoying the podcast and haven’t left an Apple Podcasts or iTunes review, I’d love it you’d take a minute to do that. You can head to shawnwashburn.com/apple to take you right there. Thanks for spending some time today to help you and your business thrive.
by Shawn | Jun 25, 2021 | Podcast
I probably don’t have to tell you this, but life can be cruel sometimes.
I’m sure you could roll up the sleeves of your heart and show me scars that you’ve received over the years. Pain, disappointment. Heartache. Loss. Frustration. Dashed dreams. Opportunities that never came your way.
Our world is full of those, though you’d never know it by looking at the outsides of the people around you.
Most of what we see is smiling pictures with everything as it should be and none of that nasty stuff.
But it’s there. And we all know it. We’ve experienced it. Our coworkers have experienced it. Our customers and clients have experienced it.
Life is tough.
But what can you do about it?
For one, as a leader, you can approach others with grace. Always assumed that you don’t know all that’s going on in their life. When they’re not themselves or they made a mistake or the flew off the handle or they’re late or whatever. Give them the benefit of the doubt. Understand that they have a life and maybe their life is cruel right now. Maybe they’re dealing with a lot. Maybe they’re just trying to hold it together today.
Let them know that they matter. With words. And actions.
Don’t just assume that they know you feel that way. Over and over, look for opportunities to build into them, to value them, to let them know you care and they are not alone.
Listen to them if they are willing to share. Don’t push them. But if they’re open to sharing what’s going on, listen… and don’t talk. Be someone that is for them, that is in their corner, that they can trust.
Life can be cruel sometimes.
Be a source of strength for others in the midst of their storms.
It’s not just business. You are connected with others you work with for a reason.
Thanks for listening to today’s episode. If you’ve been enjoying these one of the best thing you can do is tell a fellow entrepreneur or business leader. You spreading the word helps me help more people. Thanks so much.
by Shawn | Jun 24, 2021 | Podcast
Welcome back to the Engineering Your Business podcast, helping entrepreneurs and business leaders like you leverage your people and processes to thrive in your business.
I’m your host Shawn Washburn.
Have you ever gotten frustrated when a project at work went off course or a coworker or team member poured their heart into something but the end result wasn’t what you were hoping for?
I think a super important question we have to continue to ask is “what is the goal?”
Sometimes we think we’re on the right path. We’re working hard, making progress, etc. But we’re actually not focused on the right goal or the goal wasn’t defined well enough.
I was thinking about this recently one night in the midst of a run.
I am a sprinter. I am not a mid or long distance runner.
But I’ve been training to run a 5K. It would only be my second… ever.
I could run 110 hurdles and a lap around the track all day. But 3.1 miles? Not my strong suit.
But I’ve been training and my goal is to run one with my youngest son Ben. I watched him scorch a race several weeks ago and he is a really good cross country length runner.
My oldest son Eli has been helping train me. He is an exercise science major who learned more before he went to college than I had any idea when it comes to strength and athletic training, nutrition, how the bodies skeletal and muscular systems work together. It really is amazing to me every time.
In fact, my achilles had been hurting me and was stalling my running. He analyzed me on video and walked me through what he thought was happening and how to fix it. I did what he said and it worked.
He’s also been giving me specific workouts through the week to build me up for the race.
The other nights workout was to run for 30 minutes at a decent pace. Not too fast, not too slow. Just keep running for 30 minutes at as fast a pace as I could keep up.
I was a little nervous because I just don’t do that… at least without a basketball. I could play basketball for 3 hours running up and down the court. But running for 30 minutes around the neighborhood. Seemed like an eternity to me.
But I got my earbuds cued up and ready to go and I set off. 5 minutes went by. Then 10. 15. Once I got to 15 I turned around. I knew how far I’d gone and I wanted to try to go farther on the back 15. But I also wanted to make sure I kept running.
And it was that tension there that I kept pondering. My original goal and task was just to run for 30 minutes. But once I was out there, especially on the back half, I wanted to push myself. But what if I did that and did really well on the back 15 minutes except I had to stop with 3 minutes left because I was wiped out.
On one hand I would have finished sort of strong. But I would have fallen short of the goal… which was to run for 30 minutes.
I think it’s the same for us with our work and assignments we may be giving out. We need to make sure it is clear to both parties what the actual goal is so that no one is surprised or disappointed at the end. And so that time isn’t wasted or people frustrated unnecessarily just because there were two different goals in two different minds.
Help those in your organization to daily keep refocusing and asking “but what was the goal?”
If you can do that, you’ll get more of the right work done and end up with more happy people.
Thanks for listening to today’s episode. If you’ve been enjoying these one of the best thing you can do is tell a fellow entrepreneur or business leader. You spreading the word helps me help more people. Thanks so much.
by Shawn | Jun 23, 2021 | Podcast
Have you ever struggled with starting something new? Maybe it’s a new initiative at work, introducing a new concept or process or company vision. Or maybe you’re an entrepreneur launching off on your own and encountering resistance and frustration.
I want to encourage you to just keep at it and give it a little longer. Especially if you really believe in it and have run it past others who have given you affirmation. Here’s a quick story of how I saw this play out recently.
So, last night I had the privilege of being part of something special in our neighborhood. Our brand new neighbors Stephen and Rebecca invited a string trio called Opus 216 (you should check them out online) to perform in their front yard in the evening. They were friends with the leader of the group and they had been performing on front lawns since last year when a lot of their regular concerts had been wiped out during the pandemic.
It was a beautiful night and as we were getting closer to the concert there was a blanket spread on their lawn with chairs spread out ready for an audience. My daughter and our neighbor’s daughters had been making up signs inviting passerbys to come on over for a listen. As well, I know they had been mentioning to any other neighbors they knew.
It was almost seven and the ensemble was getting ready to kick things off. I looked around and then down the street to see if anyone else was heading over. It was pretty much me, my daughter and our neighbors family and extended family, plus a few others as things got going.
The group was amazing and I kind of wondered if it was weird at all that we had such a small group there. But they played their first tune and were really in the groove and enjoying things. And a crazy thing happened. As they moved into their second and third and on and on, more and more people started to show up.
I’d look down the street and a whole family was coming towards us. Bikers and people walking dogs stopped by. Some driving by went home and then came down to listen. Before I knew it the whole yard and neighboring yard and sidewalk had just filled up.
They continued to play their beautiful music as the sun set lower and cast a golden glow on them and their instruments.
I’ve lived in our neighborhood for almost two decades and this was something totally new. You could just feel it. All of us who were there were just buzzing about how cool an experience it was.
Now I’m not saying that the ensemble was going to give up if more people didn’t show. But what it reminded me of is that sometimes you have to just keep at something you believe in, something that you believe is bringing value or making a difference, even if at first the seats are empty.
Just push through a little bit more. Others will soon catch on and maybe become ambassadors for your new initiative or idea. Most people expect us to give up if things are hard or there isn’t much support. And that’s why so many new ideas die before they get a chance to make a difference. Don’t let that be the case for the things on your heart. Those that you believe in.
Whatever that is for you today, hang in there and keep at it. And encourage those in your organization to do the same. Be their cheerleader, a champion of their ideas or plans.
Make a difference in your organization by not giving up.
Thanks for listening to today’s episode. If you’ve been enjoying these one of the best thing you can do is tell a fellow entrepreneur or business leader. You spreading the word helps me help more people. Thanks so much.
