Wow, what a super interesting year! Right?!

If you're like a lot of the engineering industry right now you're still madly running around trying to get things finished and wrapped up before the Christmas break. 

Things work wise are likely to be quite intense and busy right up until Christmas this year and then you'll be jumping right into family get togethers, parties and the holidays which also can be quite full on.

Today I'd like to remind you that it's incredibly important for you to create some space in all of the craziness and intensity of work and life to really reflect and evaluate the year you've just had.

Before you can look to 2024 and the year ahead, it is so important to evaluate the year that’s just gone - including its successes, failures, lessons and themes - before you think about next year and your goals and how you want things to be different. 

You really want to understand what happened this year, why it happened and how to improve for next year.

...

Are you feeling the weight of your business resting solely on your shoulders? Are you stuck in the never-ending cycle of constant decision-making and firefighting, leaving little time for your businesses growth and strategic vision? If this sounds all too familiar, you might actually be the bottleneck hindering the growth of your business.

The Bottleneck Conundrum:

It's a natural evolution for a business owner to initially be the sole decision-maker and driving force behind every aspect of the company. However, as your business expands, clinging to this control actually starts to hold you back. Whether it's the fear of letting go, the need for perfection, or the desire to be at the centre of everything, being this bottleneck is stunting your business's potential.

As a business owner, it's easy to fall into the trap of believing that only you can ensure that everything is of the highest quality & that everything needs to come through you. The truth is - this mentality leads to...

I used to be amazing at delaying, procrastinating, justifying and not taking action on the big things that I logically knew would move my business forward.

Seems weird thinking about it now because doing those very things has single-handedly been the reason behind my business growing 5x this year.

As I look back on this year (and we’re not quite done yet), it’s incredible to think that we’ve now helped 50+ business owners grow their revenue, shape their business plans and their goals for their businesses future, gain the confidence they need to take their business to that next level as well as meet and make friends with a whole bunch of other incredible business owners along the way.

There is a saying “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, the second best time is today.”

This is a mantra that I constantly remind myself with when I find myself delaying, procrastinating or putting off taking action on those (in my head) scary and big things that...

Are you stuck in the never-ending cycle of being the technician in your business? 

It's a common part of the journey that all of us experience when we start our own businesses. You're wearing all the hats & handling every aspect of your business - from winning the work to delivering the work, to admin, HR, marketing, operations etc - and it can sometimes feel like a hamster wheel.

But here's the deal – in order for your business to grow, you'll need to make the time to step out of the technician business owner mindset and into the entrepreneurial business owner mindset. You’ll need to focus on controlling the resources, not being the resource.

Regardless of whether you're a single person business owner or running a $10 million per year consultancy, the goal is the same: shift your thinking from the technician business owner to the entrepreneurial conductor. You want to be the one shaping the vision, guiding your team, and orchestrating the path to success, not...

When I first started my business - I set out to work with as many clients as I could.

I wanted to help as many people as my weeks would allow, & I thought that by working with anyone & everyone - this was the quickest way to business success.

How wrong I was.

So off I went, working with and taking on any client that would work with me.

Years passed.

One day I looked up and I realised that I was super unhappy - running around trying to please and help everyone - but feeling empty inside.

I was doing great work - but at the cost of everything else.

I was having an impact - but if I was being honest, some of the clients I was working with weren’t right for me.

And so…

What I came to realise, is that in order to build a business that is truly successful to me (not anyone else… to me) - I can't work with everyone.

I fact, I don't want to work with everyone.

So I changed who I was working with.

Now I'm really selective about who I take on and who I don’t....

One of the hardest decisions of my life was stepping into my coaching business full time.

Not because I was worried about failing or that it wouldn’t work out. It was because I was leaving behind that level of safety and security that I’d come to rely on for nearly 2 decades of my career prior.

I have a family, 2 x kids, a mortgage and I was honestly worried about letting them down.

When we’re faced with big decisions, our brain will always err on the side of caution because it’s designed to keep us safe.

But keeping us safe - also keeps us small.

And I didn’t want that either. I never want to go through life thinking about all the ‘maybes’ and ‘should haves’.

I want to lead and show my family, my clients and our incredible industry what’s possible when you pursue what you want.

Fast forward - I have a thriving business, I get to work with incredible clients every day and I get to help them shortcut the process and build...

Are you feeling stuck when it comes to your business's growth? Are you looking to grow and to take that next step but uncertain about what to do next? Well, you're not alone, and the key to unlocking your business's potential lies in a simple yet powerful concept: shifting comfort zones.

Is this you and your business?

Your business has been operating at a certain level for some time. You and your team have settled into comfortable routines, where everyone knows their role, and things seem to be ticking along just fine. This is what we call a "plateau phase", a state where everyone operates within their comfort zones, doing what they've been doing for months or even years.

But here's the truth: To grow your business, you need to change the tasks and activities you're currently doing. It's time to uplevel your thinking and skills. This process can be uncomfortable, pushing you outside your comfort zone. To grow your business, you must grow yourself.

However, there's a catch. You...

Are you still doing everything in your business? Are you at a point where you know you could take your business to that next level – if only you could find the time in your weeks to actually focus on business strategy & growth? 

Yes? Then let’s talk about building the leadership team around you to support your businesses growth. 

I get it, you're on this rollercoaster journey as a business owner, building something exciting, putting in the work and aiming for the stars. But let's not lose sight of the bigger picture. Remember why you embarked on this adventure in the first place? It's not just about business success; it's about creating the life you envisioned – quality time with family & friends, creating amazing moments, and the freedom to enjoy it all.

Here's the deal: many of us fall into the trap of being the bottleneck in our businesses. We get so wrapped up in the day-to-day operations that we forget our overall vision. We build the...

Today let’s talk about how to set up and shape your company's structure so that it supports & allows you to achieve your growth goals.

First things first, your business DNA is unique. I’ve had plenty of client’s ask me for templates to copy and follow when it comes to their company structure. And while there are plenty of typical company structures to follow, your structure should reflect your own personal vision and goals.

It's not about copying your neighbour’s layout or following what everyone else is doing. Remember, you're the architect of your business, and it should align with your values, dreams, and the impact you want to make.

You're probably wondering, "Where do I even begin?" Well, let's break it down.

Make it Personal: Your business, your rules. For example - you might want to stay deeply involved in the day-to-day delivery of projects or instead focus more on the big picture and where your business is going. It's your call. Your structure...

When you focus on building a business around you and your strengths – your growth potential is incredible.  

Why?

When you do what you are naturally good at & enjoy:

• It is easier i.e. it doesn’t feel like work.
• You get better results, simply because you’re confident and you’re good at what you do. 
• You are much more motivated because you look forward to doing the work & it comes easily to you. 

So as you grow, I want you to focus on building a business around your strengths.

Hold onto and continue doing the high-value activities that you’re good at and come naturally to you. Then make a plan to delegate and get some help with (as soon as you can and revenue allows it) the things that you aren’t good at or don’t come naturally to you

Why?

Because the more you stay in and own the areas of the business that you’re really good at and then bring on team that are exceptional in the areas that you’re not -...