by MHolland | Jun 27, 2025 | Business Tips, Remote Work, Systems
What is the difference between motivation and discipline?
Motivation is that flush of romantic dopamine that gets you all charged-up about starting anything new that excites you. A new business, a new garden, a new romance, a trip.
The shelf life of motivation? Anywhere from 3 seconds to 3 days, depending on the depth of your desire.
When starting a new business (or keeping one going) motivation is short lived. The hard work and hurdles soon take over and the excitement of that first rush is long forgotten, like a first date.
Discipline is needed. It is needed to keep the momentum on that motivation with what you started.
Discipline can best be accomplished with small, micro habits, done daily. I use a really great app, as most readers of my blog know, called Habit Tracker.
Disciple and motivation are both needed…
For an in-depth read on this topic, check this out:
Motivation Versus Discipline
How Your Daily Routine Transforms Your Workday
Routines operate like habits. The added ingredient is routines are usually set at the same time each day.
A routine could be defined as a “Scheduled Habit”.
The key to productivity is to set your daily routine as a rhythm.
For more on this topic, check out this blog:
Daily Routine – Transform Your Workday
Thanks for reading…
by MHolland | Jun 13, 2025 | Business Tips, Remote Work, Systems
I really like what I learned from Tim Ferris…
You know, the 4 Hour Work Week guy? The title for that book sounds like so much hype, doesn’t it?
Yet it is good. Very good. Why? Because it is chock full of practical advise, not just grand ideas.
Many I put into place immediately and have never stopped doing them.
Here is an oldey blog yet still “plays” well:
The Not-To-Do List: 9 Habits to Stop Now
If you want to check out the 4 Hour Workweek for yourself, here is a link to download the first 50 pages:
The 4-Hour Workweek, The 4-Hour Body, The 4-Hour Chef – PDFs
by MHolland | Jan 29, 2025 | Business Tips, Remote Work, Systems, Uncategorized
Our digital world holds many advantages…
Our business would not function without the internet and online software.
Yet, there is a downside. Being online, all the time, and losing touch with nature and the analog world.
I thought this was a terrific blog from the Freedom app I use to manage my online time:
Digital Sabbaticals
What do you think of this? Would love to hear your thoughts.
Thanks for reading…
by MHolland | Dec 13, 2024 | Cloud-based Accounting, Remote Work, Systems
Branding Is Essential
A colleague of mine at LeapZone Strategies has written a good Blog on the power of branding…
Here is the start of her Blog:
“Listen up, in the wild jungle of today’s business world, blending in is the first step to being forgotten. You need a Brand Foundation that’s not just solid, but magnetic. We’re talking about crafting a brand that doesn’t just get noticed – it gets craved. Why? Because in a sea of endless choices and constant noise, the brands that win are the ones that connect on a deeper level. They’re the ones that spark something inside people, something that goes beyond just ‘liking’ a product or service.” |
To read the whole Blog please click here.
AI Is Everywhere
AI is getting a lot of attention these days. It seems to be the constant topic in online business feeds.
A lot is hype.
Some is not.
I have used it for help in writing a Landing page. I gave it to my Team for feedback.
There was no feedback. They loved it. Saved me a ton of time.
Some software claiming to use AI are exaggerating a bit.
What I mean by that is this – ALL software is AI.
It is intelligently helping you be more efficient and productive.
Think accounting software versus a calculator.
But it is just software code, doing what you expect.
And, heck, that is pretty cool when you think back to the dark ages…before computers.
Some, however, is mind blowing.
Don’t believe me? Try ChatGPT.
Here is a good Blog from the Freedom app people, sharing a ton of apps you can explore for a 40% gain in productivity (their claim).
To check it out, click here.
BDC Talks About AI
To prove my point that AI conversations are bursting forth everywhere, I checked on my latest BDC Blog…
And, lo and behold, they are talking about AI.
Please click here to check it out.
Thanks for reading…
by MHolland | Dec 6, 2024 | Business Tips, Cloud-based Accounting, Remote Work
Introduction
Service is what sets great businesses apart. It is the one timeless constant. It was true for a business in 1850. It is a fact now as well.
Customers expect personalized care, and your team thrives in an environment where they feel valued and empowered. For family-owned businesses like yours, building a culture of service is not just a strategy—it is an extension of your core values.
Creating and maintaining this culture takes intentionality.
The rewards are worth it: loyal customers, a happier team, and long-term growth that feels good.
Here is how you can do it…
Number 1 – Define Your Core Values and Live Them Daily
Your service culture starts with your values. Think of these as the guiding principles that shape how you treat both customers and your team. But there is the catch—values cannot just live on a wall poster or in an onboarding manual. They need to be visible in everyday actions.
Example:
A franchised business we worked with defined “transparency” and “teamwork” as core values. To bring these to life, they introduced a weekly team huddle where leaders openly discuss wins, challenges, and customer feedback. This keeps the team motivated to deliver outstanding service.
Key Metric:
- Companies with clearly defined core values see a 29% increase in employee satisfaction (Source: SHRM).
Number 2 – Empower Your Team with Clear Communication and Tools
Your team are your customers!
When they feel confident and equipped, they will naturally provide excellent service. Start by ensuring everyone understands what great service looks like in your business—and provide the tools they need to deliver it.
Do it with clearly defined Performance Standards. A clearly defined Performance Standard is one based in physical reality. If it is not visible in physical reality it cannot be measured. If it cannot be measured, it cannot be improved or managed.
Example – Answer the phone on the second ring.
This passes the above test. It is clearly observable as either done, or not done. It defines an aspect of Awesome Customer Service. Customers that get responded to quickly on the phone will feel more cared for.
Number 3 – Lead by Example
Your leadership sets the tone. If you treat every customer with care and respect—or step in to help a stressed-out team member—you are modeling the behaviors, you want to see.
Top-down management structures disempower people.
An inverted organizational chart has the business owner on the bottom. Serving the Team above him/her, who in turn serve the customers.
Does that mean the owner-leader has humbled himself into being a doormat?
No!
“Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less.” C.S Lewis
“Humility is thinking more of others. Humble people are so focused on serving others, they do not think of themselves.” (Source Philippians 2:1-4)
Being at the bottom means you are responsible for serving everyone above you.
Being on the “bottom” in service to all does not mean poverty. Just the opposite. Being in service to more brings more rewards.
Number 4 – Build a Culture of Recognition and Growth
People who feel appreciated are more likely to go the extra mile. Regularly celebrate your team’s wins, both big and small, to reinforce the behaviors you want to see.
Ideas for Recognition:
- Create a “Service Star” award for employees who deliver standout customer experiences.
- Host a quarterly lunch to celebrate the team’s successes.
- Share customer compliments in team meetings or a company newsletter.
Example Metric:
- Teams with frequent recognition programs report 23% lower turnover rates, contributing to stronger, more cohesive teams (Source: Gallup).
Number 5 – Foster a Feedback-Driven Environment
Great service comes from a willingness to listen and adapt. Make it easy for customers and team members to share feedback.
Show them you are listening by acting on it.
Customer Feedback Tips:
- Use short surveys after service interactions.
- Ask for testimonials during your monthly Zoom reviews.
Number 6 – Keep Stress in Check
Stress is the silent killer of great service. To maintain a positive, productive team, ensure processes are streamlined and support is readily available.
Stress-Reducing Strategies:
- Streamline workflows with automation tools like Plooto for payments.
- Build a financial cushion for tight cash flow periods.
Example Metric:
- Businesses with proactive cash flow management see 20% fewer disruptions during busy seasons (Source: Small Business Trends).
Conclusion
A formidable service culture is more than a business strategy—it is a way of life that benefits everyone involved. By defining your values, empowering your team, and fostering a positive, feedback-driven environment, you can create a business where customers rave about your service, and your team feels proud to be part of the journey.
Call to Action:
What is one step you can take this week to strengthen your service culture? Whether it is recognizing a team member or asking for customer feedback, start small and build momentum. If you would like more ideas tailored to your business, let us connect during your next monthly Zoom meeting!
Thanks for reading…
by MHolland | Jul 30, 2024 | Business Tips, Remote Work, Systems
Recruiting and hiring new Team members – if you are like me – is time consuming, a bit excruciating, and, well, just not fun at all…
Tasks that are not fun, waste time, and hard to manage can drain your resources.
Hiring people is one of those tasks that most people dread!
Just think of the hundreds of applications that have to be sorted out to get to the gold.
Then the dozens and dozens of hours spent in interviews.
Ever have interviews that in the first 3 minutes you KNOW the person is not a good fit?
And then you spend the next 30 minutes in an internal dialogue – how do I escape elegantly?
The exciting news is that software has developed in remarkable ways over the past few years.
There are now multiple platforms out there that help you manage the process of recruiting.
Ever hear of a one-way video interview?
Good, if you said no. I hadn’t either until a week ago.
What is a One-Way Interview?
A one-way interview goes like this….
- You upload some basic, simple key questions, about 5, to the recruiting software platform.
- You email your candidates a link to the software.
- Your candidates answer the questions online using the video recording in the software.
- You review the video answers (at 2 times speed even).
By pre-screening candidates, you will save yourself dozens of hours.
You will narrow the field of candidates to those who:
- Resonate with your company culture.
- Align with your values.
- Can communicate clearly and professionally.
What Are the Software Platforms Offering This?
There are loads now!
Some are very expensive and others less so,
Two popular ones that my colleagues have used are:
- Vervoe
- Sparkhire
These two platforms offer much more than just the one-way screening interview. They are jammed packed with features.
Assessing Candidates
The software will assess your candidates and rank according to the answers to questions you provide, and the time taken to answer.
Here is an example from Vervoe’s website:
“We use a set of algorithmic models that measure the quality and interaction of a candidate’s responses against millions of other similar responses and actions.
If you’re hiring a Call Centre Agent, you might be looking for someone with skills like attention to detail and empathy.
Our models process thousands of responses quickly looking for certain words, sentiments and actions that reflect these values accurately. Candidates that display more of these are graded higher”.
A Lower Priced Alternative
In my research I came across a highly user-friendly alternative, with awesome ratings by their customers.
It is called Hireflix One-Way Interview Software
They seem to only do the one-way interview, yet they do it extremely well, and at a great price-point.
The independent user reviews are running 5 out of 5.
Advantages With a Remote Work Force
With so many people hiring for remote work, interviewing people online is a clear winner.
Here is a blog post from Hireflix explaining in more detail:
The advantage of one-way video interviews for remote workers
In Summary
Full disclosure – I have not yet used any of the above platforms.
I will be shortly and very likely trying Hireflix, as they offer a 30-day free trial.
I will report back on how I find it.
Thanks for reading…