Beyond Margins: Build a calmer business with comfortable margins

Can we create calm workplaces that are not only remote, but also asynchronous? And can we do it while avoiding micromanaging from afar? 

We're continuing in our mini-series on my calmer framework for a calmer business. This week, we're diving into autonomy. Why is autonomy essential for a calmer business? What does an autonomous work environment even look like? And how can you apply some of the best systems and tips for creating an autonomous environment into your own business. 

We're joined by remote-work expert, Marissa Goldberg. Marissa has managed distributed team members across 20+ countries and in 2018 founded Remote Work Prep. Remote Work Prep offers Fractional COO services and courses to help companies successfully create healthy, effective remote work environments.

On this episode, we learn how to set up employees to be their best selves and do their best job in an autonomous work environment. 

Listen to the Full Episode to Hear:

• What autonomy in a work culture means and why it is essential for building a calm company.
• The importance of clear communication, clear expectations, and the need for documentation to support autonomous decision-making.
• The necessity of intentional onboarding and training to help employees adapt to an autonomous work environment.
• Marissa's tips for managing 'overwhelming freedom' through self-management skills.

Learn more about Marissa Goldberg:

How can defining your business values and success more clearly lead to a calmer operation?

This episode kicks off our miniseries on deconstructing the common elements that all calm businesses share. We're starting with the most foundational element: clarity. Clarity in business is often summarized by a simple yet powerful term: "freedom from ambiguity." In today’s discussion, Susan Boles explores how achieving clarity in your business's values, goals, and communications can lead to more engaged employees, less turnover, and ultimately, a calmer business environment.

Understanding what success looks like and making sure everyone in your organization is on the same page can transform your business operations. Clarity reduces confusion and aligns your team's efforts towards common goals.

Listen to the Full Episode to Hear:

• Why clarity is crucial in defining business success and aligning actions with values.
• The impact of clear communication on employee engagement and satisfaction.
• Practical tips for enhancing clarity within your team, from onboarding materials to daily communications.
• How clarity in roles, expectations, and the bigger company vision can lead to more effective and autonomous decision-making.
• Steps you can take today to start improving clarity in your business, including sharing your vision of success and refining internal documentation.

What if you could design a business that inherently operates on calm, not chaos? What are the essential elements to make this possible, and how can they be systematically incorporated into your business model?

As we dive into our new series on creating calmer businesses, we explore the foundational elements that make businesses serene and sustainable. Each episode of this series will deconstruct a key component, starting today with an overview of what it takes to design a business for calm.

So, how do you start engineering a calmer business with limited resources? Using the CALMER framework, we'll look at how these elements function as the building blocks to a less stressful and more effective business model, providing actionable insights that can empower business owners to make intentional, strategic decisions.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• How clarity in roles and goals reduces stress and confusion, leading to more effective operations.
• Why autonomy in decision-making can prevent bottlenecks and enhance job satisfaction.
• The importance of a Lens of Care in prioritizing well-being over profits, affecting every aspect of business operations.
• How building in margins—financial, time, and emotional—can prepare your business for unexpected challenges.
• Why efficient systems are crucial for maintaining calm and how they can be implemented to support overall business health.
• The role of rest and reducing urgency in avoiding burnout and sustaining long-term productivity.

Learn more about me, Susan Boles:

Can grants really fund your service business? 

This episode wraps up our deep dive into unique funding options for service businesses, exploring an often overlooked resource—grants.

Meet Danielle Desir Corbett. She's a former grants administrator turned 4x grant-funded creative entrepreneur. She curates a monthly newsletter called "Grants For Creators," which shares funding opportunities for U.S. creatives and small business owners like grants, accelerators, pitch competitions, and more. Danielle believes creative projects should get the funding they deserve and she takes pride in handling the challenging task of locating the funds, so all you have to do is apply.

 
How do you navigate the complexities of the grant application process without getting overwhelmed? In this episode, we break down the steps to streamline your approach, making it more accessible and effective.

Listen to the Full Episode to Hear:

• Danielle’s journey from discovering grant opportunities to becoming a seasoned grant winner.
• Detailed discussions on the pros and cons of incorporating grants into your business funding strategy.
• Effective strategies for identifying and applying to grants that align with your business objectives.
• Danielle’s top tips for maximizing your time and effort when dealing with grant applications.

Learn more about Danielle Desir Corbett:

In this special 100th episode of Beyond Margins, host Susan Boles delivers her first solo discussion on utilizing debt thoughtfully to fund service businesses. Drawing from her experience as a fractional CFO, she explores the benefits and strategic uses of debt, shares real-world examples, and provides practical tips for business owners facing cash flow challenges or looking to seize growth opportunities.

• (00:00) - Introduction to Business Funding Options
• (00:37) - Celebrating 100 Episodes: A Solo Special
• (01:51) - Understanding Debt as a Strategic Tool
• (03:28) - Real-Life Examples of Strategic Debt Use
• (04:57) - Mid-Roll Ad
• (06:35) - Choosing and Managing Debt Wisely
• (08:26) - Planning and Managing Debt Repayment
• (10:20) - Final Thoughts and Upcoming Topics