Systemize Your Success Podcast
Systemize Your Success Podcast

Systemize Your Success Podcast

Dr Steve Day

Overview
Episodes

Details

Dr Steve Day from the Systems and Outsourcing Academy reveals every app, hack, and trick he’s used to outsource the day-to-day running of his businesses. You’ll discover how to transform your work from a time-sapping, energy-draining grind into something you enjoy doing each day. You’ll learn about letting go, trusting other people to do your work, virtual assistants, outsourcing, managing a remote team, using apps and technology, creating systems, and stopping your business from being reliant on superstar employees who are hard to find and even harder to keep hold of.

You shouldn’t have to do all the work yourself, even on a tight budget. The sooner you outsource your work, the sooner you can focus on leading your company and doing the stuff that only you can do to make your business a success. Steve openly shares his wins, losses and lessons from creating affordable, practical systems that anyone can use. If you’re a business owner who wants more time to focus on doing the important stuff, then you’ll love this podcast. No non-sense practical advice, inspiring interviews and unbiased reviews of everything you need to create a fantastic business you can be proud of. Steve has deconstructed the dark art of creating sophisticated business systems into a simple step-by-step method that anyone can follow. Hit subscribe and get ready to transform the way you work.

Recent Episodes

5 Human-Centric Marketing Strategies with Chantal Cornelius, Founder of Appletree Marketing | Ep 213
FEB 20, 2025
5 Human-Centric Marketing Strategies with Chantal Cornelius, Founder of Appletree Marketing | Ep 213

🎙 In this episode of the Systemize Your Success podcast, Dr. Steve Day welcomes back marketing expert Chantal Cornelius to discuss five unique strategies for effective, human-centric marketing.

 

Chantal shares insights from her newly released book, “StandOut Strategies,” and coaches Steve live on implementing these strategies in his business. Moreover, the conversation delves into the emotional aspects of decision-making in marketing, highlighting how understanding client emotions can lead to better engagement and results.

 

You will also learn about the five strategies—Certainty, Connection, Contribution, Growth, and Significance—and how to identify which one resonates most with your business. This episode is packed with practical advice and actionable steps to help you attract your ideal clients and enhance your marketing efforts.



KEY TAKEAWAYS

💡 Understanding Client Emotions: Successful marketing hinges on recognising the emotions clients experience when interacting with a business. Since most decisions are made subconsciously, it's crucial to align marketing strategies with how clients want to feel.

💡 Five Marketing Strategies: The five strategies identified are Certainty, Connection, Contribution, Growth, and Significance. Each strategy corresponds to different emotional needs that clients may have when choosing to work with a business.

💡 Personalized Approach: Business owners must identify which of the five strategies resonates most with their services. This can be determined through a simple test that evaluates the emotions clients associate with their business.

💡 Effective Communication: Once business owners identify a strategy, they should incorporate relevant language into their marketing materials, sales conversations, and customer service interactions to create a consistent and appealing message.

💡 Continuous Feedback: Gathering feedback from clients about their experiences and perceptions can provide valuable insights. This can help refine marketing strategies and ensure that the business aligns with client expectations, ultimately leading to better client relationships and increased sales.



BEST MOMENTS

04:32 - 💬 “We actually make about 95% of our decisions subconsciously. We don't even know our brains are doing it.” - Chantal Cornelius

08:44 - 💬 “The best way to find out how your clients feel about you is to ask them.” - Chantal Cornelius

11:45 - 💬 “This is where clients will work with you because you can help them to have a bigger impact. You can help them to feel seen, heard, respected.” - Chantal Cornelius

20:12 - 💬 “I try to help people to get from where they are stuck right now, subconsciously or consciously or otherwise, to a place where they are looking more towards a life of freedom.” - Steve Day

32:40 - 💬 “Success for me is being able to do that, to have a business that means I can go away for two weeks...” - Chantal Cornelius



TIMESTAMPED OVERVIEW

00:00 “Uncovering Human-Centric Marketing Secrets”

03:29 “Live Marketing Strategy Coaching”

09:53 Emotional Appeals in Charity Donations

13:14 Tailored Business Strategies

16:28 Empowering Coaching for Growth

19:43 Internal Growth Over Business Expansion

23:17 Client Feedback: Key to Improvement

26:51 “Refocusing Core Business Goals”

29:13 Business Feedback Initiative

32:23 “Success Equals Skiing Adventures”



VALUABLE RESOURCES



LINKS TO CONNECT WITH THE GUEST



ABOUT THE GUEST

Chantal Cornelius is a seasoned marketing consultant and the founder of Appletree Marketing, which was established in 2000. With over two decades of experience, she specialises in assisting service-based businesses, mainly coaches and consultants, in attracting new clients and achieving sustainable growth. Chantal emphasises the importance of emotional connections in marketing, advocating for strategies that resonate with clients' feelings to foster engagement and loyalty.

 

In addition to her consulting work, Chantal is an accomplished author. Her latest book, “StandOut Strategies”, published in October 2024, delves into innovative marketing approaches that move beyond traditional Unique Selling Points (USPs), focusing instead on emotional engagement to differentiate businesses in competitive markets.



LINKS TO CONNECT WITH THE HOST



ABOUT THE HOST

Steve used to be a slave to his business, but moving to Sweden in 2015 forced him to change how he worked. He switched to running his businesses remotely. After totally nailing this concept, he spent his time helping other small business owners do the same. Steve has been investing in property since 2002, has a degree in computing, and worked as a doctor in the NHS before quitting to focus full-time on sharing his systems and outsourcing methodology with the world. He now lives in Sweden and runs his UK-based businesses remotely with the help of his team of Filipino and UK-based Virtual Assistants.

 

Most business owners feel overwhelmed because they don’t know how to create systems or get the right help.

 

Our systems and outsourcing Courses and coaching programme will help you automate your business and work effectively with affordable virtual assistants. That way, you will stop feeling overwhelmed and start making more money.

play-circle
35 MIN
Boost Productivity: 3 Steps to Effective Task Management for Small Businesses | Ep 212
FEB 13, 2025
Boost Productivity: 3 Steps to Effective Task Management for Small Businesses | Ep 212

🎙 In this episode of the Systemize Your Success podcast, Dr Steve Day shares three robust task management strategies for effective delegation. Drawing from his experiences, he reflects on the chaos of his earlier days and how implementing structured systems has transformed his productivity and confidence in outsourcing tasks.

 

The episode also highlights the importance of daily stand-up meetings, task boards, and project boards. Steve emphasises the value of clear communication, documentation, and the use of video recordings to ensure tasks are completed accurately and efficiently.

 

By the end of the episode, listeners will gain insights into creating a robust system that streamlines delegation and enhances overall business operations, allowing entrepreneurs to focus on what matters most.



KEY TAKEAWAYS

💡 Daily Stand-Up Meetings: Implementing daily stand-up meetings allows teams to connect and discuss priorities. This also helps to delegate tasks effectively, ensuring everyone is aligned and aware of their responsibilities.

💡 Task and Project Boards: Utilizing project management tools like Asana helps organise work. It also allows tasks to be assigned with due dates and clarify what needs to be done and by whom.

💡 Documentation and Training: Recording tasks and meetings and creating operation manuals ensures that all necessary information is captured. Additionally, this allows team members to refer to instructions and training materials, reducing the need for constant clarification.

💡 Recurring Task Management: Establishing a system for managing recurring tasks ensures that important work is scheduled in advance. As a result, it allows for smooth execution in future cycles without relying solely on memory.

💡 Stress Reduction through Systems: Implementing structured systems for delegation and task management reduces stress and uncertainty. This enables business owners to focus on growth and creativity rather than getting bogged down in details.



BEST MOMENTS

06:58 - 💬 “That's one thing that I love about daily stand up is that it gives me an opportunity every single day to touch base with people, make sure we're working towards a common goal that everyone's going in the right direction.”

10:16 - 💬 “With those few elements in place, we now have a totally robust, reproducible, easy standardised way of delegating both ad hoc priority and recurring regular work.”

10:55 - 💬 “This is why I am passionate about systems because they make life easier, they take away stress, and they make me have far more enjoyment about running my business.”



TIMESTAMPED OVERVIEW

00:00 Confident Task Delegation Process

03:53 Streamlining Meetings with AI & Manuals

09:54 “Streamlined Task Management Process”

10:50 Passion for Systems in Business



VALUABLE RESOURCES



LINKS TO CONNECT WITH THE HOST



ABOUT THE HOST

Steve used to be a slave to his business, but moving to Sweden in 2015 forced him to change how he worked. He switched to running his businesses remotely. After totally nailing this concept, he spent his time helping other small business owners do the same. Steve has been investing in property since 2002, has a degree in computing, and worked as a doctor in the NHS before quitting to focus full-time on sharing his systems and outsourcing methodology with the world. He now lives in Sweden and runs his UK-based businesses remotely with the help of his team of Filipino and UK-based Virtual Assistants.

 

Most business owners feel overwhelmed because they don’t know how to create systems or get the right help.

 

Our systems and outsourcing Courses and coaching programme will help you automate your business and work effectively with affordable virtual assistants. That way, you will stop feeling overwhelmed and start making more money.

play-circle
12 MIN
How I Found True Fulfillment in My Small Business Despite the Challenges | Ep 211
FEB 6, 2025
How I Found True Fulfillment in My Small Business Despite the Challenges | Ep 211

🎙 In this episode of the Systemize Your Success podcast, Dr Steve Day reflects on his entrepreneurship journey. He discusses the importance of shifting perspectives to appreciate the progress made and finding fulfillment in business rather than focusing solely on future goals.

 

Steve openly talks about the challenges of running a business. He explains the temptation to present a polished image to others and shares how his mindset has evolved over the past year. By emphasising values such as freedom and enjoyment in work, Steve also stresses the importance of working with clients and staff who share your core beliefs.

 

He encourages listeners to define their own success and celebrate the wins that genuinely matter. Ultimately, this approach fosters a more fulfilling and balanced business and life.



KEY TAKEAWAYS

💡 Authenticity in Business Conversations: It's common for business owners to present a polished version of their experiences, often highlighting successes while downplaying challenges. Embracing authenticity can lead to more genuine conversations about the realities of running a business.

💡 Shift in Perspective: A change in mindset can significantly impact how one feels about their business. Focusing on achievements and progress rather than solely on unmet goals can foster a sense of pride and enjoyment in the work being done.

💡 Value of Freedom and Lifestyle: Identifying personal values, such as freedom and family, is crucial in shaping a business that aligns with those values. Creating a business that allows for personal time and fulfilment is essential for long-term satisfaction.

💡 Selective Clientele: Being intentional about the clients and staff one works with can lead to a more enjoyable and less stressful business environment. Attracting clients who share similar values can enhance the overall experience of running a business.

💡 Redefining Success: Success should be defined not just by financial metrics but also by the ability to enjoy life and work in the present. Balancing security and freedom is key to achieving true success in both personal and professional realms.



BEST MOMENTS

00:56 - 💬 “At this moment in time, I am genuinely proud of my business. And it's not because anything fundamental has changed. It's because my perspective on my business has changed.”

04:55 - 💬 “One of the big things that I have spent a lot of time doing recently is stopping looking at the business development in terms of growth, but looking at it in terms of who are we working with.”

08:15 - 💬 “I work really hard a lot of the time. But I also created a business that allows me to have freedom.”



TIMESTAMPED OVERVIEW

00:00 Perspective change boosts business pride and enjoyment.

06:08 Business stress sacrificed personal life and family.

07:16 Prioritize family now, not after arbitrary goals.

12:36 Scale business with freedom, values, and selectivity.

14:14 Success is enjoying work, community, and freedom.



VALUABLE RESOURCES



LINKS TO CONNECT WITH THE HOST



ABOUT THE HOST

Steve used to be a slave to his business, but moving to Sweden in 2015 forced him to change how he worked. He switched to running his businesses remotely. After totally nailing this concept, he spent his time helping other small business owners do the same. Steve has been investing in property since 2002, has a degree in computing, and worked as a doctor in the NHS before quitting to focus full-time on sharing his systems and outsourcing methodology with the world. He now lives in Sweden and runs his UK-based businesses remotely with the help of his team of Filipino and UK-based Virtual Assistants.

 

Most business owners feel overwhelmed because they don’t know how to create systems or get the right help.

 

Our systems and outsourcing Courses and coaching programme will help you automate your business and work effectively with affordable virtual assistants. That way, you will stop feeling overwhelmed and start making more money.

play-circle
17 MIN
SYS 210: Mastering Business Storytelling: How Your ‘Why’ Can Skyrocket Engagement and Success - Interview with Stephen Steers, Founder of Steers Sales Consulting
JAN 30, 2025
SYS 210: Mastering Business Storytelling: How Your ‘Why’ Can Skyrocket Engagement and Success - Interview with Stephen Steers, Founder of Steers Sales Consulting

🎙 In this episode of the Systemize Your Success podcast, Dr. Steve Day engages in a compelling conversation with storytelling expert Stephen Steers, author of “Superpower Storytelling.” They discuss powerful business storytelling strategies and how entrepreneurs can effectively communicate their “why” to captivate potential clients and differentiate themselves in a crowded market.

 

Stephen also shares his personal journey in sales, emphasising the need for authentic connections and emotional resonance in storytelling. Furthermore, the discussion covers practical frameworks for crafting impactful narratives, including the significance of mission, vision, and milestones.

 

Listeners will gain valuable insights on leveraging their own stories to foster deeper relationships and drive business success.



KEY TAKEAWAYS

💡 The Importance of Storytelling: Sharing personal stories and the “why” behind what you do creates a compelling narrative. This resonates with your audience and encourages engagement. It helps them connect with your business.

💡 Framework for Effective Storytelling: Utilize a structured approach when telling stories by asking four key questions: What’s at stake for the audience? What do they want to learn or achieve? How do you want them to feel? What action do you want them to take next?

💡 Types of Stories to Share: Focus on three main types of stories: your mission (why you do what you do), your vision (what success looks like), and milestones (challenges you've overcome or transformations you've facilitated for clients).

💡 Emotional Connection in Sales: Since 95% of purchasing decisions are made subconsciously, creating an emotional connection through storytelling can significantly influence potential clients and lead to more successful sales.

💡 Building a Story Bank: Maintain a “Story Bank” document where you can collect and organise interesting stories from your life. This resource can help you easily draw upon relevant narratives when engaging with clients or presenting your business.



BEST MOMENTS

00:54 - 💬 “To explain to people on an authentic and genuine level, not just what you do, but more importantly why you do it to compel them to want to know more and to work with you.” - Steve Day

05:00 - 💬 “Why you do what you do is your mission. It's not what your company does.” - Stephen Steers

10:16 - 💬 “95% of purchasing decisions take place in the subconscious, which means people are in an emotional state when they make a decision.” - Stephen Steers

20:42 - 💬 “The reason you tell a story is to better help your audience tell their own.”  - Stephen Steers

37:12 - 💬 “Success means creating the freedom for yourself so you can live out the vision you have.” - Stephen Steers



TIMESTAMPED OVERVIEW

00:00 Transform reactions with storytelling strategies.

04:17 Founders ignoring employee struggles sparks mission-driven work.

08:43 “Empower teams with guiding principles and questions.”

14:16 Super impressed by effective communication of purpose.

19:05 AI's influence on business: help or hinder?

20:54 Guiding self-discovery through relatable personal stories.

30:15 Exploring Istanbul's Galata Tower, a pivotal moment.

32:21 Stories engage clients like street vendor tricks.



VALUABLE RESOURCES



LINKS TO CONNECT WITH THE GUEST



ABOUT THE GUEST

Stephen Steers is the Author of Superpower Storytelling and Creator of Context Selling, with nearly a decade of experience helping founders of Professional services firms tell the stories that get their customers excited to buy from them.



LINKS TO CONNECT WITH THE HOST



ABOUT THE HOST

Steve used to be a slave to his business, but moving to Sweden in 2015 forced him to change how he worked. He switched to running his businesses remotely. After totally nailing this concept, he spent his time helping other small business owners do the same. Steve has been investing in property since 2002, has a degree in computing, and worked as a doctor in the NHS before quitting to focus full-time on sharing his systems and outsourcing methodology with the world. He now lives in Sweden and runs his UK-based businesses remotely with the help of his team of Filipino and UK-based Virtual Assistants.

 

Most business owners feel overwhelmed because they don’t know how to create systems or get the right help.

 

Our systems and outsourcing Courses and coaching programme will help you automate your business and work effectively with affordable virtual assistants. That way, you will stop feeling overwhelmed and start making more money.

play-circle
38 MIN
SYS 209: Why I Don’t Make 5-Year Plans and How I Find Business Success Anyway
JAN 23, 2025
SYS 209: Why I Don’t Make 5-Year Plans and How I Find Business Success Anyway

🎙 In this episode of the Systemize Your Success podcast, Dr. Steve Day addresses the challenges many entrepreneurs face when creating effective long-term business plans. He advocates for flexible business planning, explaining why adapting your strategy can lead to greater success than rigid five-year plans.

 

Responding to a community member's struggle with setting a long-term goal, Steve shares his insights on planning and goal-setting, discussing why he finds committing to fixed long-term strategies challenging. Instead, he focuses on living in the moment and making decisions that align with one's desired future self.

 

Through a mental visualisation exercise, he encourages listeners to envision their future selves and identify the changes needed in their current lives to achieve that vision.

 

Steve highlights the importance of enjoying the journey rather than fixating solely on the destination, ultimately guiding listeners toward a more fulfilling and present-focused entrepreneurial experience.



KEY TAKEAWAYS

💡 Personalized Planning Approach: Not everyone thrives on traditional long-term planning. It's important to recognise your strengths and preferences. Find a planning style that works for you, whether flexible or structured.

💡 Visualization Exercise: Engaging in a mental visualisation exercise can help clarify your future aspirations. Imagine meeting your future self and reflecting on what changes have occurred in your life to achieve contentment and fulfilment.

💡 Focus on Present Actions: Instead of focusing solely on long-term goals, consider how your current actions and decisions can align with the person you want to become. This approach emphasises living in the moment while still progressing towards your aspirations.

💡 Reflection on Progress: It's beneficial to reflect on how far you've come rather than just focusing on the distance to your goals. This shift in perspective can enhance your satisfaction and happiness in the present.

💡 Embrace Your Unique Strengths: Acknowledge and lean into your unique abilities, whether they involve problem-solving, adaptability, or creativity. Understanding your superpowers can guide you in building a business that aligns with your strengths and passions.



BEST MOMENTS

00:34 - 💬 “Having any sort of meaningful and effective five-year plan, let alone a ten-year plan, is just beyond the way my brain works.”

02:37 - 💬 “I just want to be honest with that because I don't think that means that you can't still have goals and you can't still be moving towards something.”

09:01 - 💬 “This isn't a dress rehearsal. You've got to love the journey you're on in order to enjoy life.”

10:08 - 💬 “Being able to reflect back on your progress rather than always looking ahead is also a great way to enjoy and be happy and present in the moment.”



TIMESTAMPED OVERVIEW

00:00 Struggling with effective long-term business planning.

06:38 Live presently, prioritise family, adjust time allocation.

07:49 Craft business aligning values, enjoy the journey now.

11:11 Vision guides business decisions toward future goals.



LINKS TO CONNECT WITH THE HOST



ABOUT THE HOST

Steve used to be a slave to his business, but moving to Sweden in 2015 forced him to change how he worked. He switched to running his businesses remotely. After totally nailing this concept, he spent his time helping other small business owners do the same. Steve has been investing in property since 2002, has a degree in computing, and worked as a doctor in the NHS before quitting to focus full-time on sharing his systems and outsourcing methodology with the world. He now lives in Sweden and runs his UK-based businesses remotely with the help of his team of Filipino and UK-based Virtual Assistants.

 

Most business owners feel overwhelmed because they don’t know how to create systems or get the right help.

 

Our systems and outsourcing Courses and coaching programme will help you automate your business and work effectively with affordable virtual assistants. That way, you will stop feeling overwhelmed and start making more money.

play-circle
14 MIN