In this 4-part series, Kimberley will answer 24 questions in honour of 2024. We’ve broken it down into categories that focus on clients, projects, business, and staff.

In this final episode, Cheryl will ask Kimberley 6 questions about staff.

1. Did you ever have trouble keeping staff?
2. What’s the secret to retaining staff?
3. We’ve heard you say you suck at hiring. Why?
4. What is the hardest thing about delegating?
5. What is the best part about delegating?
6. Can you list the pros and cons of employees vs. contractors?

Success is not an accident. It's a strategy.
Business of Design® is that strategy. Become a member, today.
https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Become a Member

EP 364 | 24 Qs for 2024 Part 4 Staff with Kimberley Seldon

Listen to a cancer survivor and former corporate employee who found her purpose through personal challenges. Join Tracy as she sits down with Courtney Elmer, the visionary behind The Effortless Life and the Antifragile Entrepreneurship podcast. Courtney reveals how she went from silencing her voice to reclaiming it, and how she leveraged entrepreneurial antifragility to create positive change. But here's the twist - she discovered her true calling in a way that you wouldn’t expect.

In this episode, you will be able to:
* Gain valuable insights on leveraging podcasts for business visibility and growth.
* Discover the power of entrepreneurial antifragility in overcoming adversity and thriving in business.
* Learn effective strategies for navigating career transitions and making a successful shift to entrepreneurship.
* Uncover the transformative potential of finding purpose through personal challenges in your entrepreneurial journey.
* Explore innovative strategies for increasing podcast audience engagement and building a loyal listener base.

"When you're going through something difficult, we want answers. We want clarity. We want definitive yes or no. So we know how to move forward. It brings us relief. But a lot of times, the reality is we don't have that answer." - Courtney Elmer

#750: Moving On To A Healthy And Thriving Life! Courtney Elmer

When someone asks you about your fantasy life, do you immediately think of your Hollywood crush or, are you so deep in the weeds that an assistant is where your mind goes? Ah yes. An assistant. A magical, mythical creature who can do all the tasks you don’t have time to do, plus keep you organized, answer your emails, deal with client headaches, and generally solve most of your problems. Sound about right? 

In this episode we learn: 
- make a list of the tasks you love doing and the tasks you hate doing
- imagine if you could turn over the tasks you hate to someone else
- create training videos in advance of hiring
- to retain staff, share the accolades 
- allow yourself to delegate tasks that you may enjoy, but take a lot of your time

Success is not an accident. It's a strategy.
Business of Design® is that strategy. Become a member, today.
https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

EP 370 | Help, I Need An Assistant with Gina Cotner

Yes, it can be scary to face an audience and stand in the spotlight. However, there are simple techniques you can use to harness your energy and transform it into excitement, rather than fear. 

In this episode we learn: 
- an instant technique to combat nerves and fear
- what to practice before speaking or doing a presentation
- a one-minute crash course in media

Success is not an accident. It's a strategy.
Business of Design® is that strategy. Become a member, today.
https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

EP 371 | Media Training with Jennifer Convy

It’s one thing to design a kitchen. It’s an entirely different matter to cook in one. If you are an interior design professional who renovates or designs these important spaces, you’ll love getting advice from a professional who has cooked in a hundred different homes. 

In this episode we learn:
- questions to ask clients before you begin their kitchen renovation
- tips for designing a kitchen that functions well
- pet peeves to avoid
- why it’s important to say yes and follow the opportunity
- how to stay motivated with your social media efforts

Success is not an accident. It's a strategy.
Business of Design® is that strategy. Become a member, today.
https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

EP 372 | Kitchen Aid with Chef Maddy Goldberg

Could you start over? Let’s say you’ve been in business a few years, or more. You’ve given it your all, but you still aren’t where you dreamed you’d be by now. Would you just keep plugging away, or would you be willing to try something new? Would you be willing to adopt the BOD™ systems? In this episode, designer Holli Appelquist shares how she joined BOD™ and transformed her company, her profitability, and her life, in one year. 

In this episode we learn: 
- you can actively target the profitability you want 
- establish a company mission and define your values, then live by them
- look for new hires adjacent to your interior design firm 
- employees love how easy it is to train with systems in place
- adding systems allows you to take on more projects and work less
- systems give you confidence

Success is not an accident. It's a strategy.
Business of Design® is that strategy. Become a member, today.
https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

EP 373 | Rebuild with BOD™ with the Holli Appelquist Team

Two years ago, when designer Holli Appelquist joined Business of Design® and began to implement the systems. She anticipated improvements to her projects, but she was blown away by the positive changes in her life. She finally enjoyed the work-life balance that previously eluded her. She had more time to work on the tasks she loved doing. More time off during the work week and more time off for holidays. She was able to delegate to staff and their satisfaction improved. Profits soared. Today, Holli is the confident business owner she always wanted to be. 

In this episode we learn: 
- establish a company mission and define your values, then live by them
- integrity matters, define it and honor it 
- adding systems allows you to take more time off, to have more breathing space in your week

Success is not an accident. It's a strategy.
Business of Design® is that strategy. Become a member, today.
https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

EP 374 | Systems and the Solution with Holli Appelquist

The journey to a dream career is frequently a winding path. That’s true for many of us, and it certainly describes the journey of designer Denean Jackson. Hear how she launched her business as a staging professional and then followed her heart to a niche in kitchen and bath design. Every year gets better, and there are big plans ahead for Denean.  

In this episode we learn: 
- self-assessment is an important tool
- reflect on your strengths, weaknesses, passions, and areas of expertise
- identify what sets you apart from others in the industry 
- explore the current trends, demands, and gaps in the design market
- understand the needs and preferences of your target audience 
- gather feedback from past clients to understand what they appreciated most about your services 
- don’t be afraid to experiment and try out various specializations within interior design 
- continue to learn through workshops, courses, and industry publications

Success is not an accident. It's a strategy.
Business of Design® is that strategy. Become a member, today.
https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

EP 377 | The Journey to Niche with Denean Jackson

Why does it seem like you’re either drowning in opportunity or getting hit from behind by closing doors? Design professional, and BOD™ devotee, Jameelah Watkins-Mallett says there is an art to getting abundance in your life. And, it’s important to be discerning about what you will say yes to. 

In this episode we learn: 
- how small yeses turn into the big yes
- when it’s time to say no
- why it’s important to stand in your power, from your first project
- consider setting a minimum for your design fees

Success is not an accident. It's a strategy.
Business of Design® is that strategy. Become a member, today.
https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

EP 378 | Stand In Your Power with Jameelah Watkins - Mallett

Many design business owners dislike accounting so much, they avoid it. But this avoidance negatively impacts your ability to perform at your best. By reimagining how financial data is communicated and simplifying the tasks, you can make accounting engaging and accessible. You can be more profitable with very little extra effort. 

In this episode we learn: 
- partner with an accounting/finance resource that engages on your level
- know (and I mean really know) what is the thing that is most important thing you want to achieve in your life, and how is your business going to help you achieve it
- 3-5 KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) can tell you the health of your business 
- stop (solely) relying on your gut and intuition to run your business 
- data driven decision making increases the likelihood of an improved outcome by 3x

Success is not an accident. It's a strategy.
Business of Design® is that strategy. Become a member, today.
https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

EP 382 | Key Metrics with Nolan Bradbury

Business of Design® is the #1 trusted business training resource for design professionals around the world. Join thousands of design professional already using our field-tested project management strategies and enjoy increased confidence, improved client retention, greater profits and a business that thrives.

It’s time to take control of your business. 
Become a member of Business of Design®, today:
https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

A lot of us live in our head, disconnected from our feelings and intuition. This podcast touches on releasing insecure attachment, accepting your authentic self and getting “unstuck” by connecting to how you FEEL instead of how you THINK. I’ve been there, and discuss sensitive subjects using my own experiences with a lot of laughs and even more empathy… because we’re all flawed humans.

New tracks tagged #Business Systems