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Breaking down the Truth about Business - Conver...
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Rob
April 15, 2016
Business
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Breaking down the Truth about Business - Converge 2016
Rob
April 15, 2016
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Transcript
Rob Harr BREAKING DOWN THE TRUTH ABOUT BUSINESS @robertharr
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BREAKING DOWN THE TRUTH ABOUT BUSINESS GETTING STARTED
Running a business is really hard.
Starting a business. TAN GEN T!
Our Craft What we believe. Business TAN GEN T!
Our Craft The Truth. Business TAN GEN T!
Have a purpose.
Autonomy TAN GEN T!
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You have to be intentional.
You have to be a little crazy.
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There is no “One Way.”
BREAKING DOWN THE TRUTH ABOUT BUSINESS THE ZEN OF RUNNING
A SERVICE BUSINESS
This is a cash intensive business.
The employee arrangement Sarah 2080 hours a year Developer Salary
Vacation Benefits
Our Fake Team $45k $80k $100k $60k Salary $21 $38
$48 $28 Hourly Rate
TAN GEN T! People have different values in different contexts.
20% 5% 6% 11% 58% Your Budget 58% Compensation 11%
General + Admin 6% Rent 5% Advertising 20% Net Margin
20% 5% 6% 11% 58% Your Budget 58% Compensation
For most of us it comes down to staff utilization.
Slack Projects and Maintenance Agreements TAN GEN T!
There are seasons for things.
TAN GEN T! Surviving Growing Thriving
TAN GEN T! Surviving Growing Thriving
Having a plan vs planning
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You will always have something to do.
None
It is ok to punt to future you. TAN GEN
T!
Work the right hours. TAN GEN T!
Embrace the “Office of the Presidency”
It is a marathon.
BREAKING DOWN THE TRUTH ABOUT BUSINESS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES
#1 Cashflow
Freedom is not free
6 months
Most of our costs are fairly consistent and predictable.
Plan for taxes all year long.
Separate your operating accounts from your savings account.
Micro-Cash flow
Micro-Cash flow
Micro-Cash flow
Operations
#2 Employees
I am in the talent business.
People are our biggest asset.
2 kinds of Companies: Talent Producers Talent Consumers
3 months for new Employees to become productive.
People Over Process
Why Projects Fail. TAN GEN T!
Act like you are in business for yourself. TAN GEN
T!
Embrace your staff’s super powers.
Clearly set team expectations.
#3 Finding work
12 to 18 months
Most client will not grow with you.
Sell to your existing clients. TAN GEN T!
Focus on long term relationships during your sales process.
Find something smaller to sell to bigger clients.
Pricing
Don’t steal your client’s story.
BREAKING DOWN THE TRUTH ABOUT BUSINESS DIFFICULT THINGS ARE STILL
GOING TO HAPPEN
Unexpected business tax.
Taxes.
Some of the people you hire will leave.
Negotiate pricing with Clients.
Sometimes you have to offer them something. TAN GEN T!
RFP’s
You will have off quarters.
There will be dragons.
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WRAP IT UP BREAKING DOWN THE TRUTH ABOUT BUSINESS
There are no shortcuts.
Limited Control.
Rob’s two basic rules for happiness in business:
Life is too short to work with people you hate.
Rob’s two basic rules for happiness in business: Rule 1:
If you ever become annoyed by a client, it is
only because you’re not charging them enough money. Life is too short to work with people you hate. Rob’s two basic rules for happiness in business: Rule 1: Rule 2:
Accept the fact that you will be completely wrong about
things that you are sure you learned.
Want more? Businessology Podcast BizCraft Podcast Unmatched Style Podcasts Code
and Supply Podcasts
THANKS! @robertharr
[email protected]