What is it like to go through the Director of Operations certification program as an employee? How does it benefit both you and the employer?
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Today we have my friend Sarah Campbell to talk about what it is like to go through the Director of Operations program as an employee, and someone who is dedicated to taking what they are learning in the program and putting it to work inside of a business.
Meet Sarah
Sarah Campbell is a Director of Operations and business growth consultant living the lake lifestyle in Canada where the mountain views make up for frequently being snowed on. She ditched her municipal career planning large scale emergency responses in favor of finding her own way toward career freedom and impact. Now Sarah helps influencers, thought-leaders, and experts get clear on a strategic direction and plan for profitable business growth so they can create extraordinary impact & influence through their work.
“Leaders are looking for strategic partners to come in and have a dedicated focus to their business, and a greater capacity for influence inside of their business.” – Natalie Gingrich
Sarah’s Business Journey
- She first started out online as a project manager for online launches
- Came from corporate setting, where she planned large scale emergency evacuation and events
- Was no stranger to functioning on an operational level
- Her corporate skills translated to the online space
- She wanted more consistency around the online work that she was doing (which was on a project by project basis)
- Happened to meet a marketing leader in the online space and clicked with her
- Developed the relationship until they decided they wanted to work together in a dedicated capacity
“Taking ownership is one of the signs of a true leader… you feel good about taking ownership of results and processes so that you can contribute to something greater. ” – Sarah Campbell
What led you to the certification?
- She had seen Natalie in action behind the scenes, and took note of what she was doing
- Had started working in this role, and wanted to show cup more confidently, so she needed someone to help her connect the dots
- Her peers had great experiences in the program
“At the heart of it, I wanted to show more confidently, and everything you were saying was speaking directly to me on how I could do that.” – Sarah Campbell
How did you present the program to your leader?
- As soon as she presented the idea to her leader, she was 100% on board
- They had previously had conversations about development opportunities
- Presented how she thought the program would benefit the company
“The work that I went through in the DOO program no doubt changed the way that I show up, and the way that I can impact the business.” – Sarah Campbell
What were you able to bring to the business while you were in the program?
- She was involved with two different businesses under her leader
- One business was more of a scalable model so the strategic mapping was beneficial, as was the hiring info
- Allowed her to show up with a streamlined, efficient, time-tested approach
- Used the business as a playground for all of the info
- Increased data tracking, made strategic decisions based on data, streamlined the hiring process, looked at the profitability of the company
- In the other business (a consultancy), she was able to serve as an operational consultant and give greater advice to the clients which bolstered the reputation of the business
- Broadened the client options because they could now have their needs met for operations in addition to marketing
- The owner was able to raise prices as a result because there was more to offer
- She is now supporting the creation of a newly launched program under the same leader
- She is in a mentor/teaching capacity
“The faster you can get your hands dirty and take action on the content you are learning, it will catapult your success” – Sarah Campbell
Were there there bottom or top line benefits of going through the program?
- In the consulting company there was an increase in top line revenue because they launched a new program, and raised their prices
- Because of the way she shows up in the consultancy business, she is able to increase top line revenue without creating a drain on the leader
Walk us through the confidence shift for you.
- She came in confident about her abilities, but the added boost came in the way she was able to connect the dots
- Allowed her to have the confidence that she is speaking intelligently to what the core problem is, that she is moving strategically through problems, and able to add value
“I came in with a bunch of dots, and what I was able to do with the program is make it into a picture… which gave me greater confidence”- Sarah Campbell
“That way that you spell it out in the program is so good for someone who really enjoys seeing what good looks like.” – Sarah Campbell
What does it feel like to be dedicated to one business vs. trying to build your business?
- It boils down to if you are able to thrive by taking ownership and wrapping your arms around the business
- There is a need and a desire on behalf on the seven and eight figure business owners to have more of an employee model
- You can serve at a greater, deeper level when you are in the business and it allows you to be able to create that deep impact
- It’s a great place to land because you can predict your finances, and it gives you the opportunity to create a great partnership with the business owner
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