Are you thinking about joining the Director of Operations certification program, but unsure of the timing? With the current talk of economic conditions are you worried that businesses won’t be looking to invest in a good operator?
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Today we are going to be talking about why NOW is the best time to become a Director of Operations (DOO).
Speaking of the DOO. If you’ve been eyeing the certification for a bit…or if you’re just finding us, I’m inviting you to an upcoming information session. It’s called Test Drive the DOO because that’s exactly what we’re going to do. I’ll share what a DOO is and help you determine if this is the next best place for you to learn and grow….or if it’s not. I’ll also walk through the curriculum, showcase how we help you earn your ROI while you’re in the program, and answer any of your questions. I’d love to have you join us on October 11th.
Why This is the Right Time to Become a DOO
At the time of recording, we’re headed into the fourth quarter of 2022. The past three years have been economically shifty and this year has felt like one of the shiftiest.
The impression of the economy has been tainted with supply chain disruptions, increased interest rates, the stock market being down, and talks of the next election already starting. Frankly we hear the word recession on a daily basis; however, pundits argue if we’re in one or not.
Job growth and opportunities remain well above long term averages and wage growth is the strongest it’s been in decades, albeit we in the US, have experienced two consecutive quarters of negative GDP.
Regardless of this, small business owners are planning and forging ahead.
From an employment perspective, I have some good news for you; businesses are still hiring.The Bureau of Labor Statistics posted on September 2nd that notable job gains occurred in professional and business services, health care, and retail trade. Professional business services include IT, HR, Data, Financial activities, management + consulting. That is US (service providers, operators, project managers) and this is sweet, sweet news.
The National Federation of Independent Businesses recently reported this: “the majority of small businesses in the United States – who employ more than half of the nation’s workforce – are not only looking to hire, but are struggling to find employees.”
All in, we’re going to be ok but the media and everyday chatter probably has you focused on this, which is completely natural.
In today’s podcast, I want to share why now is the time to invest in the next best version of you and to encourage you to become a DOO now. This is the time and I’m going to run through two handfuls of reasons why you shouldn’t wait. And hear me out, these aren’t made up, self-serving tips. These are compiled to help you get a realistic view of the environment and how you can still up -level yourself and be confident that you’ll have solid options for employment.
Even though there’s an argument at bay to determine if we’re in a recession or not, I have nine reasons why DOOs are highly sought after right now even if a market contraction is on the horizon.
1. Focus on Operational Efficiencies
Redundancy, processes, quality: when we put emphasis here as business owners, we expand and protect our profit margins.
“As a high-level operator, your work and efforts all go towards protecting and increasing profit margins.”
By putting in systems, processes and finding efficiencies, you protect the margins, if not increase them. With a greater margin, businesses are able to save or reinvest. Our visionary counterparts (likely the founder and/or CEOs) don’t see details so they’re not likely finding efficiencies, spotting gaps, or isolating risks. This is the number one reason a DOO should invest in their leadership now.
2. A Focus on Fulfillment
There are two sides of business: marketing and operations. Simply put, marketing is the front end, where the customer acquisition takes place and then once the sale takes place, fulfillment begins. I call this entire area operations or the backside of business. If a business is hyper-aware or fearful of the economy impacting their livelihood, they’re going to focus on the leanest, most profitable part of their business model.
It costs a lot to acquire a customer (also called marketing) so the focus will shift to serving the customer you’ve already acquired very, very well. This means they’ll stick around which in turn increases your top line. Do you know who is focused on the fulfillment, customer satisfaction, and customer journey? Operators! We keep a close eye and put in systems and processes and build strong teams to service them to ensure they stick.
“You will be highly leveraged because fulfillment is your focus.”
3. Innovation
Innovation is still critical, even in a downturn. The one difference is that the businesses will try on concepts and new products to meet the customers where they are so they’ll likely be swift to be sure they don’t miss them. And with innovation, comes projects and that means project management. Project management is a core skill of a DOO.
“Leaders know the value of a Project Manager especially when time is of the essence.”
You’ve got a sexy skill and lucky for us it comes natural. Be sure you’re showing this off!
4. Intrapreneurial Environment
Even in our own community, we’re seeing the need for security and stability drive ambitious, highly-driven women to dedicated roles with ideal clients. This is a perfect place to be an intrapreneur. If this term is new to you, it means that you’re acting like an entrepreneur within an established company. The term is built off of the two words: internal and entrepreneur.
“As an intrapreneur, you take ownership and have autonomy of a function or department and even better than that, is that you have the ability to make a significant impact without spending your resources to build it.”
This is most often an employee role and one where you have resources, as in a team to assist you in building and delivering. This focus and spirit is highly associated with growth. Since DOOs are leadenly, strategic partners with expertise, intrapreneurship falls well within your ability.
5. Internal Stability
Businesses yearn for internal stability when stressed or complex times come.
“There will be a focus on team, culture, and development to ensure the structure is running optimally.”
Visionaries are fantastic but team development is not their sweet spot, for most. DOOs have a strong relationship with the resources of the company and are wired to craft plans for optimizing skills and bridging values to culture. Cohesive teams who are in a safe and inspiring structure have less turnover, and are highly productive. This is a win-win and a benefit that a DOO will bring.
6. Product vs. Service Based Businesses
Everyone’s talking about supply chains and how they’re disrupted. But that’s focused on product based businesses. What about those businesses who provide a service, information product, or education? Their supply chain involves service providers like you. Add on a layer of strategy and you’ve got a valuable asset called a DOO.
7. Data Driven Decisions
Leaders need help making decisions and decisions take data, especially if they’re operating in a state of fear or overwhelm.
“Decisions come slowly and the asset you have is your curiosity that turns into a beautiful, analytical, and methodical skill set.”
You can ask the questions that lead to fact-finding in the data. That will bring clarity and decisions will magically become easier. This is HUGE and provides an adaptable and agile environment.
8. Changes in Marketing
It’s no secret that marketing systems are changing. Organic growth is on the rise and getting a lot of attention. I see so many going back to their roots or processes that were alive and well in 2015 – before paid marketing became a crutch. No longer can we throw money at advertising and feel confident that it will bring a profit. These organic mechanisms take organization and communication and there is no one better to organize, optimize, and provide structure to them than a DOO.
9. Continue to Evolve
You must keep evolving and building upon the skills that have gotten you to this point. It may be the perfect time for a pivot or you may be open to evolving to the next, best version of you. You’ve got what the world needs and they need it right now. Don’t hide behind who you were years ago. I see women in particular staying stuck far too long. You can’t settle. Stay true to your next best self. To make a transformation like this, you’ll need elevated frameworks, community, and mentorship. This is everything the DOO Certification program provides.
As we wrap up, let me remind me that you have what it takes to become a DOO and the economy is looking for exactly that!
If you’re curious about what it’s like to be a DOO or what our curriculum covers, or maybe you’re curious about our program structure, you’re invited to attend our 90-minute information session where we’re literally allowing you to Test Drive the DOO. Sign up today! This is a great time to ask any questions and gain clarity so you know if this program is for you. We’ll be opening our 17th round and the final training for 2022 in just a few weeks and we’d love to have you!
Alrighty friends. Don’t let the talk of recession scare you. There are lots of options for high-level, strategic leaders like you who have a gift of operations. This profession will not be affected by the potential slowdown and I hope these 9 reasons showed you why that is the case.
Weekly Ops Activity
I’d like you to join us in our upcoming information session, Test Drive the DOO. If you have questions ahead of time, feel free to drop them in our Ops Insiders group and I’ll be sure to answer live on our call.
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