148: How to Build a Business Operations Dashboard

Your creativity and entrepreneurial spirit got you here. Smarter systems will take you there.

There is less friction in your operations and a greater focus on joyful work.

There is a spacious calendar where you are free to dedicate time to your most compelling, strategic projects — the ones that best express your unique talents, powered by a Delightfully Tiny Team.

It’s time to stop working full time and start working free time: by applying agile operating principles toward building smarter systems, starting with a centralized business operations dashboard if you don’t already have one.

Today I’m sharing the key elements that a strong dashboard has; you’ll know because it makes running your business much easier—to the point where you may even find that you don’t need as many team members to power your operations. 

You and your team will know exactly how to find what you need and run the business smoothly, reducing pressure, removing yourself as Chief Everything Officer, and preventing “death by a thousand question cuts.”

🌟3 Key Takeaways

• Make sure the software you choose to run your dashboard is searchable, customizable, and interlinkable.

• 5 must-have elements: centralized task tracker, manager manual (with SOPs), content calendar, business areas, and meeting notes.

• 7 nice-to-have elements: CRM, client tracker, gift tracker, operating principles, metrics scorecard, idea collection bucket, and weekly updates.

📝Permission

Not to build this dashboard yourself! It’s already done for you :) Check!

✅Do (or Delegate) This Next

Learn more and start freeing your time today » Apply promo code PODCAST for 10% off

📘Books Mentioned

• Free Time: Lose The Busywork, Love Your Business 

• Pivot: The Only Move That Matters Is Your Next One 

• Giftology: The Art and Science of Using Gifts to Cut Through the Noise, Increase Referrals, and Strengthen Client Retention by John Ruhlin

🔗Resources Mentioned

• Done-for-you Free Time Operations Dashboard

• Free Time Toolkit with Manager Manual Entry and Weekly Updates templates

• Private BFF community

• JB’s 4-minute Collection Bucket walkthrough

🎧Related Episodes

• 088: Why I Moved from Asana to Notion for Task and Project Management

• 104: Save Someone Next Steps

• 125: How to Create Your Own CRM with Alex Sherwood

• 002: Eliminate Email with Cal Newport

• 034: Organizing Research and Ideas - Notion Walkthrough #1 

• 036: Shaping Big Ideas - Notion Walkthrough #2

• 038: Tracking Progress Toward Finishing a Book (or Big Idea) with an Essay Tracker - Notion Walkthrough #3

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