Join Michelle Markwart Deveaux and Nikki Loney celebrating our 200th episode! Michelle and Nikki discuss “institutional memory”, what it is, and why it can help multi-teacher and solo-teacher studios take their businesses to the next level. Michelle walks us through an exercise framework she calls “The Four R’s” and Nikki goes vulnerably deep into the workings of FULL VOICE Music.
Exercise question recap:
Remember
- Tell me about the first time you “did the thing” – your very first sale of the thing you were trying to sell.
- What was the first major technological change you made in the business? Why did you make that change?
- When was the last time a stakeholder couldn’t read your mind?
- Tell me three things you’d tell “beginning of your business you” that you wish you had known about starting a business. (What would current Nikki say to past Nikki about starting)
Release
- What tool, system, or stakeholder no longer serves you?
- What narrative (story you tell yourself) about the business keeps the business smaller than you’d like it to be?
- What institutional memory/concept/company culture point would you like to be different?
- Tell me three things you’d tell “beginning of your business you” that you wish you had known about what not to worry about in business. (What would current Nikki say to past Nikki about worry)
Reclaim
- Are there any systems or tools that you’d like to bring back and use again, now that you have more knowledge?
- What are some things that have been lost as the business has grown? What of those things would you like to bring back?
- Where do you see areas of opportunity to communicate the IM of the business to all the stakeholders?
- Tell me three things “future of your business you” would say to current you about the success of your business. (What does future Nikki say to current Nikki about what to move forward on?)
Resolve
- What changes do you commit to making in your business based on this exercise?
- How does this discussion show you where you can grow in being a better leader?
Mentioned in this Episode:
Barn Coffee, Lunenberg, NS
Find and Follow Michelle:
website: https://thespeakeasycooperative.com/
About Michelle
From Michelle: “I’m tired of watching my fellow voice practitioners spiraling into the same shiny object syndrome, the same alone-ness, and the same scarcity and competition-driven tropes pushed by all the pushy marketers and my-way-is-the-right-way ‘influencers.’ Using what I’ve learned from years of working with hundreds of micro-businesses, we will work toward long-term growth and sustainability that ebbs and flows WITH you while maintaining your cash flow and your mental health – because I HAVE BEEN THERE in the midst of transition after transition, change after change. The SpeakEasy Cooperative is a for-profit community organization dedicated to embracing, engaging, and expanding the humans who run voice-related businesses to bring maximum impact and intention to every income stream we touch.”
