How to Eliminate Chaos and Build a Business That Runs Without You | Featuring Susan Fennema

by faye.eBusiness Growth, Productivity, Scale Smart, Grow Fast PodcastPosted on No Comments

How to Eliminate Chaos and Build a Business That Runs Without You | Featuring Susan Fennema

 Most small business owners hit a wall—not because of market conditions or lack of talent—but because they’re still at the center of every decision.

In the latest episode of Scale Smart Grow Fast, Susan Fennema, Chaos Eradicating Officer, Beyond the Chaos, breaks down exactly how to remove owner dependency and turn chaos into clarity. With 30+ years of operational experience and co-author of Efficiency Amplified, she shares the mindset shifts, systems, and steps that help owners scale smart—without burning out.

Preferred listening on the go? Catch the full podcast episode on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

🚩 Warning Signs of Owner Dependency

  • You can’t take a real vacation without your business crumbling.
  • You’re constantly firefighting and exhausted.
  • Every decision runs through you.
  • Your best team members are either unclear or leaving.

Sound familiar? You’re not alone—and it’s fixable.

🛠️ First Steps to Operational Freedom

  1. Track Your Time: Write down everything you do in a week—daily, monthly, even the tasks you hate.
  2. Identify Low-Value Work: You’re likely doing $20/hour tasks as a $300/hour CEO.
  3. Start Delegating: Begin with part-time help (VA or project manager) and record quick Loom videos to train them.
  4. Build Basic Systems: Start small—like creating an offboarding process. It’s the most overlooked yet crucial one.
  5. Use Project Management Tools Correctly: Trello, Asana, ClickUp all work—if you implement structure.

🧠 Mindset Shifts That Matter

  • Your team can do it better—if they know what success looks like.
  • Letting go isn’t losing control; it’s gaining capacity.
  • Peace and clarity don’t mean your business is failing—it means it’s working.

🔄 From Chaos to a Saleable Business

Most owners who “want out” can’t sell because they are the business. Susan explains how systematizing operations not only gives you your life back—it turns your business into a real, sellable asset.

💡 Time Management That Works

  • Calendar block your strategic time—and honor it.
  • Hold “office hours” to reduce constant interruptions.
  • Shut off email/social notifications and check them intentionally.

🎁 Want to Know Where You Stand?

Susan offers a free Operations Audit to help you identify your biggest operational gaps.
👉 beyondthechaos.biz/operations-audit

Feeling buried in tasks that pull you away from growth? Our executive support helps you reclaim time, focus, and control.
👉 Book My Discovery Call

Bottom Line:
 If you’re doing everything yourself, you’re not running a business—you’ve built a job. It’s time to scale smart. Start by watching the full episode for practical strategies you can implement this week. 🎥 Watch now on YouTube 🔗 https://youtu.be/wfjBpwiUkdE

Like what you read? Get weekly insights on scaling, efficiency, and profitability—straight to your inbox. Click here to subscribe.

Transcript

Harley Green
Hey everybody, welcome back to the Scale Smart Grow Fast podcast. Too many businesses hit a ceiling because the owner is still at the center of every decision. In this episode, Susan Fennema, chaos eradicating officer at Beyond the Chaos and co-author of Efficiency Amplified, shares how to eliminate operational chaos, build scalable systems, and finally break free from day-to-day dependency. With 30 plus years of operational expertise, Susan offers practical strategies to help business owners reclaim their time and lead with clarity. Susan, thank you so much for being on the podcast. How are you doing today?

Susan Fennema
Thank you so much for having me. I’m doing great and excited to get this week going.

Harley Green
Love it. Susan, can you tell us more about your background? What gave you this operational expertise and what made you decide to help businesses with their operations?

Susan Fennema
I’ve always been wired for organizing. As a child, I would sit with a jar of buttons and organize them by color and size. Throughout my career, I worked for small business owners in roles that were always process-oriented. I was focused on taking the load off the owner, simplifying, and streamlining operations.

In 2016, I started looking for what I thought would be my last job, but I realized I could serve multiple owners at once instead of committing to one. That’s when Beyond the Chaos transitioned from a side gig into a business dedicated to helping owners eliminate chaos and build freedom into their operations.

Harley Green
Owner dependency is a major roadblock to growth. What are some of the biggest warning signs that a business is too dependent on its owner?

Susan Fennema
The biggest red flag is if the owner can’t take a vacation without everything falling apart. Other signs include exhaustion, constant firefighting, and being the bottleneck for every decision. Team members feel stuck because they need approval to move forward, which leads to frustration and turnover.

We also see owners frustrated with clients, team members, and even family because they’re burned out. Many say they want to sell their business and walk away. But once they create processes and hand off work, they usually rediscover their love for the business and start growing again.

Harley Green
Some listeners might be realizing they don’t have to live with those stressors. What inspired you to start focusing on eliminating chaos?

Susan Fennema
I started in project management, making projects more efficient. But I quickly saw how much relief that gave owners, so I went deeper. I began looking at the entire flow—how leads come in, how proposals turn into projects, how work is delivered, and how to build repeatable systems that create more clients.

Owners should focus on relationships, strategy, and growth, not daily details. With systems in place, it’s easier to hold teams accountable and identify who’s performing well. Many owners start businesses because they love their craft, but get trapped in details. Fractional operations support—like project managers or integrators—helps free them up without the cost of a full-time COO.

Harley Green
That makes sense. For business owners who want to make their business more enjoyable or even more saleable, what are the first steps they should take?

Susan Fennema
Start by writing down everything you do in a week, then add monthly, quarterly, and annual tasks. Include tasks you hate as well. Next, estimate what you’d pay someone else to do those tasks. Most owners, worth $200–$300 an hour, are spending too much time on $15 tasks.

Those are the first things to delegate or stop doing. Document how you do them with a simple video or outline. Then bring in part-time support like an assistant or project manager. Offloading those tasks frees you to focus on higher-level work.

Harley Green
That’s a great point. Owners often hesitate to delegate because they don’t enjoy those tasks themselves.

Susan Fennema
Exactly. But there are people, like us, who love operations. Processes may feel like bureaucracy, but they’re what actually set you free.

Harley Green
You’ve mentioned several ways to eliminate chaos. Can you walk us through a few that create the foundation for scaling?

Susan Fennema
The first is process development. Clear processes make delegation and accountability easier, and they create a structure for addressing problems without conflict.

The second is project management. Many owners try tools like Trello, Asana, or Monday and give up, but the problem is usually implementation. With the right setup, these tools help deliver projects consistently.

The third is using time intentionally. Owners often get trapped in email or constant interruptions. The key is structuring your day to reduce distractions and focus on high-value work.

Harley Green
What are some tactical tips for managing time more intentionally?

Susan Fennema
Calendar blocking is essential. Schedule time to work on the business and treat it like a client appointment. Office hours are another great tool. Instead of constant interruptions, team members know when they can come to you.

Turn off notifications, step away from email, and use project management tools to track work instead of your inbox. Even small changes here can dramatically improve productivity.

Harley Green
How do you help owners move from reactive to proactive in their operations?

Susan Fennema
It starts with reducing emergencies. Once things calm down, some owners panic because they feel less needed. That’s where reviewing your numbers and focusing on strategic questions comes in. Use that newfound time to think about sales, growth, or improving the business instead of constantly firefighting.

Harley Green
In your book Efficiency Amplified, what’s one system or process every growing team should prioritize first?

Susan Fennema
Offboarding. Onboarding is important, but offboarding is usually an emergency. If someone leaves suddenly, you need to know what accounts they had access to, what passwords to revoke, and how to notify the team. Having that process in place prevents chaos and protects the business.

Harley Green
What are some mindset challenges owners face when trying to let go?

Susan Fennema
One is believing they’re the only ones who can do it right. In reality, with the right direction, team members often do it better. Another is the adrenaline rush of firefighting—when that’s gone, owners can feel lost. Adjusting both mentally and physically is part of letting go.

Harley Green
How can leaders maintain their vision while still empowering employees?

Susan Fennema
Every company has a culture, intentional or not. Leaders need to clearly communicate the vision and values, especially in virtual or hybrid teams. At Beyond the Chaos, we send framed value statements to employees as a daily reminder. Celebrating employees who embody the vision reinforces it across the team.

Harley Green
For owners still caught in the weeds, what’s one action they can take this week to start building more freedom?

Susan Fennema
Start that activity spreadsheet. Document what you’re doing every day, then identify what can be delegated. Operations isn’t one-and-done, it’s ongoing—like finance. But starting with that step is the path to freedom.

Harley Green
Susan, thank you so much for sharing these invaluable tips with our audience today. If people want to learn more or get in touch, what’s the best way?

Susan Fennema
I’d like to offer an operations audit to everyone listening. It’s a form that helps you evaluate how you’re operating and where we can help. Go to beyondthechaos.biz/operations-audit.

Harley Green
Fantastic, thank you for that. For those listening, if you got value from this episode, hit like and subscribe so you don’t miss future strategies to help you scale smarter. Share this with a colleague who might benefit, and if you’re on a podcast platform, leave us a quick rating. Thanks again for tuning in, and we’ll see you on the next one.

Susan Fennema
Thanks, Harley.

Alarm clock with a blank notebook and scattered numbers on colorful background, symbolizing time management and planning

Missed Deadlines = Missed Growth: How to Avoid Falling Behind

by Harley GreenBusiness Growth, Outsourcing, ProductivityPosted on Comments are Disabled

Missed Deadlines = Missed Growth: How to Avoid Falling Behind

Deadlines can make or break a business. Yet, for many entrepreneurs and business owners, staying on top of them feels like an impossible task. Between juggling client projects, sales calls, team management, and strategy sessions, it’s easy for critical deadlines to slip through the cracks.

But here’s the hard truth: Missed deadlines don’t just cause stress—they cost you money, reputation, and growth opportunities.

So, how do growth-minded entrepreneurs stay ahead? Let’s dive into how managing deadlines effectively can transform your business—and how the right support can help you stay on track.

The Real Cost of Missed Deadlines

When you miss a deadline, the impact goes beyond a simple delay. It can:

  • Damage your credibility: Clients and partners may start questioning your reliability.
  • Hurt customer relationships: Late deliverables can mean lost trust and repeat business.
  • Slow down growth: Delays in one area create bottlenecks elsewhere, stalling momentum.
  • Increase stress and burnout: Constantly playing catch-up drains mental energy and focus.

The truth is, successful businesses run on predictability and consistency—and deadlines ensure both.

Why Entrepreneurs Struggle with Deadlines

If you’re running a business, you wear many hats. Often, managing deadlines takes a back seat to putting out fires or chasing new opportunities. Here’s why:

  • Task Overload: You’re doing too much, from operations to sales to admin.
  • Lack of Systems: Without clear workflows, tasks pile up and get missed.
  • Poor Prioritization: Urgent tasks crowd out important ones, leading to missed long-term goals.
  • Context Switching: Shifting between tasks reduces focus, making it easy to lose track of critical deadlines.

But the good news? It doesn’t have to be this way.

How the Right Support Keeps You on Track

To truly scale, you need to move from reactive to proactive operations. Staying on top of deadlines isn’t just about working harder—it’s about working smarter. Here’s how dedicated support can make that difference:

1. Streamlined Scheduling & Calendar Management

When deadlines are scattered across emails, apps, and notebooks, things get missed.

  • Solution: A dedicated assistant can centralize all your deadlines into one cohesive system, set up reminders, and adjust timelines as needed—keeping everything on track.

2. Proactive Task Management

Deadlines don’t mean much without action steps leading up to them.

  • Solution: Support that breaks large projects into manageable tasks with clear checkpoints ensures steady progress, not last-minute rushes.

3. Consistent Follow-Ups

Opportunities are lost when follow-ups don’t happen on time.

  • Solution: A structured approach to following up with clients, prospects, and team members ensures nothing slips through the cracks.

4. Focus on Revenue-Generating Work

Your time is best spent on growth activities, not chasing to-do lists.

  • Solution: Offloading deadline management frees you to focus on strategy, sales, and expansion.

The Long-Term Benefits of Staying Ahead of Deadlines

When you master deadline management, the benefits compound:

  • Higher Client Satisfaction: Consistent delivery builds trust and leads to repeat business.
  • Scalable Growth: Efficient operations mean you can take on more projects without overwhelm.
  • Increased Profitability: Fewer delays mean more time spent on revenue-generating activities.
  • Peace of Mind: Knowing nothing critical will slip through gives you confidence to focus on the bigger picture.

Final Thought: What’s Missing Deadlines Really Costing You?

Missed deadlines aren’t just inconvenient—they’re costly. Every late project, forgotten follow-up, or overlooked task chips away at your credibility, profits, and growth potential.

The solution? Better systems and the right support.

Imagine running a business where deadlines are met consistently, clients are delighted, and growth opportunities are seized—all without burnout.

That’s the difference efficient deadline management makes.

If staying on top of everything feels impossible, maybe it’s time for a smarter approach.

What would your business look like if deadlines stopped holding you back?

Schedule a free discovery call!

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Are You Maximizing Your Business Operations? Here’s How Strategic Delegation Can Boost Your Productivity

by Harley GreenBusiness Growth, Outsourcing, Productivity, Technology & AutomationPosted on Comments are Disabled

Are You Maximizing Your Business Operations? Here’s How Strategic Delegation Can Boost Your Productivity

As a growth-minded entrepreneur or business owner, you understand the value of time. Every minute spent on administrative tasks is a minute taken away from driving your business forward. But what if you could reclaim those hours by strategically delegating key business operations to someone who thrives on managing the details?

Executive Assistant Services: The Key to Unlocking Higher Productivity

In today’s fast-paced business environment, the role of an executive assistant has evolved far beyond basic administrative support. A skilled executive assistant can be the linchpin that keeps your business running smoothly, allowing you to focus on what you do best—leading and growing your company.

By delegating high-level administrative tasks to an experienced executive assistant, you can enhance your productivity and ensure that nothing falls through the cracks. Here’s how an executive assistant can elevate your business operations.

Project Management: Keep Your Initiatives on Track

Project management is crucial for any business, but it can be time-consuming and requires meticulous attention to detail. Executive assistants are adept at managing projects, from initial planning to final execution. They can help you define project goals, set timelines, and assign tasks, ensuring that everything runs on schedule.

An executive assistant can also act as a liaison between team members, keeping everyone informed and accountable. With their support, you can ensure timely completion of tasks, avoiding bottlenecks and maintaining momentum across all your business initiatives.

Schedule and Calendar Management: Master Your Time

Time is your most valuable asset, and managing it effectively is essential for success. An executive assistant can take the burden of scheduling off your plate, organizing your calendar to ensure that you’re spending your time on high-value activities.

Whether it’s coordinating meetings, booking travel, or setting reminders for important deadlines, your assistant ensures that your schedule aligns with your priorities. This allows you to maintain a balance between managing day-to-day operations and focusing on long-term strategic goals.

Email and Document Management: Streamline Communication

The constant influx of emails and documents can be overwhelming, distracting you from more important tasks. An executive assistant can streamline this communication, managing your inbox, filtering out non-essential messages, and highlighting those that require your immediate attention.

Additionally, they can organize and manage your documents, ensuring that important files are easily accessible when you need them. This not only saves you time but also reduces the stress of managing endless communication channels.

Vendor Management: Strengthen Key Relationships

Your relationships with vendors are crucial to maintaining smooth operations, but managing these relationships can be time-consuming. An executive assistant can handle vendor communications, negotiate contracts, and ensure that all your agreements are in place and adhered to.

By delegating vendor management to your assistant, you can maintain strong relationships with key suppliers without getting bogged down in the day-to-day details. This ensures that your business has the resources it needs to operate efficiently.

Employee Onboarding: Create a Seamless Experience

Bringing new employees on board is an exciting but challenging process. An executive assistant can streamline the onboarding process, ensuring that new hires have everything they need to hit the ground running. From organizing training sessions to managing paperwork, your assistant can handle the administrative aspects of onboarding, allowing you to focus on integrating new team members into your company culture.

A well-organized onboarding process not only helps new employees feel welcome but also boosts their productivity from day one, contributing to overall business success.

Conclusion: Delegate to Elevate Your Business

Delegation isn’t just about offloading tasks—it’s about strategically empowering your team to take on responsibilities that allow you to focus on growth. By leveraging the expertise of an executive assistant, you can enhance your business operations, optimize your time, and ultimately, drive your business forward.

So, are you ready to take your business to the next level? It’s time to delegate, elevate, and watch your productivity soar.

Looking to take your business to new heights?

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Are You Ready to Transform Your Business Operations?

by Harley GreenBusiness Growth, Outsourcing, Productivity, Technology & AutomationPosted on Comments are Disabled

In today’s fast-paced business environment, efficiency and productivity are key drivers of growth. One strategy that forward-thinking entrepreneurs and business owners are increasingly adopting is the integration of Virtual Assistants (VAs) into their operations. If you’re looking to streamline your processes, boost efficiency, and focus on core business activities, then read on to discover how VAs can revolutionize your business.

The Benefits of Bringing on Virtual Assistants for Business Operations

Virtual Assistants can be a game-changer for your business operations. By delegating routine and time-consuming tasks to VAs, you free up your core team to focus on more strategic, income-generating activities. Here are some compelling benefits:

  • Cost-Effective: Hiring VAs can be more affordable than full-time, in-office employees. You save on overhead costs such as office space, equipment, and benefits.
  • Increased Productivity: VAs handle administrative tasks, project management, and data organization, allowing your team to concentrate on growth-oriented tasks.
  • Scalability: Easily scale your operations up or down based on your business needs without the commitment of long-term contracts.
  • Access to Global Talent: VAs offer specialized skills from across the globe, providing expertise that might not be available locally.

What It Looks Like to Bring on a VA for Business Operations

Integrating VAs into your business operations involves a structured approach to ensure seamless collaboration and optimal performance.

Training and Onboarding

The success of working with VAs begins with effective training and onboarding. Here’s how to get started:

  • Detailed Training Manuals: Provide comprehensive training manuals and resources. This should include your company’s policies, procedures, and tools.
  • Onboarding Process: Create a structured onboarding process that introduces the VA to your company culture and expectations.
  • Regular Check-ins: Schedule regular check-ins during the initial weeks to address any questions and ensure they are on the right track.
    Oversight and Management

Effective Oversight

This ensures that your VAs are performing to the expected standards:

  • Project Management Tools: Utilize tools like Asana, Trello, or Monday.com to assign tasks, set deadlines, and track progress.
  • Regular Communication: Maintain open lines of communication through emails, instant messaging, and video calls.
  • Performance Reviews: Conduct periodic performance reviews to provide feedback and recognize achievements.

Freeing Up Your Core Team

By delegating routine tasks to VAs, your core team can focus on high-value activities that drive growth. Here are key roles and tasks that VAs can handle:

  • Executive Assistant: Manage schedules, organize meetings, and handle correspondence.
  • Director of Operations: Oversee daily operations, ensuring efficiency and compliance with company policies.
  • Administrative Support: Handle email management, document organization, and data entry.
  • Project Management: Assist in planning, executing, and monitoring projects to meet deadlines.
  • Schedule and Calendar Management: Ensure your team’s time is well-organized, minimizing scheduling conflicts.
  • Process Documentation: Creating and Maintaining Standard Operating Procedures with VAs.

Having well-documented Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

This is crucial for consistency and efficiency. VAs can play a vital role in creating and maintaining these documents:

  • SOP Development: VAs can document existing processes and create SOPs for new ones, ensuring that all procedures are standardized and easy to follow.
  • Regular Updates: They can also keep SOPs up-to-date as your business evolves, ensuring all team members have access to the latest information.
  • Project Management: Overseeing Projects and Deadlines with VA Support

Effective Project Management

This is critical for meeting deadlines and achieving business goals. VAs can support project management by:

  • Task Delegation: Assigning tasks to team members and ensuring everyone knows their responsibilities.
  • Deadline Monitoring: Keeping track of project timelines and sending reminders to ensure deadlines are met.
  • Progress Reporting: Providing regular updates on project status, helping you stay informed and in control.
  • Meeting Coordination: Scheduling and Organizing Meetings with VA Assistance

Meeting Coordination:

This is the staple of business operations, but they can be time-consuming to organize. VAs can take over meeting coordination:

  • Scheduling: Finding suitable times for all participants and sending out invitations.
  • Agenda Preparation: Creating and distributing meeting agendas to ensure productive discussions.
  • Follow-Up: Sending out minutes and follow-up tasks to keep everyone on track.
  • Data Management: Maintaining and Organizing Business Data with VAs

Proper Data Management

This is essential for informed decision-making and smooth operations. VAs can handle:

  • Data Entry: Accurately inputting data into your systems.
  • Data Organization: Maintaining databases and ensuring information is easily accessible.
  • Data Analysis: Assisting with basic data analysis to provide insights that drive business decisions.

Conclusion

Incorporating Virtual Assistants into your business operations can lead to significant improvements in efficiency, productivity, and scalability. By delegating routine tasks to VAs, you enable your core team to focus on strategic, high-value activities that drive growth. Whether it’s managing schedules, documenting processes, or overseeing projects, VAs can provide the support you need to elevate your business operations.

Are you ready to transform your business with the help of Virtual Assistants?