Guide to Success - The First 90 days with your new OBM
Updated: Nov 29, 2022
As you work towards your next level of business growth, your Online Business Manager (OBM) can get you out of the day-to-day running of your business and work with your team to turn your goals into reality.
Building a strong foundation for your business is one of our SUPERPOWERS. We do this by:
Establishing a habit of quarterly planning - so that you and your team are always clear on goals and objectives (no more flying by the seat of your pants!)
Working with the team - to ensure that the right people are doing the right things, and everyone is empowered to do their best work
Streamlining your operations - documenting processes and creating systems that allow for work to be done efficiently and effectively
Driving progress - it’s the role of the OBM to ensure that progress is being made towards established goals, and
Clearing YOUR plate - so that you can focus your efforts on CEO-level activities. That means growing the business (instead of running it!)
I'm sure this all sounds great. But we can't do this on pixie dust alone. A successful working relationship especially in the first 90 days will take effort from both sides.
To ensure a successful working relationship with your OBM:
As the CEO, it's your role to cast the vision for the business and clearly communicate what you are working toward. That way your OBM can create a plan for the next 90-days and steer the ship in the right direction.
We need time to get to know your business! Your OBM won’t need to be trained in how to manage a business, but we do need to learn about your business and how you do things. Create space to properly onboard your OBM and allow us to get to know all that we need to know.
Know that hiring an OBM will NOT magically solve all of your business challenges in the first 90 days. You will need to agree on top priorities (max 3!) and allow your OBM to work through those priorities at a reasonable pace (probably slower than you’d like, remember, they are still learning your business!). You can get everything you want, just not all at once ;)
Reasonable expectations are key. Be prepared to communicate what you are expecting (what success will look & feel like for you) so that the end result you desire is easily understood. The clearer you can be upfront, the more likely you will get what you are looking for.
Communication is also key. Expect to give and receive ‘excess’ communication in the first 90 days, until you understand each other’s styles and have built trust.
Be willing to let go. OBMs are leaders, not followers. Expect your OBM to jump right in, take the lead on projects, and get things off your plate. This is what we are trained to do, this is what the business needs us to do.
Know that you don’t actually want your OBM to think or be exactly like you. Our way may look different from how you have or would do things, but that’s OK (part of letting go). Each of you is going to bring unique approaches to the table, and the business needs both.
Expect some bumps along the way. Things may not feel amazing in week 1 while you learn to work with each other. When things don’t feel perfectly smooth, communication and collaboration will be the key to getting on track. Don’t throw in the towel too soon!
When we come together with clarity, purpose, and patience in the first 90 days all things are possible.
Looking to get started with a fractional OBM? Let’s talk…
About me
Simmi Behal is the Founder and CEO of The Virtual Producer. Process Specialist｜Course Strategist ｜Multimedia Producer of 40+ e-learning games & videos｜Operations specialist for online businesses wanting to scale or sell without having their hair on fire.🔥 ⚖️
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