Stay ConnectedYou started this business to lead. Somewhere along the way, the business started leading you instead.
The Modern CEO Podcast with Amber McCue is where that stops, and growth gets a plan. Real strategy, sustainable systems, and the kind of leadership conversations that help you step fully into your role as the CEO your business needs.
Your season of growth is already underway. You’re right on time.
Do you feel as though you deserve your success?
If you're like 70% of us, you probably feel as though you're a bit of a fraud. No matter how many awards … how much praise … and how many opportunities you're offered … there seems to always be a little voice in your head telling you that you don't deserve it.
That little voice wants you to believe that you've made it as far as you have based on luck alone. Not on your skills, achievements, or experience.
But let me tell you a little secret -- that little voice has been VERY busy.
It whispers in the ear of almost every super successful person you can think of!
The author you admire. The bad-ass CEO you look up to. The musician that keeps your booty shaking -- they all worry that they're imposters, too.
So you're in great company!
Since simply knowing that you aren't alone may not be enough to cut through the demoralizing voice of your Imposter Syndrome, I'd love to share some incredible resources and tips to help you recognize and combat this confidence-killing condition!
Let's get started!
In my latest podcast episode, you'll discover:
Ready to feel amazing about your accomplishments and know-how? Listen below!Remember to subscribe on iTunes, Google Play, and Stitcher!
Highlights:
04:04 Introducing … the dreaded Imposter Syndrome!
07:04 Feel like a fraud? Take the Imposter Syndrome Quiz
09:30 Where does your quiver come from?
10:12 What is it to be an imposter?
10:34 "One study shows that 70% of successful people feel like an imposter at some point"
11:35 The signs that may reveal that you have Imposter Syndrome
14:09 How do we work through Imposter Syndrome?
15:00 Just-in-Time learning … and how it can help you
16:20 You don't have to do it all alone
17:57 Take time to review your resume of accomplishments
19:08 "How often do we stop to really look at our skills and qualifications?"
21:02 What you feel v. What you have done
22:50 "I invite you to embrace your strengths, talents, and skills … and OWN it"
24:50 "Oftentimes, REAL imposters don't experience or recognize Imposter Syndrome"
Thank you for listening! Want more information and tips? Bookmark ambermccue.com/blog and follow Amber on Instagram: @AmberMcCueMentioned in this episode:
Setting yourself up to live your best life in the new year isn't something reserved for New Year's Eve -- if you want the best chance of reaching your personal and professional goals after the ball drops, you need to start planning much earlier.
Think JULY. Well, for me it was July. ;)
If that seems daunting, have no fear! -- I'm here to tell you about some specific resources that you can use to take your planning to its ultimate potential. I'd also like to share with you my own annual planning schedule: when I start, what I focus on, and how I implement in order to get the results that I want to see! Let's go behind the scenes.
My secret? My planning process aligns with my company's core values -- this way, I can achieve big impact while staying true to my vision. What kind of impact do you want to make in the new year?
In my latest podcast episode, you'll discover:
Listen below and get ready to plan for the best year of your life!
Remember to subscribe on iTunes, Google Play and Stitcher!
Highlights:
01:50 [+1:20] Why my new year planning starts in July, not December
03:30 [+1:20] The Planathon: the ULTIMATE annual planning event for entrepreneurs!
03:50 [+1:20] The Fresh Start Workbook
05:50 [+1:20] Case study: Three Boudoir
07:30 [+1:20] "Empowered women empower women, and we rise together"
11:07 [+1:20] What does it mean to embrace your core values inside and outside the company -- and base your planning on it?
13:24 [+1:20] Shift your thinking to IMPACT, instead of financials
16:50 [+1:20] Do all of your core values align? How do they impact how people see your company?
21:24 [+1:20] "To enable a vision, we have to align our values with our actions"
23:48 [+1:20] Why approach investors if you don't want an investment yet?
25:04 [+1:20] Transform your team members into brand ambassadors!
28:25 [+1:20] How to develop a well-rounded, versatile team
30:20 [+1:20] Reporting metrics help ensure business excellence -- how often should you check them?
33:41 [+1:20] "If we don't define the goal and we don't take action towards the goal, we will have no chance of reaching the goal … because results come to life when you get in action"
Thank you for listening! Want more information and tips? Bookmark ambermccue.com/blog and follow Amber on Instagram: @AmberMcCue
Mentioned in this episode:
When it comes to hiring, choosing the perfect candidate isn't the happy ending. It's actually closer to a great first step.
Because after the hiring phase is over, that's when you need to step up with LEADERSHIP.
The How to Clone Yourself process isn't just about finding the right person to handle the right tasks in your business. It's also about onboarding them effectively and empowering them to take ownership of their work -- leaving YOU with more time to focus on bringing your own unique value to your brand!
Company culture is a huge part of this -- a healthy company culture not only makes your business a great place to work for your employees, but it actually improves the experience for your customers as well! Employees who feel valued and inspired will bring their best performance to the table, resulting in higher productivity, better customer care, and incredible levels of engagement.
I know you love the sound of that!
So let's take a peek into the anatomy of an amazing leader!
In my latest podcast episode, you'll discover:
Ready to build a better brand for you, your team, and your customers? Listen below!
Remember to subscribe on iTunes, Google Play and Stitcher!
Highlights:
03:11 "As your business evolves, you might start to wonder 'what do I do again??'"
03:50 'Hustle' is ingrained in our culture -- why do we chase that productivity high?
05:00 "What do you need to do when you step into a leadership role?"
05:20 How does our culture prepare us for the workforce? And what's left out?
06:35 What is the difference between a manager and a leader?
08:58 "True leadership inspires and transforms the people it touches"
09:20 Case study: Three Boudoir
11:10 "If you want your team members, contractors, and employees to be ambassadors of your company … you have to enroll and engage people."
13:04 Case study: Parent Community Organization
13:59 Culture is one of your biggest jobs as a leader -- how can you excel?
16:20 "You've got to create lots of white space in your schedule for thinking about the bigger picture for your business … how will you grow? What will you sell to 5x your business?"
19:00 "Culture can make or break a lot of things. Have you ever been part of a community, organization, team, or company that just didn't feel healthy?"
23:00 Leadership is bigger than you -- Who do you need to be when you step further into the leadership role?
24:33 What should you be focusing on right now?
28:20 "These shifts are what is allowing me to have freedom and flexibility in my schedule and in my life"
Thank you for listening! Want more information and tips? Bookmark ambermccue.com/blog and follow Amber on Instagram: @AmberMcCue
Mentioned in this episode:
When you're looking to hire a new partner-in-crime for your business, you need to do more than just write the perfect job listing and choose the most promising resumes.
You need to ROCK the interview process by not only asking the right questions, but giving the right answers. That's right, it's actually a two-way street!
The hiring process can be a grueling trial full of potential pitfalls. Believe me, I've been there -- I worked in recruitment back during my corporate days! (Let me tell you, I did not enjoy it one bit!)
But if you know how (and when) to prepare for your hiring needs, it can be surprisingly easy … and even fun!
I've taken what I've learned from my corporate hiring days, improved on that knowledge through my experience as a CEO, threw in some insights I've gained through working with my amazing clients, and created a revamped guide to modern hiring -- one that I've been dying to share with you!
And today is the day!
In this podcast episode, I'm going to reveal:
Make your next hire the most amazing addition to your team!Remember to subscribe on iTunes, Google Play and Stitcher!
Highlights:4:56 Hiring isn't as easy as you think -- why due diligence is crucial!
07:20 Trust … but verify
08:42 "You want candidates to leave an interview excited about you, your business, and the prospect of creating something incredible with you"
09:24 Case study: Three Boudoir
12:00 "You are not alone if things feel messy for you right now. New levels of growth and success in your business can get messy!"
12:48 "We're going to have a better chance of hiring a satisfied partner-in-crime who is set up for success if we are transparent"
14:20 Be realistic and encourage realistic expectations
15:10 Referrals aren't the be-all, end-all -- you still need a proper interview process!
16:00 "Give your candidates the opportunity to explain why they are a great fit for you and your business"
17:07 Why interviewing is the key to the hiring process -- and how website forms can make the process easier!
19:02 How to make a subjective process more objective
19:18 Top strategies for streamlining your interview process
22:23 Behaviorial-based interview style quiz
Thank you for listening! Want more information and tips? Bookmark ambermccue.com/blog and follow Amber on Instagram: @AmberMcCue
If you've been a part of our world for a while, you know that I used to have a VERY different lifestyle.
That's right - I lived the CORPORATE life.
I did the whole nine yards: 14 hour days, locked up in an office, travel, feeling WAY too much stress about everything that came across my desk. So much stress, I thought I was having stress related chest pains. (Turns out it was just a garlic allergy).
For a brief time during my corporate life, I worked in recruiting. Why brief? Because recruiting is an ONEROUS process! It takes a lot of connection and interaction with a LOT of people in order to track down just the right candidate.
You know me, I love connecting with people! But I'm not gonna lie, that was next level!
Even though I didn't enjoy the recruiting process back then, I still need to hire for my business -- and so do my clients.
So, I've revamped my hiring process to make it easier and more enjoyable to hire the right candidate, for the right job … right on time. Now, recruiting is a process that is filled with complete joy for me and my clients.
And I want to share it with YOU.
In my latest podcast episode, you'll discover:
Listen below!Remember to subscribe on iTunes, Google Play and Stitcher!
Highlights:
03:20 Recruitment is an onerous process
04:10 "It's not technology, it's not lead pages, it's not a Facebook post that is going to make or break your company -- it is a team of incredible people that brings strategy to life"
05:11 I'm currently using this hiring process in BOTH of my businesses!
05:56 "Great talent does not wait around. Great talent has options"
06:13 Start building relationships as far out from your hiring needs as you can
07:30 Where do you look to find your clone? How do you find great talent?
09:26 How to work effectively with interns and turn them into superstars
12:00 From Monster to Indeed: the ins and outs of listing
13:20 Why you should look at your job postings as advertisements
14:20 Hiring through your network -- the beauty of referrals!
15:34 Look for the win/win -- find a candidate whose work style and skill set align with your needs (and vice versa!)
16:41 Be prepared for the 'benefits & compensation' conversation (and learn how to love up your team!)
29:01 "Be really mindful about your budget and about being fair to the work that is done and the person that is in that role. When we invest in each other, we 100% grow together"
31:05 Full-time v. part-time v. contractor
Next week, we're going to dig deep into the interview process and this episode will give you the preparation you need to slide into that process confident, knowledgeable, and prepared! Check it out!
Thank you for listening! Want more information and tips? Bookmark ambermccue.com/blog and follow Amber on Instagram: @AmberMcCueMentioned in this episode:
In our Planathon Group - oh yes, our annual Planathon is coming soon!!! - one of the questions that recently came up is the question of: how do I know if it is time to hire.
I'm coming at you from Addis Ababa Ethiopia and sharing: 4 signs that it might be time for you to hire.
First, we'll go back in time to 2011 when I made my first hire in my business. Then we'll slowly journey back to present day as we explore:
Highlights:
02:34 Do you DIY everything?
02:59 The Trap of DIY Mode
03:17 Lead vs. Running the business
03:28 Great companies are made up of great people
04:00 Middle Class versus Self Made Millionaire's and Billionaire's perspectives on Hiring
05:00 How I stepped into the visionary role with my family too
07:28 My job as CEO and visionary
09:38 Why you might not want a Clone after all
12:06 Multiply your efforts and get more done
12:27 Is it the right time for me to hire?
13:30 The first sign you need to hire someone
19:00 I can't outsource this - I have to do it...Or do you?
20:36 Buried in details and need to focus on revenue
22:00 How my partnership with my business partner actually works + problem solving
22:43 How can you serve more people, 1,000s more
25:53 Our first full time hire at ambermccue.com
26:00 CEO and Visionary vs COO and running the business (integrator)
29:30 What is the first step you need to take when you decide to hire.
31:00 The importance of culture and values
31:50 How to detail the core responsibilities
32:30 Measures of success
35:00 Tactical elements of hiring, pay, compensation, leadership, and what's next
Thank you for listening! Want more team building and hiring strategies? Bookmark ambermccue.com/blog and follow Amber on Instagram: @AmberMcCueMentioned in this episode:
If you've been following my How to Clone Yourself series, then this is the ultimate episode that you do NOT want to miss!
Today, we're finally going to get deep into the nitty-gritty of putting together your systems. The systems that will make it feel as though you're running your business with a team of your very own clones!
Let me tell you: putting strong, well-planned systems into place in your business leads to a LOT of benefits! It boosts your productivity like crazy. It cuts down on the time needed to complete your repeatable tasks. And it makes it SO MUCH EASIER to train new staff.
Where do you want to focus your system-building efforts?
In the areas that make your business money.
In the areas where you can WOW your customers.
In the areas that can lead to the biggest improvements in your personal and professional life.
Let's get started!
In my latest podcast episode, you'll discover:
Listen below!Remember to subscribe on iTunes, Google Play and Stitcher!
Highlights:
02:24 We need more of you in the world … without you DOING more!
03:41 What brings money into your business?
05:54 "When you invest time in preparing, you accelerate time to implement more than 70 percent"
06:49 "Having strong, intentional systems will help you do repeatable tasks faster"
08:06 Prioritization is an important aspect of developing your systems
08:17 The three chapters of your operations playbook
11:32 What you need to consider when building out a process
13:43 Case Study: Three Boudoir
16:08 "The simplicity of a checklist is so powerful when it comes to system documentation"
17:08 How to use Google to help you develop your own systems
19:56 The 'How,' 'What,' and 'Where' of your operations playbook!
21:45 How systems ultimately support the scaling of your business
Thank you for listening! Want more information and tips? Bookmark ambermccue.com/blog and follow Amber on Instagram: @AmberMcCueMentioned in this episode:
Are you ready for the next step in our How to Clone Yourself series? Because I am SO excited to help you build on the skills revealed in the first five episodes of this series!
You're going to want to take some notes, because this episode digs even deeper into one of my all-time favorite topics: systems.
Systems are what allow me to run my multi-city boudoir photography business in America from my new home in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Systems are what let me run my worldwide consulting business while still enjoying a ton of awesome quality time with my husband and my girls.
If they can do all of that for ME, then just imagine what they can do for YOU!
There are a lot of misconceptions out there about systems … what they can do, what they SHOULD do, and who should be kept in mind when they are designed. I'm here to help you ditch those preconceived notions and implement radically effective systems that will not only boost your productivity and lessen your stress, but also increase your profits!
In my latest podcast episode, you'll discover:
I want you to have all of the free time that you deserve AND all of the profits that you've worked so hard for -- and systems can help you get there!
Thank you for listening! Want more information and tips? Bookmark ambermccue.com/blog and follow Amber on Instagram: @AmberMcCue
Highlights:
Mentioned in this episode:
Even more than hiring, even more than outsourcing, what is the most vital thing that you can do to simplify your day-to-day workload and streamline your business processes?
Design and implement intuitive systems.
Systems are an underpraised cornerstone of successful businesses, but you observe them in action each and every day.
Every time you visit a Starbucks, your barista takes a series of steps to make sure that the right drink gets to the right person at the right time.
Every time you make a reservation at a restaurant, the staff use a system to make sure that the right number of seats are saved for the right person at the right time.
Every time you order a product online … every time you make an appointment for a haircut …
It's systems all the way!
Are you ready to create your own killer systems and enjoy incredible levels of efficiency?
In my latest podcast episode, you'll discover:
Listen below and discover how much easier running your business can be!Remember to subscribe on iTunes, Google Play and Stitcher!
Highlights:
03:26 "At its core, a fully-functioning business is basically a set of systems and processes"
04:48 Build your systems the way you'd build a city
06:52 What do systems and processes represent and what can they do for your business?
07:52 "Talking about systems is just another way of looking at scaling your operation and getting you more freedom"
8:39 Case study: Building a system out of chaos
10:76 The difference between intentional and organic systems
13:17 "The power of systems is that a few tweaks can have tremendous impact"
15:42 "Systems are a form of cloning and they're going to help you accelerate your results"
15:57 The 5 key parts of a good system
Thank you for listening! Want more information and tips? Bookmark ambermccue.com/blog and follow Amber on Instagram: @AmberMcCueMentioned in this episode:
Effective CEOs tend to spend about 11% of their work time improving systems and strategies.
Why is that?
Because setting up systems can help you DRASTICALLY cut down on wasted time and give your productivity an enormous boost. It also helps cut down on frustration -- and boredom!
Setting up systems early helped my boudoir photography business to thrive, and made it easier to expand it into multiple cities -- it's also helped me to continue to run the business even after my big move to Ethiopia!
If setting up systems can do all of that for my business, imagine what it can do for yours!
Or -- even better -- don't just imagine! Get started today and find out!
In my latest podcast episode, you'll discover:
Listen below and get ready to LOVE running your business!Remember to subscribe on iTunes, Google Play and Stitcher!
Highlights:03:10 The third step in how to clone yourself: What to STOP doing
05:34 The four key reasons why I can run a business in America from Africa
06:56 "My strengths don't require me to be on-site and in person"
08:52 "When we transfer ownership, not just task management, we're growing a team of leaders"
09:29 "Effective CEOs tend to spend about 11% of their work time improving systems and strategies"
10:23 How can systems help you in your own business?
11:33 Spend your energy on your visionary role and on serving your clients!
14:16 "Sometimes, we have to make investments in our business and in our lives for the sake of long-term growth and vision"
17:24 The Get Efficient Prioritization Matrix
25:06 "Your time and your energy are your two most important resources"
Thank you for listening! Want more information and tips? Bookmark ambermccue.com/blog and follow Amber on Instagram: @AmberMcCueMentioned in this episode:
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