Respect the process

[benhebert]

Right now I'm in the midst of launching a new media company and training a new employee. I developed standard SODs (standard operating documents), that should ensure they're able to start working immediately according to the guidelines I created. My management style is always to empower people to do great work, be completely hands off and demand results. Only the strong survive, A-Players only work with A-Players type of thing.

Working in a completely virtual environment is difficult. It's great once it's setup but for training, company culture, etc it's a pain in the a$$. So when we're going through a lot of different systems, requirements, and project work - we're hitting snags. Things are getting held up, time zones are delaying communication and there are bottlenecks preventing us from really pushing forward.

But you know what...

I'm running a profitable e-commerce business.

I'm currently writing this from my service apartment in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (cleaned daily, fresh sheets, laundry, etc) for $400 per month (expensive end).

I have the freedom to do almost anything that I want.

Instead of getting upset, frustrated or trying to do the work myself (slowlane) - I'm getting back to what I like to call respect the process.

All things that are great take time to develop. Relationships, trust, business deals, none of these things happen overnight. There's a process for everything.

Getting back to respecting the process is acknowledging that there are always going to be certain things out of my control and it's my job to creatively overcome the challenges presented. There are no quick solutions or easy ways out.

So whether you're building your business, trying to develop a new skill or training an employee... whatever it might be respect that the fact that what you're doing is going to take time. Instead of letting the snags get your down, look at them as challenges instead.

Respect the process, optimize the flow and maximize output.

Sorry for all of the buzzwords

 

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[RogueInnovation]

Cool stuff!

I often wish I had a boxing bag hanging, so I could respect it with my fists.
I've found that over time I've gotten used to the frustration, and instead just slyly smile when sh!t hits the fan. There is little point getting upset because ultimately only a clear mind can see the solutions.

Btw, I've found that the frustration when you resist it/relax makes you better at business 10x faster than easy street does. So I've learnt to embrace it a little bit and just kinda say "bring it on".

The best thing to do when you are totally backed up against the wall is to chill. Balance your activity levels, and keep a consistent pace (fluctuating all over the map totally kills you) and just aim for really solid, steady, small improvements (win enough of them and the walls shift).

(don't do that) (do this)

 

[Stephanos83]

Helpful post. I just got back off vacation from Vietnam to England. My wife is from there. I've considered e-commerce as a fastlane, but found It could be difficult to manage quality and fulfillment being overseas unless your target market is Vietnam (which I doubt) or in my case, England. On the flip side, I can see benefits to being close to manufacturers and suppliers. Are you working with a partner that can manage these operations assuming your target market is in the West? What's your process for managing these things from Vietnam? I would like to relocate to that region of the world at some point.

 

[benhebert]

Helpful post. I just got back off vacation from Vietnam to England. My wife is from there. I've considered e-commerce as a fastlane, but found It could be difficult to manage quality and fulfillment being overseas unless your target market is Vietnam (which I doubt) or in my case, England. On the flip side, I can see benefits to being close to manufacturers and suppliers. Are you working with a partner that can manage these operations assuming your target market is in the West? What's your process for managing these things from Vietnam? I would like to relocate to that region of the world at some point.

Me being here in Vietnam is irrelevant to my business. I could work from Costa Rica, Guam, Afghanistan, wherever that has fast wifi. We operate in a virtual environment communicating mainly through email, trello and hipchat.

 

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[Stephanos83]

Me being here in Vietnam is irrelevant to my business. I could work from Costa Rica, Guam, Afghanistan, wherever that has fast wifi. We operate in a virtual environment communicating mainly through email, trello and hipchat.

I figured as much, but wanted to ask just in case it was more black and white. Do you know of any good resources/books on cultivating a successful virtual environment-based business? Or has this just been process built through trial and error? Thanks.

 

[benhebert]

I haven't read it yet, but I imagine that REMOTE by the 37signals / basecamp guys is what you're looking for.

You'll have to develop your own systems / protocols but they should provide the right framework.

 

[Stephanos83]

I'll definitely check it out. Thank you for the reference and motivating post. I don't want anyone to tell me entirely how to do my business, but I'd still like to learn as much as I can about areas in which I have no experience. I don't need someone else's treasure map, just the compass.

 

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