Module 16

Founder rhythm, team and resilience

6 lessons, 20 stepsOne instruction at a time, each with the result to expect. Tick steps as you go; Helix remembers.

Outcome: your time goes to the few things that grow the business. The right people join at the right time. You also stay steady through bad weeks.

Related SOP: 18 Founder rhythm and hiring

In plain words

Stage: Grow (keep more of every sale, then scale). Every lesson below is tagged with its stage; see Attract, Convert, Grow.

What it is: How to spend your time on what grows the business, and when to get help.

Why it matters: You are the bottleneck. A simple weekly rhythm keeps you focused and calm.

Do this:

  1. Block 15 minutes each morning for your numbers and one task.
  2. Write down tasks you repeat and hand them off when you can.
  3. Hire for the job that frees most of your time first.

Words to know:

  • KPI: Key performance indicator: one of the few numbers you watch to know if things are working.

All words are explained in the glossary.

Lesson 16.1: Personal operating basicsGrow

In short

You are the most important part of the business.

Do this now

Step 1: Set a fixed bedtime and wake time for weekdays and protect them.

Why this matters

You are the most important part of the business. How you sleep, plan and handle messages decides the quality of every other decision. Seven basics protect your best hours.

Step 1 of 70 of 7 done

Set a fixed bedtime and wake time for weekdays and protect them.

Expected result

You sleep about the same hours every night.

Lesson 16.2: Plan each day and each weekGrow

In short

A small daily and weekly rhythm keeps you on top of the business.

Do this now

Step 1: Every day, do the Helix routine: update yesterday, read your profit and do one task.

Why this matters

A small daily and weekly rhythm keeps you on top of the business. It takes under an hour a week. The Helix routine is built for exactly this.

Step 1 of 30 of 3 done

Every day, do the Helix routine: update yesterday, read your profit and do one task. Add one focus block on your top priority.

Expected result

Each day ends with your numbers in and one priority moved forward.

Tips

Profit
Usually means contribution profit: what is left from sales after product cost, shipping, payment fees, discounts, refunds and ads. Net profit also takes off fixed costs.

Lesson 16.3: A few priorities at a time, in short planning blocksGrow

In short

Working in short planning blocks stops you chasing everything at once.

Do this now

Step 1: Pick 1 or 2 priorities for the next six weeks.

Why this matters

Working in short planning blocks stops you chasing everything at once. One or two priorities with real time behind them beat ten half-done projects.

Step 1 of 30 of 3 done

Pick 1 or 2 priorities for the next six weeks.

Expected result

You have one or two written priorities.

Lesson 16.4: Interruption filterGrow

In short

Interruptions eat founder time.

Do this now

Step 1: When someone interrupts you, ask three things.

Why this matters

Interruptions eat founder time. Three quick questions decide what deserves your attention now.

Step 1 of 20 of 2 done

When someone interrupts you, ask three things. Can it be explained in one sentence? Am I the right person? Does it need doing now?

Expected result

You can answer the three questions in seconds.

Lesson 16.6: Conflict resolutionGrow

In short

Conflict handled well builds trust; avoided, it festers.

Do this now

Step 1: Name the issue clearly in one sentence, then listen fully without interrupting.

Why this matters

Conflict handled well builds trust; avoided, it festers. Three steps keep it about the issue, not the person.

Step 1 of 30 of 3 done

Name the issue clearly in one sentence, then listen fully without interrupting.

Expected result

Both sides feel heard.

Lesson 16.9: Capital and exit thinkingGrow

In short

There are five ways to fund growth, from reinvesting profit to selling shares.

Do this now

Step 1: List your ways to get money.

Why this matters

There are five ways to fund growth, from reinvesting profit to selling shares. Running the business as if a buyer will check it one day keeps every option open.

Step 1 of 20 of 2 done

List your ways to get money. Use your own profit, longer supplier terms or stock loans. Or revenue-based funding (you repay a share of sales), or selling shares (including crowdfunding).

Expected result

You know which options fit your stage.

Tips

Profit
Usually means contribution profit: what is left from sales after product cost, shipping, payment fees, discounts, refunds and ads. Net profit also takes off fixed costs.
Revenue
The money customers paid for orders. Helix uses net sales: after discounts and refunds, without GST or VAT. It is not what you keep.

Self-check

  1. What are the three interruption questions?
  2. How long is one priority cycle, and how many priorities does it hold?
Answers
  1. Can it be said in one sentence? Am I the right person? Does it need doing now?
  2. Six weeks, with one or two priorities.

Words to know in this module

KPI
Key performance indicator: one of the few numbers you watch to know if things are working.
Profit
Usually means contribution profit: what is left from sales after product cost, shipping, payment fees, discounts, refunds and ads. Net profit also takes off fixed costs.
Revenue
The money customers paid for orders. Helix uses net sales: after discounts and refunds, without GST or VAT. It is not what you keep.
All words to know