FROM THE BACKSTAGE

Practical notes for the work behind the work.

Practical notes for the work behind the work.

Practical notes for the work behind the work.

Operations, systems, leadership, and the decisions that help good work scale without losing its way.

Operations, systems, leadership, and the decisions that help good work scale without losing its way.

Staff

· KARA BARNES

6 min read

Hiring for the Long Haul: Rock Stars vs. Superstars

Hiring for the Long Haul: Rock Stars vs. Superstars

One of the biggest hurdles growing companies face isn't just "finding help"—it's finding the right kind of help for the seat that's currently on fire. When we talk about operations and…

Staff

· KARA BARNES

4 min read

Build a Stronger Backstage by Investing in Your 2nd-in-Command

Build a Stronger Backstage by Investing in Your 2nd-in-Command

You started a business, you scaled it, and you've hired a strong 2nd-in-command (2iC). Everything is running at its absolute highest level now, and you've never been happier…right?

Strategy

· KARA BARNES

3 min read

How to Run a Same-Page Meeting: Sync Up or Seek Help

How to Run a Same-Page Meeting: Sync Up or Seek Help

Most leadership breakdowns aren't dramatic. Nobody storms out. Nobody sends the blow-up email. It's quieter than that — a founder and their second-in-command drift a few degrees out of…

Software

· KARA BARNES

8 min read

Implementing Asana: Getting It Right…The First Time

Implementing Asana: Getting It Right…The First Time

Implementing Asana (or ClickUp, or Trello, or any project management tool) can feel like the ultimate fix for business inefficiencies. Just plug in your workflows, set up automation, and…

Systems

· KARA BARNES

8 min read

Overcoming Communication Gaps…Because Your Ops Can't Thrive Without It

Overcoming Communication Gaps…Because Your Ops Can't Thrive Without It

For many founders, communication is a core strength—until it isn't. You might be excellent at pitching a room of investors, or painting a compelling vision for a prospective client with…

Systems

· KARA BARNES

3 min read

Workflows That Work…But Like Really Though

Workflows That Work…But Like Really Though

As a leader, you want to drive success and support your team. But when every decision, approval, or process constantly funnels through you, it creates delays, frustration, and…

Strategy

· KARA BARNES

3 min read

Harnessing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Growth

Harnessing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Growth

Most growing companies operate without a real measurement system, running instead on gut feel. That works fine until it doesn't — until you can't tell what's actually driving results, or…

Software

· KARA BARNES

4 min read

From Messy to Organized

From Messy to Organized

Ever feel like your business is a bit like Central Perk on a particularly chaotic day? You're not alone. Plenty of founders are on the perpetual search for their own version of Monica's…

Staff

· KARA BARNES

3 min read

Templates for When Everyone Wants a Piece of Your Time

Templates for When Everyone Wants a Piece of Your Time

The bigger you get, the more people want a piece of you. Vendors pitching "just 15 minutes." Other founders wanting to "pick your brain." Board members with a tangential ask that somehow…

Staff

· KARA BARNES

5 min read

Are the Vibes Off With Your 2nd-in-Command? 3 Steps to Realign Your Team

Are the Vibes Off With Your 2nd-in-Command? 3 Steps to Realign Your Team

Not-so-fun fact about running a business: Sometimes you can put in hours and hours into a working relationship, put it all on the line…and it still blows up. It happens to the best of…

Staff

· KARA BARNES

3 min read

What's It Like to Work With a Fractional Leader?

What's It Like to Work With a Fractional Leader?

Picture Lisa, the founder of a fast-growing services company. Somewhere along the way, she found herself buried in administrative work that had nothing to do with why she started the…