Managed Facility Solutions’ Post

🐾 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗘𝗧 𝗦𝗜𝗧𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗕𝗘𝗥𝗚: 𝗨𝗡𝗩𝗘𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗛𝗜𝗗𝗗𝗘𝗡 𝗗𝗘𝗣𝗧𝗛𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗨𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗬 🐾 As we celebrate the successes of our pet sitting ventures, it's vital to recognize that what the world often sees—the joyful faces of dogs and cats, and the visible signs of our accomplishments—barely scratches the surface of what our business truly entails. Today, let's dive beneath the surface and explore the hidden layers of the pet-sitting iceberg that contribute to our success. 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗧𝗜𝗣 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗕𝗘𝗥𝗚: 𝗦𝗨𝗖𝗖𝗘𝗦𝗦 Success in pet sitting is not just about having a list of clients or walking the most dogs. It's about creating a sustainable business that thrives on passion, commitment, and resilience. 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗬𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗦𝗘𝗘𝗦 🐶 𝗗𝗼𝗴𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝘀: The adorable pets we care for are the most visible aspect of our job. They're the face of our social media posts and the heart of what we do. 🏡 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀, 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗦𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀, 𝗗𝗼𝗴 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴: These are the services that define our business. They're tangible and measurable, and they're what people usually think of when they consider what we do. 𝗕𝗘𝗟𝗢𝗪 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗨𝗥𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗘: 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗘𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗣𝗘𝗧 𝗦𝗜𝗧𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 As any seasoned pet sitter knows, the bulk of what makes our business successful isn’t seen by the public. Here’s what often stays hidden: 👷 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗼𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀: The seamless service you see is powered by relentless hard work and efficient back-end logistics. 📈 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: Strategic marketing efforts and ongoing investments in tools, education, and business growth are crucial. ❌ 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲: Every mistake is a lesson learned, and discipline is our silent partner in every success. 🦸♀️ 𝗦𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲: Personal sacrifices are frequent, and it takes courage to push through challenging times. 😓 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗗𝗼𝘂𝗯𝘁, 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗲: Like in any venture, self-doubt and stress are common, and failures are stepping stones to better strategies. 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗛𝗜𝗗𝗗𝗘𝗡 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗚𝗧𝗛 It’s these unseen elements that forge our strength and resilience as business owners. They shape our services, refine our skills, and solidify our reputations. Understanding and embracing every layer of this iceberg is what builds a truly successful, sustainable pet sitting business. 🗣️ 𝗪𝗲’𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘆𝗼𝘂! What are some of the unseen challenges you’ve faced in your pet sitting journey? How have you overcome them? Share your experiences below to help illuminate the depth of our profession for others.

🌟 Ever wondered why some businesses are like meteors, dazzling yet brief, while others are like stars, constantly shining in the business galaxy? It’s all about crafting a business with tomorrow in mind, not just today! 👩💼 Let me share a story from my journey as a business transition coach. Meet Mae, once a high-flying corporate guru. A health scare nudged her to reassess her life’s priorities. Her love for her perfect pooch inspired a bold move – diving into the world of gorgeous doggy accessories! 🔍 Mae's leap wasn't just about following her heart; it was about intelligently crafting a business that could thrive, even in her absence. This meant building a self-sustaining enterprise, something most business owners fail to do well, which is why they end up with a job, not an asset. Here are 3 key strategies that enabled Mae to create a business that not only thrives but stands resiliently on its own four paws: 🚀𝐊𝐞𝐲 1: 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 Mae's vision wasn't just a pet store; she envisioned a brand that touched every dog-loving heart. She crafted a scalable plan, transforming her passion into a thriving business that woofed its way into homes nationwide. 🧩 𝐊𝐞𝐲 2: 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 In the corporate world, Sarah was a whiz at systems, and she brought this expertise to her new venture. We worked together to implement a Scorecarding System and the 7 Execution Habits into her rapidly growing business, to streamline the way she managed the day-to-day operations, engage her team, push accountability down into the business and build the business's capability. The result was that she was able to attract investors faster than a cat chasing a laser pointer. 🎨 𝐊𝐞𝐲 3: 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 Sarah’s brand wasn’t just about pet accessories; it was about celebrating the bond between pets and their humans. Her brand is a symbol of love, trust, and joy. That's the magic of branding – it's not just what you sell, but the tails you wag and the hearts you warm. 🐕🦺 So, fellow entrepreneurs and business owners, ready to turn your passion into a legacy? Click on the link in the first comment to chat about how to make your business dreams sit, stay, and fetch success. 🌟 #Businessgrowthstrategy #PassionToProfit #Businessgrowth #Scalingup

Creating a Community Gathering Place Through Your Passion: A Smart Business Run 🏃♀️ In today's fast-paced world, the allure of community and a sense of belonging can be a powerful draw. Businesses that manage to create a community gathering place around their product or service attract a loyal customer base and establish themselves as a cornerstone of their community. Passion is the driving force behind our actions, leading us to achieve things we never thought possible. This is how Shake Shack's Shack Track & Field came to be. It was born out of a passion for running and bringing people together, much like Shake Shack does. Businesses built on passion exude a contagious energy that draws people in. When you build a business around something you love, it becomes your unique selling point. Your customers can see your passion and dedication to your products or services, which fosters trust and loyalty. Shake Shack's Shack Track & Field has been running alongside their community for twelve years now, continuing to celebrate their shared passion for community and having fun. Creating a community gathering place through your passion helps you attract a loyal customer base and is a smart business move. A community-centered business will likely have a steady stream of customers, even in market volatility. Moreover, a passionate community often serves as a potent marketing tool—word-of-mouth referrals can significantly boost your business's visibility and credibility. Channel your passion into creating a gathering place for your community. Start small, focus on quality, and let your passion sweat through your products or services. Let your business be more than just a business; it is a beacon that attracts community members and fosters a sense of belonging. It's not just about making money; it's about making a difference in your community through your passion. Shake Shack Track and Field grew from my interest in blending my commitment to community, fitness, and teamwork. I ran—pun intended—with the simple idea of partnering with local run stores like Pacers Running, Philadelphia Runner, Charm City Run, HIGHLAND RUNNERS LLC, and Fleet Feet to hold monthly runs that were open to my team and the community. We always ended at Shake Shack. This initiative was straightforward yet focused, as it aimed to bring our restaurant team closer to the community. So, what are you waiting for? On your mark, get set, and go turn your passion into a smart business move today! #leadership #management #community Congratulations, Shake Shack, for keeping the "runners high" for twelve years strong 💪🏼!

Dream big. Think differently. Act with compassion. Your dreams are the blueprint for a future that hasn’t been built yet. To follow them, you must think outside the box—innovate, create, and challenge the norm. But never forget, success isn’t just about your journey; it's about lifting others along the way. Compassion drives true innovation because when we care, we create solutions that change lives. Dare to be bold, dare to dream, and most importantly, dare to be kind. That’s how the future is shaped. #DreamBig #InnovateWithHeart #Compassion #VOA #Timeshare #Entrepreneur #NeverGiveUp https://lnkd.in/gPqSSRFR

Dream big. Think differently. Act with compassion. Your dreams are the blueprint for a future that hasn’t been built yet. To follow them, you must think outside the box—innovate, create, and challenge the norm. But never forget, success isn’t just about your journey; it's about lifting others along the way. Compassion drives true innovation because when we care, we create solutions that change lives. Dare to be bold, dare to dream, and most importantly, dare to be kind. That’s how the future is shaped. #DreamBig #InnovateWithHeart #Compassion #VOA #Timeshare #Entrepreneur #NeverGiveUp Vacation Ownership Advisor https://lnkd.in/ghBa_5Fc

Have you ever heard of the Cobra Effect? These couple of weeks I found myself mentioning it multiple times to people around me. It's an intriguing and often humorous example of unintended consequences that holds valuable lessons for teams. The story dates back to British colonial rule in India. The British government, concerned about the growing number of venomous cobras in Delhi, introduced a bounty program: they would pay for every dead cobra brought in. At first, this seemed like a brilliant idea—people were motivated to kill cobras, and the population appeared to decline. But here's where things took a twist. Some enterprising individuals realized they could exploit the system by breeding cobras in secret and turning them in for the bounty. When the government eventually figured this out, they canceled the bounty program. As a result, the breeders, no longer able to profit, released their now-useless cobras into the wild. The cobra population soared to levels higher than before the program was introduced. This is the classic Cobra Effect—when an attempted solution to a problem makes the problem worse. So, how does this apply to teams? 🚨 Well-Intentioned Actions Can Lead to Unintended Consequences Sometimes the solutions we implement can backfire if we’re not careful. It’s easy to focus too much on one metric, goal, or feature and miss the bigger picture. Here are some key takeaways: ✅ Outcome Over Output: Velocity (or how much work we complete in an iteration) is often measured. But like the cobra bounty, teams may focus on closing tasks quickly rather than delivering quality or valuable outcomes. Ensure that the work we’re doing serves a purpose and solves real customer problems. ✅ Validate Assumptions Early and Often: The British government didn’t anticipate how their plan would be exploited, and we often make assumptions that might seem sound but could have unintended side effects. Frequent retrospectives and ongoing customer feedback help teams course-correct before small issues become bigger problems. ✅ Avoid Shortcuts to Success: When incentives aren’t aligned with the actual goals of the business, teams can fall into similar traps. Quick fixes and shortcuts might look like progress, but if they aren't delivering value, they’re no better than breeding cobras for a bounty. ✅ Be Mindful of the System as a Whole: Like the failed cobra bounty, organisation success requires thinking holistically. Instead of hyper-focusing on one piece (whether that’s speed, cost, or individual features), consider how every decision impacts the larger ecosystem of your product and team. 💡 The Cobra Effect reminds us that good intentions aren’t enough. Continuous learning, experimentation, and reflection are the keys to avoiding unintended consequences and delivering true value. Stay focused on outcomes, always ask "why," and remember to inspect and adapt at every turn.

I made so many notes I think I wrote another copy of the book I listened to. Last week I reached out to Nikki Gatenby because 1) I had just listened to her on Mike Landers fantastic B2B podcast, 2) she lives in my home town Brighton 3) and I wanted to hear more about her motor racing, swimming with Manta Rays and being charged by a bull elephant. I've just finished her first book: SuperEngaged, which explains how she helped build one of the best companies (Propellernet - B Corp) in the world to work for. And let me be very clear, that isn’t an overstatement. Their secret? Put people first. Their purpose: Make Life Better What does that mean? Make life better for their employees, their clients and their customers. Here are some proof points (the last one will blow your mind): - They ask their staff for feedback on everything - They ask their clients for feedback on everything - They listen intently and react to that feedback - Everyone’s voice is as valid as each others - 70% of employee time should be billable, the 30% should be spent meeting the company values - On top of a very generous holiday quota, they get 15(?) Propel Days to explore innovation in something for themselves and the company - They design a book cover for each employee and their values and proudly display it in reception - 5% of their profit goes to a fun well-being fund. The captain of that fund swaps every month. - Instead of keeping their profit in a bank, they invest it in property and offer the first refusal to staff who are struggling to get onto the property ladder - They recognised teams split up into fractions when companies gets too big. The tipping point is 150 people. But because Propellernet is a communication company, they lower the threshold to just 60 to ensure employees are super engaged with each other - There are many more examples but the cherry on top is their Dream Machine (this is right up your street Simon Squibb). I’m being serious. Every time they win a pitch or award they pull an employee's name out of the machine and make their dream come true. Some of the 300 hundred examples are: recording an album, helping the homeless in Brighton, going on safari, helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon, going to the World Cup Final in Rio, visit Japan in Cherry Blossom season, learning to deal with pain and live pain free, playing at set on the main stage at Glastonbury…  the list goes on. SuperEngaged is quite simply a beautiful case study of what can happen when a company invests heavily in the well-being of their staff and the positive impact this has on their profit. Here is a link to the book: https://lnkd.in/e_GAwHS8 (great to hear The Happy Startup School being mentioned in the book)

Sharing Top Dog and co-founder Caroline Palmer's post: Sometimes I just have to stop and pinch myself. Before me is a small flock of sheep contentedly munching on lush green grass. Birdsong. Insects buzzing. The breeze in the trees. The glorious aroma of fresh countryside air. And I have to remind myself that I’m ** at work ** - somewhat different to my former corporate workplaces! We’re all set up and awaiting the arrival of another team of corporate execs. What a contrast this will be from their normal working environment. No screens. No interruptions. Wellies and jeans. Moving about. Having fun. And learning. About themselves and their co-workers. Raising the Baa has been luring corporate teams away from their screens and on to sheep farms for 12+ years now. Including ops teams, legal teams, boards of directors, heads of departments, sales teams, even entire (small) businesses. Where will your next team awayday take place? Raising the Baa operates out of 20+ farms and meeting venues across England. And if we've not already established a partnership we'll find one to suit your needs. Comment below or send Caroline Palmer an invite to connect to start the creative juices flowing. Pssst! Exciting news on its way. Be the first to know once connected.

The true value of an event lies in the learnings you take away and the great working space provided. A big thank you to Forward Role Recruitment for hosting and also to Zac Donlon for the invite! 🙌✨ Apologies lack of good photos my phone died ! Manchester Founders and their teams are renowned for their willingness to support others in similar situations, and this night was no exception. The speakers at the "Start & Scale" event truly delivered with their insights, tips, and stories, sparking lots of new ideas. 💡🔥 🚀Key Takeaways: 💼 Sean Brown : His session on the lessons from the mad world of funding a scale-up was both authentic and insightful. I was overwhelmed with questions and self-reflection, but I've made a bold decision: “I WON’T be doing a Delaware flip”. My work with the public sector, police, and councils is too important in fulfilling my purpose of pet welfare and public safety. Refusing a US investor who wanted this was a tough decision, but I believe there are many great UK VCs who align with our values. A massive thanks to Neil Ruth 🦁 for giving me the clarity to make this decision without even realising it! 📈 Tanya Tran : Despite some tech issues, her words about exploring all the ways we can milk the cow and PisS FaR resonated deeply. She shared an excellent process for maximising the value of content and achieving a high close rate on leads generated. 🐄🔍 🚀 Ian Brookes FRSA : He provided amazing tips on scaling up and generously shared his experiences. I'll definitely be in touch to learn more about scaling! 📈📞 🎥 Golden Nugget: I met James Dann over nibbles, a film producer who's just been out in Romania filming about dogs and the lack of a centralised database. He couldn’t get over what Pet Trust Uk are doing right now, we couldn’t have synced any better—looking forward to a follow-up conversation! 🐕📹 It was great to see so many unfamiliar faces, and then I spotted Nicole Fearon, a permanent beacon of positivity and support. Great to hear about her new role! 🌟🤝 #ManchesterFounders #StartAndScale #BusinessGrowth #PetWelfare #PublicSafety #Innovation #Leadership  #VC #Inspiration #RaisingPreSeed

"This is the price, take it or leave it." I heard a very interesting anecdote recently whereby the principal of a small #stratamanagement company (and happily a smaller operator) turned down the opportunity to tender for a 160-lot property that they were an owner for. The reason for turning down the opportunity had nothing to do with keeping business and personal separate, but that an #ownerscorporation of that size did not fit their ideal clientele. 'We charge $500 a lot, that's the price, take it or leave it. We're good at what we choose to do and we're sustainable as a business.' There can be many sensible instances and reasons for having different pricing models or price points for different category of client. However, from a per lot perspective, once we are talking apples-for-apples the price point realistically should only minimally vary until the factor of scale becomes significant. Its not unreasonable that the total work load comparing 25 lots to 50 lots doubles. There's only one #committee at each, granted. But there's twice as many contributors to the needs of the property, twice as much property to repair, maintain and refurbishment. It takes twice as much dedicated resourcing to do this. What does mean? It takes up twice as much of the #stratamanager 's portfolio. If a discount is applied to the per lot price, say, from $450 total down to $400 total, now the manager is being asked to do twice as much work, for ballpark 10% less revenue. Let's apply that across the board to a portfolio and it's not hard to see that the business has gone from being sustainable and delivering high quality service with a viable profit margin, to maybe being unsustainable. What does "unsustainable" translate to? It means lost jobs in the sector, it means burned out employees who are otherwise experts in their field but were squeezed beyond breaking point because the committee as the customer incorrectly saw price as the dominant factor in managing their asset and the asset of those they are responsible for (all non-committee owners). Australia is the source of #strata. We are travelling full-steam ahead towards half the population living in strata, and it won't stop there. Retaining a quality professional to manage your #ownerscorporation or #bodycorporate will matter VERY much, and much sooner than most realise. The price of quality service matters more than the true cost of a cheap operator.