— Guides · 42 playbooks

Practical playbooks. Field-tested tactics.

Seven categories. 42 hard-won playbooks. Everything we wish someone had handed us when we were starting out — practical, opinionated, straight to what works.

Section 01· 6 guides

Marketing

Build your brand and reach more customers — websites, ads, social, and SEO.

— TL;DR
Most local businesses spend on the wrong channel first. Get the order right: website → local SEO → reviews → paid → social.
Website Design & DevelopmentGuide · Marketing→Branding & Visual IdentityGuide · Marketing→Advertising & Paid MediaGuide · Marketing→Social Media MarketingGuide · Marketing→Email Marketing FundamentalsGuide · Marketing→Local SEO StrategyGuide · Marketing→
All marketing guides→
Section 03· 6 guides

Employees

Hire, onboard, manage, and retain great team members — the steps that actually matter.

— TL;DR
Your first hire is the most important — get the role, comp, and onboarding right and the next ten get easier.
Hiring Your First EmployeeGuide · Employees→Employee Onboarding ProcessGuide · Employees→Payroll & Benefits SetupGuide · Employees→Performance ManagementGuide · Employees→Creating an Employee HandbookGuide · Employees→Remote Work PoliciesGuide · Employees→
All employees guides→
Section 04· 6 guides

Technology

Pick software that earns its monthly fee — CRMs, automation, security, and the tools that compound.

— TL;DR
Buy 5 great tools, not 25 mediocre ones. Every subscription should either save hours or directly produce revenue.
Software for Local BusinessesGuide · Technology→CRM & Customer ManagementGuide · Technology→Project Management ToolsGuide · Technology→Cloud Storage & BackupGuide · Technology→Cybersecurity BasicsGuide · Technology→Automation & EfficiencyGuide · Technology→
All technology guides→
Section 05· 6 guides

Company Culture

Build a workplace people stay at — values, communication, and the rituals that hold a team together.

— TL;DR
Culture is what happens when no one is watching. Define values you actually live, recognize good work in public, fix problems in private.
Defining Your Company ValuesGuide · Company Culture→Building Team CommunicationGuide · Company Culture→Recognition & Rewards ProgramsGuide · Company Culture→Work-Life Balance StrategiesGuide · Company Culture→Diversity & InclusionGuide · Company Culture→Company Events & Team BuildingGuide · Company Culture→
All company culture guides→
Section 06· 6 guides

Finance

Money, pricing, and planning — the inputs that make or break your second year in business.

— TL;DR
Most local businesses underprice and over-spend. Price for the value, not the hour. Know your cash position weekly, not monthly.
Business Banking SetupGuide · Finance→Pricing Your ServicesGuide · Finance→Cash Flow ManagementGuide · Finance→Understanding Financial StatementsGuide · Finance→Getting Business LoansGuide · Finance→Bookkeeping BasicsGuide · Finance→
All finance guides→
Section 07· 6 guides

Operations

Daily operations, SOPs, scheduling, and the systems that let your business run without you.

— TL;DR
If only you can do it, you do not have a business — you have a job. Document, delegate, and inspect what you expect.
Creating Standard Operating ProceduresGuide · Operations→Scheduling & Time ManagementGuide · Operations→Vendor & Supplier RelationshipsGuide · Operations→Quality Control SystemsGuide · Operations→Customer Service ExcellenceGuide · Operations→Inventory ManagementGuide · Operations→
All operations guides→
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