Small business owners I admire, each answering the same few questions in their own words.
Sometimes what gets you started is not a plan. It is one person who hands you a small first piece of work.
For me, that person was Rachel Flood of Alignment Ops. I had been very resistant to starting my own business, and then Rachel gave me my first small contract. It felt like a sign from the universe that I needed to stop second-guessing myself and take the leap.
Rachel is an operations consultant and enterprise architect with over 20 years of experience in for-profit and non-profit settings, and she describes herself as an adept systems thinker and digital strategist.
What I value most is that she embodies the values she represents. She is the first person who has ever told me, “No, that rate isn’t enough. I’ll pay you more.” Her ethics run deep, and I love that she is open to experimenting with new tech and new ways of doing things.
If you have ever wondered what cybersecurity means for a business your size, that is what we dug into together. We have done a deep dive into how it affects small businesses or nonprofits as it becomes a bigger part of running one, and when the time is right, we hope to share that work, possibly as a workshop for small business owners and nonprofits. Rachel also has big ideas about how we can shape the future, particularly around data sovereignty in the age of data surveillance and privacy concerns.
Let’s learn a little more about Rachel.
What's the most "you" thing about how you run your business, something only you would do quite this way?
There are a couple of key ways I like to do business that are pretty unique to me. First, I like to focus my energy on working with social mission organizations. I will always choose to work with an agency that has a smaller budget and is working to make the world a better place over a higher-priced opportunity with a business solely focused on profit. It's a way I can do what I love to do, while also changing the world for the better.
Second, I refuse to work with anyone who is harsh and/or unreasonable while saying, "It's just business, don't take it personally." Funnily enough I am in fact a person and the work I do is just my busy-ness. So, I will always move to cut ties as soon as I see evidence of this type of behaviour in the people I work with.
What's a tool, habit, or ritual that has nothing to do with "business" but is essential to how you run yours?
Alignment Ops has two mantras that are essential for navigating the difficult journey of digital transformation for our clients.
All Software Sucks (aka ASS)!
After over 20 years in the game we have learned that no matter what software you choose, once you start using it, you will discover all the various ways that particular software sucks. BUT!...all software sucks so that doesn't mean that you should immediately jump ship. The other platform you considered will also suck! Probably in different ways, but it will still suck. We have a decision making process that helps us to know that we made the best choice possible, so we just yell ASS! And find a way around the problem.
There is always a dark night of the soul
This relates to the first one, but there will always be a dark night of the soul during an implementation. All of the ways that the software you are rolling out sucks will make you question all of your life choices. Including the choice to rollout this @#$%ing software. This is normal and part of the deal. We just name it as the hard part and get back to building the best thing possible with what we have access to.
What's a compliment or piece of feedback you got that you still think about to this day?
A colleague once told me that instead of being annoyed when people don't see or do things the way I do, I should see it as my niche. And now I have a business that helps people see and do things how I do!
What does your business give back to the people or place around it, beyond what people pay for?
Capacity development is an essential part of any successful digital transformation. When teams work with us they will gain skills and know-how that will benefit them for years to come. Whether they stay with that organization or move on.
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Alignment Ops leads digital transformations that fit your culture and further your mission. We believe that technology should make your work easier, not add to your load. We start with your people and how they work today, then build a plan that moves at a pace your team can manage. Learn more here.
