First up, I had the pleasure of speaking with Susie Romans specifically about one of her uber-successful online programs that’s helping 1,000’s of people each day. Susie is killing it online! Going from working in the corporate world, to running a very successful blog, to being an accomplished entrepreneur in less than two years; Susie truly is an inspiration to women online.

She is an Online Business Coach at SusieRomans.com. She helps women build 6 figure businesses and inspires them to live full, fabulous lives with an online income.

Susie started her program, Sweet Freedom Academy  (just one of her many successful products) about 1 year ago and quickly grew it into a $100k revenue course. The Sweet Freedom Academy is a place for someone who has an expertise or skill-set that they are using to build an online business.  It’s really a “all in one” course. The program is a 1 year membership, which gives you access to all content (which is updated regularly). It’s unique in that it can help people in every aspect/level of business. You sign up, get a username and password to access the site and you’re in! You then have unlimited access to 100’s of videos, audios, PDF’s, and multi-tiered training modules.

Susie also uses a product called “To-doist” for Project Management. It is a Gmail plugin is mainly used for task tracking. Susie is also a huge fan of utilizing Google Apps (drive, spreadsheets, shared folders, etc). “It’s just so convenient and on all of my devices”, Susie shares.

When asked to describe her team dynamic, Susie explained that she has a weekly Monday morning conversation with her Online Business Manager to talk about every moving piece of each project, any technical things that she needs to handle, and what needs to be done from that CEO position. They also check in on Thursday afternoons to tie up any loose ends for the week. Susie’s Graphic Designer is on a retainer and creates images and items as needed. They utilize Google docs to provide all details, requests, content, and deadlines. They also share proofs and finished product that way as well. As for her Customer Service Assistant, she has a document outlining all “potential situations” and how to handle each. That way she knows in advance exactly how Susie wants things to be handled or responded to. This helps provide prompt response to Susie’s clients and all inquiries.  They check in on Skype as needed.

What does Susie look for in a team member? #1-Communication! Any team member must have excellent and prompt communication skills. Susie also wants her team to be fueled by creative thinkers. She looks for someone who brings ideas to the table and contributes. Another key component for Susie is professionalism. She noted that she looks for someone who presents a polished product. Someone who takes their work seriously and takes pride in what they do! Proof that Susie’s approach to running an online empire works?  She only works 4 hours each day and is still running a successful 6 figure business. Susie schedules her days so she still has time to enjoy her life and her family, all while running her business.

Sean Whalen is paving his own unique path in the online world.  Sean left his successful real estate business after over 10 years, to focus solely on building his 6 figure online empire. Sean’s business, Lions Not Sheep, is a virtual coaching business and brand.

Lions Not Sheep is a multi-layer operation. Sean runs an online, private coaching group with over 200 members and offers exclusive one on one lifestyle and business coaching programs for select clients.

In addition, he runs a super intense, 3 day live event each month and started a Revolution speaking tour across the country earlier this year! They also sell a ton of awesome apparel and gear on their website. Sean teaches the lessons of what he calls, “The Core 4”. Which is Body, Being(mind), Balance (relationships), and Business. In his online group (which is for both men and women) he has a live call going into detail on a different branch of the Core 4 each week. The live events monthly are for men only who are looking to truly expand and transform their lives. This live experience is a 3 day, super intensive event is on location in Utah where he changes the mental capacity of the modern man.  He teaches these men to dominate and level up in all areas of the Core 4.

Sean operates his business with a team of 4. He has a partner who handles the implementation, back-end, and fulfillment of the day to day tasks of the business. Sean has a full time assistant on staff who handles any clerical, support, and random tasks as needed.  He also has a video-grapher and photographer.

Lions Not Sheep uses Infusionsoft and Click Funnels as the main software to run the processes and procedures of the business. Sean raves about the robust capabilities of Infusionsoft and how great it has been for the organization of this business. When asking Sean what processes he has in place within the business to make his ideas come to life, he said “I kind of back into it” Sean went on to explain that when he gets an idea, he jumps right in and starts. He makes sure to gives specific details and the back end is build around that as needed. Then him and his partner will break it down after and discuss 30-60-90 day goals/projections.

Proof that Sean’s leadership works for his empire at Lions Not Sheep? Sean recently shared a stage with Gary Vaynerchuk and many other amazing online marketing entrepreneurs at an event in London. Sean credits this amazing opportunity to complete consistency in adding value to the marketplace every single day, no matter what. His extreme focus on constantly adding value is what made this happen for him!

     Creatives, listen up! Sean’s interview is a perfect example that with the right support staff, you can run a successful business and not lose sight of your mission. Sean is able to add value constantly and feed his tribe with so much content because he has the team dynamic in place to allow him to create that content, all while being confident that the back end is being handled. That’s what happens when you have the right virtual staff in place for your team. Adding a Project Manager to your team can really help keep things in alignment so you can focus on creating and growing your biz! Book a FREE call here and we can talk about how a P.M. can fit into your world! 

Kat leads a team of 9 professionals. She has two Assistants who work together to handle her membership site, technical issues, all clerical tasks, banking, and all day to day administrative responsibilities. She also has an Advertising Expert who manages all of her ads and promotions. An Assistant whose sole responsibility is to manage Kat’s 47 published books, as well as a part time Assistant who handles any overflow and/or extra tasks as needed. Kat’s public appearances require quite a bit of travel so she has one employee who only manages all of her travel, appearances and high end events. The other 3 members of her team are a Publicist, her Mentors, and a Project Manager to maintain the flow and oversee everything.

When asked what software she uses to manage her team, Kat replied “I don’t like any of them. They don’t work for the way I do business.”  Kat is a self proclaimed Diva in her business and wants things done exactly how she wants them’ therefore she uses email thread only to manage and track everything. With the extremely fast pace that Kat moves, this process works best for her. This is definitely something that sets Kat apart from most 7-figure business owners, but is also a great testament to how with proper communication and leadership, you can successfully build an empire with whatever process or program you choose.

Kat does have operating procedures in place for her team. Her Project Manager handles the implementation of the procedures and ensures that they are all happening and being followed as needed.  Example; Her daily blog post or video is to be dispersed in numerous places and there is a procedure/checklist in place to ensure that no steps are missed.   What does Kat Loterzo look for in a team?     “Fast paced, enjoys chaos, and can pick it up as you go. Ready to jump right in!” When Kat’s looking to add someone onto her staff, she uses a Facebook post and paints a very specific picture of an insane work environment, creating the idea of how high maintenance the job will be at times. She does this on purpose to give a blunt reality so people know what to expect from working for Kat.

Kat also gives extremely specific instructions on how to apply (headline, font, size, details needed) and if the applicant does not hit every single detail, their application gets deleted without consideration.   Kat and I touched base a little on the dynamic she likes to have on her team as well. She wants a fast paced, self starter, who enjoys what they do. Kat said that she doesn’t sweat the small stuff, is a very understanding leader, and is compassionate with her staff, as long as the communication Is there. Kat values communication, honesty, and hard work in her team.

An example of how Kat’s team leadership WORKS: “Last week I was in the airport and got an idea.. I brainstormed it, sent over to my team and they had everything ready to launch in hours” Now THAT is impressive!

Riley Dayne is an owner of a business named Map Makers Studio. They recently produced a groundbreaking documentary called, The Abundance Factor Movie.  The Abundance Factor takes you on a journey of amazing abundance secrets for modern prosperity from some of the most influential and well respected teachers on the planet today. Map Makers Studio makes movies for people who wish to “make the map”, not just follow along. They produce positive content to influence the world in a big way.

The team behind Map Makers Studio is made up of four individuals.  Riley, who is the Creative source and Project Manager. Paul is the Producer and Investor, and Troy handles all of the technical, behind the scenes building of the business. Troy also has a Virtual Assistant who works with him directly on the admin and tech support needs. The software that helps make all of this possible is InfusionSoft. Map Makers uses this robust system to run the entire business. InfusionSoft tracks their movie views, all email sign ups, all purchases, provides username and passwords to members, and all funnels needed to make it all work and flow smoothly.

The team dynamic at Map Makers Studio is really well designed. The three teammates are all equal partners, each with very different agendas. Riley is creative and comes up with the ideas for the movies/projects. Paul is the investor and the one who looks at a project to see if it’s realistic to create, weights ROI’s, budgets, etc. Lastly, Troy is the one that makes it all happen on the tech end and in a logical stance.   As Riley so perfectly described, “Three captains of a ship, all heading in three totally different directions, but at the end of the day we all come together for a common goal and it works”

What does this dynamic team look for when hiring a new staff member? First off, the obvious thing, as Riley described is someone who is qualified and has a track record to prove it. But the biggest and most important thing for him is to find someone who shares his mission. Someone who is like minded in goals and on board with the same vision. As Riley pointed out, “You are an average of those who you spend the most time with, that includes your team in business”

Riley accounts the success of The Abundance Factor movie to the balance of their team. It shows that they are on the right track and things are flowing as they should. It’s a balance of all three team members work and ideas to create a quality movie, share it with a large audience, and make a great impact.

Bryce Prescott is an Online Entrepreneur, Host, & Executive Producer of the podcast, Rules of Success.  Rules of Success has been live for approximately two years and just recorded it’s 120th episode. On the podcast, Bryce discusses living a balanced and successful life by focusing on health, relationships, business, and being as areas to target in your life. Rules of Success also has many guests in the form of big influencers of all kinds .He also works with clients one on one with lifestyle coaching. Rules of Success is ran and produced by Bryce himself. He has a Web Developer for building coding and evolved web tasks and a Virtual Assistant to handle customizing, research, and administrative work as needed. Bryce also uses freelancers as needed for one-off tasks or projects.

Bryce has a toolbox of various programs he relies on to help keep things rolling smoothly for his podcast and coaching business. Logicpro10 is the main tool used for the podcast production and editing. He also uses software like meetedgar.com for social media sharing, wordpress for hosting, and Skype for interviewing and communication, just to name a few. Bryce explained that he has a specific process in place for producing and publishing an episode of the podcast. This process is made up of check lists and a strict schedule. The process allows him to ensure that there are two episodes released each week as promised.

     I’d say that Bryce provides a perfect example of how being authentic and clear in your business can attract the exact people and audience you are looking for. People can see right through the bullshit and if you are to really truly stand out and be successful, than you must be authentic and own your expertise. 

When asked what he looks for in a team member, Bryce explained that his trick to finding quality employees is being very, very clear on his expectations up front. That way he can avoid any confusion or miscommunication. The most important thing to him is that all team members are extremely timely with their responses and things are handled according to his detailed instructions.

As shown in different ways throughout this article, building a virtual team you can count on to run your business your way is a key component to running a successful online business. These are just 5 out of many entrepreneurs who are truly utilizing virtual teams to build impressive empires online, and these empires aren’t going anywhere!  I can guarantee that you will continue to see a major increase in virtual staffing throughout all types of business over the next few years. Another key component to a successful online business is having a Project Manager to manage it all for you. The truth is, in order for your business to truly thrive, you need to pull back from the day to day management activities and focus on growth. That’s the difference between businesses that sky-rocket and those that stay stagnant. Most business owners look to hire a Project Manager when they simply cannot grow their business anymore being the only one in charge or they are looking to get the best quality work and efficiency out of their current team.  Having a Project Manager on staff frees up the business owner so that you can focus your time and energy on the things that ONLY YOU can do in your business.