Ep 347 | New Coaching Model

• Rydel is overhauling its coaching model from a siloed, meeting-heavy structure to a single-coach model, freeing up franchisee time and focusing support on their weakest areas.

• The new model combines generalist coaches with on-demand Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) for deep expertise, using a "traffic light" KPI dashboard to quickly identify problem areas.

• The CEO's recent meeting demonstrated a powerful moderation technique: enforcing a strict agenda and no-slides rule to cut meeting time by ~50% while increasing critical discussion.

• A debate on franchising vs. corporate-owned growth highlighted the trade-off between rapid expansion (franchising) and higher profit margins (corporate), with the key differentiator being the owner-operator's long-term commitment.

• Austin owns two of Rydel's eight strategic initiatives:

  1. File Drive Cleanup:

     • Problem: An informal Google Drive system with incorrect permissions and redundant documents became unmanageable for the 80-person team.

     • Solution: Migrate all files to a new "Shared File Library" with G Suite-managed permission groups, creating a single source of truth and a virtual ops manual.

  2. Coaching Team Development:

     • Problem: The previous model of specialized coaches (sales, production, business) led to redundant meetings for high-performing franchisees and failed to focus support where it was most needed.

     • Solution: Implement a new model with a single, generalist coach per franchisee, supported by a pool of on-demand SMEs for deep expertise.

• Old Model:

  • Specialized coaches (sales, production, business) met with franchisees on a fixed schedule (e.g., 7 meetings/month).

  • This created redundancy for high-performers and didn't focus support on a franchisee's weakest areas.

• New Model:

  • One generalist coach per franchisee.

  • Coaches are cross-trained on all business pillars (sales, production, finance) for "whole thinking."

  • Coaches use a "traffic light" KPI dashboard to quickly identify red/yellow areas and prioritize support.

  • For deep expertise, coaches can deploy on-demand SMEs (e.g., a production manager) to provide targeted, hands-on help.

• John's Question: Why franchise, given the heavy support infrastructure, instead of growing with corporate-owned stores?

• Austin's Rationale:

  • Faster Growth: Franchising enables more rapid location expansion.

  • Owner-Operator Commitment: Franchisees have significant sunk costs (financing, 5-year minimum term), creating a stronger, longer-term commitment than an employee.

  • Entrepreneurial Profile: The model attracts owner-operators, not managers, who are willing to take on risk for greater reward.

• The CEO's meeting demonstrated a highly effective moderation technique:

  • Strict Agenda & No Slides: Enforced a firm end time and banned slide decks, forcing concise, critical discussion.

  • Efficient Moderation: Guided the conversation to stay on-topic, cutting meeting time by ~50% while increasing productivity.

  • Unique Ability: The skill to listen for what matters and remove signal from noise.

• Project Management: A Udemy course on project management.

• Hiring: Who by Geoff Smart.

• Integrity: A shared document defining integrity as:

  1. Keeping your word.

  2. Notifying all parties if you cannot keep your word.

  3. Cleaning up any resulting mess.