302. How Kim Howard Used Strategic Mapping™ to Go From Operator to Strategic Consultant

Welcome back to another episode of The Ops Authority Podcast! I have Kimberly Howard on the show today. Kimberly is a Certified Director Of Operations and she is sharing her journey from educator to DOO. Our conversation highlights her action-oriented approach throughout the certification and beyond, and her belief in her abilities. She also shares more about the Strategic Mapping Model™, explaining its huge impact on her business and clients and how it truly helped her achieve success through practical and tactical planning. Tune in to hear Kim's story! For full show notes, check out www.TheOpsAuthority.com/podcast/302 Stay Connected: Join the Ops Insiders FREE Facebook community! Other Ways to Connect with Me: Facebook Page Instagram

Have you heard us talk about the Strategic Mapping Model™, but are unsure of what it entails, and how it can be a valuable asset in your Director of Operations (DOO) business? Today we are talking about the Strategic Mapping Model™, which is the licensed material that we teach in the very first module of the DOO certification program. We have had students join us just to learn this information because it is such an incredible tool. For full show notes, check out www.TheOpsAuthority.com/podcast/301 Stay Connected: Join the Ops Insiders FREE Facebook community! Other Ways to Connect with Me: Facebook Page Instagram

Have you heard us talk about the Strategic Mapping Model™, but are unsure of what it entails, and how it can be a valuable asset in your Director of Operations (DOO) business? Today we are talking about the Strategic Mapping Model™, which is the licensed material that we teach in the very first module of the DOO certification program. For full show notes, check out www.TheOpsAuthority.com/podcast/301-reair-episode-152-3-ways-to-use-strategic-mapping-to-land-higher-quality-clients Stay Connected: Join the Ops Insiders FREE Facebook community! Other Ways to Connect with Me: Facebook Page Instagram

What happens when you gather the most common, most challenging questions from our Director of Operations community and answer them live, without a script? Pure gold. In this Ops Edition of The Ops Authority Podcast, I'm joined once again by Lynette Robinson to tackle three real-world scenarios that every operator faces: how to clearly communicate what you do, how to build local connections that convert, and whether to niche down or stay broad as a new business owner. If you've struggled with messaging, meetups & momentum, this episode will give you the clarity and confidence to move forward strategically. For full show notes, check out  www.TheOpsAuthority.com/podcast/300Natalie Gingrich Connect with Lynette Website: www.lighterlivingvirtualsolutions.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/lighterlivingvirtualsolutions Instagram: www.instagram.com/_lynettedrobinson Stay Connected: Join the Ops Insiders FREE Facebook community! Other Ways to Connect with Me: Facebook Page Instagram  

What happens when a former COO of a top 10 mega real estate team takes everything she learned the hard way and turns it into a business built to help others avoid the same chaos? That is exactly the story Lauren Duke, founder of CoreOps Collective, is here to share. In this episode, we are going deep into the operational business foundations that real estate agents desperately need but rarely have, and Lauren is breaking down her proven framework for replacing survival mode with real structure. If you are an operator looking for a behind-the-scenes look at a niche industry, or a real estate professional wondering why everything feels so scattered, this conversation is for you. Connect with Lauren: Website: http://www.coreopscollective.com Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/coreopscollective Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/coreopscollective For full show notes, check out  www.TheOpsAuthority.com/podcast/299Natalie Gingrich Stay Connected: Join the Ops Insiders FREE Facebook community! Other Ways to Connect with Me: Facebook Page Instagram  

Events are more than just experiences; they're pressure cookers where every operational decision converges at once. In this episode of The Ops Authority Podcast, I'm joined by event producer Shay Wheat to explore the operations behind live events that most people never see. From reverse engineering strategy to leveraging AI, Shay shares the systems that support high-stakes events without burning out the operators holding them together. Whether you're managing your first summit or producing your fiftieth conference, this episode will transform how you think about event operations. For full show notes, check out  www.TheOpsAuthority.com/podcast/298Natalie Gingrich Stay Connected: Join the Ops Insiders FREE Facebook community! Other Ways to Connect with Me: Facebook Page Instagram  

Welcome to a brand-new three-part series on The Ops Authority Podcast, where we go behind the scenes with operators from industries that look completely different on the surface but share the same heartbeat: strong operations. In this first episode, I'm sitting down with Thais Saenz, Founder of Saenz Global, to explore the world of roofing contractors. From managing chaotic job sites to leveraging AI for world-class delivery, Thais is proving that operations isn't just about keeping things running. It's about building businesses that scale, teams that thrive, and clients who trust you. Whether you're supporting trades, running your own business, or simply curious about what makes companies work, this conversation will show you how strong operations create stability and success in any industry. For full show notes, check out  www.TheOpsAuthority.com/podcast/297 Stay Connected: Join the Ops Insiders FREE Facebook community! Other Ways to Connect with Me: Facebook Page Instagram

Have you ever felt like you were throwing spaghetti at the wall with your business, despite having years of experience? In this student spotlight episode of The Ops Authority Podcast, I'm joined by Carol Burgard, a graduate of our 27th Director of Operations Certification round. Carol shares her journey from feeling scattered and uncertain to building a confident, structured mentorship business grounded in strategic operations leadership. Whether you've been operating behind the scenes without the right language to own your role, or you're wondering if investing in yourself is worth it, this episode will show you what's possible when you trust the process and lean into intentional growth. For full show notes, check out www.TheOpsAuthority.com/podcast/296 Stay Connected: Join the Ops Insiders FREE Facebook community! Other Ways to Connect with Me: Facebook Page Instagram

For the past several years, I have been honored to gather together some amazing peers whose big hearts for service are unmatched. We come together to do a State of the Union address. This always gives me the awesome opportunity to gather bigger perspectives, and when we come together, there is always massive learning, growth, and innovation. In this second part, we're looking ahead to 2026 and discussing the exciting opportunities and trends for service providers. We're exploring how the role of service providers is evolving, what business owners will expect from their support partners, and the strategies you need to consistently attract aligned, "high-quality" clients. We're sharing insights on leveraging your existing strengths, building thought leadership, creating strategic partnerships, and standing out through case studies and AI optimization. From understanding the emotional support clients need to mastering your financials, these actionable strategies will help you position yourself for sustainable growth and success in 2026. For full show notes, check out www.TheOpsAuthority.com/podcast/295 Stay Connected: Join the Ops Insiders FREE Facebook community! Other Ways to Connect with Me: Facebook Page Instagram

For the past several years, I have been honored to gather together some amazing peers whose big hearts for service are unmatched. We come together to do a State of the Union address. This always gives me the awesome opportunity to gather bigger perspectives, and when we come together there is always massive learning, growth, and innovation. This year, we're reflecting on 2025 and discussing the most significant shifts service providers experienced, what separated those who succeeded from those who struggled, and how AI and automation impacted the industry. We're exploring innovations in offers, positioning, and client experience that made the difference this year. In this powerful conversation, we're addressing the emotional labor that became part of the job, the importance of self-belief and mindset, and the critical role of messaging and positioning. From thought leadership to strategic mapping, these insights will help you understand what worked in 2025 and prepare you for the opportunities ahead in 2026. For full show notes, check out www.TheOpsAuthority.com/podcast/294 Stay Connected: Join the Ops Insiders FREE Facebook community! Other Ways to Connect with Me: Facebook Page Instagram