Gwen Bortner is a business advisor who provides outside perspective and unwavering accountability. She’s also the one to ask the hard questions others won't. After four decades of working across 47+ industries, Gwen has learned that marketing and sales have built-in feedback loops — you know quickly if they're working. But the behind-the-scenes engine that runs your business? That's where the blind spots live. That's where successful businesses secretly start breaking down, even when everything looks fine from the outside. Gwen's monthly newsletter provides tips to help you identify bottlenecks others miss so you can build a business that performs well without consuming your life.
[Weekly Question] This one might make you cringe
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Reader — This week’s question is one I find myself asking people with a team: are you sure you have the right person in the right place? The truth is, good people and the right fit are not necessarily the same thing. As our businesses transform over time, roles change along with the associated skills and behaviors. Has loyalty led you to keep working with good people who are no longer a right fit for the job/role they are filling? Who would you hire if you were filling each position for the first time today? Think about it – and let me know what comes up. I’d love to hear from you (and give you some personalized feedback!) Speak soon, Gwen |
Gwen Bortner | Everyday Effectiveness
Gwen Bortner is a business advisor who provides outside perspective and unwavering accountability. She’s also the one to ask the hard questions others won't. After four decades of working across 47+ industries, Gwen has learned that marketing and sales have built-in feedback loops — you know quickly if they're working. But the behind-the-scenes engine that runs your business? That's where the blind spots live. That's where successful businesses secretly start breaking down, even when everything looks fine from the outside. Gwen's monthly newsletter provides tips to help you identify bottlenecks others miss so you can build a business that performs well without consuming your life.
Reader — As we head into the final stretch of the year, I want to pause and simply say thank you. Thank you for opening these emails each month. Thank you for replying — we really do read every single one. Thank you for listening to the podcast, showing up to our events, sharing the episodes, and telling your friends about the work we do here. Every time you engage with something Tonya or I create, it reminds us why we do this. Your trust and attention are gifts we don’t take lightly. Back to...
Reader — Sometimes our business grows in directions we didn't intend. What aspect of your current business model exists more by accident than by design? Is it serving your long-term vision? I’d love to hear what comes up for you, so let me know! I read and respond to every email personally. Speak soon, Gwen
Reader — Business owners often confuse being busy with being productive. What's one activity you regularly engage in that feels productive, but might actually be a sneaky form of procrastination? I’d love to hear what comes up for you, so let me know! I read and respond to every email personally. Speak soon, Gwen