The Scaling Dilemma
If you’re like most service providers, you’re caught in a familiar trap: You need to create time to build a scalable offer, but your calendar is packed with client work that pays the bills. It’s the classic chicken-and-egg problem of scaling a service business.
The good news? You don’t need to choose between serving clients and scaling your business. What you need is a strategic approach to creating time to build a scalable offer while maintaining (or even increasing) your current revenue.
What is the Containment Strategy?
The Containment Strategy is a three-part framework used by successful service providers to systematically create time to build a scalable offer. Unlike traditional time management approaches, this strategy focuses on restructuring your business operations rather than just managing your calendar better.
Think of it like building a dam to control water flow – you’re not reducing the amount of work, you’re controlling how and when it flows through your business.
Step 1: The CEO HOUR Method
The Science Behind CEO Hours
Research shows that focused, time-blocked periods are way more productive than regular work sessions. The CEO HOUR Method leverages this principle specifically to create time to build a scalable offer while still being able to manage the day-to-day of your business.
How to Implement CEO Hours:
- Schedule three 60-minute blocks weekly
- Choose your peak energy times (to find out how when your energy is the highest – check out this article on finding your chronotype: https://www.sleepfoundation.org/how-sleep-works/chronotypes)
- Create a “CEO Hour Protocol”
- Use the “Rule of Three” for progress
CEO HOUR Protocol Example:
- Minutes 0-5: Review last session’s progress
- Minutes 5-50: Deep work on program development
- Minutes 50-60: Document progress and set next session’s goal
The Rule of Three:
- One major outcome per CEO hour
- Three dedicated CEO hours per week
- Three weeks to complete one scalable experience module
Step 2: The Client Container Framework
What is a Client Container?
Client containers are structured service packages that create predictable workflows and clear boundaries. They’re designed to deliver excellent results while preserving your energy and create time to build a scalable offer.
I love thinking about how to build client containers so I can deliver my best service AND feel like I still can set boundaries in my business.
After years of not controlling my time, this has been a game changer.
Building Your Container:
- Set Boundaries for Service times:
- Clear start and end dates
- Defined communication channels
- Specific delivery methods
- Define and Drive Towards Value Optimization:
- Identify core transformations
- Remove unnecessary customization
- Streamline delivery processes
- Commit to Managing Your Time:
- Batch similar activities
- Create templates and systems
- Implement automation tools
Container Types:
- The Sprint Container (this is my favorite)
- 2-4 week intensive
- Clear deliverables
- Higher pricing for condensed timeline
- The Phased Container
- 3-month structured program
- Milestone-based delivery
- Regular check-ins
- The Retainer Container
- Ongoing support
- Defined scope
- Monthly deliverables
Step 3: The Minimum Viable Day Strategy
The Concept
Your Minimum Viable Day (MVD) is the stripped-down version of your workday that focuses solely on activities that require your unique expertise (then package that expertise into one scalable offer).
Creating Your MVD:
- Activity Audit
- List all daily tasks
- Rate each task’s importance (1-5)
- Identify what only you can do
- Delegation Matrix
- Must do personally
- Could be templated
- Should be delegated
- Can be eliminated
- Time Blocking (actually on the calendar)
- Client work blocks
- Program development blocks
- Buffer time
- Admin time
Case Study: From Overwhelmed to Optimized
Meet Sarah, a brand strategist who implemented the Containment Strategy to create more time to build a scalable offer. She ultimately was able to build her first scalable group experience while maintaining her 1:1 client load.
Before:
- 60-hour work weeks
- Constantly available to clients
- No time for program development
- Irregular income
The Implementation:
- CEO Hours
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7am
- Focus on scalable offer curriculum
- No client access during these times
- Client Containers
- Moved to 90-day packages
- Created clear communication boundaries
- Implemented project management system
- MVD Strategy
- Delegated admin tasks
- Created templates
- Batched client calls
Results:
- Developed full program in 12 weeks
- Maintained full client load
- Reduced work week to 35 hours
- Launched first group experience to 30 people
Implementation Guide
Week 1: Foundation
- Schedule your CEO hours
- Audit your current client delivery
- List your MVD activities
Week 2: Systems
- Set up project management tools
- Create communication templates
- Design your client container structure
Week 3: Optimization
- Begin batching client work
- Implement new boundaries
- Start program development
Week 4: Scale
- Review and adjust systems
- Measure time savings
- Plan program launch
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- The Perfectionism Trap
- Solution: Use the “90% good enough” rule
- Action: Set firm deadlines for decisions
- The Availability Loop
- Solution: Create communication boundaries
- Action: Use auto-responders and office hours
- The Customization Crutch
- Solution: Identify repeatable processes
- Action: Create standard operating procedures
- The Revenue Fear
- Solution: Maintain key client relationships
- Action: Communicate changes positively
Next Steps
Ready to implement the Containment Strategy in your business to create time to build a scalable offer?
Here’s your action plan:
- Choose your CEO hours for next week
- Begin your activity audit
- Schedule a strategy call to get personalized guidance
Remember: The goal isn’t to work less – it’s to work differently. Your expertise deserves to reach more people, and the Containment Strategy is the starting point to making that happen so that you can create time to build a scalable offer.
Want expert guidance on implementing these strategies? Book a Free Discovery Call to see how we can help you create space for scaling while maintaining your client excellence.
