The Process First Decision Engine | The Practice Owners Podcast<\/title>\r\n<link rel=\"preconnect\" href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\">\r\n<link rel=\"preconnect\" href=\"https:\/\/fonts.gstatic.com\" crossorigin>\r\n<link href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css2?family=Fraunces:ital,opsz,wght@0,9..144,500;0,9..144,600;0,9..144,700;0,9..144,800;1,9..144,500;1,9..144,600&display=swap\" rel=\"stylesheet\">\r\n<link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https:\/\/api.fontshare.com\/v2\/css?f[]=general-sans@400,500,600,700&display=swap\">\r\n<style>\r\n :root{\r\n --ivory:#F6F0E6;\r\n --ivory-2:#FBF7EF;\r\n --ivory-deep:#EFE3CC;\r\n --ink:#2B2328;\r\n --ink-soft:#6B5F63;\r\n --plum:#4A2C3B;\r\n --plum-deep:#3A2130;\r\n --caramel:#BE8A5A;\r\n --caramel-deep:#A87446;\r\n --rosegold:#C7A07A;\r\n --card:#FFFFFF;\r\n --line:#E2D8C4;\r\n --shadow:0 18px 50px -22px rgba(43,35,40,.35);\r\n --r:18px;\r\n }\r\n *{box-sizing:border-box;margin:0;padding:0}\r\n html{-webkit-text-size-adjust:100%}\r\n body{\r\n font-family:\"General Sans\",system-ui,sans-serif;\r\n background:var(--ivory);\r\n color:var(--ink);\r\n line-height:1.5;\r\n padding-top:44px; \/* clears the fixed top banner below; see .topbar *\/\r\n -webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased;\r\n background-image:radial-gradient(circle at 12% -10%, rgba(199,160,122,.14), transparent 42%),radial-gradient(circle at 96% 4%, rgba(74,44,59,.08), transparent 40%);\r\n }\r\n \/* Fixed top banner. 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.pl{transform:rotate(45deg)}\r\n details .body{padding:0 18px 16px;color:var(--ink-soft);font-size:14.5px}\r\n\r\n .footer-cta{\r\n margin-top:22px;background:var(--plum);color:#fff;border-radius:var(--r);padding:clamp(22px,4vw,30px);\r\n }\r\n .footer-cta .k{font-weight:700;font-size:11px;letter-spacing:.18em;text-transform:uppercase;color:var(--rosegold)}\r\n .footer-cta h3{font-family:\"Fraunces\";font-weight:700;font-size:clamp(20px,3.6vw,26px);margin:8px 0 8px;line-height:1.1;text-transform:none}\r\n .footer-cta p{color:rgba(246,240,230,.82);font-size:15px;max-width:48ch}\r\n .restart{display:inline-flex;align-items:center;gap:8px;margin-top:16px;background:none;border:1.5px solid rgba(246,240,230,.4);color:#fff;font-family:\"Fraunces\";font-weight:700;font-size:15px;padding:11px 20px;border-radius:11px;cursor:pointer;transition:.15s}\r\n .restart:hover{background:#fff;color:var(--plum);border-color:#fff}\r\n\r\n .pagefoot{text-align:center;margin-top:34px;font-size:12px;color:var(--ink-soft)}\r\n .pagefoot b{color:var(--ink)}\r\n\r\n @media (prefers-reduced-motion:reduce){\r\n *{animation:none!important;transition:none!important}\r\n }\r\n @media (max-width:480px){\r\n .spine label{font-size:9px}\r\n .step4{flex-direction:row}\r\n .topbar .tag{display:none}\r\n .topbar .brand{font-size:12.5px}\r\n }\r\n<\/style>\r\n<\/head>\r\n<body>\r\n<div class=\"topbar\">\r\n <span class=\"brand\"><span class=\"bdot\"><\/span>The Practice Owners Podcast<\/span>\r\n <span class=\"tag\">Tech Month<\/span>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"wrap\">\r\n\r\n <header>\r\n <div class=\"eyebrow\">\r\n The Practice Owners Podcast <span class=\"dot\"><\/span> Tech Month <span class=\"dot\"><\/span> Free Tool\r\n <\/div>\r\n <h1>The Process First<br><span class=\"pink\">Decision Engine<\/span><\/h1>\r\n <p class=\"lede\">Before you spend another pound on software, run the decision through here. Six honest questions, one clear verdict, and the exact next move. Keep this. Use it every single time you are tempted to buy.<\/p>\r\n <\/header>\r\n\r\n \r\n <div class=\"spine\" id=\"spine\">\r\n <div class=\"stage\" data-stage=\"0\"><div class=\"bar\"><i><\/i><\/div><label><span class=\"num\">1<\/span>Name<\/label><\/div>\r\n <div class=\"stage\" data-stage=\"1\"><div class=\"bar\"><i><\/i><\/div><label><span class=\"num\">2<\/span>Map<\/label><\/div>\r\n <div class=\"stage\" data-stage=\"2\"><div class=\"bar\"><i><\/i><\/div><label><span class=\"num\">3<\/span>Prove<\/label><\/div>\r\n <div class=\"stage\" data-stage=\"3\"><div class=\"bar\"><i><\/i><\/div><label><span class=\"num\">4<\/span>Choose<\/label><\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n <div class=\"panel\">\r\n \r\n <div class=\"screen show panel-pad intro\" id=\"screen-intro\">\r\n <div class=\"kicker\">Start here<\/div>\r\n <h2>Software does not fix broken processes. It makes them faster, and more expensive.<\/h2>\r\n <p>This is the framework Rachel uses inside striveX and Strively before any tech decision gets made. Four steps, in the same order, every time:<\/p>\r\n <div class=\"steps4\">\r\n <div class=\"step4\"><b>1<\/b><div><span>Name the problem, not the solution. <\/span><em>The problem in one sentence, not a type of software.<\/em><\/div><\/div>\r\n <div class=\"step4\"><b>2<\/b><div><span>Map the manual process. <\/span><em>Every step, on paper, where your team can see it.<\/em><\/div><\/div>\r\n <div class=\"step4\"><b>3<\/b><div><span>Run it until it works. <\/span><em>Same result, whoever does it, every time.<\/em><\/div><\/div>\r\n <div class=\"step4\"><b>4<\/b><div><span>Only then, choose the tech. <\/span><em>Now the right tool is obvious.<\/em><\/div><\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <button class=\"btn pink\" onclick=\"start()\">Run my decision <span class=\"arr\">→<\/span><\/button>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n \r\n <div class=\"screen panel-pad\" id=\"screen-q\">\r\n <div class=\"qmeta\">Step <span id=\"q-stage\">1<\/span> of 4 <span class=\"of\">· Question <span id=\"q-num\">1<\/span> of 6<\/span><\/div>\r\n <div class=\"question\" id=\"q-text\"><\/div>\r\n <div class=\"helper\" id=\"q-helper\"><\/div>\r\n <div class=\"opts\" id=\"q-opts\"><\/div>\r\n <div class=\"navrow\">\r\n <button class=\"back\" id=\"q-back\" onclick=\"back()\">← Back<\/button>\r\n <span><\/span>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n \r\n <div class=\"screen\" id=\"screen-result\"><\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n <div class=\"pagefoot\">\r\n A free tool from <b>The Practice Owners Podcast<\/b>. New episodes of Tech Month drop every Monday in July.\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<script>\r\n\/* ---------------- data ---------------- *\/\r\nconst QS = [\r\n { stage:0, key:\"named\",\r\n q:\"Can you write your problem in one sentence, naming the problem itself, not a type of software?\",\r\n helper:\"The specificity is everything. If you cannot name it precisely, you will never find a tool that solves it.\",\r\n ex:\"\\u201cWe need project management\\u201d is a solution. \\u201cWe don't know who owns each client task, so things fall through the gaps\\u201d is a problem.\",\r\n opts:[ {t:\"Yes, I can name it precisely\",v:\"yes\"}, {t:\"Not yet, I'm naming the tool\",v:\"no\"} ] },\r\n\r\n { stage:0, key:\"team\",\r\n q:\"Have the people who would actually use this tool seen that sentence and agreed it is their daily reality?\",\r\n helper:\"A tool that solves the owner's version of the problem while missing the team's version creates friction from day one.\",\r\n opts:[ {t:\"Yes, they recognise it\",v:\"yes\"}, {t:\"I haven't asked them yet\",v:\"no\"}, {t:\"We see the problem differently\",v:\"diff\"} ] },\r\n\r\n { stage:1, key:\"manual\",\r\n q:\"Could your team run this process manually today, start to finish, with no tool at all?\",\r\n helper:\"Before you automate anything, you have to be able to do it manually. If you cannot write it down clearly, you are not ready for the software.\",\r\n opts:[ {t:\"Yes, it's mapped and written down\",v:\"mapped\"}, {t:\"Partly, some of it exists\",v:\"partly\"}, {t:\"Mostly it lives in people's heads\",v:\"heads\"} ] },\r\n\r\n { stage:2, key:\"consistent\",\r\n q:\"Run it twice with two different people. Same result every time, and a new starter could follow it without asking you?\",\r\n helper:\"That repeatability is what software will later hold for you. Without it, you are just automating your confusion and outsourcing it.\",\r\n opts:[ {t:\"Yes, it's that consistent\",v:\"yes\"}, {t:\"Not yet, it varies\",v:\"no\"} ] },\r\n\r\n { stage:3, key:\"motive\",\r\n q:\"Be honest about what is really pulling you to buy right now.\",\r\n helper:\"There is no wrong answer here. There is only an honest one.\",\r\n opts:[ {t:\"A specific problem I've named\",v:\"problem\"}, {t:\"Everyone in my network is on it\",v:\"fomo\"}, {t:\"A brilliant demo or great marketing\",v:\"demo\"}, {t:\"I've simply run out of patience\",v:\"patience\"} ] },\r\n\r\n { stage:3, key:\"where\",\r\n q:\"Where are you in this decision right now?\",\r\n helper:\"This changes what the smartest next move actually is.\",\r\n opts:[ {t:\"Just considering it\",v:\"considering\"}, {t:\"Comparing tools and demos\",v:\"comparing\"}, {t:\"Mid-implementation and it's rocky\",v:\"mid\"}, {t:\"Bought it, and it's not working\",v:\"bought\"} ] }\r\n];\r\n\r\n\/* ---------------- verdicts ---------------- *\/\r\nconst VERDICTS = {\r\n green:{\r\n cls:\"plum\", stamp:\"Verdict 01\", title:\"Green light. Buy with confidence.\",\r\n sub:\"Your process is named, mapped and proven. This is exactly the moment software earns its money: it takes a working process and makes it faster.\",\r\n voice:\"You did the slow, unsexy work first. <b>Now smooth gets to be fast.<\/b>\",\r\n acts:[\r\n \"Walk into every demo with your mapped process open. Ask one thing: does this do this specific step, not what does this do.\",\r\n \"Ignore features you'll never use and capabilities that only dazzle in a demo. You know exactly what you need now.\",\r\n \"Pressure test the salesperson against your real steps. The answers tell you fast whether it fits, or whether they are just very good at their job.\"\r\n ]\r\n },\r\n map:{\r\n cls:\"caramel\", stamp:\"Verdict 02\", title:\"Map it first. Don't spend yet.\",\r\n sub:\"The tool is almost never the problem. Buying the tool instead of solving the problem is. Drop software on top of a process that lives in heads and you will just make the mess faster, and more expensive, at scale.\",\r\n voice:\"You don't have time to <b>not<\/b> do this. You just haven't framed it that way yet.\",\r\n acts:[\r\n \"Pick the one process causing the most friction right now. Just one.\",\r\n \"Give it two hours. Map it on paper or a whiteboard with your team in the room: what happens first, who owns it, what done and excellent actually look like.\",\r\n \"Run it manually with real work until two different people get the same result. That is the proof a tool will later hold for you.\"\r\n ]\r\n },\r\n pause:{\r\n cls:\"ink\", stamp:\"Verdict 03\", title:\"Pause. Don't abandon.\",\r\n sub:\"Sunk cost is talking, and it is a liar. The money you have already spent should never be the reason you embed a broken process into your firm at scale. Pausing here is not failing. It is the smartest move on the table.\",\r\n voice:\"The pause is not the failure. <b>Pushing a broken process live would be.<\/b>\",\r\n acts:[\r\n \"Pause the rollout today. Don't bin it, just stop adding to it.\",\r\n \"Go back and map what the tool is actually meant to do, then run that process by hand with real work.\",\r\n \"If the manual process works, pick implementation back up with real confidence. If it doesn't, you have just saved yourself from scaling the problem.\"\r\n ]\r\n },\r\n notneed:{\r\n cls:\"light\", stamp:\"Verdict 04\", title:\"You may not need to buy at all.\",\r\n sub:\"Good news and a gentle challenge. Your process is solid, but the pull to buy isn't coming from a problem you've named. It's FOMO, a slick demo, or sheer impatience. Once a process is this clear, an existing tool often already does the job.\",\r\n voice:\"When you know exactly what you need, <b>you stop being swayed by good marketing.<\/b>\",\r\n acts:[\r\n \"Write the problem in one plain sentence anyway. If you struggle, that is your answer.\",\r\n \"Check what you already pay for. A tool you own can often do the job once the process is clear.\",\r\n \"Being the last in your network to adopt, after the process work, beats being first to adopt badly. Let the early adopters do the beta testing for you.\"\r\n ]\r\n }\r\n};\r\n\r\nconst OBJECTIONS = {\r\n time:{ t:\"\\u201cI don't have time to map a process.\\u201d\", b:\"Every tool that doesn't deliver is already costing you time: implementation, training, troubleshooting, and the day six months in when you admit it isn't working. That adds up to far more than mapping would have taken. Start with one process. Two hours. On paper. Team in the room.\" },\r\n fomo:{ t:\"\\u201cEveryone in my network already uses it. I'll fall behind.\\u201d\", b:\"The people who jump earliest are rarely the ones who get the most from a tool. They are doing the beta testing for everyone else. You can watch, let the tool mature, and implement it properly into a firm that is actually ready, and get better results than the early adopters ever did.\" },\r\n sunk:{ t:\"\\u201cI've already bought it. It's too late to start.\\u201d\", b:\"It is not too late. Pause the implementation, don't abandon it. Go back to the process, map what the tool is supposed to do, and run it manually. If it works, carry on with confidence. If it doesn't, you've dodged embedding a broken process at scale.\" }\r\n};\r\n\r\n\/* ---------------- engine ---------------- *\/\r\nlet idx = 0;\r\nconst answers = {};\r\n\r\nconst $ = s => document.querySelector(s);\r\nconst screens = { intro:$(\"#screen-intro\"), q:$(\"#screen-q\"), result:$(\"#screen-result\") };\r\n\r\nfunction show(name){\r\n Object.values(screens).forEach(s=>s.classList.remove(\"show\"));\r\n screens[name].classList.add(\"show\");\r\n window.scrollTo({top:0,behavior:\"smooth\"});\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction start(){ idx=0; for(const k in answers) delete answers[k]; renderQ(); show(\"q\"); }\r\n\r\nfunction paintSpine(){\r\n const stage = QS[idx] ? QS[idx].stage : 4;\r\n document.querySelectorAll(\".stage\").forEach((el,i)=>{\r\n el.classList.remove(\"done\",\"active\");\r\n if(i<stage) el.classList.add(\"done\");\r\n else if(i===stage) el.classList.add(\"active\");\r\n });\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction renderQ(){\r\n const item = QS[idx];\r\n paintSpine();\r\n $(\"#q-stage\").textContent = item.stage+1;\r\n $(\"#q-num\").textContent = idx+1;\r\n $(\"#q-text\").textContent = item.q;\r\n let h = item.helper || \"\";\r\n $(\"#q-helper\").innerHTML = h + (item.ex ? `<span class=\"ex\">${item.ex}<\/span>` : \"\");\r\n const wrap = $(\"#q-opts\"); wrap.innerHTML = \"\";\r\n item.opts.forEach(o=>{\r\n const b = document.createElement(\"button\");\r\n b.className = \"opt\" + (answers[item.key]===o.v ? \" sel\":\"\");\r\n b.innerHTML = `<span class=\"tick\"><\/span><span>${o.t}<\/span>`;\r\n b.onclick = ()=> choose(item.key,o.v);\r\n wrap.appendChild(b);\r\n });\r\n $(\"#q-back\").disabled = idx===0;\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction choose(key,val){\r\n answers[key]=val;\r\n document.querySelectorAll(\"#q-opts .opt\").forEach(el=>el.classList.remove(\"sel\"));\r\n event.currentTarget.classList.add(\"sel\");\r\n setTimeout(()=>{\r\n if(idx < QS.length-1){ idx++; renderQ(); }\r\n else { paintSpine(); renderResult(); show(\"result\"); }\r\n }, 230);\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction back(){ if(idx>0){ idx--; renderQ(); } }\r\n\r\nfunction decide(a){\r\n const named = a.named===\"yes\";\r\n const teamOk = a.team===\"yes\";\r\n const manual = a.manual; \/\/ mapped | partly | heads\r\n const consistent = a.consistent===\"yes\";\r\n const motive = a.motive; \/\/ problem | fomo | demo | patience\r\n const where = a.where; \/\/ considering | comparing | mid | bought\r\n\r\n const strong = named && manual===\"mapped\" && consistent;\r\n const weak = !named || manual===\"heads\";\r\n\r\n let v, reasons=[];\r\n\r\n if((where===\"mid\"||where===\"bought\") && !strong){\r\n v=\"pause\";\r\n } else if(weak){\r\n v=\"map\";\r\n } else if(!strong){ \/\/ mid readiness\r\n v=\"map\";\r\n } else { \/\/ strong\r\n v = (motive===\"problem\") ? \"green\" : \"notneed\";\r\n }\r\n\r\n \/\/ contextual objection to surface\r\n let obj = \"time\";\r\n if(motive===\"fomo\") obj=\"fomo\";\r\n if(where===\"mid\"||where===\"bought\") obj=\"sunk\";\r\n if(v===\"green\") obj=null;\r\n\r\n \/\/ a gentle one-thing note\r\n let note = \"\";\r\n if(v===\"green\" && !teamOk){\r\n note = \"<b>One thing first:<\/b> your team hasn't confirmed this is their reality yet. Show them the mapped process before you sign, so adoption isn't a fight on day one.\";\r\n } else if(v===\"green\" && teamOk){\r\n note = \"<b>Keep this honest:<\/b> in the sales call, ask for the specific steps you mapped, not the highlight reel. If they can't show it, it isn't your tool.\";\r\n } else if(v===\"map\" && a.team===\"diff\"){\r\n note = \"<b>Worth noting:<\/b> you and your team see the problem differently. Resolve that in the mapping session. The owner's problem and the team's problem are often not the same thing.\";\r\n } else if(v===\"notneed\"){\r\n note = \"<b>The likely outcome:<\/b> once you write the problem down, you'll find an existing tool already covers it, or that you don't need new software at all. Both are wins.\";\r\n } else if(v===\"pause\"){\r\n note = \"<b>Reframe the cost:<\/b> the spend so far is gone either way. The only live question is whether you scale a working process or a broken one.\";\r\n }\r\n\r\n return { v, obj, note };\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction renderResult(){\r\n const { v, obj, note } = decide(answers);\r\n const V = VERDICTS[v];\r\n const actsHtml = V.acts.map((a,i)=>`<div class=\"act\"><div class=\"n\">${i+1}<\/div><p>${a}<\/p><\/div>`).join(\"\");\r\n const objHtml = obj ? (()=> {\r\n const O = OBJECTIONS[obj];\r\n return `<div class=\"obj\"><h3>Heard yourself saying this?<\/h3>\r\n <details open><summary>${O.t}<span class=\"pl\">+<\/span><\/summary><div class=\"body\">${O.b}<\/div><\/details>\r\n <\/div>`;\r\n })() : \"\";\r\n const noteHtml = note ? `<div class=\"note\">${note}<\/div>` : \"\";\r\n\r\n screens.result.innerHTML = `\r\n <div class=\"verdict-top ${V.cls}\">\r\n <span class=\"stamp\">${V.stamp}<\/span>\r\n <h2>${V.title}<\/h2>\r\n <p class=\"sub\">${V.sub}<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <p class=\"voice\">${V.voice}<\/p>\r\n <div class=\"actions\">\r\n <h3>Your next three moves<\/h3>\r\n ${actsHtml}\r\n ${noteHtml}\r\n ${objHtml}\r\n <div class=\"footer-cta\">\r\n <div class=\"k\">What next<\/div>\r\n <h3>Keep going with Tech Month<\/h3>\r\n <p>Your verdict points you at the work. New episodes drop every Monday in July, and next up Rachel and James open up their actual tech stack. Want the printable Process First Canvas and the full toolkit to action your verdict? It's all inside the membership.<\/p>\r\n <div style=\"display:flex;gap:10px;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;margin-top:16px\">\r\n \r\n <a class=\"restart\" style=\"background:var(--caramel);border-color:var(--caramel)\" href=\"https:\/\/practiceownerspod.substack.com\/publish\/post\/201418133?r=2jmsaj&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true\">Explore the membership →<\/a>\r\n <button class=\"restart\" onclick=\"start()\">↺ Run another decision<\/button>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n `;\r\n}\r\n\r\n\/* init *\/\r\nrenderQ();\r\n<\/script>\r\n<\/body>\r\n<\/html>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Process First Decision Engine | The Practice Owners Podcast The Practice Owners Podcast Tech Month The Practice Owners Podcast Tech Month Free Tool The Process FirstDecision Engine Before you spend another pound on software, run the decision through here. Six honest questions, one clear verdict, and the exact next move. Keep this. Use it […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_canvas","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_eb_attr":"","_templately_pack_id":"","_templately_imported_at":"","_templately_source":"","_templately_import_session_id":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3340","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bare-digital.com\/ashe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3340","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bare-digital.com\/ashe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bare-digital.com\/ashe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bare-digital.com\/ashe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bare-digital.com\/ashe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3340"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.bare-digital.com\/ashe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3340\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3347,"href":"https:\/\/www.bare-digital.com\/ashe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3340\/revisions\/3347"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bare-digital.com\/ashe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3340"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}

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p{font-size:15.5px;color:var(--ink)}\r\n .note{margin-top:20px;padding:16px 18px;background:var(--ivory-deep);border:1px solid var(--rosegold);border-radius:12px;font-size:14.5px;color:var(--ink)}\r\n .note b{color:var(--plum)}\r\n\r\n \/* objections accordion *\/\r\n .obj{margin-top:24px;border-top:1px dashed var(--line);padding-top:22px}\r\n .obj h3{font-family:\"General Sans\";font-weight:700;font-size:13px;letter-spacing:.14em;text-transform:uppercase;color:var(--ink-soft);margin-bottom:12px}\r\n details{background:var(--ivory-2);border:1px solid var(--line);border-radius:12px;margin-bottom:9px;overflow:hidden}\r\n summary{cursor:pointer;padding:14px 18px;font-weight:700;list-style:none;display:flex;justify-content:space-between;align-items:center;gap:10px;color:var(--ink)}\r\n summary::-webkit-details-marker{display:none}\r\n summary .pl{font-family:\"Fraunces\";font-size:20px;color:var(--caramel-deep);transition:transform .2s}\r\n details[open] summary .pl{transform:rotate(45deg)}\r\n details .body{padding:0 18px 16px;color:var(--ink-soft);font-size:14.5px}\r\n\r\n .footer-cta{\r\n margin-top:22px;background:var(--plum);color:#fff;border-radius:var(--r);padding:clamp(22px,4vw,30px);\r\n }\r\n .footer-cta .k{font-weight:700;font-size:11px;letter-spacing:.18em;text-transform:uppercase;color:var(--rosegold)}\r\n .footer-cta h3{font-family:\"Fraunces\";font-weight:700;font-size:clamp(20px,3.6vw,26px);margin:8px 0 8px;line-height:1.1;text-transform:none}\r\n .footer-cta p{color:rgba(246,240,230,.82);font-size:15px;max-width:48ch}\r\n .restart{display:inline-flex;align-items:center;gap:8px;margin-top:16px;background:none;border:1.5px solid rgba(246,240,230,.4);color:#fff;font-family:\"Fraunces\";font-weight:700;font-size:15px;padding:11px 20px;border-radius:11px;cursor:pointer;transition:.15s}\r\n .restart:hover{background:#fff;color:var(--plum);border-color:#fff}\r\n\r\n .pagefoot{text-align:center;margin-top:34px;font-size:12px;color:var(--ink-soft)}\r\n .pagefoot b{color:var(--ink)}\r\n\r\n @media (prefers-reduced-motion:reduce){\r\n *{animation:none!important;transition:none!important}\r\n }\r\n @media (max-width:480px){\r\n .spine label{font-size:9px}\r\n .step4{flex-direction:row}\r\n .topbar .tag{display:none}\r\n .topbar .brand{font-size:12.5px}\r\n }\r\n<\/style>\r\n<\/head>\r\n<body>\r\n<div class=\"topbar\">\r\n <span class=\"brand\"><span class=\"bdot\"><\/span>The Practice Owners Podcast<\/span>\r\n <span class=\"tag\">Tech Month<\/span>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"wrap\">\r\n\r\n <header>\r\n <div class=\"eyebrow\">\r\n The Practice Owners Podcast <span class=\"dot\"><\/span> Tech Month <span class=\"dot\"><\/span> Free Tool\r\n <\/div>\r\n <h1>The Process First<br><span class=\"pink\">Decision Engine<\/span><\/h1>\r\n <p class=\"lede\">Before you spend another pound on software, run the decision through here. Six honest questions, one clear verdict, and the exact next move. Keep this. Use it every single time you are tempted to buy.<\/p>\r\n <\/header>\r\n\r\n \r\n <div class=\"spine\" id=\"spine\">\r\n <div class=\"stage\" data-stage=\"0\"><div class=\"bar\"><i><\/i><\/div><label><span class=\"num\">1<\/span>Name<\/label><\/div>\r\n <div class=\"stage\" data-stage=\"1\"><div class=\"bar\"><i><\/i><\/div><label><span class=\"num\">2<\/span>Map<\/label><\/div>\r\n <div class=\"stage\" data-stage=\"2\"><div class=\"bar\"><i><\/i><\/div><label><span class=\"num\">3<\/span>Prove<\/label><\/div>\r\n <div class=\"stage\" data-stage=\"3\"><div class=\"bar\"><i><\/i><\/div><label><span class=\"num\">4<\/span>Choose<\/label><\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n <div class=\"panel\">\r\n \r\n <div class=\"screen show panel-pad intro\" id=\"screen-intro\">\r\n <div class=\"kicker\">Start here<\/div>\r\n <h2>Software does not fix broken processes. It makes them faster, and more expensive.<\/h2>\r\n <p>This is the framework Rachel uses inside striveX and Strively before any tech decision gets made. Four steps, in the same order, every time:<\/p>\r\n <div class=\"steps4\">\r\n <div class=\"step4\"><b>1<\/b><div><span>Name the problem, not the solution. <\/span><em>The problem in one sentence, not a type of software.<\/em><\/div><\/div>\r\n <div class=\"step4\"><b>2<\/b><div><span>Map the manual process. <\/span><em>Every step, on paper, where your team can see it.<\/em><\/div><\/div>\r\n <div class=\"step4\"><b>3<\/b><div><span>Run it until it works. <\/span><em>Same result, whoever does it, every time.<\/em><\/div><\/div>\r\n <div class=\"step4\"><b>4<\/b><div><span>Only then, choose the tech. <\/span><em>Now the right tool is obvious.<\/em><\/div><\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <button class=\"btn pink\" onclick=\"start()\">Run my decision <span class=\"arr\">→<\/span><\/button>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n \r\n <div class=\"screen panel-pad\" id=\"screen-q\">\r\n <div class=\"qmeta\">Step <span id=\"q-stage\">1<\/span> of 4 <span class=\"of\">· Question <span id=\"q-num\">1<\/span> of 6<\/span><\/div>\r\n <div class=\"question\" id=\"q-text\"><\/div>\r\n <div class=\"helper\" id=\"q-helper\"><\/div>\r\n <div class=\"opts\" id=\"q-opts\"><\/div>\r\n <div class=\"navrow\">\r\n <button class=\"back\" id=\"q-back\" onclick=\"back()\">← Back<\/button>\r\n <span><\/span>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n \r\n <div class=\"screen\" id=\"screen-result\"><\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n <div class=\"pagefoot\">\r\n A free tool from <b>The Practice Owners Podcast<\/b>. New episodes of Tech Month drop every Monday in July.\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<script>\r\n\/* ---------------- data ---------------- *\/\r\nconst QS = [\r\n { stage:0, key:\"named\",\r\n q:\"Can you write your problem in one sentence, naming the problem itself, not a type of software?\",\r\n helper:\"The specificity is everything. If you cannot name it precisely, you will never find a tool that solves it.\",\r\n ex:\"\\u201cWe need project management\\u201d is a solution. \\u201cWe don't know who owns each client task, so things fall through the gaps\\u201d is a problem.\",\r\n opts:[ {t:\"Yes, I can name it precisely\",v:\"yes\"}, {t:\"Not yet, I'm naming the tool\",v:\"no\"} ] },\r\n\r\n { stage:0, key:\"team\",\r\n q:\"Have the people who would actually use this tool seen that sentence and agreed it is their daily reality?\",\r\n helper:\"A tool that solves the owner's version of the problem while missing the team's version creates friction from day one.\",\r\n opts:[ {t:\"Yes, they recognise it\",v:\"yes\"}, {t:\"I haven't asked them yet\",v:\"no\"}, {t:\"We see the problem differently\",v:\"diff\"} ] },\r\n\r\n { stage:1, key:\"manual\",\r\n q:\"Could your team run this process manually today, start to finish, with no tool at all?\",\r\n helper:\"Before you automate anything, you have to be able to do it manually. If you cannot write it down clearly, you are not ready for the software.\",\r\n opts:[ {t:\"Yes, it's mapped and written down\",v:\"mapped\"}, {t:\"Partly, some of it exists\",v:\"partly\"}, {t:\"Mostly it lives in people's heads\",v:\"heads\"} ] },\r\n\r\n { stage:2, key:\"consistent\",\r\n q:\"Run it twice with two different people. Same result every time, and a new starter could follow it without asking you?\",\r\n helper:\"That repeatability is what software will later hold for you. Without it, you are just automating your confusion and outsourcing it.\",\r\n opts:[ {t:\"Yes, it's that consistent\",v:\"yes\"}, {t:\"Not yet, it varies\",v:\"no\"} ] },\r\n\r\n { stage:3, key:\"motive\",\r\n q:\"Be honest about what is really pulling you to buy right now.\",\r\n helper:\"There is no wrong answer here. There is only an honest one.\",\r\n opts:[ {t:\"A specific problem I've named\",v:\"problem\"}, {t:\"Everyone in my network is on it\",v:\"fomo\"}, {t:\"A brilliant demo or great marketing\",v:\"demo\"}, {t:\"I've simply run out of patience\",v:\"patience\"} ] },\r\n\r\n { stage:3, key:\"where\",\r\n q:\"Where are you in this decision right now?\",\r\n helper:\"This changes what the smartest next move actually is.\",\r\n opts:[ {t:\"Just considering it\",v:\"considering\"}, {t:\"Comparing tools and demos\",v:\"comparing\"}, {t:\"Mid-implementation and it's rocky\",v:\"mid\"}, {t:\"Bought it, and it's not working\",v:\"bought\"} ] }\r\n];\r\n\r\n\/* ---------------- verdicts ---------------- *\/\r\nconst VERDICTS = {\r\n green:{\r\n cls:\"plum\", stamp:\"Verdict 01\", title:\"Green light. Buy with confidence.\",\r\n sub:\"Your process is named, mapped and proven. This is exactly the moment software earns its money: it takes a working process and makes it faster.\",\r\n voice:\"You did the slow, unsexy work first. <b>Now smooth gets to be fast.<\/b>\",\r\n acts:[\r\n \"Walk into every demo with your mapped process open. Ask one thing: does this do this specific step, not what does this do.\",\r\n \"Ignore features you'll never use and capabilities that only dazzle in a demo. You know exactly what you need now.\",\r\n \"Pressure test the salesperson against your real steps. The answers tell you fast whether it fits, or whether they are just very good at their job.\"\r\n ]\r\n },\r\n map:{\r\n cls:\"caramel\", stamp:\"Verdict 02\", title:\"Map it first. Don't spend yet.\",\r\n sub:\"The tool is almost never the problem. Buying the tool instead of solving the problem is. Drop software on top of a process that lives in heads and you will just make the mess faster, and more expensive, at scale.\",\r\n voice:\"You don't have time to <b>not<\/b> do this. You just haven't framed it that way yet.\",\r\n acts:[\r\n \"Pick the one process causing the most friction right now. Just one.\",\r\n \"Give it two hours. Map it on paper or a whiteboard with your team in the room: what happens first, who owns it, what done and excellent actually look like.\",\r\n \"Run it manually with real work until two different people get the same result. That is the proof a tool will later hold for you.\"\r\n ]\r\n },\r\n pause:{\r\n cls:\"ink\", stamp:\"Verdict 03\", title:\"Pause. Don't abandon.\",\r\n sub:\"Sunk cost is talking, and it is a liar. The money you have already spent should never be the reason you embed a broken process into your firm at scale. Pausing here is not failing. It is the smartest move on the table.\",\r\n voice:\"The pause is not the failure. <b>Pushing a broken process live would be.<\/b>\",\r\n acts:[\r\n \"Pause the rollout today. Don't bin it, just stop adding to it.\",\r\n \"Go back and map what the tool is actually meant to do, then run that process by hand with real work.\",\r\n \"If the manual process works, pick implementation back up with real confidence. If it doesn't, you have just saved yourself from scaling the problem.\"\r\n ]\r\n },\r\n notneed:{\r\n cls:\"light\", stamp:\"Verdict 04\", title:\"You may not need to buy at all.\",\r\n sub:\"Good news and a gentle challenge. Your process is solid, but the pull to buy isn't coming from a problem you've named. It's FOMO, a slick demo, or sheer impatience. Once a process is this clear, an existing tool often already does the job.\",\r\n voice:\"When you know exactly what you need, <b>you stop being swayed by good marketing.<\/b>\",\r\n acts:[\r\n \"Write the problem in one plain sentence anyway. If you struggle, that is your answer.\",\r\n \"Check what you already pay for. A tool you own can often do the job once the process is clear.\",\r\n \"Being the last in your network to adopt, after the process work, beats being first to adopt badly. Let the early adopters do the beta testing for you.\"\r\n ]\r\n }\r\n};\r\n\r\nconst OBJECTIONS = {\r\n time:{ t:\"\\u201cI don't have time to map a process.\\u201d\", b:\"Every tool that doesn't deliver is already costing you time: implementation, training, troubleshooting, and the day six months in when you admit it isn't working. That adds up to far more than mapping would have taken. Start with one process. Two hours. On paper. Team in the room.\" },\r\n fomo:{ t:\"\\u201cEveryone in my network already uses it. I'll fall behind.\\u201d\", b:\"The people who jump earliest are rarely the ones who get the most from a tool. They are doing the beta testing for everyone else. You can watch, let the tool mature, and implement it properly into a firm that is actually ready, and get better results than the early adopters ever did.\" },\r\n sunk:{ t:\"\\u201cI've already bought it. It's too late to start.\\u201d\", b:\"It is not too late. Pause the implementation, don't abandon it. Go back to the process, map what the tool is supposed to do, and run it manually. If it works, carry on with confidence. If it doesn't, you've dodged embedding a broken process at scale.\" }\r\n};\r\n\r\n\/* ---------------- engine ---------------- *\/\r\nlet idx = 0;\r\nconst answers = {};\r\n\r\nconst $ = s => document.querySelector(s);\r\nconst screens = { intro:$(\"#screen-intro\"), q:$(\"#screen-q\"), result:$(\"#screen-result\") };\r\n\r\nfunction show(name){\r\n Object.values(screens).forEach(s=>s.classList.remove(\"show\"));\r\n screens[name].classList.add(\"show\");\r\n window.scrollTo({top:0,behavior:\"smooth\"});\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction start(){ idx=0; for(const k in answers) delete answers[k]; renderQ(); show(\"q\"); }\r\n\r\nfunction paintSpine(){\r\n const stage = QS[idx] ? QS[idx].stage : 4;\r\n document.querySelectorAll(\".stage\").forEach((el,i)=>{\r\n el.classList.remove(\"done\",\"active\");\r\n if(i<stage) el.classList.add(\"done\");\r\n else if(i===stage) el.classList.add(\"active\");\r\n });\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction renderQ(){\r\n const item = QS[idx];\r\n paintSpine();\r\n $(\"#q-stage\").textContent = item.stage+1;\r\n $(\"#q-num\").textContent = idx+1;\r\n $(\"#q-text\").textContent = item.q;\r\n let h = item.helper || \"\";\r\n $(\"#q-helper\").innerHTML = h + (item.ex ? `<span class=\"ex\">${item.ex}<\/span>` : \"\");\r\n const wrap = $(\"#q-opts\"); wrap.innerHTML = \"\";\r\n item.opts.forEach(o=>{\r\n const b = document.createElement(\"button\");\r\n b.className = \"opt\" + (answers[item.key]===o.v ? \" sel\":\"\");\r\n b.innerHTML = `<span class=\"tick\"><\/span><span>${o.t}<\/span>`;\r\n b.onclick = ()=> choose(item.key,o.v);\r\n wrap.appendChild(b);\r\n });\r\n $(\"#q-back\").disabled = idx===0;\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction choose(key,val){\r\n answers[key]=val;\r\n document.querySelectorAll(\"#q-opts .opt\").forEach(el=>el.classList.remove(\"sel\"));\r\n event.currentTarget.classList.add(\"sel\");\r\n setTimeout(()=>{\r\n if(idx < QS.length-1){ idx++; renderQ(); }\r\n else { paintSpine(); renderResult(); show(\"result\"); }\r\n }, 230);\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction back(){ if(idx>0){ idx--; renderQ(); } }\r\n\r\nfunction decide(a){\r\n const named = a.named===\"yes\";\r\n const teamOk = a.team===\"yes\";\r\n const manual = a.manual; \/\/ mapped | partly | heads\r\n const consistent = a.consistent===\"yes\";\r\n const motive = a.motive; \/\/ problem | fomo | demo | patience\r\n const where = a.where; \/\/ considering | comparing | mid | bought\r\n\r\n const strong = named && manual===\"mapped\" && consistent;\r\n const weak = !named || manual===\"heads\";\r\n\r\n let v, reasons=[];\r\n\r\n if((where===\"mid\"||where===\"bought\") && !strong){\r\n v=\"pause\";\r\n } else if(weak){\r\n v=\"map\";\r\n } else if(!strong){ \/\/ mid readiness\r\n v=\"map\";\r\n } else { \/\/ strong\r\n v = (motive===\"problem\") ? \"green\" : \"notneed\";\r\n }\r\n\r\n \/\/ contextual objection to surface\r\n let obj = \"time\";\r\n if(motive===\"fomo\") obj=\"fomo\";\r\n if(where===\"mid\"||where===\"bought\") obj=\"sunk\";\r\n if(v===\"green\") obj=null;\r\n\r\n \/\/ a gentle one-thing note\r\n let note = \"\";\r\n if(v===\"green\" && !teamOk){\r\n note = \"<b>One thing first:<\/b> your team hasn't confirmed this is their reality yet. Show them the mapped process before you sign, so adoption isn't a fight on day one.\";\r\n } else if(v===\"green\" && teamOk){\r\n note = \"<b>Keep this honest:<\/b> in the sales call, ask for the specific steps you mapped, not the highlight reel. If they can't show it, it isn't your tool.\";\r\n } else if(v===\"map\" && a.team===\"diff\"){\r\n note = \"<b>Worth noting:<\/b> you and your team see the problem differently. Resolve that in the mapping session. The owner's problem and the team's problem are often not the same thing.\";\r\n } else if(v===\"notneed\"){\r\n note = \"<b>The likely outcome:<\/b> once you write the problem down, you'll find an existing tool already covers it, or that you don't need new software at all. Both are wins.\";\r\n } else if(v===\"pause\"){\r\n note = \"<b>Reframe the cost:<\/b> the spend so far is gone either way. The only live question is whether you scale a working process or a broken one.\";\r\n }\r\n\r\n return { v, obj, note };\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction renderResult(){\r\n const { v, obj, note } = decide(answers);\r\n const V = VERDICTS[v];\r\n const actsHtml = V.acts.map((a,i)=>`<div class=\"act\"><div class=\"n\">${i+1}<\/div><p>${a}<\/p><\/div>`).join(\"\");\r\n const objHtml = obj ? (()=> {\r\n const O = OBJECTIONS[obj];\r\n return `<div class=\"obj\"><h3>Heard yourself saying this?<\/h3>\r\n <details open><summary>${O.t}<span class=\"pl\">+<\/span><\/summary><div class=\"body\">${O.b}<\/div><\/details>\r\n <\/div>`;\r\n })() : \"\";\r\n const noteHtml = note ? `<div class=\"note\">${note}<\/div>` : \"\";\r\n\r\n screens.result.innerHTML = `\r\n <div class=\"verdict-top ${V.cls}\">\r\n <span class=\"stamp\">${V.stamp}<\/span>\r\n <h2>${V.title}<\/h2>\r\n <p class=\"sub\">${V.sub}<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <p class=\"voice\">${V.voice}<\/p>\r\n <div class=\"actions\">\r\n <h3>Your next three moves<\/h3>\r\n ${actsHtml}\r\n ${noteHtml}\r\n ${objHtml}\r\n <div class=\"footer-cta\">\r\n <div class=\"k\">What next<\/div>\r\n <h3>Keep going with Tech Month<\/h3>\r\n <p>Your verdict points you at the work. New episodes drop every Monday in July, and next up Rachel and James open up their actual tech stack. Want the printable Process First Canvas and the full toolkit to action your verdict? It's all inside the membership.<\/p>\r\n <div style=\"display:flex;gap:10px;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;margin-top:16px\">\r\n \r\n <a class=\"restart\" style=\"background:var(--caramel);border-color:var(--caramel)\" href=\"https:\/\/practiceownerspod.substack.com\/publish\/post\/201418133?r=2jmsaj&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true\">Explore the membership →<\/a>\r\n <button class=\"restart\" onclick=\"start()\">↺ Run another decision<\/button>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n `;\r\n}\r\n\r\n\/* init *\/\r\nrenderQ();\r\n<\/script>\r\n<\/body>\r\n<\/html>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Process First Decision Engine | The Practice Owners Podcast The Practice Owners Podcast Tech Month The Practice Owners Podcast Tech Month Free Tool The Process FirstDecision Engine Before you spend another pound on software, run the decision through here. Six honest questions, one clear verdict, and the exact next move. Keep this. Use it […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_canvas","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_eb_attr":"","_templately_pack_id":"","_templately_imported_at":"","_templately_source":"","_templately_import_session_id":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3340","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bare-digital.com\/ashe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3340","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bare-digital.com\/ashe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bare-digital.com\/ashe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bare-digital.com\/ashe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bare-digital.com\/ashe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3340"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.bare-digital.com\/ashe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3340\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3347,"href":"https:\/\/www.bare-digital.com\/ashe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3340\/revisions\/3347"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bare-digital.com\/ashe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3340"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}