How these 2 touchpoints help or harm team performance

Plus, how to organize process inception and... what the heck is Meta up to?

Welcome to The Manual Weekly – LI Edition, the can’t-miss newsletter for business leaders. You’ll find snackable bits of news highlighting emerging trends, actionable resources, and proven best practices that can help take your business to the next level.

This week’s must-reads:

• How to turn your 1:1s into high-performance fuel.
• Meta's making moves. (And you should too.)
• From scattered to seamless: How to connect your training.
• And how to nail your annual planning strategy.

Template of the week: Leading Effective 1:1 Meetings Process?

Did you know 33% of folks dread 1:1 meetings with their leaders? That’s a missed chance to connect, especially since having these?bi-weekly meetings can reduce the risk of burnout by a staggering?84%. Here's the good news: Team leaders can easily transform 1:1 meetings into powerful opportunities for growth and productivity.?

Here's how:

• Be consistent. Stick to scheduled meeting times and come ready to give your undivided attention.
• Build rapport. Take a sec to genuinely check-in. A little casual conversation goes a long way and actually helps folks go the extra mile.
• Give them the floor. This time is for the team, not you. Create space to listen and provide support. Hold your items for the end.?

?? Want to nail your employee 1:1s like a boss? Check out our Leading Effective 1:1 Meeting Process Template, filled with down-to-earth strategies to help everyone get the most out of 1:1 meetings.

Check out our entire template archive of free and customizable policy, process, and role starters. New to Trainual??Get a demo.

How to leverage Meta's power play

Ah, the world of social media — where today’s hottest app could be tomorrow’s question mark. As TikTok’s future hangs in the balance, Meta is moving to attract TikTok creators with enticing offers like bonuses of up to $5K and free verification.?

Here are a few actionable strategies to help you capitalize on this shift.

• Get savvy with reels. Dive into the basics — think hooks, a clear call to action, and fun camera tricks. Pro tip: Use apps like CapCut for subtitles, but keep in mind that if TikTok gets banned, Edits (Meta's version) will likely take its place!
• Keep an eye on metrics. Regularly review watch times and drop-off points to see where viewers lose interest.
• Team up with creators. If in-house content isn't your style, partner with TikTok creators that align with your brand.

Scattered knowledge? Here's how to make it all connect.

Let’s face it — scattered knowledge slows everyone down. Imagine trying to learn one process, only to hit the realization roadblock that you need another process just to continue on with the first.?

It’s like “Inception” but processes within processes — and you’re spiraling deeper, hoping someone will wake you up with a flowchart that points you straight to step one.?

Here’s the solution:

As you’re documenting content in Trainual, you can link to other helpful training across your account. That way, you don’t have to re-document or send your learners on a hunt to find the answer. Hello, efficiency.?

How it works:

You can link processes, policies, and other need-to-knows to each other — and even choose between linking an entire subject or a specific step within it.

?? See connected content in action.

How to nail your annual planning strategy

Ever feel like annual planning is a bit of a puzzle? We got you! In this episode of Inside the Process, hear how Hayfa Aboukier, Principal at Range Ventures, handles everything strategic planning — and how your business can grow 30% faster. (Psst... she even spills a few stories on working with us here at Trainual.)?

Here are three takeaways you can implement today (literally):

• Engage and listen. Chat with different teams in your organization. When folks feel heard, they’re more invested in the shared vision and its execution.
• Reflect like a mirror. Schedule regular reflection sessions to learn from past wins and losses. Use these insights to sharpen future decision-making!
• Focus on a few key objectives. Too much noise will leave your team confused and exhausted.? Get lost in the weeds of 10+ “key objectives.”? Choose 1-3 objectives to rally the team and move the needle.?

?? Discover new ways to nail your annual planning strategy.