Music Business

Rock the Kanban

I wear so many hats. There are so many aspects that I oversee it is mind boggling that any of it gets done.

Sometimes I have conversations with people I work with and I get a sense that their impression of me is very limited. They only know or see one aspect of my daily routine or one perspective of conversations and I think they assume I have nothing else to do but engage in the discourse of our business.

Take that perception and multiply it by many. That’s the reality of what its like to be Elizabeth Chan.

I wake up early and am usually at my desk by 8:30. I parse my day and schedule out what is important for me to focus on in terms of business dealings. I know my brain to a point where I know certain hours of the day in which my brain is most efficient. Earlier in the day for business, afternoon for creative.

Being your own boss is a daunting affair. This year I’ve managed and hired upwards to 50 people this year alone. You would never know it would you? I speak to everyone I work with as if they are the only one that matters – because in that moment it is true.

I oversee maybe a dozen different elements of my business that (in no particular order) span Artist, Singer, Creative, Production, Post Production, Financial, Business Development, Marketing, Professional Development, Industry Advocacy, Legal Affairs, Accounting, Mentor, Model, Meal Delivery Manager… the list goes on and on.

I pride myself in efficiency and I find that when people say they are “slammed,” “swamped” or “busy” is quite inelegant. I revel in tasks and find I am most efficient when at a challenge point.

My work ethic would kick your ass. I promise you.

The only way I complete any of these tasks is by a rudimentary system of post-it notes, white boards and markers and methodology known as Kanban. Which is something I learned from Andy.

I literally live my life in a system of digital and physical post-it notes. I probably own more post-it notes than most of my friends. They accumulate on my walls in my home and office. With reminders of the small things I have to accomplish, that lead to the next bigger goal.

My Kanban boards look like a Jackson Pollack of responsibilities.

To do. In Progress. Done. This post is now just a square in the done column.