What is the How of Work?
In small business, success often focuses on what gets done rather than how it’s done. While this makes sense, it overlooks a crucial factor: the how behind each task.
The How of Work explores the methods and processes small businesses use, uncovering ways to make them more effective, sustainable, and scalable. It’s about refining the practices that drive growth, improve productivity, and build resilience for small business success.
The How of Work grew out of years of consulting with small businesses and entrepreneurs across a variety of sectors. This experience highlighted common foundational challenges that small businesses face, regardless of industry. These challenges stem from essential, everyday tasks and processes that are crucial to running a business effectively..
Too often, these challenges lead to inefficiency and burnout, with issues like unclear communication, inconsistent project management, and overlooked self-care being the most common culprits. The How of Work addresses these core areas, offering solutions that help small businesses work smarter, reduce stress, and build sustainable success.
While every business has its own way of working, few invest in improving these methods—a practical yet short-sighted approach.
Most small businesses focus on the tasks they need to accomplish—whether it’s managing operations, handling administration, IT, consulting, or education. We call this “the What.” Success is typically measured by what gets done, not how it’s done. While every business has its own way of working, few invest in improving these methods—a practical yet short-sighted approach.
Completing tasks is crucial for achieving business goals. However, if this comes at the expense of long-term effectiveness and increased stress, it can hinder sustained growth and prosperity. A more holistic view recognizes that how work is done—”the How”—significantly affects both immediate outcomes and future potential.
The problem with prioritizing “the What” over “the How” is that, even with passion for our work, the way we perform it deeply impacts our lives. In simple terms: A poor “How” leads to stress and burnout, while a strong “How” fosters resilience and success.
The How of Work is here to help small businesses refine their work processes, boosting productivity and enhancing overall quality of life. It’s about creating systems that allow small businesses to not only succeed but thrive.
Hello, I’m Tim Syth!
After 15+ years of helping organizations and individuals get better at work, I created the How of Work to help even more people.
Through my business, Contexture, I have supported organizations and workers as they adapt to the dynamic nature of the economy, society, and technology. There exists a golden opportunity to reconsider how we undertake work and how our organizations function to better serve humans.
My professional focus is developing systems that improve organizational operation and heighten worker productivity and well-being. I have extensive experience doing project-based work within organizations large and small. I currently work with both for-profit and nonprofit organizations as a consultant. I have also worked on both local and national-level grants.
Before moving to Milwaukee, I lived and worked as a photographer in Berlin, Germany, while completing my Master’s degree in the field of Media & Communications. I have lived abroad extensively, grew up in the rural farming community of Greenwood, WI, love anything to do with plants, and am handy with a chainsaw.
I seek to put the well-being of humans at the center of my professional work.