Jenny Junkeer is a Melbourne-based management consultant and scaling expert. With an Honors Double Degree from Monash University in Commerce and a Graduate Diploma of Chartered Accounting from Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, Jenny has been helping businesses around the world to increase their profits and scale and navigate the ever-changing business landscape.
In this interview, we hear from Jenny to learn more about the work she does through her business Intent Scaling, and how she’s found success in her field.
Q. Tell us a little more about your journey as an entrepreneur – how did you get started?
Jenny: My journey into entrepreneurship started when I left a toxic, male-ego-dominated work environment. That would turn out to be the last external job I ever had. That toxic job made me realise that the corporate life I was living wouldn’t allow me to raise my children while also being a career woman and following my ambitions.
So, I decided to plan my exit from corporate employment. I didn’t know when to take the plunge, but the moment presented itself when I attended the Caribbean Cricket World Cup in 2007. I came back from that trip without a job and that’s when I went on my entrepreneurial journey. Initially, I was just doing what I knew how to do, and it all unfolded from there.
Q. What are some tricks you can share that have helped you stay focused and productive in your busy life as an entrepreneur?
Jenny: Timeboxing and having almost military precision with my time is what has helped me the most. Those are the best tricks I’ve taught myself so far because they’ve allowed me to be efficient when going through the volume of work on my plate at any given time.
Prioritisation and ‘deep thinking’ are the supplementary tricks that I use to stay focused and productive. I never procrastinate because I think it’s a waste of time because it consists of stalling the work that you have to do anyway. Plus, you don’t even enjoy that free time because you’re just thinking about the work you’re not doing.
I prefer being laser-focused and getting my work done quickly so I can finish early and actually enjoy my free time with the comfort of knowing I got things done. Being busy is a relative thing, everyone will tell you they have busy lives. My trick is to have a productive life.
Q. What are some time management strategies, SOPs (standard operating procedures), or hacks that have helped you dramatically in business?
Jenny: Well, using technology is an integral part of me staying in control of my time management. It’s so redundant to spend time managing my time, so I leverage technology to organise my entire life. This allows me to know where I need to be, do what I need to do, and achieve what I need to achieve.
Other than having the best technology tools in front of you, the way you structure things using that technology is essential. Efficient data structuring of project plans, personal to do lists, emails, etc., have a massive impact on one’s ability to be organised. In other words, structure and technology are the main strategies that have impacted the way I do business.
Q. If you were to write a book about yourself, what would you name it?
Jenny: I would call it “That’s a Lot of Grit” and it would be about the perseverance and determination to pursue what I know I’m destined to be and how I want to help others do the same despite all the obstacles in the way, which take a lot of grit to get through.
Q. Entrepreneurs often struggle on their way to success. What is your biggest source of motivation to keep going?
Jenny: I would say my biggest source of motivation is the ability to continuosly make special memories with my husband and kids. They give me the drive and energy to keep going, even when things feel particularly difficult in business.
Q. What is one of the best or most worthwhile investments you’ve ever made?
Jenny: I invested in property at a young age and that has helped me a lot, it’s one of the best moves I’ve made. I invested when I was 23 and it was very difficult because I was living paycheck to paycheck to pay the mortgage. However, it was worth the effort and it has certainly paid off.
Q. What would you say are the key things entrepreneurs should invest their time in?
Jenny: A few things come to mind. Firstly, learning AI is a must, as is learning sales and marketing. Additionally, I think it’s worthwhile to invest time in being intentional about the goal they’re working towards and be as detailed as possible. In that same vein, meditation and personal development should be another top priority. Lastly, investing in giving back to others and the community you’re a part of is essential as well.
Q. Lastly, what is your ‘one-sentence’ piece of advice to other entrepreneurs and business owners?
Jenny: Just this: Be prepared for the long game; and be smart about how you plan on winning the short games.
If you’d like to learn more about Jenny Junkeer and her business, visit the Intent Scaling website or connect with her on LinkedIn.
