MASTER Risk Model - Learning Resources - Situation

Financial

Review your last three invoices—spot one cost you could renegotiate or reduce.

List all active subscriptions—cancel or downgrade one not aligned with business goals.

Draft a one-month budget forecast—include fixed costs and variable expenses.

Set a weekly reminder to check cash flow—even for just five minutes.

Move 10% of discretionary spend to the initiative with highest client impact.

Create a simple cash reserve goal for this quarter.

When did you make your best financial choice? What habits or process supported it?

Recall a time when financial pressure forced innovation—what did you learn?

What’s one expense you justify emotionally—does it deliver fair value?

Reflect on when funding delays created issues—was it planning or access?

Are you clearer on costs or returns—and how does that shape your choices?

What’s your usual response to sudden financial risk—pause, cut, or reframe?

Sort all spending into must-have, nice-to-have, and waste—take action on one today.

Write a one-page budget summary and share it with staff for transparency.

Ask a finance-savvy peer to review your budget or report for blind spots.

Create a scenario plan: what would you cut first if income dropped by 25%?

Run a “value for money” check: does each major spend deliver visible ROI?

Track every expense for seven days—even the smallest—and note surprises.

Ask your bookkeeper: “Which part of our budget do you worry about most?”

Share your budget draft with a peer owner—ask what feels missing or unclear.

Ask an advisor: “Where are we overspending—or under-investing?”

Share your budget reasoning with a junior staff member—can they explain it back?

Ask your team: “What’s one spend that feels misaligned with our priorities?”

Run a staff survey: “If you could reallocate 10% of our spend, where would it go?”

Reframe budgeting from “cutting limits” to “fueling what drives client loyalty most.”

Shift from “we can’t afford it” to “how could we afford it if it’s worth doing?”

Instead of broad cuts, ask “what client value are we protecting with this spend?”

Recast financial risk as a data point, not a judgment—what signals need review?

Replace “we always fund this” with “does this still serve our top client goals?”

Reframe money talks from fear to clarity—what do we need to decide smartly?

Notice where budgets consistently overrun—what patterns cause it?

Track approval bottlenecks—does money move when and where it’s needed?

Watch reactions in budget talks—who avoids, who engages, who dominates?

Monitor how funding shifts affect morale—what do tight vs. flexible budgets signal?

Check if staff know budget limits—does unclear guidance cause waste or hesitation?

Review old funding proposals—were the best ideas chosen? What swayed outcomes?

Technological

List all software and platforms you use—flag one outdated or underused for review.

Clean up your digital files or apps—remove anything no longer needed.

Host a quick tutorial on one tool your team struggles to use well.

Identify one manual task and test if existing software could automate it.

Activate one underused feature in a platform you already pay for.

Review all subscriptions—cancel or consolidate overlapping services.

When did technology last save major time in service delivery—what made it effective?

What tools do you avoid using—and is the barrier complexity, trust, or relevance?

How confident are you in your team’s digital ability—where are gaps strongest?

What’s your stance on adopting new tech—early, cautious, or resistant? Why?

When did you outgrow a tool or system—did you notice too late or in time?

Recall a recent tech rollout—what worked, and what caused friction?

Run a side-by-side test: compare two service tools and note speed, clarity, and ease.

Host a 30-minute “tool swap” where staff teach each other shortcuts or tips.

Write a short FAQ or cheat sheet for one common process to cut confusion.

Audit your tool stack—does each platform serve a clear and unique purpose?

Introduce a simple dashboard to track performance of one key system.

Block 45 minutes to explore an advanced feature in a core service tool.

Ask staff: “Which system helps you most—and which one frustrates you most?”

Ask staff to vote on their most and least useful tools—discuss what to adjust.

Share your top three digital challenges and ask peers for tool suggestions.

Present a workflow to staff—ask where automation or a smarter tool could help.

Ask your IT support: “Where are we over-engineered or under-optimized?”

Run a retro on a recent tech rollout—what worked, what failed, what’s missing?

Reframe tech not as “an expense” but as “a multiplier of service excellence.”

Instead of “the tool is too complex,” ask “is it set up for our real service needs?”

Shift from “let’s buy new software” to “are we maximizing what we already have?”

Recast staff resistance to tech as feedback—what part of the tool needs simplifying?

Replace “this tool slows us” with “what behavior is it designed to enable?”

Frame each platform as a service enabler—not just software but a delivery partner.

Track how long service tasks take in different systems—what creates friction?

Observe where tool use drops—are staff bypassing features or reverting to manual?

Notice how often staff ask for tech help—where is onboarding breaking down?

Monitor how often tools are used proactively vs. reactively—do they guide or just record?

Watch for duplicate data entry across systems—can integration solve it?

Pay attention to staff habits—are shortcuts undermining intended workflows?

Physical

Check your service space today—adjust seating, tools, or setup to improve comfort and flow.

Take inventory of equipment and supplies—retire or donate anything unused recently.

Identify one item slowing service—repair, replace, or reorder it today.

Organize or label shared resources to improve speed and reduce confusion.

Reset your service space at day’s end—note how it affects the next morning.

Post instructions near shared tools to encourage correct, frequent use.

When has your physical setup boosted performance—and when has it slowed you down?

What piece of equipment or setup do you overlook—but would miss if removed?

Which service spaces feel energizing vs. draining—and why?

When did service issues stem from poor equipment or layout?

Are your physical assets aligned with your service priorities and flow?

What’s the most neglected asset in your service space—and what does it reveal?

Walk through your space and list friction points—access, flow, comfort, or wear.

Create a simple maintenance schedule for high-use service equipment.

Assign clear ownership for each shared tool or space—who maintains or stocks it?

Hold a 20-minute team session to find one improvement for shared space use.

Use one physical item differently this week—explore new or expanded functions.

Lead a clean-up sprint with your team—reorganize space for better flow.

Ask your team: “What’s one thing in our workspace that slows you down?”

Ask a peer owner: “Which setup or resource do you rely on most—and why?”

Run a poll on which space or tool needs improvement—brainstorm a quick win.

Invite a new staff member to walk your space—what feels confusing or inefficient?

Show your workspace setup to a peer—ask how they’d optimize it.

Ask your facilities staff: “What issues in our space do users often overlook?”

Reframe your workspace from “good enough” to “a tool that shapes flow and experience.”

Instead of “we’ve always done it this way,” ask “what’s the best use of space now?”

Recast clutter as a backlog of service decisions—what needs ownership now?

Shift from “we need more equipment” to “are we using what we have fully?”

View equipment wear not just as cost, but as a signal of how it’s valued.

Frame physical resources as enablers of flow and experience—not just overhead.

Watch how often staff pause, search, or wait due to missing tools or layout gaps.

Track how often key equipment is used versus idle—does it match its importance?

Observe how clutter, noise, or flow in your space affects service quality.

Monitor wear and tear on shared tools—what does it reveal about care or workload?

Notice how often supply or maintenance issues interrupt client service.

Watch how the physical setup impacts mood, interaction, and client experience.

MASTER Risk Hub