This week the clip chosen because of its interest to coaches is from a 2014 independent TEDx talk. Watch cognitive neuroscientist Heather Collins look at happiness, lifelong growth and your mind “Successful thinking — it’s a know brainer”.
Successful thinking — it’s a know brainer: Heather Collins at TEDxCharleston
Clip length: 11 mins 26 secs
Prefer to watch via YouTube? In that case you’ll need to click here.
In today’s guest post coach Leslie Hassler turns attention towards actually establishing and running a business as she offers:
How many months have you been investing in your business to see no results?
Here’s the interesting thing I’ve learned from being in business and coaching other small businesses to grow.
All the marketing and sales strategies work… in their own time.
Chances are that you have worked hard and doing the ‘right’ things to grow your business. You just have focused on the big sexy strategies that bring in business in the long-term, but have you hearing crickets in the short-term.
If that’s you, know this – you aren’t alone. In fact 85% of the businesses I work with are doing the same. If they can change things around and see results in the next 90 days – you can too. Here are the top 10 ways you can grow a business easily and quickly.
1. Balance out your marketing mix to include short-term (results in 90 days), medium (results in 90-180 days) and long-term (results in 180+ days).
2. Be more active in your marketing. If you wait for your phone to ring, you need to do more marketing that boosts your “Know, Like & Trust Factor”. The fastest way is through being were your clients are and talking to them. If you need to grow your business, don’t wait for business to come to you!
3. Build Out Your Circle of Influence. Have you ever played the game ‘6 degrees of Kevin Bacon’? Think of the people who through the course of their work touch your ideal client. Seek out partnerships and alliances with those businesses who best represent how you like to do business. Developing relationships with a few key people is a quick path to cash
4. Ask Your Clients To Buy Again. It’s easy to focus on getting new clients and new projects in the door, but your existing clients are more profitable. Reach out to any previous client who hasn’t purchased in the last 6 months or a year. Let them know how valuable they have been to you and see if there is anything you can do for them now.
5. Ask Your Clients For Referrals. If you love your clients, then you’ll probably love their referrals. Always be asking for referrals as a course of business, but even if the client you just called in #4 doesn’t have work for you, Then ask, “Who do you know who… ?”
6. Raise Your Price. I know this seems simple, but most people don’t adjust their pricing in accordance to their costs. I had a client who lost 20% in gross profits because she unknowingly she had undercharged. The change in her business puts $100,000 to her bottom line. I know this is a sensitive area, but know most buyers won’t even register a 10% increase in price.
7. Re-evaluate Your Profitability Priorities. It’s easy to say yes to subscriptions and little extras in your business – but you could be nickel and diming yourself to death. Cancel any unused subscription no matter how good of an idea it might be, trim back on the nice-to-have expenses and create cash to put into the growth of your business.
8. Stop Being Busy, Start Being Effective. Take a good hard look at what you do with your day. The top three things an entrepreneur or small business owner needs to do is 1.) Find The Money, 2.) Sell The Money & 3.) Serve The Money. How much green is in your calendar? If it isn’t a revenue generating task – dump it or delegate it.
9. Stop Doing It By Yourself. Gone are the days when small businesses can be successful in a silo, You get no trophy for doing it on your own. Invest in people who want to invest in you through accountability partners, masterminds or coaching. You will leap-frog your competition when you stand on the shoulders of giants.
10. Don’t Make It Harder. Simplicity and ease is what wins in business. If it sounds to hard, it probably is – especially if you are doing it alone. It’s better to keep things simple when putting together a growth plan for your business. Doing small things every day add up to a big result in the end. The easier things are, the easier they are to be consistent and sustainable. Most businesses stall out because they can’t sustain their efforts – don’t be one of them.
Use one or all of these strategies to kick-start the growth of your small business!
Leslie Hassler, business coach and owner of Your Biz Rules, helps women business owners to become the HERO in their business in a way that gives them more freedom to grow their business and be with their families. As a business growth coach Leslie helps smart businesses across industries avoid the pitfalls, get real results quicker in a way that is about working smarter, not harder. In her practical and grounded approach, you learn how to zero in on what works, generate results and create a business that is a win for your clients, for yourself and your family.
Contact Information:
Leslie Hassler
Your Biz Rules
Dallas, TX
972-892-3385
Article Source: 10 Easy Ways You Need To Know To Grow A Business
EzineArticles.com Expert page: Leslie Hassler
When you set up your own coaching business and become “your own boss” there’s lots of ways you can organise your time and business. In today’s guest post coach Jaynine Howard shares one aspect of how she organises one day a week …
Friday – oh how that word can invoke a series of fleeting emotions ranging from dread to delight.
I have coined the phrase Finish It Up Friday as a way to make a mindset shift from dread to delight. It is the day to sleep in an extra hour. It is the day to enjoy that first cup of morning coffee knowing there are no real deadlines for the day. There is no better way to start a Friday than listening to the birds chirping, reading morning inspiration, and enjoying that first cup of coffee.
I and my team work long arduous hours Monday through Thursday. We do not prescribe to a normal 8 hour day. My day is typically starting by 5 or 6 am and ends around 10 or 11pm. My team works diligently providing fabulous services and meeting deadlines so that I meet my deadlines so my clients meet theirs. Much of what my team does for me is often not seen by others. They are busy researching and gathering statistics for my clients or for whatever program I am currently working on. They are busy writing media releases, preparing marketing materials, proofreading and taking care of the invoicing.
Just as many of us observe Sunday as a day of rest I and my team observe Friday as a day of rest. Adopting a casual Friday allows me and my team to recharge our batteries. When we have a fresh brain we are more creative. Also, since they know that I do not expect them to be available on Friday they know they can schedule personal appointments and plan their time off accordingly without fear that there will be work that needs to be completed.
Not much quality work gets completed when you or your employees are mentally exhausted. Using Friday to follow up with clients, finish up a few tasks or projects, and plan for the following week is a great way to unwind and prepare to enjoy the weekend. I am usually only at my desk a few hours on Friday morning taking care of loose ends. Making time to review my week and self-reflect on what went surprisingly well and what was a bit off provides me growth opportunities. I learn from the lessons of the week.
Designing a plan for the upcoming week has shown to increase productivity and increase income. Taking time to plan the tasks I will delegate, prepare for client sessions, and set aside time for writing also reduces the stress that would normally be felt if I had not planned to enjoy a successful week. I have learned when planning what I will delegate I must set up my emails to my team so they do not post until Monday morning because they are so very dedicated they will work on the tasks over the weekend regardless of the due dates.
Finish It Up Friday is a great way to self-reflect on your week, finish up projects or tasks that didn’t get completed, and prepare for the new upcoming week. Know your energy level and planning for self-care is key to success. I encourage you adopt a Finish It Up Friday and allow your employees extra time off. They will reward you with continued hard work, an increase in productivity and creativity as well as loyalty.
Coach Jaynine is the owner of Dream Catcher Business and Career Coaching. Jaynine uses the knowledge and skills she acquired during her 20 year career in the United States Marine Corps, working as a Psychologist in a locked mental health hospital, and being an entrepreneur to help medical and mental health professionals, small business owners, and medical spa owners grow their businesses by teaching them her five step process for attracting their ideal clients and turning them into paying clients. You can learn more about her signature program and download her free ecourse My Five Steps to Networking Success by visiting http://coachjaynine.com/
Article Source: Finish It Up Friday: Why I Don’t Require My Team to Work on Friday
EzineArticles Expert Page: Jaynine Howard
One of the motivators that attract many coaches to coaching is the desire of making a difference – in today’s guest post Jennie J Gorman discusses:
‘Did I do enough today to make a difference to someone?’ This is what I ask myself at the end of every day.
It is such an important question. Not only to ask oneself, but knowing and hearing the answer is just as important, as we dig deep within for the answer and reflection of how our day progressed.
‘What counts in life is not the mere fact we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead’. Nelson Mandela
Making a difference for me is what my life is all about. I spend many hours a day on social media, knowing from the messages and feedback I get, that the posts that go out do make a difference, not only those people I know but also to many I have never met.
We all have the opportunity every day to change someone’s life by just being aware of the world around us. If you love what you do, you will be in the minority unfortunately. These are the people who want and intend to change the world in their own way. They are not the complainers or the people who just tolerate what they have to do to survive. These are the change-agents.
Do you see yourself as someone who is making a difference? Are you a change-agent?
We all have the opportunity to make a true and measurable impact in our own unique way. We have our gifts that give us the opportunity to use, as an influencer, in not only our own life but with others as well. It may be to change the life of one person or hundreds or thousands. It does not matter, as long as we are creating a change in whatever way we are able.
Often people who have struggled with some misfortune are given the chance to give back, and become privileged where they would never have imagined they would be. Often they come from disadvantages backgrounds, have a physical disability or have had their own life transformed as a result of an experience. The secret for them is that they recognised it and changed their own life, and then, the lives of others around them to a more positive attitude and outcome.
To make a difference, we need to recognise that we are blessed with something special to pass onto others. Everyone has something special if they the time and care to look and be aware. This comes to us all in different ways and it is getting out of our own limited thinking into a positive attitude that will distinguish us from others.
If you are a mover and shaker, who wants to change the world in your own unique way, it is because you recognise how blessed you are and dedicate yourself to giving your life a meaning and purpose. To do this, you need to be prepared to take risks, knowing in yourself that you have a message to pass onto others. Once you recognise your purpose you will become driven and focused to make the difference in whatever way you can perceive. You know that all you need to do is to move forward with commitment to do whatever your purpose.
Another thing, I notice with people who want to make a difference, is that they are on the road of self-improvement understanding that they are not perfect and only have to do the best they can for the outcome they are pursuing. They also know that every day is a new learning that will guide them forward in their endeavour to reach their goals. They are innovators who are open to learning and experiencing and not concerned about showing their loving compassionate heart. Their aim is to be the best they can be whilst they create the way forward for others.
Having been a relationship builder and teacher for many years, I understand the importance of how a positive attitude is in being an influencer, as we open to all those around us. Building good relationships is about being a giver (not a taker) in all things. We all have exceptional gifts that we can share with others, that will mutually benefit the world around us. By sharing our gifts, knowledge, strategies and talents we can freely give of ourselves to others our opinions and support authentically, without expectation of some return. We know that all authentic relationships are equal, supportive and positive, and that these create the foundation to what we wish to create and achieve.
Wanting to be a change-agent in this world, in whatever capacity we do it, takes time and effort. It is not something that happens overnight. It takes personal energy, and lots of trust in ourselves, to impact others, by striving to be and do the best we can in whatever area we are beckoned to make the difference. Self-belief is what pushes us forward to affect the change we are wishing to make in others, be it through thinking, behaviours, boundaries or beliefs. We know in ourselves that this will create something bigger and better in the long-run in their lives too.
Sharing what we know is important to all change-agents. We are happy to share our time, knowledge, work and ideas without any fear of loss. We know that what gifts we have been given to share are for anyone who wants them. They are not ours to keep for ourselves, they are given to us to share and teach in a true and positive way for the enhancement and growth of others. I believe, as all change-agents do, that the more we give, the more we receive in return. In fact, we receive ten-fold in unexpected and mysterious ways, which would not have been there had we not shared in the first place.
We are here to uplift others to be the best they can be. It is not about us. It is about the people we are given the opportunity to influence so they can become the best they can be. We are just the door opener for others, by inspiring and uplifting them to reach their full potential to make a difference to others as well. As we help and support others, we in turn are helped and supported to make the difference we set out to make in the beginning. We sow what we reap and this in turn gives others the opportunity to do the same.
So make a difference, be the leader by operating from your own heart-centre, by moving others forward with grace and ease, compassion and care. We are blessed to have the opportunity to make a difference.
I suggest that you ask yourself two questions.
The first one, are you personally impacting the world around you?
The second question, how significant is your life to this juncture?
For more information on how you can be supported email je****@**************om.au or http://www.AnOnPurposeLife.com.au
About Jennie J Gorman
My passion and mission has always been to help and support not only business professionals and SME’s to create business relationships to claim their place in the marketplace but to support those wishing to become more self aware too.
I support people through Business MasterMinding, using a process which I have been developing over the last seven plus years, giving participants their own individual ‘board of directors’ to keep them accountable and on track.
I am known to motivate and inspire people to perform at a level that they hadn’t yet recognised by either doing one-on-one sessions, on-going Coaching, Mentoring or MasterMind groups.
My book ‘Awesome Authenticity’ – mastering business relationships is available via my website or Amazon.
Ezinearticles expert page: Jennie J Gorman
Article Source: Making A Difference
In today’s guest post Ruby McGuire uses her experiences and knowledge to share:
I had a discovery call the other day with a client and she asked me what 5 things I wish I’d known when I started out. It got me thinking of the great things that I’d learned as a coach and then of the mistakes I’d made too!
It’s always good to reflect on your progress when you run your own coaching business, well any type of business. In everything we do we hope that we’re doing the right things. What we often don’t realise, until much further down the line, is that it could have been easier.
So here’s what I wish I’d known;
How difficult it would be to niche. I knew niching was the right thing to do, I knew the reasons I should do it and I fought it tooth and nail. When people asked who I coached I might as well have answered, ‘anyone with a pulse’.
That’s OK for a while. You find your feet, you get to know who you do and don’t like working with and what you do/don’t enjoy but over time it doesn’t pay the bills.
It’s SO much easier when you niche down. You become better known for what you do. Everything you do in your business is just so much easier. You have clarity, focus, direction, content and most importantly clients! You know what to write and to who. You understand your clients and know the pain and frustrations they have and how you can best help them.
It took me over a year to figure it out; I spent hundreds of hours, money, time and energy on it. You can read more about niching here (and when you shouldn’t niche here). I’m considering niching even tighter again in my own business, as I know how important it is.
I had no idea how hard it would be to build a business. I was quite business savvy. I’ve worked as Head of HR for a jewellery company, I ran my own HR consultancy for a while, but in doing my ‘grown up’ business it was way harder to get going.
You hear that business takes time and it absolutely does! In the early days I swopped my job for even longer hours on my business. I’ve worked incredibly hard because I knew that over time that effort would yield the results I’d been looking for.
I didn’t invest an enormous amount of money in the early days. I did the odd coaching programme here and there, but what I’ve noticed is that when I work with other coaches and mentors my business (and confidence) grows.
Get help if you need it. Just because you’re a coach you don’t have to have all the answers. Work with someone that can coach and/or mentor you to get the results that you want quicker.
I knew I needed to build my business knowledge but I had no knowledge of social media. I knew about Facebook, which I’d avoided at all costs (it turns out that’s now my main source of business).
I had no idea about websites; I’d just had a static site when I was running my consultancy. Fast forward (let’s not say how many) years and there were different ways that you shared your expertise with potential clients, like eBooks and newsletters, blogging and YouTube videos.
Marketing now included ‘digital marketing’, ‘educational marketing’, and ‘content marketing’. My marketing strategy back then was contacting business owners, HR professionals and handing out business cards at networking meetings. There were loads of new things to consider now.
Over 6 months I had the steepest learning curve. Aside from learning all about marketing I set up an online membership club which meant figuring out my html code from my widgets, sidebars and plug ins. I was proud of myself.
I learnt how to do group coaching online, not just offline. I learnt how to record training content so had to learn how to do mp3’s and file compression, what to use to record and so much more.
I then spent a lot of time working out how to ‘sell’, how to talk to people, to build relationships. You need to learn how to run a business that includes all aspects of business. Without those skills you will not have a business.
Ok, did you ever think to yourself, I could be different to other coaches? I have good business skills and a lot to offer. I will hit publish on my website and clients will come running? Ummm, well actually they don’t! I liken it to having a shop in the middle of the countryside. If you don’t tell people it’s there then how will you get any customers?
When I use the term ‘marketing’ here I’m using it in the loose sense of the word to include the vast number of activities that you do to bring in new clients into your business; social media posts, blogging, newsletters, article writing, networking – both on and offline, guest interviews, follow up with clients etc.
I can hear you shouting – ‘Give me the clients people – I just want to coach!’
Don’t we all, but first marketing! You have to get people to know, like and trust you.
When do you invest in a product without giving it some thought? Yes, you might have a few impulse buys but with coaching you need to like your coach and know that they can help you get the results you need.
You’ve got to get out there and be visible, that’s what brings the clients (that plus lots of other things!)
I spent TWO days trying to figure out something on my membership site when I was setting it up. TWO days! Do you know how long it took my techie VA to fix it? ONE hour! £25!
So, when I was spending all that time in a stubborn state of ‘I’m not stupid, I WILL figure this out’, I could have been earning some money, or at least taking action that would have produced money longer term. It’s crazy. We think that just because something takes us days on end it will take someone else the same time. It’s not true. Outsource even just a tiny amount so that you can start noticing what you could be doing when you’re not sweating the small stuff.
Ps. There’s probably an app for that! Not ready to outsource? Then find out if there’s an app that can save you loads of time. I invested £50 on a file compressing app for my videos – I spent FIVE days trying to do it on my own, asking around in groups. Invest!
I hope you’ve enjoyed learning some of the things I wish I’d known when I started out. It can be an overwhelming time with so much information out there.
If you enjoyed these tips then you will like my 7 Things They Didn’t Tell You At Coaching School mini eBook, where I share a few more things around this area.
Ruby McGuire, a Clarity & Focus Diva is a mum, wife and cappuccino lover. She helps Coaches to take the ‘next step’ – whether that’s getting their first client through the door or taking their coaching business up a notch; She works with them to boost their confidence, coaching skills and business so that they can move forward.
Extra info…
Her big mission is to rid the world of grumpy people, and the more coaches that stay coaching the more people get coached = happy people with happy lives. Ta-da, mission accomplished! If you liked this article then watch out for her co-authored book as part of the Dial-A-Guru series coming out next month. You can find Ruby at her pretty online home, www.rubymcguire.com or Facebook at Be The Coach You Dream To Be. Failing that she may be satisfying her obsession of pinning on Pinterest!
In this weeks guest post experienced coach and trainer Liz Scott shares some of her personal experience about her journey as a coach.
The other day a client sat beside me telling me he was stressed. He relayed stories of pressurised work, poor relationships and a tricky childhood. He had a myriad of thoughts, fears and worries and his life was at breaking point. In no uncertain terms he told me he wanted to be ‘fixed’. It was a compelling story and his impatience was palpable. He wanted some tools and strategies to find a quick solution.
The trouble is I don’t work like that any more. Although I have completed hundreds of hours of training and have a myriad of tools, techniques and theories; they are rarely used. Instead I draw on my understanding of something called the Three Principles.
The Three Principles has had a profound influence on my life (I feel more peaceful and relaxed) and I’m starting to share this understanding with my clients. It simplifies my coaching and helps me to focus on inner wisdom.
During this session with my client I noticed a deep feeling of love and compassion and I just kept bringing him back to recognising his own internal wisdom and spirit. Did he skip off into the sunset fired with enthusiasm? No he didn’t. Was this session a success? Yes it was.
The most useful thing we can tell our clients is about the nature of being human; the Three Principles provides the building blocks of understanding. When clients get a glimpse of this they start the most fulfilling journey possible. When they stop trying to fix their thoughts and circumstances they can taste real freedom.
The Three Principles points to the three components of our human experience. These are:
When you view the Three Principles as a list you probably feel underwhelmed! When you start to experience them at work in your life it feels enriching.
I am still new as a 3P coach and my style may not be slick or clever, but it is authentic. When I get a sense of my spiritual wisdom I am able to share and respond from a grounded and loving space.
My new journey
If you’d like to learn more about the 3Ps then follow me on my journey (both metaphysical and real).Over the summer my husband and I are cycling from Devon to London and back (with our Labradoodle Buzz) to talk to authors and facilitators of the Three Principles. If you would like to learn more as we learn more then follow this link http://forms.aweber.com/form/58/1527998558.htm
Liz Scott is a leadership coach and coaching skills trainer. She works extensively in schools helping to develop coaching cultures. Liz and her husband Stu run their business www.lizscottcoaching.com and they also the leaders of a supportive network for coaches www.coachingconnect.co.uk
This week’s TED Talk clip is from an independent TEDx event:
How to inspire leaders to grow | Omid Aschari | TEDxZurich
Clip length: 14 mins 44 secs
Prefer to watch on TED.com? In that case you’ll need to click here.
“When we are listened to, it creates us, makes us unfold and expand. Ideas actually begin to grow within us and come to life.”
(Brenda Ueland)