Tim Fancher

Business Coaching & The Change Process

2012-01-28T20:39:00.000-06:00

Losing weight should be easy...right? After all, one simply needs to eat less calories and exercise more. What is complicated about that basic information? Nothing! Then it should be fairly easy and straightforward to get lean and stay that way. Wrong! Nearly all of us, out of first-hand experience, know that it's not that easy to lose weight and then maintain our ideal weight. After all, estimates show that over 70% of Americans are overweight. Why?

Weight challenges can't be due mainly to a lack of information...most everyone knows and accepts they should eat less calories and exercise more. The problem is not that we don't know what to do, the problem is that we don't do what we know we should. Knowing something and doing something are worlds apart. Very often, we interfere with our own wishes. There are usually internal issues (sabotaging beliefs, self image, stress, habits, routines, boredom, personal problems, emotional wounds, etc.) that cause us to overeat or abuse food. Until we deal with these internal issues (causes), it is extremely difficult to get our weight under control (effects).

The same thing can be said for most business owners. We know what we should be doing to have more successful businesses, we just don't get around to doing it. Our ineffective mindsets, habits, fears, time wasters, and sabotaging behaviors get in our way. Our internal world sabotages our external desires. We interfere with our own success. Like folks wanting to lose weight, most business owners lack a structured, disciplined and on-going process for positive and sustained change. We have the desire for change, but not a proven change process. We remain stuck and in a rut. That's where The Growth Coach can help.

Like weight loss, running a business doesn't have to be overly complicated...we owners just seem to enjoy making it so. To have a successful business, we simply need to serve customers well and produce greater revenue than our expenses. While that sounds easy, we know it's not. Like weight loss, running a successful business is less about knowledge and more about applied knowledge...doing what we know we should do. The difference between an intention and real action is the difference between failure and success. Thinking about changing something in your business or life is useless without actually doing something about it. You need a proven change process to help you get the results you want. The Growth Coach provides that proven and guaranteed process.

Millions of individuals get help with their weight loss each year...they need an on-going coaching and accountability system to make internal changes (causes) necessary to achieve their desired external changes (effects). They leverage a proven change process. Furthermore, the on-going accountability helps keep them honest and on track to achieve the positive change they seek. There is no shame in getting help with weight loss.

The same thing is true about getting business coaching help for your business. There should be no shame. Very few owners have the required self-honesty, discipline and structure to go about improving themselves, their businesses, and their lives. They lack a proven change process. The Growth Coach provides that! As such, every business owner needs and deserves a business coach to help make change happen. A proven coaching process to help them face reality, develop clarity of direction, create a focused action plan, and receive on-going accountability to make sure things get implemented. Again, there should be no shame in getting help. In fact, asking for help is a sign of strength and self confidence. After all, without a structured and on-going process for positive and sustained change, very little will ever change. Why settle for so much less?

You say you can make the internal changes (mindsets, habits, beliefs, etc.) on your own. Maybe...but doubtful. If you could have made positive changes on your own, odds are you would have done so already. Stop deceiving yourself. Most owners are too close to their own situation to see the truth. They have blind spots. They are trapped by old strategies and practices. They play denial. They bank on a strategy of hope. Please understand, you need professional coaching to help you close the gap between where you are now and where you want to be. A business coach is an objective catalyst to help you face reality and determine what is and what is not working in your business and life. Then a business coach helps hold your feet to the fire with an accountability process to ensure you make the changes you want.

Do you want positive changes in your life and business? Then let go of your ego. Instead of insisting that you have all the answers (no business owner ever does), be open to the possibility that you may have some ineffective mindsets, beliefs, habits, knowledge, and assumptions holding back your success.

There is no shame in getting a business coach...the most successful entrepreneurs do. As well, most successful athletes have a coach. Why wouldn't you?

Start with a Goal

2012-01-02T10:28:00.000-06:00

Have you made your New Year’s resolution's yet? Lose weight, spend more time with the kids, quit smoking, or get organized? Most of use have made some type of resolution either this year or in the past. What were your results? Did you achieve what you wanted? Making a New Year’s resolution is nothing more than establishing a personal goal. It more commonly involves stopping something that we are doing or includes starting something that we aren’t.

In the business world, we commonly utilize the S.M.A.R.T. method for establishing goals. S.M.A.R.T. stands for:

Specific — stated in clear, objective terms

Measurable — the results of the objective can be measured

Achievable — the goal is in your realm of responsibility and control

Results-Oriented — the goal should define the specific results to be achieved

Time-Bound — specific time-frame information or target deadlines are included

You should establish personal goals in your career as well. In fact, both your personal goals and career goals should be supportive of each other. Establishing and achieving both personal and career goals can generate a synergistic effect. Achieving one of your goals should get you closer to achieving another one. For example, stating that you want to get more organized at work and work fewer hours should support your personal goal of spending more time with your family and friends.

Similar to the S.M.A.R.T. method above, before you establish personal goals, you must be sure of a few things. It’s important to evaluate your goals before you commit. There are several questions that you should ask first:

Can I actually control it?

Do I really want it?

How much time will it take?

How will it impact others?

How will I measure my success?

The answers to these questions are critical if you intend to be successful with your goals. These questions are your foundation to helping you become victorious. Make sure you understand why these questions are so important.

Do You Know Your Unique Qualities?

2011-08-29T10:47:00.000-05:00

Have you ever considered yourself having any unique qualities? What are they? What makes them unique? What about your business, is it unique?

Most people would say that they don’t have any unique qualities. But business owners should think twice. Most business owners are unique but they may not know it and certainly not know why they are unique.

There are 4 simple questions that will help you better understand how and why you are unique. These same questions will also help you grow your business. They are:

• Why do current clients/customers continue to do business with me?

• Why do new clients choose to do business with me?

• Why do referral sources refer clients to me?

• What would friends/loved ones say are my natural talents/gifts?

Asking you these questions is only the first step. The second step (and most important) is to ask your current clients and customers. Ask them to be very honest with you. Make it worth their while to answer these simple, but very essential questions for your business.

There are also several questions for you to answer yourself. They will not only help you as an individual but will also help the business as well. They are:

• What gives me the greatest results with the least amount of time and effort?

• What activities do I do effortlessly, that energizes me, and produces extraordinary results?

• What vital few things produce 80% of my results?

Taking the time to ask your clients and customers and yourself these simple questions will make a tremendous difference in how you approach your business.

If you don’t know the answers to these questions, then you are probably not operating your business at its greatest potential.

Is This The Type Of Results You Are Looking For?

2011-08-16T10:53:00.000-05:00

As a business owner, is this the type of results you are looking for? Would you accept this from your team?

What does this graph indicate? Lower sales? Plummeting profits? No matter what it is, it looks scary, doesn’t it?

But without any type of indication of what is being measured and what the timeline is, it’s an assumption at this point that the results are awful. There just isn’t enough data to tell us much except whatever is being measured is sure heading south quickly.

Have you ever made a New Year’s resolution? Lose weight, spend more time with the kids, quit smoking, or get organized? I’m sure we all have at some point in time. What were your results? Did you achieve what you wanted? Making a New Year’s resolution is nothing more than establishing a personal goal. It more commonly involves stopping something that we are doing or includes starting something that we aren’t.

In the business world, we commonly utilize the S.M.A.R.T. method for establishing goals. S.M.A.R.T. stands for:

Specific — stated in clear, objective terms

Measurable — the results of the objective can be measured

Achievable — the goal is in your realm of responsibility and control

Results-Oriented — the goal should define the specific results to be achieved

Time-Bound — specific time-frame information or target deadlines are included

You should establish personal goals in your career as well. In fact, both your personal goals and career goals should be supportive of each other. Establishing and achieving both personal and career goals can generate a synergistic effect. Achieving one of your goals should get you closer to achieving another one. For example, stating that you want to get more organized at work and work fewer hours should support your personal goal of spending more time with your family and friends.

Similar to the S.M.A.R.T. method above, before you establish personal goals, you must be sure of a few things. It’s important to evaluate your goals before you commit. There are several questions that you should ask first:

Can I actually control it?

Do I really want it?

How much time will it take?

How will it impact others?

How will I measure my success?

The answers to these questions are critical if you intend to be successful with your goals. These questions are your foundation to helping you become victorious. Make sure you understand why these questions are so important.

OK, the chart above is actually one of my goals from the first of the year. I set out to lose weight and get back in shape this year. This graph shows my progress. I lost over 40 pounds from January 1st to June 30th. I feel tremendous and I have so much more energy. I am running 3.5 miles three times per week now and love every minute of it.

It just goes to show you, if you want something bad enough and you make it a goal, it can happen. This is definitely the results I was looking for!

Create a Do-Not-Do List

2011-04-14T10:11:00.000-05:00

Do you find yourself struggling to get everything on your to-do list completed every day? Do you have a difficult time maintaining focus on one issue at a time until it is completed? Do you consistently carry several of your to-do’s over to the next day? Don’t fill badly, you are not alone. Many individuals find themselves struggling to get everything done each day. It’s almost become accepted that you can’t get it all done in a day. And for some reason that you do, you feel guilty because you are all caught up.

The problem isn’t what’s on your to-do list; the problem is everything else around you going on at the same time. It’s the e-mails, phone calls, voice mails, drop in questions, meetings, etc. It’s all the distractions that are keeping you from completing your tasks. It is those not planned for issues that keep you distracted enough to keep you from getting your items done.

So, how do you fix this issue? It’s simple. You need to start looking at each and everything that you do in a day and recognize those things that little or no value for you and your business. You should ask yourself three questions: (1) As a business owner, should I be doing this task? (2) Can I delegate this task to someone else? (3) Should this task be done at all? Once you have determined that you shouldn’t be doing these certain tasks, write them down on your do-not-do list. Make sure you remind yourself that as a business owner, this isn’t something that I should be doing

Just as you have created a to-do list, you must also create a do-not-do list. This list should contain all of the tasks and situations that are distracting you from your projects at hand. Every time you complete a to-do list also complete a similar not-to-do list. If you just add one new item to your to-do list, then add one new item to your not-to-do list that could keep you from completing the task in a timely manner. Keep these lists side by side. Keep them visible to you. Every time you look at one list, look at the other. They should become parallel with each other.

I’m not saying you should never read your e-mail, take phone calls, listen to voicemail or return calls to clients. I’m just stating that while you are on a mission to get this particular task at hand completed, focus on the task, not the million other things going on around you. It’s just as important to unlearn bad habits as it is to acquire new ones. It will be difficult at first but as you begin to see you are actually completing your tasks much quicker, you will gain momentum. It is amazing to me what we can actually accomplish when we really want to. Keeping all the distractions at a distance, or better yet, handing them off to someone else, is the key to completion.

So, go ahead and give it a try. Start your do-not-do list today and let’s see how successful you become with completing your tasks.

Now That The "Big Game" has Come and Gone, What's Next?

2011-04-07T10:49:00.000-05:00

Today marks the 60th day since Super Bowl XLV came and vanished in North Texas. It was a very interesting week. Thousands of visitors crept into our area at the same time we experienced some of the worst winter weather we have seen in years. Two winter storms, back to back, all but crippled the entire area during Super Bowl week. But still, after all of that, six major cities involved with the big game boasted an increase from sales tax revenues for the month of February. Fort Worth, which played host to the Pittsburgh Steelers during that week, collected $6.9 million in sales tax revenue, a 4 percent increase over the same month last year. Many small business also have reported that they experienced a much larger than normal increase in sales during the same time period. Considering all that occurred during the “super week” turned out to be a very positive experience for many.

For many business owners in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the events leading up to and surrounding the 2011 Super Bowl created an influx of sales and revenue during the fourth quarter of 2010 and the first quarter of 2011. But for these owners, just as it was for the Packers and Steelers, it takes four quarters to come out on top.

Now that the Big Game has come and gone, business owners must begin to develop a strategy for the remainder of 2011. A strong first quarter can get a business moving in the right direction, but without a strategic business plan, owners can start to lose focus, miss opportunities, adopt bad habits, get in comfort zones and make excuses. All of which will negatively impact the owner’s business.

The Growth Coach of Fort Worth is developing a game plan for business owners to succeed and grow their businesses for the full four quarters by focusing on:

• Leveraging marketing
• Keep customers and attracting new ones
• Increasing the average transaction size
• Increasing the frequency of purchase
• Saying ‘no’ to bad business prospects

Increased sales and revenue in the first quarter look great on paper, but like the Super Bowl, businesses are judged by the culmination of four quarters.

If you would be interested in learning more how a “coach” can help you improve your game plan, give The Growth Coach of Fort Worth a call.

2011 Challenges: Economic Uncertainty, Sales Growth

2011-02-11T11:21:00.000-06:00

The Growth Coach of Fort Worth ‘Business Barometer’ Survey Polls Local Small Business Owners;

Sheds Light on Internal and External Challenges Expected in 2011

FORT WORTH, TX – As the first quarter of 2011 shifts into full gear, business owners must analyze the top challenges they expect to face in the coming year and how it will impact their business. According to a survey conducted by The Growth Coach franchise system in which Tim Fancher, local owner of The Growth Coach participated in, the economy remains on the top of small business owners’ minds, along with generating sales growth.

Based on survey responses from The Growth Coach, 57 percent of small businesses in Fort Worth view the economy as the greatest external factor that can pose challenges for their businesses in 2011. Although a recent article by Bloomberg News stated that American’s confidence in the economy has increased, many small business owners remain skeptical of an economy characterized by an unemployment rate above nine percent and continuing income fluctuations.

The survey also revealed that 76 percent of owners in Fort Worth view the ability to generate sales growth as the top internal challenge facing their business in 2011.

“It is crucial for business owners in Fort Worth to constantly evaluate their business and look ahead so that they can focus on the greatest challenges that will impact their business,” said Fancher, owner of The Growth Coach of Fort Worth. “By taking a detailed look and better understanding these challenges, business owners are able to develop strategies and best practices that address these issues.”

The Growth Coach specializes in providing affordable group coaching workshops to business owners and executives utilizing its proprietary Strategic Mindset® process. In addition, they provide face-to-face coaching, Coaching Club (tele-coaching), as well as coach entire sales teams and management teams to be more effective with a strategic-focusing process. All initial coaching services come with a 100 percent money-back guarantee. The Growth Coach excels at transforming the mindsets and behaviors of clients to achieve superior and sustained results. Specifically, the coaching process helps clients gain clarity about where they want to go, develop continuous action plans to get there, and receive on-going accountability to stay on track.

For more information on The Growth Coach, please visit http://www.thegrowthcoach.com/.

About The Growth Coach

Founded in 2002, The Growth Coach is the only pure business coaching franchise system with the single purpose of helping drive success and balance the lives of business owners and professionals. Their goal is to help clients gain greater focus so they can work less, earn more and enjoy more fulfilling lives. They help clients to transform their mindsets and behaviors to achieve superior and sustained results. Clients include small business owners, franchisees, self-employed professionals, high-end sales and financial services professionals, and sales teams and management teams from businesses of all sizes. The Growth Coach operates in more than 140 markets across North America. For more franchise opportunity information, visit http://www.thegrowthcoach.com/.

New Year’s Resolutions vs. Goals

2010-12-31T13:19:00.000-06:00

Have you made your New Year’s resolution already? Going to lose weight, spend more time with the kids, quit smoking, or get organized? It seems to be the thing to do each New Year. I’m sure we’ve all made some type of resolution but how did it work out? What were your results? Did you achieve what you wanted?

Unfortunately, most people that make New Year’s resolutions actually don’t achieve the results that they state. If you are like most people, you typically abandon your resolution before January is even over. In fact statistics show that only 46% of people that make a new year’s resolution can maintain it past six months.

Making a New Year’s resolution is nothing more than establishing a personal goal. It more commonly involves stopping something that we are doing or includes starting something that we aren’t.

What about goals for your business? Are you happy with your results in 2010? Do you want to have another year exactly like this one? If not, now is the time to start planning for next year.
In the business world, we commonly utilize the S.M.A.R.T. method for establishing goals. S.M.A.R.T. stands for:

Specific — stated in clear, objective terms

Measurable — the results of the objective can be measured

Achievable — the goal is in your realm of responsibility and control

Results-Oriented — the goal should define the specific results to be achieved

Time-Bound — specific time-frame information or target deadlines are included

You should establish personal goals and business goals as well. In fact, both your personal goals and business goals should be supportive of each other. Establishing and achieving both personal and business goals can generate a synergistic effect. Achieving one of your goals should get you closer to achieving another one. For example, stating that you want to get more organized at work and work fewer hours should support your personal goal of spending more time with your family and friends.

Similar to the S.M.A.R.T. method above, before you establish personal goals, you must be sure of a few things. It’s important to evaluate your goals before you commit. There are several questions that you should ask first:

1. Can I actually control it?

2. Do I really want it?

3. How much time will it take?

4. How will it impact others?

5. How will I measure my success?

The answers to these questions are critical if you intend on being successful with your goals. These questions are your foundation to helping you become victorious. Make sure you understand why these questions are so important.

Can I actually control it?

You won’t be successful if you establish a goal that you have little or no control over. Don’t waste your time and energy on setting a goal that you realistically can’t achieve. “I want to make more money!” Is that a realistic goal? Not really. It’s more of a result of some other action that must take place first. Now if you state “I will improve my profit by 25%” or “I will work an average of 10% less in 2011”, and you achieve these, then most likely, you will experience making more money. Just stating that you will make more money isn’t really a true goal.

Do I really want it?

This is my favorite question. Is this something that you really want or is it something that would make you look better or to make someone else happy? These aren’t necessarily the same thing. How many times do people say they will quit smoking? I know an individual that says he can quit anytime he wants to. He says he’s quit multiple times! Well, think about it, if he really wanted to quit smoking, why did he start back up again? Did he quit to make himself look good or to make someone else happy? I know this individual very well, and yes, he has “quit multiple times” to make his wife happier. I’m not sure how happy she is when he starts back up again, but for him, it seems to be a recurring cycle.

Make sure that every goal that you establish is something that you really want to do and you can commit to it 100%. If not, don’t waste your time on it. You wouldn’t want your employees to commit to a goal that they did not intend to achieve. Why would you expect anything different from yourself?

How much time will it take?

Make sure you realize the time commitment that is involved for you to achieve your goals. This isn’t insinuating that you should establish short goals or ones that are easy to achieve. It means that you must be aware of the amount of time that it will take you to achieve them. Every goal must have a specific time frame included much similar to a deadline. It does no good to set a goal and basically give yourself a lifetime to achieve it nor does it help to try to achieve it all at once. You have to be specific on how much time you expect to take to accomplish the task. It needs to be a realistic amount of time. Don’t expect to lose 10 pounds in a week. It’s not going to happen. Take it one step at a time. Also, don’t expect to devote the majority of your time to any one goal. If you can’t commit to the amount of time that it will take you or to the duration of it then don’t bother making it a goal. It means nothing to you or anyone else to set a goal that you know that you won’t be able to achieve due to the amount of time that it will take.

How will it impact others?

How many people will my efforts toward achieving my goal impact? Will it impact them negatively or positively? Keep these in mind as you set your goals. How will those impacted react to my commitment and hopefully to my results?

How will I measure my success?

Every goal must be measurable. This is so you will know if you are on track, how much you have accomplished and how much you have left to go. It is also to make you aware if you are failing at your tasks. The measure part is one of the most critical parts of establishing a goal. They serve as check points along the way.
Once you feel comfortable that you have given your goals some careful consideration and have selected them, write them down on paper and post them where you can see them on a daily basis. It could be in your day planner, it could be on your bathroom mirror, it could be in your car. Just make them visible where you see and read them every day of the week. Post them in multiple places. Don’t just post them by your computer at work. You will only see them when you are at work and not on your days off and when you are away. Keep in mind, that if others see your goals posted, they will be curious on how you are doing with them. They might ask questions or even watch you more closely to see if you are making progress. They have a tendency to become an informal cheerleader in supporting you along. But they will also be the first to remind you that you are not doing so well if they don’t see you trying hard enough.

Read your goals out loud at least once per day. This helps establish a mental picture of what you are hoping to accomplish. It helps remind you of what you have committed to and also helps you keep them in mind longer throughout the day.

I hope you realize that the goals themselves are really not the key point, commitment is the key point. Without personal commitment, you have words on a piece of paper, nothing more, and nothing less. As with any goal, the commitment, the drive, the want-to is what really determines if you are successful or not. Just as we previously discussed, “Do I really want it?” If the answer it truly “not really”, move on to something else. Again, having your goals posted helps others view your real level of commitment.

From my experience, those that show commitment are typically strong willed individuals and are usually strong leaders. Those that don’t are typically those that don’t lead very well. Don’t set goals without commitment and don’t commit to something that isn’t realistic.

The next important part is tenacity or the unwillingness to give up on your goals. Some say the definition of tenacity is stubbornness, I say it is diligence. Either way, don’t give up and let failure be the winner in your life. Do whatever it takes to accomplish your goals. Sometimes, it might take longer that you planned, or it might require that you make some dramatic changes to accomplish them, but if the goal means that much to you and “You really want it!”, then figure out how to make it happen. You sometimes have to incorporate some flexibility into your goals. This is something that you want to limit and be very cautious on because too much flexibility can steer you way off course from your original goal. Allowing flexibility in the duration of the time or the direction that it takes to get there is usually OK. Do not allow flexibility or variation on the results of your goal. By doing so means that you changed your goal to make it easier to hit. That isn’t tenacity, it is a compromise. They are not the same. Compromise is a variation from your original agreement. Making the goal easier to hit isn’t the purpose.

There is no better feeling than establishing a tough but achievable goal and accomplishing it in the anticipated amount of time or less. Write down your goals, establish measure points, define a time that you honestly believe that it can happen, and get to work!

And remember, Don’t Give Up!!

One of the most important parts of any goal is accountability! You have to either hold yourself accountable for your goals or find someone else to hold you accountable. If there is not consequences of your actions (or lack thereof), then what is the point of having a goal? If you want to be successful in 2011, then you have to be accountable for your results!

If you need any help in establishing your 2011 goals, or if you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Looking for a GPS for Christmas?

2010-12-01T09:09:00.000-06:00

Now that we are past Thanksgiving, that quickly moves us into the Christmas season. Time for giving. Christmas has become consumed with shopping, shopping and shopping for that perfect gift for your friends and loved ones.

One of the hottest gifts the last couple of years has been a GPS (global positioning system) for your vehicle. It has become a very helpful friend to those that do a lot of driving, both business and pleasure. It can be helpful in getting the kids to their destinations for soccer, volleyball and baseball games. It’s great for finding that out of the way business address in the dark of the night in a pouring down rain storm. It can also be a helping hand when traveling out of town, helping you find the perfect place to stop and eat. A GPS has been a good investment for many. That’s why they are so popular.

As most of you are aware, a GPS instrument is a pretty amazing and affordable piece of technology. You always have a clear destination, specific directions to get there, and know your progress along the way. Based on variable factors (speed, length of stops, etc.) it also continually calculates your expected time of arrival...pretty cool. As such, using a GPS for driving assistance is very similar to using a business coach to help you manage your business. Both instruments (GPS and a business coach) are affordable, objective, empowering, provide clarity of direction, and keep you from getting off course and lost.

Similar to a GPS, business coaching provides you with clarity of direction and confidence you'll get there. A business coach will help you define in writing your desired destination (ideal future)...where you want your business and life to be. Specifically, a coach will help you crystallize your dreams, desires, wishes, and goals. Possessing such clarity of direction and knowing your specific, desired outcomes empowers you and provides you with amazing confidence.

Note, neither a business coach nor a GPS will tell you where to go...you are the driver, in charge, and YOU get to decide on the destination you want. After all, it's your business and life...YOU should decide all such important matters. Never abdicate that power and privilege to others. Furthermore, an effective business coach (unlike a consultant) will not tell you where to go, what to do or how to do it...they will help you discover for yourself where you want to go and what needs to change in your business and life for greater results. Rightfully so, with a business coach as your GPS, you still remain in charge of your business and destiny...you simply have an engaged, valuable, and objective guide along for the ride.

Once you know your destination, a business coach, like a GPS, helps you map out a plan to get you from where you are now to where you want to be (ideal future). While the plan may not be a specific turn-by-turn guide, a coach will help you create a focused and strategic action plan to help guide you and gauge your progress. Our certified Growth Coaches will also insist that you update and adjust your action plan at least every 90 days. Such a vibrant and fresh plan will provide you with focus, discipline, and meaningful action steps...you will be on a path to greater success and fulfillment.

Next, a Growth Coach will provide on-going accountability to keep you on track for achieving the destination you want. Like a GPS, a business coach will also alert you when you get off course. Both will give suggestions to you on how to recalibrate, recalculate, and get back on your chosen course. Furthermore, both a business coach and GPS are objective and deal in reality...when you are off track, neither will hold back and both will let you know about it. Neither directional instrument plays games...you can't afford that. You need to deal in the truth, even if it hurts to hear it sometimes. Finally, like a GPS, a Growth Coach business coach will help you detour around any mental roadblocks (limiting mindsets, beliefs, fears, doubts, false assumptions, etc.) that are getting in your way. This is essential since business owners tend to interfere with their own God-given talents and success.

Here is one big difference, however. Unlike a GPS, a business coach needs to help you face reality about where you are right now...your starting point. A GPS knows where you are at all times..you only need to enter your destination point...it always knows your starting point. Not true for business owners. Most entrepreneurs DO NOT know where they stand right now...too busy to examine the truth and often playing a game of denial.

As such, owners need an objective business coach who slows them down, practices some tough love and helps them face reality (the good, bad and ugly) about their current situation. Such self-awareness and honest self-examination are essential so an owner knows their starting point. Standing on firm ground, the truth, is critical to any growth and progress. You need an accurate and defined starting point. A coach will help you with that.

Bottom line, both a GPS and a business coach can provide valuable and affordable directional assistance. Again, however, neither a GPS instrument nor a business coach does the driving for you...they simply act as objective and independent guides. It's still up to you to decide where you want to be and do the work to get there. Business coaching, like a GPS, is more about reminding and guiding, much less about telling and doing. I strongly suggest you get a GPS for your vehicle and a business coach for your company.

The Growth Coach, helping to drive your success and balance your life. Your GPS partner

What Type of Business Are You In?

2010-10-21T09:05:00.001-05:00

Have you ever been asked, “What type of business are you in?” How did you answer it? Was your response the same standard and customary “we sell widgets” or “we provide this type of service”? Delivering the same type reply, time and time again, has become second nature.

What if that same individual asked you this question instead, “How did you grow your business”? How would you respond? Not as easily to respond to, is it? It’s definitely not a normal question you would expect to hear.

Is it possible that the answer to each of these questions could be the exactly the same? Sure you could easily say “By selling widgets.” But is that the truth? You built your business by selling widgets?? Unless you have a very unique product or service that no one else has, the product or service typically isn’t the reason that most small businesses grow. Well, if it isn’t the product or service, what is the answer?

How about this, “I am in the RELATIONSHIP Business!” or “I grew my business by building RELATIONSHIPS!” Now, does that sound more realistic?

No matter what business you are in, it all comes down to building relationships that you can nourish and foster over a long period of time. Ask any business owner if they would prefer a large one time sale or multiple smaller sales over a long period of time. I would be surprised to find very many owners say they would take the large one time sale over the duration of smaller sales. Steady and consistent sales are the foundation that helps grow any business. Not only will those individuals continue to business with you, but most likely, they will refer others to you and, if you build a relationship with them also, they too can become long term customers.

If I could give one piece of advice to small business owners on starting or growing a business, it’s not what you sell or provide that is most important, it’s the relationship you develop with your customers or clients that is essential. Relationships will grow a business faster than anything.

That’s why I find it ironic that Bank of America Corp. announced this week that it would launch a new program to improve lending and services for small businesses. Bank of America is the largest bank holding company in the United States, by assets, and the second largest bank by market capitalization. It serves clients in more than 150 countries and the second largest non-oil company in the US (Behind Wal-Mart). In 2010, Forbes listed Bank of America as the third largest company in the world.

According to CNN Money, the program requires Bank of America to hire 1,000 small business bankers over the next year that would focus on companies earning less than $3 million in annual revenue. The first wave of bankers will be added in Dallas, Los Angeles, Baltimore and Washington D.C.

I guess my first question is, where has Bank of America been all along with small businesses? Why are they just now deciding to hire 1,000 small business bankers? Are they going to try to hire someone with experience in small business or are they just going to hire another banker and give them the title? Let’s put it into perspective, if they are the second largest non-oil company in the US, behind Wal-Mart, how has Wal-Mart helped you as a small business owner over the last 2 to 3 years? What makes you think Bank of America has had such a sudden “change of heart”?

As I stated above, relationships will grow a business faster than anything! That’s not to say you can neglect several other factors that are important to owning and running a successful business. Having established goals, a detailed plan on how to get there and the ability to see you as the CEO of the business and not as an employee are crucial to being successful. Having an established relationship with a good CPA, a true small business banker and a successful Business Coach are vital to ones growth and success.

Having a trusted connection to such professionals could mean so much more for you and your business. These individuals should be wealth of knowledge and experience in their own areas. I am very fortunate to have established relationships with two first-class and reputable business bankers; Heather Hurd with Frost Bank and Guy James with Community Bank. I have no problems referring business owners to either of these professionals. They both have huge hearts and want to see small business owners grow and succeed.

A Business Coach should be on your team as well.

Why is coaching so necessary and beneficial? Because there is always a gap between where you are now and where you want to be, both professionally and personally. The larger the gap, the larger the need for coaching. Furthermore, most owners DON'T have clarity about their future, let alone clarity about where they are right now...the good, the bad and the ugly. They have blind spots. Besides, we all play mind games of denial and seldom have the discipline to face reality and accept the truth on our own. That is how we get into trouble...we don't confront our problems or opportunities! An effective business coaching process will help you face and accept the truth...about your strengths, talents, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in all facets of your business and life.

Business coaching will also help you gain clarity about where you want to go. A proven coaching process will help you clearly define the outcomes YOU WANT, develop an action plan, hold you accountable for achieving those outcomes, and also help you tackle any limiting beliefs that might be holding you back from taking the right actions. While such a strategic-focusing process is powerful by itself, it is the on-going accountability and support that truly helps owners to change mindsets, behaviors, habits and results. That's how you achieve real and lasting change.

Don't worry, true business coaches, like The Growth Coach, will not tell you what to do or how to do it...that is old-school consulting. You are the expert in your business and industry; you don't need someone telling you what to do. Besides, you never want to give your power and responsibility away to anyone else. Isn't that why you became your own boss in the first place? As it should, business coaching puts you front and center and helps you discover the right answers and solutions for you and your business.

In the end, with the Growth Coach process, our clients have greater awareness and clarity about where they are and want to go, possess a strategic and focused action plan to get there, and receive on-going accountability and support to make critical adjustments along the way to stay on track. Each client fills out our proprietary strategic planner and they review and update it every 90 days in order to make on-going refinements and course-corrections to get them closer to their dreams and goals.

Aren't you ready to make more money, experience more fun, and gain greater freedom and free time? Is so, take action below:

To see if you could benefit from business coaching, take our five-minute, confidential, on-line assessment.

Nobody sees your answers but you. You will be glad you took the time.

Who Becomes Wealthy?

2010-10-04T10:24:00.000-05:00

I’m currently reading a book by Thomas J. Stanley titled The Millionaire Next Door: Surprising Secrets of America's Wealthy. The book is based on more than a thousand individuals participating in a survey spanning for almost a year. The survey questions target areas such as household budgeting, financial fears, acts of kindness, purchasing and more. There were a total of 249 questions all together. “Who becomes wealthy?” Stanley asks. “Usually the wealthy individual is a businessman who has lived in the same town for all his adult life. The person owns a small factory, a chain of stores, or a service company. He has married once and remains married. He lives next door to people with a faction of his wealth. He is a compulsive saver and investor. And he has made his money on his own.” Stanley gives emphasis to that “Eighty percent of America’s millionaires are first-generation rich.” Stanley explains his discoveries as “building wealth takes discipline, sacrifice, and hard work.”

I find this book to be very interesting in the fact that many of my clients state initially that they are working very hard and sacrificing a great deal to their business. They feel like they are giving as much as they can and don’t seem to be getting anywhere. They often describe it as “being a prisoner to their business”. They sometimes wish they had a “job” instead of “owning a business”.

No matter what industry you are in, you should not be a prisoner to your business! If you are, you have it backwards. Your business should serve you and your dreams. It should give you greater freedom, not less. In fact, your business, properly designed, should function practically without you, not because of you. It should run predictably and automatically whether you are in the office or not, in the store or not, out in the field or not, on vacation or not. Your business should not depend upon your presence, personality, problem solving and perspiration for its daily survival. If so, your business does not work, you do!

Bottom line, you should run your business; it should not run you, your family or your life. Your business should work harder so you don’t have to. It should be systems-dependent and not owner-dependent or expert-dependent for its success. It should have its own heart, mind, and soul – it should not steal your vital organs and spirit!

Stop for a moment and think of the consequences. If everything in your business flows through you and is dependent upon you, then you are restricting dramatically the growth and profits of your company. As a single human being, there are natural limits to the amount of work, transactions, problems, and decisions that can flow effectively through you in a given day. Stop being a bottleneck or clog. Otherwise, you will continue to restrict the potential of your employees and business and ensure your persistent exhaustion. Stop missing out on greater personal freedom, money and happiness.

Let me be very clear, you are the expert in your business and industry. I am not and will never claim to be. My expertise is guiding business owners to unlock greater potential in themselves and their businesses. I coach and mentor owners/managers, like you, to define clearly and then reach their business and personal goals. To implement the changes they desire. I guide owners to become more effective, focused, productive and strategic. To face reality, identify solutions, and help them stay on track. I help overwhelmed owners/managers to work “on” themselves, “on” their businesses, and “on” their specific issues, opportunities and goals.

If you would like to achieve greater freedom, fulfillment and financial returns from your business, and move closer to becoming “The Millionaire Next Door”, please contact me.

Fort Worth Small Business Owners Swim Against the Trend to Sell Out Soon

2010-08-09T08:04:00.000-05:00

The Growth Coach of Fort Worth Finds Exit Strategies Being Postponed

Fort Worth, TX – As the economy remains uncertain, baby-boomer small business owners ages 46 to 64 in Fort Worth area are delaying the process of selling their business, despite national statistics showing otherwise.

A recent study by PriceWaterhouseCoopers reported that one out of two small to large businesses will change hands between 2006 and 2016. However, according to a survey conducted by The Growth Coach franchise system in which Tim Fancher, local owner of The Growth Coach participated in, the recession has caused many small business owners in the Fort Worth area, claiming sales revenue under $5 million and less than 100 employees, to push back their selling plans and delay retirement. This is due to the negative impact degraded business performance will have on the near-term selling price of their business.

Based on survey responses, less than 10 percent of baby boomer small business owners in Fort Worth are planning to sell their business in the next five years. That indicates the vast majority of small business owners are planning to delay an exit strategy until beyond 2015.

“We coach dozens of baby boomer small business owners annually in the area, which helps us analyze various small business trends in the market,” said Fancher, owner of The Growth Coach in Fort Worth. “This latest Business Barometer survey indicates that despite what national statistics report, the uncertain economy is forcing small business owners to re-think and delay a potential business sale until bottom-line results improve and are sustained for several years.”

The Growth Coach survey also indicated that of those baby boomer small business owners in Fort Worth thinking about selling their business:

• 25 percent of their business coaches report that the primary reason for wanting to sell their business is to cash out and collect the equity.
• 23 percent simply desire to retire.
• 28 percent agree that small business owners are setting aside at least two years to properly prepare their business for the selling process.
• 28 percent are looking to sell to third-party buyers that are not competitors.
• 14 percent are looking to sell to family members.

The baby boomer generation has been one of the most entrepreneurial generations in U.S. history. During the last 30 years, more than five million businesses with annual revenues ranging from $1 million to $75 million were founded. The majority of these business owners are now 50-years-old or older.

The Growth Coach specializes in providing affordable group coaching workshops to business owners and executives utilizing its proprietary Strategic Mindset® process. In addition, they provide face-to-face coaching, Coaching Club (tele-coaching), as well as coach entire sales teams and management teams to be more effective with a strategic-focusing process. All initial coaching services come with a 100 percent money-back guarantee. The coaching process helps clients gain clarity about where they want to go, develop continuous action plans to get there, and receive on-going accountability to stay on track. For more information, please visit www.TheGrowthCoach.com/tfancher

About The Growth Coach

Founded in 2002, The Growth Coach is the only pure business coaching franchise system with the single purpose of helping drive the success and balance the lives of business owners. Their goal is to help clients gain greater focus and leverage so they can work less, earn more and enjoy more fulfilling lives. Clients include small business owners, franchisees, self-employed professionals, high-end sales and financial services professionals and managers from businesses of all size. Through an expanding national accounts program, The Growth Coach serves franchise systems, dealer networks and associations. With a presence in more than 150 markets across North America, The Growth Coach encourages diversity within its franchise system, as well as the development of small business and franchising worldwide. Currently, The Growth Coach is a member and/or affiliated with the following professional organizations: International Franchise Association, SBA Franchise Registry, VetFran, Minority Fran and is listed in Bond’s Minority Franchise Guide, 2010 AllBusiness.com AllStar Top 300 Franchises, and Entrepreneur’s 2010 Franchise 500®. For more franchise opportunity information, visit www.TheGrowthCoach.com.

Do You Belong to a Social Network?

2010-08-05T12:21:00.000-05:00

Are you on Facebook? Do you tweet? What about Blogging? Or do you believe that this entire social media is just a fad that will eventually fade away? No matter what your beliefs, here are some interesting facts concerning Facebook and Social Media in general:

By 2010 Gen Y will outnumber Baby Boomers….96% of them have joined a social network
1 out of 8 couples married in the U.S. last year met via social media
Years to Reach 50 million Users:

Radio - 38 Years
TV - 13 Years
Internet - 4 Years
iPod - 3 Years
Facebook added 100 million users in less than 9 months

If Facebook were a country it would be the world’s 4th largest between the United States and Indonesia.

As you may have heard numerous times, the numbers don’t lie. With statistics’ such as these, it’s hard to believe that Facebook and the social media blitz is just a fad. Many have described it as a “Social Media Revolution”. Describing it more as a fundamental shift in the way people communicate.

Whether you are a business owner, a manager for a large corporation, a soccer mom or even a married couple trying to make ends meet, the way you communicate is very important. There is no doubt that our society has lent itself to always being on the go and little time to effectively communicate. Therefore, to become more efficient, the way we communicate must change. This is why social media has become so popular. It’s fast, effective (communicating to hundreds or thousands at a time), it can be done virtually anywhere with the advances in cell phone technology, and best of all, it’s FREE!

It might be as simple as keeping up with old high school friends, communicating with relative’s miles away, advertising specials that your business is offering, connecting and communicating with your church group or even posting pictures of your new grandchild for everyone to see. It doesn’t take long to get up and running with social media and the cost couldn’t be better.

So if you are not part of the Facebook crowd, or you and/or your company is not on LinkedIn, take a few minutes to learn more about what they can offer you. Although I typically work with small business owners to become more strategic, I encourage everyone to explore the fast growing universe of social media.

Another interesting fact: The fastest growing segment on Facebook is 55-65 year-old females.

Can You Leave Your Business for Seven Weeks?

2010-05-24T08:10:00.000-05:00

This Growth Coach business coaching blog will be quite simple. It will consist of a series of fifteen tough business coaching questions every small business owner should answer for himself/herself. Be brutally honest and face your current reality...not what you wish it were. If you can't answer "YES" to a vast majority of these questions, you should seek some coaching help so you can learn how to work less, earn more and enjoy a richer life.

After these fifteen questions, you will meet a business owner on a short 3-minute video who discovered a powerful coaching process that allowed him to say "YES" to each and every one of these questions and dramatically improve his business and personal life. In fact, with the proper structure and systems in place, he was able to leave his business for seven weeks and came back to find it running as prosperously as when he left. Could you do that now with your present business? If not, set a goal to make that happen.

Here are some tough-love business coaching questions for you to answer honestly:

Are you constantly growing as a leader and owner?
Have you sufficiently differentiated yourself from your business and established a proper level of separation?
Are you working more "on" your business than "in" your business?
Have you taken yourself out of the "business details" and replaced yourself with systems and other people?
As an owner, are you able to work mainly on the things you truly enjoy and are good at doing?
Have you learned to dramatically reduce your working hours?
Have you learned to dramatically increase your free time and family time -- time away from the business?
Have you increased your overall enjoyment of life and business ownership?
Do you regularly pull away from the details of the business and properly reflect on the big picture?
Do you regularly and systematically slow down, face reality and set new business/personal goals?
Do you have the proper discipline, structure and accountability in place to achieve such goals?
When you leave work at the end of the day, does your work truly stay at work?
When at home are you truly "at home" and in the "present moment" with family and friends?
Can you leave your business for seven weeks and return to discover that it continued to prosper in your absence? (that's truly having a systems-dependent instead of an owner-dependent business)
Do you have the proper structure, systems, people, and delegation mindset in place to provide you with true flexibility and freedom?

Watch this 3-minute video to the very end to discover how a business owner was able to finally answer "YES" to all the questions above after he learned how to work less, earn more, and enjoy a richer and fuller life >> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfOF2LcPAJQ

Click here to learn more about our business coaching services, particularly our group-coaching workshops.

Something Eating Away at Your Business?

2010-04-11T09:39:00.000-05:00

I heard a statement recently that made me stop and think. Did you know that termites do more damage annually than hurricanes, fires, floods and tornadoes combined? WOW! I never knew that. But then again, I never thought about it either.

Hurricanes, fires, floods and tornadoes obviously get much more media attention than a colony of termites invading some ones home or business. We glue ourselves to the television watching coverage of the devastation and damage caused by such powerful wonders of Mother Nature. We have a tendency to be creatures of curiosity when it comes to news about disasters.

As I thought about the fact that tiny little termites cause more damage, I started to think about the last time I worried about termites. And that was…… never! They have never been on my to-do list and I have never held a meeting or conference call where they were the topic. I’ve got a lot more to concern myself with than a bunch of tiny, creepy-crawly things. Not even on my radar.

As a business owner, do you find yourself getting caught up in the day to day “stuff” and don’t even notice the obvious things that are eating away at your business one bite at a time? Do you find yourself being more concerned about things that drive you nuts and not observing what you customers are experiencing and feeling? Then at the end of the month, you stop and asked, “What happened?”

One of my favorite quotes is “If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you always gotten”. Doing the same thing, day in and day out, will lead you down the same path, time and time again. Getting caught up in the day to day “clutter” will consume your time and energy and take your sight off of the things that are slowly and unbelievably eating away at your business.

There is no time better than the present to start breaking the chains that are holding you back from becoming more tactical and deliberate in your efforts. Becoming more strategic and focused and concentrating on the things that a business owner should be focusing on will not only improve your business but will help you free up more of your time. You will start to see the things that are negatively impacting you operations and allow you the time to put a plan together to change them.

Think of it this way, it is easy to kill a termite. You can just simply step on it and it’s finished. But, if you never see it in the first place, he’ll continue to eat away, bite by bite, day by day, year by year. Leaving you with a pile of nothing at the end. Taking the time to focus on the things that are most important to your customers and your business is much more strategic than worrying about what might happen tomorrow. Stop worrying about the things that you cannot change and concentrate on the things that you can and that will have a positive impact to you and your business.

Start stomping out the things that are eating away at your business, one step at a time!

Learn More About our Growth Coach Services

2010-02-04T09:58:00.000-06:00

The Growth Coach offers many, unique and customizable coaching services to the small business owner and their teams. Here are many of our popular services:

Strategic Mindset® Workshop

The Growth Coach® has a unique year-round coaching and accountability process called the Strategic Mindset, designed to enhance the mindset, focus and results of entrepreneurs, franchisees, executives and self-employed professionals. Through an interactive and fast-paced workshop format, our business leadership coach helps these business owners and professionals sharpen their focus, increase their effectiveness, grow their incomes and simplify their lives. Our clients gain clarity about who they are, what they want out of their business and life, and how to go about achieving their goals.

Once a quarter, we provide a comfortable and confidential setting that our clients can consider a sanctuary from the daily hassles of their hectic business, career and personal life. This peaceful setting gives business owners and their professional business coach the structure, discipline and time to reflect, face reality, think and plan on improving themselves and their businesses or careers. This personal Growth Coach strategic retreat takes place once every 90 days and is an ideal opportunity for our clients to take a step back and see themselves and their businesses through a “big picture” and objective perspective. The Strategic Mindset® is a two-year coaching and accountability program delivered on a quarterly basis.

Strategic MasterySM

After two years, clients graduate to a life-long coaching and roundtable program called Strategic Mastery. The Strategic Mastery program continues the quarterly coaching process that allows our clients time to reflect and re-evaluate their thinking, behavior and goals. But in addition to these strategic time-outs, the Strategic Mastery program also includes a roundtable discussion that allows business owners and their professional business coach to talk about common issues, challenges and achievements with other Strategic Mindset® graduates. Not only does this help our clients continue to grow in their businesses and careers, but it gives them a new opportunity to collaborate and exchange ideas with others who have gone through the same strategic-focusing and transforming process.

One-On-One Coaching

The Growth Coach® provides one-on-one, face-to-face coaching for clients who require additional support, follow-up and attention. Most one-on-one clients like the privacy and frequency of these individualized and customized sessions. Business owners, franchisees, executives, and self-employed professionals may often feel overwhelmed, alone, fearful and out of control. Too often, they feel uncomfortable or too vulnerable seeking support from spouses, peers, co-workers or anyone else they know.

However, they still need an outlet through which they can vent their frustrations and start to move past them. They need someone who can help them see the reality of a situation – an objective perspective – and help them determine their options and potential solutions. Our coaches will be that objective resource. They will act as a sounding board, a confidant, and a mentor – and they will help our clients clarify their situation, set goals and go about achieving them.

One-on-one coaching is typically conducted in person and, as needed, can be followed up via phone or e-mail. However, all one-on-one coaching starts with a face-to-face meeting which is the beginning of a relationship-building process. The process is tailored to meet the client's individual needs and one-on-one coaching sessions can take place once a month, twice a month, and, if you prefer, on a weekly basis. Our coaches offer hourly rates or fixed monthly retainers. Each session typically lasts from 1-2 hours.

Strategic Manager®

Today, owners and executives of small businesses and large companies alike are demanding better return on their payroll dollars. They want to develop their "Good Managers Into Great Managers." Companies want managers who are productive, focused and effective; managers who act as true leaders and take charge. Developing strong managers is one of the best investments a company can make. And that’s where Growth Coach’s exclusive and proven coaching program, Strategic ManagerSM, comes in. Our guaranteed, on-going process helps turn ordinary managers into extraordinary Strategic Managers.

Imagine the benefit of having managers who take action to drive big results. Our Strategic Manager program develops managers who desire to take on greater responsibilities and find better ways to grow the company’s profits and improve operations and customer satisfaction. Imagine how this will impact your company’s team and bottom-line results!

Typical management training doesn’t work. One-time, quick-fix training does very little in the long-run to change the mindset and results of your managers. Most seminars aren’t effective either. Lasting and positive change only occurs when your management team engages in an on-going development and accountability process designed to help them gain a wider perspective and take action to drive superior results. Strategic Manager is a powerful, guaranteed, on-going process that produces real results and real changes in your managers. It brings out the very best in your team, transforming them from mere managers into strategic leaders. Also, since the process is delivered in a group format, it is very interactive and affordable.

We guarantee that you will see results in your management team. We promise you will see a great return on your investment. If you don’t see a noticeable change in your mangers, tell us within 30 days of the initial session and we will promptly refund your money.

Sales Mastery®

Business owners and executives are expecting great returns from their sales team. They are looking for them to continually bring in the new business. They want to develop their "Good Salespeople Into Great Salespeople." Companies want sales teams who are productive, focused and effective. Developing strong sales teams is one of the best investments a company can make. And that’s where Growth Coach’s exclusive and proven coaching program, Sales Mastery, comes in. Our guaranteed, on-going process helps turn ordinary sales teams into extraordinary Sales Masters.

Typical sales training doesn’t work. One-time, quick-fix training does very little in the long-run to change the mindset and results of your sales team. Most seminars aren’t effective either. Lasting and positive change only occurs when your sales team engages in an on-going development and accountability process designed to help them gain a wider perspective and take action to drive superior results. Sales Mastery is a powerful, guaranteed, on-going process that produces real results and real changes in your sales team. It brings out the very best in your team, transforming them from mere sales people into strategic leaders. Also, since the process is delivered in a group format, it is very interactive and affordable.

The Sales Mastery Program consists of 12 full months of Sales Coaching. It contains 4 Quarterly planning sessions and 8 months of accountability and mastermind, Leverage the power of a sales model with a quarterly planning process and a mastermind process. This indeed is one of the most unique and powerful processes to improve sales performance on the market.

We guarantee that you will see results in your management team. We promise you will see a great return on your investment. If you don’t see a noticeable change in your mangers, tell us within 30 days of the initial session and we will promptly refund your money.

Coaching ClubSM

The Coaching ClubSM is an affordable program for busy owners and executives wanting to take their success to the next level. We offer totally private and personal one-on-one coaching delivered in an effective manner – via telephone and e-mail. The more you use it, the more success and balance you will experience in your business and your life. You can contact your coach for advice, support, a different perspective, feedback, ideas and strategies. You’ll benefit from having a sounding board, confidant, objective advisor, and professional coach. This dependable process will help you slow down, reflect, plan, and map out the critical changes you need to make in order to improve your business and your life. And we guarantee your satisfaction or your money is promptly refunded.

For one low monthly fee, your coach is available to you on a weekly basis or even more frequently, if arranged. This is an affordable and flexible way to find the coaching support you need without a huge investment of your time, which we know is limited and valuable. And because our Coaching Club can be on-demand during certain days and times, it’s not necessary to make appointments or schedule meetings. Just call in or send an e-mail. We’re there to offer you a new perspective and help you achieve your goals whenever, wherever. Or, if you prefer, you can arrange a set day and time each week that's convenient for you.

Special Coaching Projects

The Growth Coach® is designed to help business owners, executives, franchisees, and self-employed professionals break free of their personal and professional limitations and set and achieve their goals. But in addition to helping motivated individuals reach their potential, we also provide special project assistance for businesses who need an extra coaching hand and an objective perspective. Because we are gifted at facilitation and helping clients to define and achieve goals and leverage their time, talent and resources, we are often called in to help make sure business strategies and goals are fully implemented. After all, great ideas and strategies not fully implemented are nearly worthless.

We assist with a variety of coaching projects, including:

Sales Coaching & Accountability - Our coaches gain the trust and respect of business owners. Very often, we will introduce our proven sales and marketing processes to business owners who, in turn, want those processes integrated with their sales team or professional service staff. We provide monthly sales coaching and on-going accountability.
Strategic Business Planning & Implementation – We conduct management team interviews and facilitate the strategic retreat and follow-up implementation sessions.
Marketing Plans and Implementation – We help companies leverage the power of marketing to achieve significant growth instead of merely incremental growth. We help coach the right players to select the marketing strategies for the company and then ensure execution of the marketing plan.
Leadership Development – We help owners and managers to improve their leadership mindset, skills, habits and effectiveness.
Systematizing the Business – To assist owners in getting free from the technical trenches in their businesses, we help them create processes and operations manuals in order to put their businesses on auto-pilot or cruise-control status. We guide their team through the business system process.

We help these companies and their owners hold themselves accountable and ensure critical changes are made to improve their businesses. Our solutions will help re-shape the thinking of the owner and the structure and systems of the business so that the business and the employees are productive, efficient, and, above all, effective.

Fort Worth Small Businesses Make Noticeable Post-Recession Changes

2010-01-19T10:52:00.000-06:00

`Business Barometer’ Points to Specific Behavior Modifications for Local Companies

Fort Worth, TX – A majority of U.S. small business owners have changed the way they think about and operate their companies as a result of the recent recession, according to a survey conducted by The Growth Coach, a business coaching franchise system which serves several thousand small business clients annually in more than 150 markets across North America.

Tim Fancher, owner of The Growth Coach franchise in Fort Worth, recently participated in the ‘Business Barometer’ survey, a study completed by 40 percent of the business coaches (Growth Coach Franchise Owners) across the country. The Growth Coach corporate headquarters conducts the survey quarterly to capture a snapshot of the “economic mindset” of the thousands of small business clients their coaches serve.

Based on survey responses, 95 percent of business coaches, including Fancher, reported that their small business clients (defined as less than 100 employees) have made overall expense reductions, while 80 percent implemented a workforce reduction and/or a hiring freeze.

“Small business owners in Fort Worth and the surrounding areas are continuing to search for ways to manage their businesses and lives as they want greater success and fulfillment,” said Fancher. The recession has created humility among small business owners and self-employed professionals and it has opened up their minds, making them more receptive to working with business coaches to grow their businesses and stay ahead of the competition.”

Other post-recession behavior modifications were highlighted. Another 80 percent of overall survey respondents reported that their small business clients were now more focused on achieving better results and receiving a higher return on investments (ROI). Owners are questioning every expense and demanding better ROI validation before spending their cash.

Other indicators that small business owners have learned their lessons, modified their mindsets, and implemented noticeable changes to their day-to-day business operations include:

• Wiser sales and marketing investments (77.5 percent)
• Better focus on all-around productivity (77.5 percent)
• Better budgeting and planning process (70 percent)
• Changes to leadership and management approach (67.5 percent)

In addition, 85 percent of business coaches surveyed including Fancher, reported feeling that the recession has fundamentally changed the way their small business clients view and think about their businesses, while 75 percent believe the recession has had a positive effect on the way their clients now think about and operate their small businesses.

The Growth Coach utilizes its signature Strategic Mindset® group coaching process, one-to-one coaching, telecoaching, and other related services to help clients reach success in business and in life. All initial coaching services come with a 100 percent money-back guarantee. The coaching process helps clients gain clarity, strike a balance between their personal and professional lives and close the performance gap with ongoing action plans and accountability. For more information from the local business coach, please e-mail at T.Fancher@TheGrowthCoach.com, visit on-line at www.TheGrowthCoach.com/tfancher or call at 817-301-9982.

About The Growth Coach

Founded in 2002, The Growth Coach is the only pure business coaching franchise system with the single purpose of helping drive the success and balance the lives of business owners. Their goal is to help clients gain greater focus so they can work less, earn more and enjoy more fulfilling lives. Clients include small business owners, franchisees, self-employed professionals, high-end sales and financial services professionals and managers from businesses of all size. Through an expanding national accounts program, The Growth Coach serves franchise systems, dealer networks and associations. With a presence in more than 150 markets across North America, The Growth Coach encourages diversity within its franchise system, as well as the development of small business and franchising worldwide. Currently, The Growth Coach is a member and/or affiliated with the following professional organizations: International Franchise Association, SBA Franchise Registry, VetFran, Minority Fran and is listed in Bond’s Minority Franchise Guide, 2010 AllBusiness.com AllStar Top 300 Franchises, and Entrepreneur’s 2010 Franchise 500®. For more franchise opportunity information, visit www.TheGrowthCoach.com.

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A Small Business Helping Other Small Businesses

2010-01-07T13:24:00.000-06:00

A lot of small business owners establish their business doing something that they love to do. Many times they take a passion or hobby that they have (and in most cases already doing) to the next level and construct a business around it. Turning something that they are passionate about into a cash flow, income generating business is a tremendous idea! I bet we wish we could all do that.

I’ve also met many others that had absolutely no intentions of starting a business but for some reason, the business started itself. It commonly starts out with them helping someone else with their needs or passion and the next thing they know; they are deep in the middle of trying to manage a small business themselves.

In both cases, the newly crowned business owners tend to concentrate on what drives their business, focusing on the passion or tasks that drove them into business in the first place. This is what I refer to as the technical side of the business, or “tech work”. Tech work is the hands-on, making something happen, busy work that is typically the revenue generating product or service. It’s what your customers are paying for. Tech work is definitely an important fundamental piece for any small business. Most, if not all, small business owners would agree that taking care of the customer’s wants and needs is their top priority. It is what makes the dollars flow in so they can continue to pay their bills. Making sure you are taking care of the customers is what helps grow the business.

It’s what happens next that typically determines if their business will continue to grow or it becomes stagnant. Most small business owners, no matter how they got into business, typically have the technical skills to be sufficient for their customer’s wants and needs but don’t always have the business skills to maintain or even grow their own business. They have a tendency to get caught up working “IN” their business instead of working “ON” their business. Although they may sound similar, they are worlds apart when it comes to running a business.

Working “IN” your business as a business owner means continuing to do the “tech work” yourself and spend most (if not all) of your time focusing on the day-to-day tasks. Making sure that every order was filled or processed correctly. Making sure that every e-mail was read and responded to that day. Ensuring that each of your employees had exactly what they needed to do their job that particular day. Being the go to person to answer all their questions about that day’s work.

Does this sound familiar? Did I just describe your average day? If so, you are caught up on working hard but not necessarily work smart. Don’t get me wrong, every single one of the items I just listed above are very important to providing your customers with exceptional service and an important part in growing a business. They are all necessary tasks on a daily basis. It’s just the person who is the center of it all that is the problem.

As the CEO (yes, you are the CEO of a company!), are these the types of tasks that you should be working on personally or should someone else within your “organization” be handling these? I know you are saying, I don’t have an “organization”, I only have a few employees. I can’t ask them to do everything and I just sit back and watch. I would agree. You can’t ask them to do everything but you can “organize” everything that does need to be done and then decide who is responsible for each. Having an “organization” is not just having a bunch of employees, it’s having a detailed description of everything thing that must be done on a daily basis to take care of the customers and each of the items assigned to an employee or a group of employees. The “organization” is knowing what needs to be done and who is responsible for it. Yes, you are an employee and you should have some tasks or responsibilities assigned to you.

That is where working “ON” your business comes in. As the CEO, you should be focusing on the future of your business and looking for new and fresh ideas. You should be focusing on how to market your products and services to new customers and how to create more sales and revenue from existing customers. You should be looking at ways to make your “organization” more efficient and less costly. You should be visiting your current customers and asking them “what else can we help you with?” You should also be looking for referrals and potential new business. All of these things are focusing on growing your business and making it more efficient.

I already know your next comment, “I don’t have time to do all of these things!” That is a very common response to understanding the difference of working “ON” the business verses working “IN” the business. Many business owners are struggling with multiple challenges at one time. It’s difficult to juggle them all and give them the amount of time that is needed.

What are your greatest challenges in business currently?

• Time Management

• Financial concerns

• Getting referrals/developing referral partners

• Work/life balance concerns

• No Strategic business plan

• Lack of implementation

• Lack of business systems

• Inability to get to the “next level”

• Lead conversion/sales

• Marketing

• Team building and recruiting

• Employee management

• Other

This is where my business comes in, hence the title, “A Small Business Helping Other Small Businesses”. We are The Growth Coach, a business coaching firm that specializes in small to medium sized businesses and self-employed individuals to get more out of their businesses and lives. Our goal is to help entrepreneurs to work less, make more, and enjoy richer lives. Specifically, with a proven quarterly focusing process, Strategic Mindset®, we help enhance the strategic mindset and actions of owners and self-employed professionals. Over a two-year process, we help owners to go to work “ON” themselves and “ON” their businesses. They learn how to think, focus and act more strategically while at the same time, discovering more effective ways to grow and manage their businesses. Because our coaching and accountability process has been used and continually refined for over 15 years, it is so well proven that we provide a money-back guarantee for all our clients.

Because we utilize a proven strategic-focusing and on-going review process, you will:

• Achieve greater income and free time

• Sharpen your strategic focus

• Leverage your time, talent and resources

• Identify more business opportunities

• Assess and overcome personal obstacles and limiting beliefs

• Adopt effective personal-management and business-management strategies

• Create and continually update a customized action plan based upon your vision and goals

• Receive on-going accountability to make adjustments and stay on track

• Achieve greater clarity of direction and greater confidence in yourself and your future

If you are seeking better approaches to managing your business and life, The Growth Coach can help. We understand the unique mixture of pleasure and pain that comes with owning and managing a growing business.

Our proven Strategic Mindset® process and many coaching programs help owners like you to slow down, reflect and decide on the critical changes necessary to improve your business and personal life. Through our programs, Growth Coach clients discover practical and highly effective personal-management and business-management strategies and mindsets. They gain clarity of direction, peace-of-mind and greater confidence pursuing their business and personal goals.

No matter how you got into business, the trail that you blaze from this point forward should be more strategic. The fact is, just like any professional athlete, you need a coach with a proven system and an objective, on-going review process to elevate your performance and results. Take advantage of The Growth Coach business coaching process today.

Reminiscing 2009

2009-12-26T11:19:00.000-06:00

With just a few days remaining in 2009, we typically take a look back at the year and reminisce once again on some of the significant things that happened over the last 365 days. We remember the top news stories such as the swine flu, Health Care Reform, the election of our 44th President, deaths of celebrities, and oh yes, the Recession, which sparked unemployment and foreclosures.

We remember terms that weren’t necessarily in our vocabulary previously such as “Octomom”, “Balloon Boy”, H1N1, conficker worm and Cash for Clunkers.

We remember how the social networking world took off and how Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn became so popular in our lives.

There is a definitely a lot to hark back on in 2009.

As I reflect back on my personal and business lives in 2009, I see some things that went well and I see some things that I should have done differently. I see a lot of positives and a few spots that I wish I could have had a “redo”.

But, I can’t allow myself to mull over the things in the past and think about “what could have been” for too long. I have to look forward to the future and let my focus be 2010! I want to take what I learned this year and turn it into some very productive and fruitful rewards for not only me but for my clients.

As a business owner, I encourage you to do the same. Reflect back upon your results for 2009 and decide how you would like them to be different in the New Year. What would you do differently if you were granted a “redo”? Take the time and formulate some strategic goals for a successful 2010. Look at ways you could strengthen your role as a business owner and make a positive impact to the results.

I am looking forward to starting a New Year. I have committed to myself and to my clients that 2010 will be a much better year!

Take the time to reflect back and then plan for the future.

As you know, the future starts…....Now!

Are You Happy With Your Results in 2009?

2009-12-09T10:37:00.000-06:00

Have you ever made a New Year’s resolution? Lose weight, spend more time with the kids, quit smoking, or get organized? I’m sure we all have at some point in time. What were your results? Did you achieve what you wanted? Making a New Year’s resolution is nothing more than establishing a personal goal. It more commonly involves stopping something that we are doing or includes starting something that we aren’t.

What about goals for your business? Are you happy with your results in 2009? Do you want to have another year exactly like this one? If not, now is the time to start planning for next year.

In the business world, we commonly utilize the S.M.A.R.T. method for establishing goals. S.M.A.R.T. stands for:

Specific — stated in clear, objective terms
Measurable — the results of the objective can be measured
Achievable — the goal is in your realm of responsibility and control
Results-Oriented — the goal should define the specific results to be achieved
Time-Bound — specific time-frame information or target deadlines are included

You should establish personal goals and business goals as well. In fact, both your personal goals and business goals should be supportive of each other. Establishing and achieving both personal and business goals can generate a synergistic effect. Achieving one of your goals should get you closer to achieving another one. For example, stating that you want to get more organized at work and work fewer hours should support your personal goal of spending more time with your family and friends.

Similar to the S.M.A.R.T. method above, before you establish personal goals, you must be sure of a few things. It’s important to evaluate your goals before you commit. There are several questions that you should ask first:

1. Can I actually control it?
2. Do I really want it?
3. How much time will it take?
4. How will it impact others?
5. How will I measure my success?

The answers to these questions are critical if you intend to be successful with your goals. These questions are your foundation to helping you become victorious. Make sure you understand why these questions are so important.

The most important part of any goal is accountability! You have to either hold yourself accountable for your goals or find someone else to hold you accountable. If there is not consequences of your actions (or lack thereof), then what is the point of having a goal? If you want to be successful in 2010, then you have to accountable for your results!

If you need any help in establishing your 2010 goals, or if you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Fort Worth Business Coach ‘Cautiously Optimistic’ on Economic Recovery

2009-10-09T11:49:00.000-05:00

Media Contact: Brooke Highline or Emily Collins, Fishman Public Relations:
(847) 945-1300, bhighline@fishmanpr.com or ecollins@fishmanpr.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Fort Worth Business Coach ‘Cautiously Optimistic’ on Economic Recovery
‘Business Barometer’ Indicates Subtle Signs of Uptick

Fort Worth, Texas – As economists continue to state the recession’s end is rapidly approaching, the business coaches at The Growth Coach® tend to agree and remain cautiously optimistic in their outlook on economic recovery. The Growth Coach is the only pure business coaching franchise system throughout North America with the single purpose of helping drive the success and balance the lives of small business owners. As such, these business coaches have their fingers on the pulse of the small business community and are ideally suited to provide economic insights.

Tim Fancher, owner of The Growth Coach franchise in Fort Worth, recently participated in the ‘Business Barometer’ survey, a random study completed by 40% of the business coaches (Growth Coach Franchise Owners) across the U.S. The Growth Coach corporate headquarters conducted the survey to capture a snapshot of the “economic mindset” of the thousands of small business clients their coaches serve.

The most commonly chosen response among all the certified business coaches surveyed, including Fancher, is that an economic uptick will begin over the next 3-6 months. This sense of prosperity is based on the feedback, attitudes and actual experiences of the small business clients these coaches serve in their respective local markets.

“While the recession has clearly hurt this city and its citizens, one positive trend I am now starting to see is the willingness of business owners to once again add talent to their companies. They are also beginning to invest more in their sales and marketing efforts to gain greater market share. Most of my small business clients are expecting improved sales results over the next 6 months and are gearing up for that, said Fancher.

“Since these small business clients have been in our on-going coaching and accountability process, they have weathered the economic storm by facing reality, making tough decisions early on, developing focused actions plans, and allowing themselves to be held accountable for getting critical things done. I now see and feel optimism return to the small business community. That is encouraging since this vital sector is the economic growth engine for Fort Worth”, stated Fancher.

The Growth Coach defines business coaching as the art and science of guiding entrepreneurs to reach their objectives and overcome obstacles and limitations that keep them from reaching optimal success in business, and in life. The company utilizes its signature Strategic Mindset® group coaching process, one-on-one coaching, tele-coaching, and other related services to help small business owners, franchisees, and self-employed professionals. All services come with a money-back guarantee. The coaching process includes examining the current reality of both their business and personal lives and developing a road map to help them achieve their goals.

For more information from the local business coach, please visit www.TheGrowthCoach.com/tfancher or call 817-301-9982.

About The Growth Coach
Founded in 2002, The Growth Coach is the only pure business coaching franchise system with the single purpose of helping drive the success and balance the lives of business owners. Their goal is to help clients gain greater leverage and focus so they can work less, earn more and enjoy more fulfilling lives. Clients include small business owners, franchisees, self-employed professionals, high-end sales and financial services professionals and managers from businesses of all size. Through an expanding national accounts program, The Growth Coach serves franchise systems, dealer networks and associations. With a presence in more than 150 markets across North America, The Growth Coach encourages diversity within its franchise system, as well as the development of small business and franchising worldwide. Currently, The Growth Coach is a member and/or affiliated with the following professional organizations: International Franchise Association, SBA Franchise Registry, VetFran, Minority Fran and is listed in Bond’s Minority Franchise Guide. For more franchise opportunity information, visit http://www.thegrowthcoach.com/.

# # #

Freedom, Independence and Fulfillment

2009-10-03T09:57:00.000-05:00

To maintain freedom, independence and fulfillment, as your business grows, so must your leadership effectiveness and operating systems. You must stop micromanaging and start leading (macro managing). You must become more purposeful and proactive. Specifically, we suggest business owners and managers follow the following life-changing process:

1. Step one: learn to work on yourself by transitioning to a new way of thinking and behaving. Re-program yourself and your habits. Stop acting like an employee and start thinking like a CEO. Learn to work on your business, not in your business.
2. Step two: systematize your company by creating, documenting and continually improving all your key processes, procedures and policies. Trust the business system and personnel you put in place and remove yourself from the company’s daily details. Be more hands-off and more brains-on. Replace yourself with other people. Define and document the work to be done. Train others and delegate the work. This operating system is your foundation for freedom.
3. Step three: increase your leadership capabilities. Excel at leadership, not doer-ship. Your business needs a clear vision and strong leader to hold others accountable, not another employee doing technical work. Help build and direct your team.
4. Step four: develop clarity of direction for your business and employees by creating a simple business plan and an effective implementation process.
5. Step five: learn to effectively manage your people, your greatest asset.
6. Step six: instead of incremental growth, engage the leverage of marketing to achieve substantial, profitable growth.
7. Step seven: learn to let go, delegate, and truly enjoy business ownership, your relationships, and your life.

By working less in your business, you gain more time to work on your business and make those essential changes necessary to optimize your company and your life. You may well be skeptical. That’s normal. However, let me ask you “Are your current paths and strategies working”? If so, you wouldn’t be reading this article. If not, I invite you to acknowledge the problems in your business, take responsibility for them, and dare to try new approaches.

Time to Face Facts

2009-09-22T15:15:00.000-05:00

It is time to face reality! You and your business have some problems that require some solutions. Very simply, you can’t change what you do not openly acknowledge. Identifying and admitting a problem goes a long way towards solving it.

To begin the transformation and healing process, you need to do some serious reflection. Be brutally honest when you answer these questions:

Do I often question, “Why do I have to do every darn thing myself”?
Am I still working too much and making too little?
Am I trapped working “in” my business instead of “on” my business?
Do I ever wonder if business ownership is truly worth the time, effort, headaches, hassles, and sacrifices?
Do I feel trapped on a treadmill, moving faster and faster, but going nowhere?
Do I constantly face frequent interruptions and repetitive questions from my staff?
Do I go home many nights feeling mentally and physically drained?
Do I confuse busyness with accomplishment?
Do I dread the drudgery of facing and solving the same issues and problems each and every day – the burden of re-creating the wheel time and time again?
Do I daydream about regaining my sense of freedom, joy, passion, and peace-of-mind?
Do I have anxiety about drowning in projects, problems, deadlines, crises, meetings, employee issues, unanswered voicemails/emails, customer complaints, administrative trivia, and on and on?
Do I feel like a master juggler with too many balls up in the air and dreading they will soon begin hitting the floor?
Am I forever chained to a phone, computer, email, or pager?
Am I tired of having customers rely on me personally for services, solutions and satisfaction?
Am I fed up with missing family time, family events, and making other personal sacrifices on a semi-regular basis?
Do I crave more free time to do the things that matter most to me?

Admit to the Problem

If you answered yes to most of these questions, don’t feel guilty, ashamed or embarrassed. You are not alone. Most owners have never learned to be strategic. Role models are scarce. As such, dysfunctional businesses and owners are the rule, not the exception.

Like you, most owners feel that they have been sentenced to a life of servitude and some even suffer from the blues. Unfortunately, because of pride, shame or ignorance, this sad condition has been kept hidden in the corner office for too long. Starting now, you should not have to endure this much discomfort and frustration associated with your business. You do not have to live this way! You should not be consumed by your business and frustrated with your life. Stop and think, why in the world, as the owner, should you have to touch every transaction, be involved with every decision, help solve every problem, or handle everybody’s job in some fashion? You shouldn’t! It doesn’t make sense. Something is broken! You cannot succeed alone. You don’t have enough hours in a day or enough energy or bandwidth to go it alone. Pain is a good indication that something is wrong and needs to be healed!

Realize that you aren’t the only one suffering. Think about how your stress and blues are negatively impacting your employees, customers, vendors/suppliers, friends and if applicable, your spouse and kids. Hear this wake-up call! It is time to shift radically your business beliefs and behavior. It is time to expand your view of new possibilities for managing your business and life. The better your business functions, the better your life will function.

You deserve to be free from the daily grind; after all, you own a business, not a job. You should actually enjoy the journey of developing and running a business and not defer your personal life and happiness until you retire or sell. Live life now! Do not get so caught up in making a living that you forget to make a life. If your personal life is suffering because of your company, either your leadership approach is misguided or your business design is broken, maybe both!

At this point, simply admit that your business centers on you and is totally dependent upon you. Admit that you are buried up to your eyeballs in details of the business. Admit that you are a slave to your business. Admit that instead of your business giving you greater life, it continues to drain more of your personal time and peace-of-mind. Admit that while your headaches and hassles grow, your freedom shrinks.

Start With a Goal

2009-08-19T11:47:00.000-05:00

Have you ever made a New Year’s resolution? Lose weight, spend more time with the kids, quit smoking, or get organized? I’m sure we all have at some point in time. What were your results? Did you achieve what you wanted? Making a New Year’s resolution is nothing more than establishing a personal goal. It more commonly involves stopping something that we are doing or includes starting something that we aren’t.

In the business world, we commonly utilize the S.M.A.R.T. method for establishing goals. S.M.A.R.T. stands for:

Specific — stated in clear, objective terms
Measurable — the results of the objective can be measured
Achievable — the goal is in your realm of responsibility and control
Results-Oriented — the goal should define the specific results to be achieved
Time-Bound — specific time-frame information or target deadlines are included

You should establish personal goals in your career as well. In fact, both your personal goals and career goals should be supportive of each other. Establishing and achieving both personal and career goals can generate a synergistic effect. Achieving one of your goals should get you closer to achieving another one. For example, stating that you want to get more organized at work and work fewer hours should support your personal goal of spending more time with your family and friends.

Similar to the S.M.A.R.T. method above, before you establish personal goals, you must be sure of a few things. It’s important to evaluate your goals before you commit. There are several questions that you should ask first:

Can I actually control it?
Do I really want it?
How much time will it take?
How will it impact others?
How will I measure my success?

The answers to these questions are critical if you intend to be successful with your goals. These questions are your foundation to helping you become victorious. Make sure you understand why these questions are so important.

What is Your Attitude Today?

2009-08-06T11:01:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite quotes is from Henry Ford, stating, “Whether you think that you can, or that you can’t, you are usually right.” This is a perfect example of how your attitude impacts what you can and cannot achieve. The more you believe in yourself and what you can achieve, the more likely you are to achieve it. This is not only important to you, but to everyone around you. Attitude drives behavior.

Attitude is one of the most important assets. Everyone has an attitude. There are positive, negative, and even neutral attitudes. One’s attitude can vary depending upon multiple factors, especially in the business world. Contrary to popular belief, the things around us do not cause our attitude. Attitude comes from within us. We determine what our attitude is going to be each day. We may choose to blame it on other factors, such as work, people, kids, the drive to work, etc. But in reality, those things didn’t cause our attitude, we let them influence what attitude we chose to have that particular day. It is how we responded to those external factors that others see as our attitude. A positive attitude is optimal for positioning yourself for a promotional opportunity. It can lead to achieving your goals faster, inspiring others around you, increasing your energy level, and gaining more respect from your colleagues. It can help with your work/life balance and even lead to a happier, healthier life. There are multiple benefits from having a positive attitude. A person’s strong positive attitude can even become contagious to those around them. I realize that it’s difficult sometimes to maintain a positive attitude. There are certain situations where things may not be as rosy as you would like. There are circumstances where there doesn’t appear to be a good way to approach the problem. These are the times when having a positive attitude is the most important. Remember, we choose which attitude we are going to have. It’s not just for your benefit, but for those around you. Maintaining a positive attitude during difficult times is a sign of a strong leader. It is second nature to develop a negative attitude. It takes effort to maintain a positive one. If you let the day-to-day activities bother you, and you find yourself complaining about them to those around you, you have a long way to go. Those around you recognize your negative attitude and will tend to steer away from you at times. They probably see you as the pessimistic type who doesn’t see the good in things. When this type of behavior is recognized by those above you, either your manager or someone else of influence, it creates a lasting impression that may be difficult to overcome. When it comes time for a promotion, those of influence will have a tendency to remember your negative characteristics just as much as they will remember the positive results that you have accomplished.

If the negative aspects they observed created a strong enough lasting impression, it could create a sense of doubt in their mind over whether you are ready for the next level. The problem is, you might not know that they have this impression of a negative attitude until it’s too late. Those who have a negative attitude typically won’t admit it, and usually point the blame on either other things or other people. So you have to be very honest with yourself and start looking for signs that you are exhibiting a negative attitude. Have a conversation with your manager and ask him or her what attitude he or she sees in you. Ask some of your peers for their opinion. Remember: Don’t ask for feedback from others if you are not willing to receive it. It might not be what you want to hear. They may tell you some things that might hurt your feelings, but until you know what to improve upon, you can’t make positive changes. This is one of the things that you have to start doing now to prevent roadblocks in the future.

Are You Ready for a Coach?

2009-07-31T05:57:00.000-05:00

Are You Ready for a Coach?
Take the Quiz to Find Out!

Please take a minute and find out how ready you are to live life to its fullest.

On a scale of 1 to 10, (1 being Don’t agree at all to 10 being Totally agree) rate each of the following statements:

_____ I am ready to create more balance in my life.

_____ I am ready to improve my personal or business relationships.

_____ I am ready to make real and positive changes in my life.

_____ I am ready to find and live my life’s purpose.

_____ I am ready and willing to overcome self-limiting belief’s and behavior.

_____ I am ready to create plans and take action to achieve my goals

_____ I am ready to achieve a sense of fulfillment at work and in my life.

_____ I am ready for more fun and enjoyment in my life.

_____ I would like to work less and make more money.

_____ I can benefit from someone who will help me to stay on track.

Total Score _______

Interpreting your score:

Under 30
Coaching is probably not right for you now.

31 to 60
Coaching could help you to look at your life from a different viewpoint as well as help you develop a plan to change what it is that you would like to change. However, if you decide to work with a coach now, you should decide and commit that you will take the necessary action for your benefit or you will not make lasting life-changing improvements.

Over 60
Congratulations! You are ready for a Coach! You are willing to do whatever it takes to create the life you deserve and desire. Please take a moment to go to my website right now for a FREE introductory coaching session to find out what coaching can do for you.

This one click can change your life forever.

Dare to Go for Growth... Even in Challenging Times

2009-07-29T07:43:00.000-05:00

Growing is the natural order of all living things, including businesses. If something is not growing, it's by default declining or even dying. Besides, if you aren't continually growing your company, odds are one of your savvy competitors is! As an owner, your challenge is to keep your business vibrant and growing at all times...even in challenging economic times. Have the right mindset, marketing, and dare to go for growth!

Start by making no excuses. Even with a tougher economy, you should still be intelligently marketing and growing your business. While you should conserve cash in your company anyway you possibly can at this time, you should not scale back effective and profitable marketing...emphasis is on effective and profitable. As long as your average profit-per-sale is higher than your average cost-per-sale, keep your marketing machine cranked up. Effective marketing pays for itself! However, many owners are forgetting this wisdom and caving in to their irrational fears. They are running their businesses based on fear instead of based of data.

Do You Know Your Unique Qualities?

2009-07-25T09:13:00.000-05:00

Do You Know Your Unique Qualities?

Why do current clients/customers continue to do business with me?
Why do new clients choose to do business with me?
Why do referral sources refer clients to me?
What would friends/loved ones say are my natural talents/gifts?
What gives me the greatest results with the least amount of time and effort?
What activities do I do effortlessly, that energize me, and produce extraordinary results?
What vital few things produce 80% of my results?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions, then you are probably not operating your business at its greatest potential.

To continue to grow, you have to find out the answers to these questions.

2009-07-22T11:24:00.000-05:00

Key Terminology that should be in your vocabulary as a business owner:

Productivity – achieving the greatest results in the shortest period of time
Leverage – achieving the greatest results with the least amount of effort
Effectiveness – doing the right things to produce superior results
Efficiency – doing things right to produce consistent and rapid results
Strategic – planning for and executing on high-level, high-priority, and high-leverage activities that produce optimal results

How often do you use these words and in what circumstance?

Stress is what happens when you don't focus

2009-07-21T16:41:00.000-05:00

You probably have heard it said that managers do things right and leaders do the right things. The first statement speaks to efficiency, and the latter refers to effectiveness. It is easy to be busy but hard to work on the right things.

You as a leader should focus on doing the right things — those things that matter most to the success of your department, organization and/or company. In short, to be effective you must drive the focus of the organization. You must channel your time, talent, energy and resources into making an earnest effort to focus on the key priorities and goals of your organization. Keep your focus by constantly asking yourself, “What’s Important Now (WIN)?”

In today’s dynamic, technology-connected world, it’s easy for us to lose track of what is most important to our business. We too often get caught up in the day-to-day minutia and distractions (e-mail, voice- mail, cell phones, PDAs, etc.) that must be re- directed, re-focused and re-oriented continually.

Our employees are no exception. As an owner/leader, you need to share your focus and vision for your business or organization with your employees. If you ignore this critical focus, the possibility of wasted energy, time, talent and resources on trivial matters will keep them from attaining the company’s vision and its mission-critical priorities.

Why not consider focusing the team’s attention and concentration on these six primary areas:

Satisfying your customers/clients
Becoming outcome driven; expecting results, not excuses
Learning and continuous improvement
Maintaining and driving profits
Letting them know you are in it for the long run
Having fun

I'll be glad to help you reduce your stress, become more focused, more strategic and more profitable, giving you more free time!

A Small Business Helping Other Small Businesses

2009-07-11T11:38:00.000-05:00

We are The Growth Coach, a business coaching firm that specializes in small to medium sized businesses and self-employed individuals to get more out of their businesses and lives. Our goal is to help entrepreneurs to work less, make more, and enjoy richer lives. Specifically, with a proven quarterly focusing process, Strategic Mindset®, we help enhance the strategic mindset and actions of owners and self-employed professionals. Over a two-year process, we help owners to go to work “ON” themselves and “ON” their businesses. They learn how to think, focus and act more strategically while at the same time, discovering more effective ways to grow and manage their businesses. Because our coaching and accountability process has been used and continually refined for over 15 years, it is so well proven that we provide a money-back guarantee for all our clients.

Because we utilize a proven strategic-focusing and on-going review process, you will:

· Achieve greater income and free time
· Sharpen your strategic focus
· Leverage your time, talent and resources
· Identify more business opportunities
· Assess and overcome personal obstacles and limiting beliefs
· Adopt effective personal-management and business-management strategies
· Create and continually update a customized action plan based upon your vision and goals
· Receive on-going accountability to make adjustments and stay on track
· Achieve greater clarity of direction and greater confidence in yourself and your future

If you are seeking better approaches to managing your business and life, The Growth Coach can help. We understand the unique mixture of pleasure and pain that comes with owning and managing a growing business.Our proven Strategic Mindset® process and many coaching programs help owners like you to slow down, reflect and decide on the critical changes necessary to improve your business and personal life. Through our programs, Growth Coach clients discover practical and highly effective personal-management and business-management strategies and mindsets. They gain clarity of direction, peace-of-mind and greater confidence pursuing their business and personal goals.

No matter how you got into business, the trail that you blaze from this point forward should be more strategic. The fact is, just like any professional athlete, you need a coach with a proven system and an objective, on-going review process to elevate your performance and results. Take advantage of The Growth Coach business coaching process today. Give me a call.