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.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Now That The "Big Game" has Come and Gone, What's Next?
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.
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.
Friday, February 11, 2011
2011 Challenges: Economic Uncertainty, Sales Growth
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/.
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/.
Friday, December 31, 2010
New Year’s Resolutions vs. Goals
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.
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.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Looking for a GPS for Christmas?
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
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
Thursday, October 21, 2010
What Type of Business Are You In?
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.
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.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Who Becomes Wealthy?
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.
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.
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