Leading Visions to Action
Coaching & Organizational Consulting
November 2006
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Greetings!

The changing of the seasons and shortening of the days reminds me to embrace change with grace and gratitude. Having undergone a considerable amount of transition, loss, and a patient rebirthing process myself in the past three years, I have come to appreciate, even more, all of you, and your efforts in helping others and in making the world a better place for us all.

I am using a new format to send out news to friends and colleagues. I invite you to take a peek at some of what I've been up to recently. I enthusiastically welcome your feedback and look forward to partnering with you or your organization in leading your visions to action. May these coming months be filled with unlimited possibilities for us all.

In heartfelt collaboration,
Sheryl

C.E.O. Women Creating Economic Opportunities for Women, transforms the lives of low-income immigrant and refugee women by helping them to become economically self- sufficient and integrated members of our society. C.E.O. Women accomplishes this mission by offering innovative programs that bring together entrepreneurship and language training to equip women with the skills they need to succeed in business.

For the past 18 months, I have had the great pleasure to work with this amazing organization based in Oakland, CA, as a business coach, project consultant, and now as their business trainer. E-Bay, American Express, Chevron, and Hewlett Packard are just a few of the many companies that are recognizing the value of our work and are supporting our mission as sponsors, donors, or volunteers. I invite you to join us!

Come take a closer look at how we are helping immigrant and refugee women, their families and communities.
For the past eight years, women have been the fastest growing group of business owners in the USA. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, the estimated growth rate in the number of women-owned firms was nearly twice that of all firms between 1997 and 2004. When asked what prompted them to start their own businesses, giving back to the community, teaching others, and being a role model were the highest priorities. Only 55 percent of those surveyed cited creating wealth as a top reason.

Starting one?s own business may be an attractive career choice, particularly if you are ready and willing to transform a long-held passion into income, walk an extra mile (or two) and package your varied resources, abilities, and talents. Not for the weak of heart, or for those simply longing for independence and freedom, owning a business is for those who are comfortable with the unknown and risk-taking, have done their research, and possess certain qualities that set them apart.

Are you thinking about starting your own business or taking an existing business to the next level? If so, I'd love to speak with you!. Take a look at my Qualities of the New Entrepreneur and let's get ready to launch!

TEN QUALITIES of the NEW ENTREPRENEUR:
  1. Passionate and driven to transform dreams and ideas into reality - loves what she does and knows what she stands for.
  2. Goal Oriented - has a short- and long-term strategic plan with an emphasis on relational marketing.
  3. Self-Confident and Optimistic - practices the principles of the "Law of Attraction."
  4. Creates a budget with well-researched operational costs from which she makes realistic financial projections.
  5. Maintains work/life balance and asks for support from other ?experts.?
  6. Realizes the value of partnerships and the necessity of environmental sustainability; builds these elements into her business plan.
  7. Life-long learner - thrives on change and keeps abreast of trends in her industry.
  8. Approaches obstacles as opportunities.
  9. Committed to and grows through helping others.
  10. Creates a business plan and marketing strategies with her coach.

Are You Ready for Business? Smart Women Start With A Business Plan. Call 510.336.9161 or click here to schedule a complimentary consultation.
Have you ever assessed what it costs to hire, train and then lose a great employee, only to have to go through the whole process again? According to a recent survey, "it costs a firm $76K to fill a $48K postion. The cost for replacing exempt staff is 150% of their salary; non-exempt: 175%." (Development Dimensions, Intl.)

Numerous studies and surveys reveal that the top reasons employees leave are due to:
  • Lack of resources and support.
  • No opportunity for growth & learning.
  • No one asked them what motivates them.
  • Little or no possibility to be part of the solution.
Surprisingly so, income was not a key factor in why people stay or leave an organization. Furthermore, even in the non-profit sector, nearly 60% of those who leave end up going to another non-profit organization rather than to a position in the typically higher paying private sector.

Become a Collaborative Leader: In a well-known training video produced by Media- Partners.com, three key tips are offered for Keeping the Good Ones!
  1. Offer Your Time with weekly 10-minute check-ins. Ask your individual team members and business partners:
    • How are you doing?
    • How is the team doing?
    • How can I help?
  2. Express Your Appreciation - Acknowledge your team members for doing great work! Let them know you want them, and that they have a place there.
  3. Offer Yourself - Lead from the Heart.

?Employees today are no longer loyal to organizations as much as they are loyal to people, especially to managers who treat them with trust, respect, and consideration, and who systematically seek to act in their best interest.? Dr. Bob Nelson, 1001 Ways to Reward Employees

ASK YOURSELF: What can I do in order to keep my best employees? To hire and retain the best, then give them your best.

For more information on increasing INNOVATION, MOTIVATION, and PRODUCTIVITY in your workplace, call 510.336.9161 or go to www.sherylsever.com .
In transition? You're not alone! In the world of work, the average American will undergo a CAREER change - shifting the way they offer their gifts to the world - at least six times in their lifetime.

We know that change is inevitable; that doesn't mean it's comfortable! Like the butterfly on the brink of emerging through the cocoon, it is like pure chaos. The soft darkness is pierced, all is unknown and in wild movement in this metamorphosis.

In her 5-Rhythms Movement System, Gabrielle Roth, one of my revered teachers, demonstrates the necessity of this chaos in order for change (a new state, form, condition) to emerge. The state of chaos allows us to tap into the stillness in the eye of the storm, where we access our inherent truth, wisdom, and gifts. We can find strength in the chaos of uncertainty and indecision.

With support, transition can be a natural and beautiful process.

REINVENT YOURSELF
There is a profound change coursing through our cosmos, our world, and our very beings in these times. It doesn't always take the traumatic loss of a job or some other "shock" to stimulate the need for reinvention. We may simply realize that we are dissatisfied with our lives. Either our present situation no longer reflects our values, or our values have changed. CHANGE is at the essence of reinvention.
 When facing a career transition or job loss, remember, it?s who you are at your essence level, not what you do, that is most important. Below are some practical "stress-reducing" transition tips to consider in times of change and transition.

TEN STRESS-REDUCING TRANSITION TIPS
  1. Build structure into your days with exercise, meditation, or a walk.
  2. Give attention to diet and nutrition - reduce alcohol and caffeine intake.
  3. Read "self-help" and other inspirational books.
  4. Be open to receive. Don't try and "push" for answers and results.
  5. Take a workshop for personal exploration; learn new skills for your professional development.
  6. Volunteer with an organization that reflects your values.
  7. Avoid isolating yourself. Join or create a career resource network or "transition support team."
  8. Each day, write down ten things you are grateful for.
  9. Allow yourself at least 20 minutes a day of "sacred" alone time. Remember: the external reflects the internal - like the cocoon/butterfly transformation - change comes from within first.
  10. Work with a coach.

Clients have referred to me as the "Re-Invention Queen" for the work I've done "midwiving" their career transitions.

What allows me to be so effective with my clients is that I share a 15-year synthesis of tools, systems, and practices that I have personally used in my own "re- inventions."

By working with me, you can find ways to re-discover and "reclaim? who you are, what you offer, and how to communicate that to the world. Together, we will excavate the buried treasures within and create exciting ways to express a more authentic, integral YOU!

I invite you to experience a no-obligation, 30-minute session with me for FREE! (offer valid through December 15, 2006)

SPECIAL OFFER: 20% off my 90-day coaching program, if you register by December 31, 2006.

NOW is the perfect time to begin reflecting on your accomplishments in 2006, in every area of your life:

  • Health & Well-Being
  • Business & Career - your gifts to the world
  • Financial Abundance
  • Family & Community
  • Personal Growth & Self-Expression
  • Romance
  • Fun & Recreation
  • Physical Envirionment (Home & Planet)
  • Inner Guidance
What do you want MORE of? What do you want LESS of? What can you LET GO of, for good?
SET the INTENTION. WORK with a COACH. TRUST in your LIFE. CELEBRATE and LIVE your DREAMS.

We are the ones we've been waiting for!

In gratitude,
Sheryl R. Sever
Cross Currents Communications

phone: 510.336.9161