Group Coaching Nuggets
Tips, Tools and Resources for Your Group Programs
September 2007
In This Issue
Leverage and Bottom Lining
Workshop and Retreat Essentials starts September 12th
Biz Success and Get Organized
Quick Links
Greetings!
Welcome to the September edition of Group Coaching Nuggets. On this last official summer long weekend, with school openings around the corner for many, I am feeling a pulpible buzz. I have to say that this year I am particularly excited for September, as it is going to have me quite engaged in a lot of in-person corporate work here in Toronto and across Canada for the next three months. It seems as though many of the marketing seeds I've been laying over the last few months are really paying off. How about you? What has shown up recently in your business?
 
This month's focus is all about leverage and strategy, something that I speak alot about in both the group context and business contexts.
 
As always, I would welcome your comments and updates on what's happening in your life and work. Please sit back and enjoy this month's newsletter!
 
Jennifer
Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC, CHRP, CPT
Potentials Realized
A Treasure Trove of Ideas: Leverage and Bottom Lining
This month I'm focusing on two related skills - the business skill of leverage and the facilitation skill of bottom lining. I hope that it gives you some new ideas for your business and programs!
 
Business Leverage - the 1% rule and Pareto Principle.
The Pareto Principle states that we achieve 80% of our results from only 20% of our efforts, while the remaining 80% of our efforts only achieve 20% of our results.
 
Exercise:
What business activities are giving you the most leverage right now? What 20% of your efforts are giving the greatest impact? Is it speaking? Networking? Referrals? Podcasting? Blogging?  Take a moment and make a list of all of your business activities -- give each one a percentage in terms of the impact it is having (prehaps in the short, medium and long terms).
 
Questions:
What can you do in the next month to leverage these 80% result activities? What do you need to let go of, so you can have more space to focus on these high-impact activities?
 
In many of the small business seminars I conduct for government funded programs and business students, I also talk about the 1% Rule. Many of you may have heard me speak about how marketing can take on a life of it's own once a certain amount of momentum is gained. Often as business owners we hestitate to get into action because our tasks (marketing, planning, developing) seem so large. What would it be like if you took a small step every day towards one of your goals -- just a 1% increase in action? Imagine that by making a 1% change daily, you could make a 30% change over a month.
 
Exercise:
Take a look at the list you created in the first part of this article. What is one area you would like to make headway on this month? Prehaps it is an area that you have gotten stuck on, or it may be an area that seems too big to move forward on.
 
Questions:
Ask yourself, given this goal, what is a 1% change I can make today on this goal. Prehaps it is making one phone call, or spending 10 minutes doing some MindMapping. Ask yourself this question on a daily basis, and take action. Remember, it's only a 1% shift, not a 30% shift each day! Track your results and see what happens after 30 days.
 
For more details on these topics, please visit these blog posts:
How's Your Marketing Momentum? - Talks about the 1% Rule
 
I'd also invite you to visit my Biz Toolkit blog to access some of my recent podcasts including last month's Powerful Time Management Tips podcast (it can be found on the right column at the bottom).
 
Group Facilitation Tip - The Skill of Bottom Lining
How do you use the skill of bottom lining in your programs? Do you have participants that overtake the discussion? What do you do?
 
Bottom lining is a valuable skill to add to your repetoire, or exercise more frequently.
 
Read a description of the skill of bottom lining and how to use it here.

Come Celebrate our 3rd Anniversary -
Workshop and Retreat  Essentials Fall Session starts Wed Sept 12th at 8pm (EST)
Are you looking to launch your own workshop or reteat program this fall or winter? I am pleased to announce the fall session for the Workshop and Retreat Essentials program (by phone) will start next week (September 12th) on Wednesdays from 8-9:15 pm (EST) on September 12, 26, October 3 and 10th (plus a fifth group call in November - at a time convenient for the group). September marks the 3rd anniversary of this program, which has now been taken by hundreds of coaches and other professionals from around the world!
 
This program focuses on providing you with the tools, templates, exercises and other structures to make your design, implementation and marketing of workshops and retreats easy and engaging. This program will be of interest to individuals who are thinking of running their own in-person workshops, teleseminars/teleclasses, in-person retreats and virtual retreats.
 

Topics include:

�  Tools and templates for Developing your own workshop or retreat

�  Logistical tips and how-tos for virtual and in-person programs

�  Marketing Success Strategies for Filling your programs

�  Virtual Retreats - How Tos and Best Practices

�  Learning Styles, Adult Learning Principles and Experiential education

�  A Toolbox of Exercises You Can Include in Your Next Workshop or Retreat
 
For full details, please click here.
 
Space is limited to 6 participants this month, so reserve your spot early.
 
The cost of the program is $250 US, and includes:
* An 85 page E-manual (delivered as weekly modules)
* Pre and post course 1-1s with me
* Individualized support as requested during the program
* 5 x group calls over a two and a half month period
* Recordings of the calls (MP3)
 
To register, email me. A PayPal link can be found at the bottom of the program page, or you can call me toll free at 1-866-217-1960 and pay by Visa by phone.
 
Here's what a recent participant said about the program:

"The Workshop and Retreat Essentials program gave me the tools, structure and momentum I needed to get started designing and marketing workshops and retreats. I came away with outlines and ideas for at least 3 workshops and 1 virtual retreat! Jennifer provides detailed notes and is very generous with her knowledge and tools. I particularly liked that she gave specific examples, and was able to tailor the classes to our skill level and goals. I would highly recommend this program! "

Beth Garrish, CPCC, Life Uncorked! http://www.Life-Uncorked.com

 
Note for those of you intrested in the Group Coaching Essentials program, the next one will be held on Thursdays from 8-9:15 pm (EST) on October 11, 25, November 7 and 15th (plus a fifth call in December/Jan). Registration is now open -- space is limited to 8! Click here to find out more or register and pay by PayPal.
Other Programs which may be of interest - Biz Success and Getting Organized!
Are you looking for tools to grow your business as well as a structure for accountability and momentum? The 90 Day Biz Success  group coaching program launches on Fridays from 12 - 1 pm (EST) on Friday September 7th. We'll be meeting on September 7, 21, Oct 5, 19, November 9, 23 and December 7th. The program includes two group calls per month, and one thirty minute coaching session, focused on your business and its' growth. You'll also receive 36 business tips delivered to your inbox during the program.
 
Topics include:
* Creating or refining your business vision
* Identifying your unique strengths and abilities as a business owner, to identify areas for leverage and competitive advantage
* Marketing Essentials and Developing a Marketing Action Plan
* Essential Business Systems
* Developing Your Annual Business Plan
 
The current cost of the program is $297 US (a real deal!). If you can't make this month's program the next 90 Day Biz Success program will start in November.
 
If getting organized is more of a priority for you right now, I would invite you to join me for a free call I am hosting with TV Host and Professional Organizer Hellen Buttigieg of WeOrganizeU. Hellen and I are hosting a one hour free call on Wednesday September 19th from 8-9pm(EST) entitled "Help! I'm Drowning in a Sea of Paper". Hellen will share with you some essential tips for getting your paperwork under control. You can reserve a spot for this free call by sending an email to teleclass@potentialsrealized.com. You'll receive an autoresponse with call details. Space is limited to 250 callers which filled very quickly in April when we last offered it. The call will not be recorded so please mark your calendars now. For more info click here.
 
Hellen and I will also be hosting the Get Organized Virtual Retreat on Thursday September 27 and October 4th from 7-10 pm (EST) - two evenings. This is an interactive, hands on retreat, during which time you will be undertaking specific organizing exercises from your own home or office. The results from our May Retreat were astounding for participants -- to find out more, click here. Space is limited to 15 and the cost is $250 US, a fraction of the cost of working with Hellen and I individually.
 
Even thought the shorter days of fall are around the corner, remember that time does not always equal impact -- I hope that you will consider using some of the skills and tools covered in this month's newsletter to leverage your time and skills.
 
As always, I welcome your comments and thoughts - feel free to email me at jennifer@potentialsrealized.com or call me toll free 1-866-217-1960. I look forward to continuing to act as a resource for you.
 
With best wishes,
Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC, CHRP
Potentials Realized Founder
Group Coaching Essentials