Group Coaching Nuggets
Tips, Tools and Resources for Your Group Programs
December 2007
In This Issue
My Top 10 Favorite Tools and Tips for 2007
December and January programs
Greetings!
Welcome to the December edition of the Group Coaching Nuggets - monthly bursts on issues related to group coaching, workshops and retreats.
 
As we draw to a close on 2007, I hope that you have had a chance to reflect on all that it has to offer and what lays ahead for the new year. If you haven't, please click on over to the following audio post I have put together.
 
You are also invited to my traditional annual call on Group Program issues. I hope that you can join me on Thursday December 20th from 7-8pm (EST) at (218) 486-1300, access code 503003. This year's topic is Making your Group Programs Great in 2008: 8 Essential Tips. No cost to join other than your own long distance charges.
 
I want to wish you and yours a wonderful holiday season and I hope that 2008 will be filled with all that you want and more!
 
Jennifer
Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC, CHRP, CPT
Potentials Realized | Group Coaching Essentials
My Top 10 Favorite Group Programs Tools and Tips
 

Top 10 Favorite Group Program Tools and Tips for 2007

 

This year has been a rich time for me to work with many group clients - from individuals and teams representing the virtual world, for profit, not for profit and global organizations.

 

Here are some of the tools and tips that have come in very handy for the year. I hope that you will find them useful too!

 

  1. www.thebasementventures.com - If you are looking to host your own conference calls and want to record them at no cost, this service offers it all for free! You can also convert your audio recordings into podcasts.
  2. Post-it notes: I don't know how many dozen post it notes I have gone through this year with group and team programs but it's been a lot! Post- its are a great tool for capturing thoughts for program design, vision work and also evaluation from participants.
  3. Printing Needs: VistaPrint. If you haven't discovered Vista Print yet, I hope that you will check them out. They offer a wide selection of products you can customize - from postcards, to business cards and T-shirts. If time is on your side, you may appreciate the value of their products.
  4. Group Coaching and Training Checklist: http://groupcoaching.blogspot.com/2007/09/workshop-retreat-and-group-coaching.html
  5. MindMapping - I love using MindMaps with my clients. They are a great way to support people to think outside of the box! You can have groups create them, individuals create their own, draw them on paper or use a computer program such as MindJet (www.mindjet.com). What can you MindMap today? http://groupcoaching.blogspot.com/2006/05/mindmapping-creative-tool-to-add-to.html
  6. Co-Facilitation - When co-facilitation really works, it rocks! When it doesn't, it doesn't. Click here for some tips on preparing for your next co-facilitation : http://groupcoaching.blogspot.com/2007/03/group-facilitation-tip-co-facilitation.html. Looking to design your next co-facilitation? Book a 45 minute partnership alliance coaching session with me for you and your partner!
  7. Remember that 60% of adult learners are visual learners. What support are you providing them? For more info: http://groupcoaching.blogspot.com/2007/07/group-facilitation-tip-visual-learning.html
  8. Keep it Simple - Systems for your work and programs can save you a lot of time and headaches. Here's a post from late 2006 on some of the systems you may want to create. http://groupcoaching.blogspot.com/2006/12/keep-it-simple-systems-for-your-group.html
  9. Create a clear vision for yourself and the work you want to create and keep it close at hand. What do you want to create in 2008?

  And of course, my favorite:

  1. Less is more! If you haven't heard me talk about this one before here it is. One of the greatest pitfalls for coaches and trainers is trying to fit too much in their programs. Think about the value you would be providing by taking out 20% of the content you hoped to deliver/cover during your program, so that you leave more space for discussion and participant exploration. Your Challenge: Take out 20% of the content you want to deliver in an upcoming program and put it aside as the seeds for a new program.

I would welcome your feedback on which tools you liked, and which others you would recommend. I will be posting this at the Group Coaching Ins and Outs blog later today so feel free to comment there.

December and January programs -  Planning Retreats, Group Coaching Essentials and Workshop and Retreat Essentials
If you missed some of the earlier virtual planning retreats this month, there will be some encore presentations, as well as a return of the Group Coaching Esssentials and Workshop and Retreat Essentials programs next month.
 
As a year end special I will also be offering a $25 discount for any one of the following programs in December or January when you sign up with a friend or colleague. Please contact me directly if you would like to take advantage of this offer (Toll free: 1-866-217-1960). This offer will be available to January 4, 2008.
 
2008 Biz Success Virtual Planning Retreat (for business owners):
Saturday January 5, 2008 (10 - 4pm EST/NY) by Phone - Encore Presentation
 

Haven't had a chance yet to do your planning for 2008 or develop a vision for what you want to create with your business? This is a virtual business planning retreat for small business owners. Participants will:

  • Develop their vision for 2008 for their business
  • Explore or reconnect with their business values
  • Set their major Business Objectives for 2008
  • Develop a Business RoadMap for 2008
  • Develop a marketing plan for 2008
  • Develop an operational budget and partnership strategy for the new year

The Biz Success Virtual Planning Retreat will be of interest to new and seasoned business owners who are committed to conscious, intentional action and planning for their business. Retreat registrants will receive:

  • 6 hours of retreat time (combination of group time by phone and individual planning time)
  • A virtual retreat manual with exercises, tools, templates for their business planning
  • A follow up group call
Space is limited to 12 and cost is $150 Canadian/$150 US.
For more information, or to register click here.
 
If you are looking for a longer term business development program, you may also be interested in the 90 Day Biz Success(TM) program which starts on Friday January 11/08

 

GROUP Program Design Virtual Intensive

Monday December 17 and Wednesday December 19th (7-10pm EST) - NEW DATE
 
Have you decided to offer group programs in 2008 and haven't found the time to start designing or marketing your programs? The Virtual Intensive program structured to give you a step by step process to develop the skeleton of a new workshop, retreat or group coaching program.You will receive step by step tools and get the chance to put this into immediate action each evening. The Virtual Intensive is a combination of group time on the phone and individual work off-line during the two evenings, and is supported by two rich e-manuals and exercises accompanying the intensive. Past participants have left the program with a group program design skeleton, a Marketing GamePlan for their program, and exercises to include in their program.
 
Intensive registrants receive:
  • 6 hour Intensive program delivered by phone (combination of group call and individual work)
  • The Group Program Intensive Manual
  • A follow up group call to check on progress
Space is limited to 6 participants. Cost: $125 Candian/$125 US. Click here for more information.
 
Workshop and Retreat Essentials - Mondays from 8-9:15 pm (EST)
Starts: Monday January 7th. Calls: January 7, 14, 21, 28 and March 3, 2008
This program is for coaches and professionals who want to create their own workshop and retreat programs, and are looking for tools, templates and resources to support them in the design, delivery and marketing. It is a hands-on interactive program and you can expect to leave the program with your own workshop or retreat design, plus implementation and marketing ideas. We cover both virtual and in person workshops and retreats (teleseminars and virtual retreats included).
Space is limited to 6 participants. Cost: $250 US. For more details, click here.
 
Group Coaching Essentials - Wednesdays from 8-9:15 pm (EST)
Starts: Wednesday January 9th. Calls: January 9, 16, 23, 30 and March 5, 2008
Are you looking to design your own group coaching program in 2008? Join me for a hands-on interactive virtual learning lab, as you acquire new tools, tips and insights on group coaching. You will leave the program with a whole new toolbox for your own group coaching programs, as well as the design of your own program. For more information and to register click here.
Cost: $250 US. Space is limited to 6 coaches
 
If you have any questions on any of the programs, please feel free to contact me directly at jennifer@potentialsrealized.com, or toll free 1-866-217-1960 (press 0 when you hear my voice mail come on and you will be connected directly to my office).

Have a wonderful holiday season and I look forward to continuing to act as a resource for you and your programs during 2008!
 
Warm wishes, 
Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC, CHRP
Potentials Realized Founder
Group Coaching Essentials
Toll Free: 1-866-217-1960 or Direct: 416-491-9680
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