A few weeks ago, I hosted my 4^th annual holiday call on group program issues  which has now become a tradition in the week leading up to Christmas.

For those of you who couldn't make it, I hope that you will click on over to listen to the recording here.

Here's a listing of 8 + tips and tools to make your group programs great in 2008:

• Carve out some quiet time to do some brainstroming and visioning work on what you want to create. Two tools you can use are: MindMapping or Index Cards. Check out the follwing blog post for an exercise describing different ways you can use index cards to support your group programs: http://groupcoaching.blogspot.com/2007/02/group-program-tools-index-cards.html.

2.  Get Clear on Who Your Clients Are:

• Who exactly are the clients you want to have participate in your programs? What are their needs? What are their challenges? What type of program delivery will be most meaningful for them/convenient for them? When are they available to attend a group program?
• One tool that will help you get clear on who your clients are is the Group Coaching Client Assessment (TM) which I offer as a complimentary resource. If you haven't received a copy yet, and would like one, please email me at jennifer@potentialsrealized.com for your copy today.

 3. Establish Ground Rules with your group

• Spend time at the start of any program (virtual or in-person) facilitating a process where the group creates ground rules, ways of working, or terms of engagement. This supports the group creating ownership of the program, and also creates a common ground for all participants in terms of acceptable and not acceptable behavior. Click on over to an earlier post I did on establishing ground rules with your group.

4. Develop Systems to Keep It All  Simple

Running one or more group programs (workshops, retreats, group coaching) can take a lot of detial work. You will want to develop systems within your business, or for your organization, to keep it all simple. This may include:

1. Easy way to accept registrations
2. List of upcoming programs in one place
3. Credit Card processing so you are not waiting on a check in the mail (Merchant account, PayPal or shopping cart)
4. Course materials/,odules that can be modified/combined for different programs
5. System to track registrations and payment
6. System to get the word out
7. Program/course overview or information package

5. Develop a Marketing Strategy and persevere with it:

      Allow yourself enough time

      Look at what your clients want

      Look at what you are good at

      Persevere with it! Marketing is about focused, continued action and messaging

6. Harvest the Collective Wisdom of your group

7. Don't forget to evaluate!

• What worked well?
• What are you taking away?
• What should we do differently next time? 

8. Get into action!

1. Create dedicated space to focus on your programs
2. Work with a coach
3. Participate in a virtual intensive* where you spend structured time on your programs
4. Brush up your skills and create accountability through working with others (see below for some of my upcoming offerings)

Please continue to take your essence out into the world by offering powerful group programs this year! What support do you need to make this happen?

* The next Group Program Virtual Intensive will be held on March 10 and 12, 2008 from 7-10 pm EST both evenings. Participants in the December intensives were blown away at the impact of having 6 hours to focus on their work and a structure to follow! They completed at least one program design and their marketing approach. 75% of participants were able to complete at least two program designs. Please email me if you'd like to reserve your space for March.