Group Program Nuggets
Tips, Tools and Resources for Your Group Programs
Volume 3, Issue 6 - June 2008

In This Issue
Resources for You: 10 Essential Items, Death by PowerPoint
Upcoming Programs
7 Marketing Ideas
Quick Links
Greetings!

Welcome back to the June Group Program Nuggets, a monthly newsletter dedicated to group program facilitation and group coaching issues.
 
We're moving into summer and many of you may be moving full throtle into the facilitation of your own programs, or planning for upcoming ones. Summer is a very popular time!
 
In this month's newsletter you'll find:
  • Links to some of my recent blog posts on Top 10 items for facilitation kits - what to include for your participant kits as well as your own 
  • A listing of our upcoming programs this summer including the Group Coaching Essentials program (starting mid-June and mid July), the Group Program Virtual Retreat and three fall in-person programs
  • AND 7 Tips for Marketing Your Group Programs

Sit back and enjoy!

Resources for You
Here are some of the topics I've been writing about this month:
 
10 Essential Items for your Facilitation Kit: 10 must have items for your own retreat or group program facilitation kit
 
10 Essential Items to include in your next retreat or group coaching program for participants.
 
Some links to tips and presentations on how to avoid death by PowerPoint, and zest up your next presentation.
 
Upcoming Speaking Engagements:
I hope that you will consider joining me for some of my upcoming speaking engagements on issues related to team and group coaching:
 
Thursday July 24, 2008 (3-4 pm Eastern): CTI Career Coaches Community (Teleconference)
 
Thursday September 4, 2008: ICF Group Coaching SIG (Teleconference)
Upcoming Programs : Group Coaching Essentials, Retreats and Intensives
 
Group Coaching Essentials:
Three upcoming start Dates:
 
June: Thursdays 8-9:15 pm (ET/NY): June 19, 26, July 10 and 17 plus 5th call(2 spaces)
July: Tuesdays 8-9:15 pm (ET/NY): July 15, 22, 29 and August 5th plus 5th call
July: Wednesdays 11am - 12: 15 pm (ET/NY): July 16, 23, 30 and Aug 6th plus 5th call
 
Are you a coach who:
  • Wants to launch their own group coaching program?
  • Is looking to not reinvent the wheel with their own group coaching program?
  • Wants some tried and tested tips related to designing, marketing and running their own group coaching program?
  • Is looking for engaging exercises to adapt to their group coaching program?
  • Is seeeking accountability to moving their vision for group programs into reality?
  • Wonders how their individual coaching skills can be adapted for a group context?
Now is the time to get your group coaching programs ready for launch for late summer and early fall, whether they are in-person, by phone (virtual), for the public or corporations. I hope that you will join me for this month's Group Coaching Essentials teleseminar program, which answers all these questions and more!
 
Calls are recorded if you can't make a session. Space is limited to 6-8 coaches per session. 5th call date and times are scheduled by the group, usually 4-6 weeks after the 4th call. Cost: $250 US (price will increase in September 08)

For more information or to register and pay by PayPal click here. You can also contact me directly at (416) 419-9680 (toll free: 1-866-217-1960) or by reply email.
 
Group Program Design Virtual Intensive
July 14 and 21, 2008 (7-10 pm Eastern/4-7 pm Pacific both evenings). Cost: $125 US
 
Need a focus and the time to get a new group program idea developed and off the ground? Join me and a small group of other practionners for a 6 hour virtual intensive (by phone) where we'll move through 6 hours of structured exercises to move from program idea to reality. The program is a mix of short group calls (15 min/hour) and individual exercises undertaken offline. It's a great accountability framework and way to get into focused action!Click here for more information and to register.
 
 
Upcoming In Person Programs:
Group Coaching Essentials Intensive: Toronto, Canada: October 3 and 4, 2008
For coaches who want to enhance their skill set and techniques for group coaching. Click here for a complete description on the program. I will be applying for CCEs from the ICF for this program for those looking for recertification points towards their ICF Credential.
 
Group Program Facilitation Intensive: Toronto, Canada: November 1 and 2, 2008
Looking to enhance your group facilitation skills and to address issues such as handing difficult participants?  Join me for an interactive 2 day skill focused workshop in Group Program Facilitation. For full details on what's covered during this program, click here.
 
Women LeadersOnFire Retreat: Muskoka, Canada: September 20-21, 2008
Looking for a weekend to renew, refocus and recharge, while reconnecting with what's important and fueling your fire? Join myself and my OnFire partner, Sharon Miller, for a beautiful fall weekend retreat in Muskoka (2.5 hours north of Toronto). This retreat is for women leaders from entrepreneurial, corporate and non-profit environments. Please visit our Retreat2Muskoka site for more details. Early bird pricing available to July 20th.

If you have any questions or want to register for any of these programs please feel free to give me a call, or hit reply to this email.
This Month's Article
7 Quick Marketing Tips for Group Coaching, Workshops and Retreats
by Jennifer Britton, Copyright 2008. 

 
Last month my newsletter included 20 ideas for filling your next group coaching sessions, short, medium and long term marketing strategies. Which ones have you tried? Which ones have worked already? Which ones have planted new seeds?
 
This article includes 7 quick tips to keep in mind when marketing your next group coaching program, workshop or retreat:
 
Tip #1: Persevere with Marketing! The 7 Times Rule.
It often takes 7-11 approaches before someone will decide to purchase your product or service. How many approaches have you made?
 
Tip #2: Develop New products and services for past and current clients.
Those who already know you or have experienced your services will "purchase" more easily. These people already have grown to know, like and trust you. What offerings do you have for people who have already experienced, and enjoyed your services?
 
Tip #3: Ask for Referrals:
Word of mouth referral often yields some of the highest return rate if you offer a solid program or service. Have you asked for your clients/customers to refer or recommend you?
 
Tip #4: Collect Testimonials:
Prospective customers want to know what others think about your services.  What testimonials (written, audio and video) do you have from clients/customers?
 
Tip #5: Develop Streams of Programs from Your Current Offerings:
Be Creative! Don't reinvent the wheel. What streams of programs can you develop from your retreat or group coaching program? What programs do you already have that can be developed into a retreat, workshop or group coaching program? How can a current offering be adapted for a different audience?
 
Tip #6: Consider an Early Bird Discount
What price reduction do you offer for registrants who sign up early? Is there enough incentive for you to fill seats early, so that you can ensure that you have the numbers to proceed with an in-person venue?
 
Tip #7: Spread the word through your networks
Have you done everything in your power to spread the word about your upcoming program? Have you passed on the information to everyone in your network? Let people know what you have planned. You never know who may find it usefu.
  
 If you are looking to dig deeper on marketing and business building topics, please contact me to see if one of my individual, mentor or group coaching programs may support you.
What projects are keeping you busy this summer? What booster shot will take them from good to great?  If you have any suggestions on topics which you would like to see in future editions of the newsletter, please drop me a note.
 
I look forward to connecting with you next month as we move into the heat of the summer!
 
Warm regards,
 
Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC
Potentials Realized.com
GroupCoachingEssentials.com