When was the last time you did something for the first time...?

When was the last time you did something for the first time?  As the business owner you set the rules yet your actions remain constant despite changes in technology, globalization, client expectations, competition and regulation.  You're tolerably comfortable and know radical change is required.  Isn't it time to begin to boldly do things which you may previously never have thought of doing, or been too hesitant to attempt?  What's the evidence telling you with fewer customers, fewer transactions, lower average dollar sale and lower margins?  

So what holds you back?  Business history tells us that what got you here won't get you to your vision.  A new initiative away from relative security, conformity, and conservatism, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, is in reality more dangerous to the independent and adventurous spirit within an owner than a perceived secure future. The very basic core of a owner's living spirit is their passion for delighting customers.  Hence there is no greater delight than to have an endlessly changing delivery of your products and services to enrich the customer.  

If you're contemplating doing something for the first time and want to brainstorm the implications and overcome the resistance, let's have a conversation.  Because that's what ActionCOACH - Business Coaches do - lead owners to higher performance.  Call me at ph:  972 709 6776.

How Would a 10% Change in Your Marketing Budget Impact Your Business?

How would a 10% change in marketing either up or down impact your business?  A quick poll done with 14 businesses owners with revenues less than $3.5 mm and 16 employees, believed that customers, revenues and profits would be impacted, somehow.  While a small poll, all owners agreed the impact should be known.  One owner laughingly summarized his answer with, "80% of marketing didn't work and didn't know which 20% did."

Without knowing your marketing numbers how do you know what to do more or less of?  Marketing budgets are the first to be cut because the right numbers are not gathered and a ROI can't be calculated.   Let's change that.

Marketing measurement builds respect, accountability, integrity, credibility, predictability and even likability.  If getting control of your marketing effectiveness hinders your business's growth, then let's talk.  As business coaches we ensure your marketing is an investment not an expense.

4 Words Guaranteed to Make Your Team More Productive...

Ever leave a meeting with questions about who's doing what per issue?  You're not alone, this confusion often leads to enormous mis-communication and waste.  Here's how to bring clarity and higher productivity after each meeting by assigning names to these key words.  Who's Responsible, Accountable, Consulted and Informed...

Whether you’re participating in your business, charitable foundation or local tennis club, meetings are meant to lead to decisions, action plans and results.  So let’s place the name the person responsible, accountable, consulted and informed per ActionPLAN or Issue.  The chart's visual simplicity provides clarity, aligns interests and leads to higher productivity.

ActionPLAN / Issue	Responsible	Accountable	Consulted	Informed
Issue #1	(Put the names of individuals in these blocks)
Issue #2
Issue #3

These team building skills are what our ActionCOACH business coaches do daily with our clients.  If leading teams to higher performance is your responsibility, are you open to the idea of getting there faster?  Let's get started. 

The 11 Rules for Problem Solving & Brainstorming Success

Rarely is there a problem without a solution and often the solution is within your Team's capabilities to solve.  Here's how to facilitate your Team toward a solution.

The 11 Rules for Problem Solving and Brainstorming. 

1. Headline the Problem / Issue / Opportunity:  Newspaper headline terms
2. Provide Background: Current situation, Which are Symptoms and Causes, Give context in which a solution is sought, Define the ground rules for a successful solution
3. Re-define the Problem:  After discussions with the group working the Problem / Issue / Opportunity reframe the Problem.  Likely a new problem statement emerges
4. Define the Desired Outcome:  What is needed/wanted/must have?  How important and committed are the players to the solution? What does success look like? Begin with the end in mind. Work the outcome backwards – what do you have to believe to achieve the outcome, what are the assumptions?
5. Generate Ideas of Possible Solutions:  No idea is a bad idea, no critique of person with idea.  Look for relationships of ideas: Mutually Exclusive, Collectively Exhaustive and Complete - MECEC
6. Select Ideas of Possible Solutions:  Prioritize selected ideas as compared to desired results
7. Get Benefits and Concerns:  What are the pluses of going forward?  Concerns – what I Wish I Knew – IWIK and How To – H2, Go through “what if” questions and scenarios - What if things go right? What if they go wrong?
8. Work the Critical Concerns:  What are the critical concerns that would impede success?
9. Define an Action Plan & Next Steps for Implementation – Rules of the Game, Urgency to act – why, who, what, when, where, how, mission – strategy/tactics
10. How to Sell / Persuade / Communicate in the other person’s interest – WIFME (What’s in It For Me) perspective, factor the people’s personalities involved and how best to communicate with them
11. Work Fast:  Keep the tempo up.  Go for the 80/20 solution.  Keep sessions short and flexible.  Focus on what you can do.  Identify issues that aren't important and urgent and assign a smaller group to work and report back.

This is one more area where our business coaches excel.  They know how to facilitate these important sessions so business owners and their teams are aligned. What would that do for your business productivity?

Massive Action => Massive Results Implementation Starts Now...

Many of our DFW business owners invested a day to document exactly how they were going to achieve their double digit growth goals.  They prioritized this time to step away from their day-to-day activities "in" the business to work "on" their business.  Surrounded by other like-minded owners they outlined their long, mid and short term goals and then focused on getting absolute clarity how they were going to achieve their productivity and profit goals for the next 90 days.  Just like every sports team has a playbook so do they.

The setting was in the championship environment and from the best suite at 'The Ranger Ballpark' where they pronounced their vision as they overlooked the playing field.  They described who they served, where they were going and how they were going to get there.  They recorded this to use weekly to keep themselves on track.

Here's what they had to say...

"Enjoyed it.  Helps me focus on what's important.  Very arduous, have to think for several hours, but well worth it!"  Bill Wheatley - EmbroidMe Cedar Hill

"Brilliant concept to simplify next steps with 'Post-it' on the calendar.  Keeps everything clear yet adjustable.  MAD 90 Workshop identifies the need to better know the details of the business."  Tom Buddenbohn - Partner - Technology Components Southwest 

"There are a lot of things to be done, a little overwhelming.  Now there's clarity, strategy and steps to make it happen.  Even if the take-away is only 10% of content, it's well worth it."  Scott Sower - Good Fulton & Farrell Architects

"I underestimated the value of my company's vision.  I recorded it there so I can listen to it and remember why I've started this company in the first place.  I'm using it to ignite the passion of my team."  Chris Reid - ACD Enterprises

Let's encourage them to doing the small things day-over-day, week-over-week till they achieve their big dreams of tomorrow.  They have their playbook for more customers, revenues and profits!  Play ball!  sdm

Why Goals...

Let me see your current list of goals.  No list?  I can guess your bank account, stress level, overall level of happiness.

Your list of goals defines your future.  Ask yourself what has to happen for you to feel happy about your progress in the next 36 months?  That list will become your future state.  The equation is simple - fuzzy goals equals fuzzy results.

"If you go to work on your goals, your goals will go to work on you. 

If you go to work on your plan, your plan will go to work on you. 

Whatever good things we build end up building us."  Jim Rohn - Business Leader

Do you believe that life - professional & personal - is by design, not by coincidence or accident.  This implies you have a lot more control and thus responsibility than you thought or acknowledge and may be difficult to accept.  But it's true.  Goals call your attention to a resource - your imagination and starts you thinking about your future – near, mid and long term.

Goals are like a magnet.  They pull, and the stronger they are, the more purposeful they are, the bigger they are, the more unique they are, the stronger they pull.  When the going gets tough they pull you through the tough times.  When the goals are big and your reasons why big then the how gets easier.  Making them achievable requires a high level of desirability and believably.  You overcome the internal fears and obstacles that will come up.  All of us face resistance.  It’s how we overcome that resistance that determines our character.  Life's events do not determine the man.  Life events simply reveals the man.  So let's choose our what you want to HAVE in your life, decide what you're willing to DO and ensure it's the person you want to BE.

Do you see yourself successful and fulfilled because of these goals?  If not reset them.    You have more control than you may believe.  

Want to discuss this concept about how much more control you have with GOALs than you thought, have a conversation with your ActionCOACH business coach.  

Massive Action Day - 90 Day Planning Workshop - Playbook for Your Business

Massive Action Day - 90 Day Planning Workshop - Playbook for Your Business The Ranger Ballpark in Arlington *|FNAME|* - You are invited to participate... Business Owners, Executives & Sales Professionals look at your business from this view... How's Your Hitting, Scoring & Defense - Customers, Revenues & Profits? Time to get away from the office and into The Ranger Ballpark for a refreshing perspective on how you're going to achieve your double digit growth GOALs this quarter and beyond. Do you know of a single successful business owner who isn’t GOAL directed, persistently measuring, perfecting and re-directing their efforts?  When your GOALs remain in your heart and head, how much chance is there of achieving them in the shortest amount of time and energy?  And if you are one of the select few with written goals, are you holding yourself accountable to doing the small things today that get you to your BIG dreams of tomorrow? Here’s how to convert your next 90 day goals from intentions and aspirations into highly desirable, 100% believable and empowering reasons consistent with why you went into business originally – “To Create A Commercial Profitable Business That Ultimately  Works Without YOU…!” So let’s get started...! Yes!  I’m taking control of my business.  Sign me up for the Massive Action Day - 90 Day Planning Workshop – Playbook Book for My Business. I’ll prioritize this time to step out of the business and get focused.  I’ll participate with a group of like-minded business owners and experienced business coach committed to moving my business forward.  No more procrastination, no more excuses, I’m ready to take ownership of the company’s performance and have an incredibly successful 2013.   After each 90 Day Planning Session I’ll leave with the right specific actions in each of the following areas: Level 1: Mastery – Time, Delivery, Processes, Purpose and Money – Move from Chaos to Control Level 2: Niche – Attracting and Keeping Customers & Easy to Buy from You with an Iron Clad Guarantee – Not Competing on Price Level 3: Leverage – Systematize the Routine for Efficiency – Humanize the Exception - On Time, Spec, Budget & Wow - Every Time Level 4: Team – From Employees to Team – Team Makes Decisions in Interests of Owner Level 5: Synergy – Well Oiled Machine – Sustainable Growing Cash Flow.  Business Owner Works “ON” the Business. The GM/Pres/COO doing the day-to-day Level 6: Results – Business Works “FOR” the Owner - Owner Gains Money & Time There are various ticket options so you can bring your team and get results faster as well as invite others.  I know the investment amount is not an issue at $395…because as usual, I give you my Iron Clad Guarantee if you’re not satisfied with the content you can just stand up and walk out with a refund… An early Bird rate of $100 off regular pricing in effect till April 16th. Yes, taking massive action is optional but getting more productive and control of your business is not.  Missing this Massive Action Day is simply a bad idea.  Investing in yourself and your team is a surefire way to get your business on the track to more productive time and personal gratification.   Here's what other business owners that participated with ActionCOACH - The World's #1 Business Coaching Firm had to say about their Massive Action Day experience... After this Massive Action Day, you'll know your team has a playbook for more customers, revenues and profits - Play Ball! May, Tuesday 08:30 am - 04:00 pm 14 REGISTER NOW FOLLOW ON TWITTER FRIEND ON FACEBOOK FORWARD TO A FRIEND Copyright © 2013 ActionCOACH Americas, LLC All rights reserved. Unsubscribe • Update subscription preferences

How to Replace Your Job While Doing Some of the Most Meaningful Work on the Planet Locally

Reflect back to a situation where you were mentoring or coaching. Feel that you where making the biggest impact in someone’s career and value to the business? Did that feeling go beyond being satisfied with your job? Are you doing that enough with today’s corporate stresses?

Here’s how to receive that sense of purpose and how to replace and exceed your current income while having more autonomy and fun doing what you love.

You’re invited to a 30 minute live interview with one of our ActionCOACH Firm owner in Frisco, TX - Dennis Wagner. He’ll share why he chose to transition to business ownership, why ActionCOACH and how he’s building his business.

Coach interview call is this Thursday, June 9th at 11:00 to 11:30 am Central Time. Yes, it’s 30 mins, because he’s got clients and you’ve got to get back to your job. 

Calling Yourself Boss More Descriptive of Your Ambitions...?

Reflect back to a situation where you were mentoring or coaching.  Felt you where making the biggest long term impact in someone’s career and value to the business?  Did that feeling go beyond being satisfied with your job?  Are you doing that enough today in today’s corporate stresses?  Here’s how to receive that sense of purpose and how to replace and exceed your current income while having more autonomy and fun doing what you love.

You’re invited to a 15 minute live interview with one of our ActionCOACH’s in Oklahoma City, a former CEO of an environmental services business.  He’ll be answering questions about why he chose to transition from the C-Level to business ownership, why choose ActionCOACH and how he’s building his business.  He'll also cover what's working well and what he would do differently coming out of train. 

Join our Coach Interview Call this Friday, May 13^th at 10:30 to 10:45 am

Yes, it’s 15 mins, because he’s got clients and you’ve got to get back to your job. 

Please confirm your attendance by registering below.

Here are the details:

1.  Please join my meeting, Friday, May 13 at 10:30 AM Central Daylight Time.

www1.gotomeeting.com/join/410771320  Register Here

2.  Use your microphone and speakers (VoIP) - a headset is recommended.  Or, call in using your telephone.

Dial +1 (630) 869-1012

Access Code: 410-771-320

Audio PIN: Shown after joining the meeting

Meeting ID: 410-771-320