Is the “Competitive Advantage” Really An Advantage? The Case for “Collaborative Advantage”
February 17, 2010
When it comes to crafting your business' marketing messaging and defining your position in the marketplace, a commonly encountered question is: "What is the 'competitive advantage' of your company?"
The traditional definition of "competitive advantage" is the way a company distinguishes itself by keeping an upperhand over other companies who offer similar products and services. It's all about "survival of the fittest."
Reverend Suzi Schadle from the Center for Spiritual Living Eastside in Bellevue, Washington (www.csle.org), once shared this direct experience of hers from when she was leading a workshop in a school.
She was working with kids from the ages of 5-6. She wanted to teach them to work as a team.
She split the students into smaller groups of several children. The exercise she gave them was to take a raw egg and then, using the supplies that were passed out, they were to build a container for the egg so that it could be dropped from a height of 6 feet without breaking the egg. No further instructions were given. Read more
Investing 101: Where Do YOU Invest Your Personal Energy?
February 16, 2010
Through my years of medical training and practicing as a plastic surgeon surgeon, I've gained a great appreciation that one's health and well-being is the foundation of all wealth, material and otherwise.
Inclusive of our own health and well-being, the greatest asset we have is our personal energy. That energy is comprised of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual energy.
Every second of our lives, we get to choose where we invest our personal energy. Are you wasting it thoughts, feelings, and activities that aren't in alignment with your core values, your passion, and your true mission in life?
For a variety of reasons, such as fear of saying 'No,' concern about disappointing others, or fear of failure, many of us do...
If you're really honest with yourself about it, you'll probably find that you've committed to other people, events, and projects that are "energy leaks"; things that suck life out of you, rather than filling you with energy.
Now, that's a real waste of energetic resources!
So, get in the natural habit of asking yourself: "What is the highest and best investment of my energy?"
Start by asking this of yourself as you start your day. Then progress to asking it of yourself throughout the day.
The shift in your energy, enthusiasm, productivity, and life experiences may astound you!
And that's a real blow for freedom!
Conscious Leaderpreneurship and the Exponential Bottom Line
February 13, 2010
Traditionally, the ultimate measure of success in business has been to ever increase the single bottom line of profit. To our great detriment, this goal has too often been undertaken with an attitude of "success at any and all cost." In large part, this mindset has contributed to the global economic turmoil and ecological endangerment that we find ourselves grappling with today.
I've outlined five fundamental business practices that I collectively terms the "exponential bottom line." In contrast to the single bottom line of profit, this term refers to five business practices that reflect how a business:
- Enhances the quality and duration of the lives of People today as well as future generations to come.
- Restores and renews the resources and ecosystems of our Planet.
- Generates Profit sustainably, fairly, and responsibly.
- Promotes Prosperity locally and globally.
- Models and perpetuates Peace through its values, mission, vision, business practices, and ultimate impact on society.
If adopted by businesses and consumers worldwide, the practice of these ideals could synergistically shift the dynamics of commerce to effect lasting change and transformation in our global economy, ecology, and sociology.
If you are a generous entrepreneur or conscientious consumer and you're in the Seattle area, I invite you to explore what the "exponential bottom line" means to you and your business by attending my live presentation next week:
"Conscious Leaderpreneurship: Ushering a New Era of Prosperity"
East West Bookshop in Seattle
6500 Roosevelt Way Northeast
Seattle, WA 98115
Thursday, February 18th, 2010
7 - 8:30 pm
$15, at the door
DETAILS HERE:
Conscious Leaderpreneurship talk at East West Bookshop-Seattle
Coaching Trends 2010
February 13, 2010
I was just listening to the recording of an Experts' Panel from Coaching Boom 2010, featuring Milana Leshinsky, Judith Sherven & Jim Sniechowski, Suzanne Falter-Barns, Gary Henson, Christian Mickelsen, David Steele, Marcia Bench, and Wendy Y. Bailey
One of the predictions made was that high-end "platinum" and "diamond" coaching programs were becoming more popular. So, are high-end "mastermind" groups.
Another comment was made that, if you're a coach, you're limited in your income and time if the only thing you offer is one-on-one coaching.
Each of these statements is both accurate and inaccurate; it depends on the context.
You see, it all depends on your particular style of coaching, your comfort zone, and your particular blend of thinking and taking action. Read more
Coaching Boom 2010 – Tips from Day #4
February 11, 2010
CoachingBoom 2010 is a virtual business-building training event that started on this past Monday, February 11th and runs through Thursday, February 18th.
I'll be presenting on Thursday, February 18th at 8:15 am PT.
My topic? "How to Get More and Better Clients Using PAID Introductory Sessions"
Milana Leshinsky, the host of CoachingBoom 2010, has been sending out the top ideas that she's taken away from each day's sessions.
Here are eight takeaways from Day 4 of Coaching Boom 2010:
1. The 3 rules of effective business systems: simplicity,
consistency, and automation. They must also be personal
and fun to be useful to you (Melinda Cohan)
2. Become the person that people are quoting, especially
if you are working in corporate, executive, or leadership
coaching (Ann Farrell) Read more
Coaching Boom 2010 – Tips from Day #2
February 10, 2010
CoachingBoom 2010 is a virtual business-building training event that started on this past Monday, February 11th and runs through Thursday, February 18th.
I'll be presenting on Thursday, February 18th at 8:15 am PT.
My topic? "How to Get More and Better Clients Using PAID Introductory Sessions"
Milana Leshinsky, the host of CoachingBoom 2010, has been sending out the top ideas that she's taken away from each day's sessions.
Here are here top 5 tips from Day #2:
1. To get more relationship or any life coaching clients,
create and offer results-oriented programs - workshops,
classes, events - for your niche market (David Steele)
2. To create a strong personal brand, be congruent and
consistent in everything you do. Use your title or tag
line on your site, newsletters, and coaching programs
(Suzanne Falter-Barnes) Read more
Coaching Boom 2010 – Tips from Day #1
February 10, 2010
CoachingBoom 2010 is a virtual business-building training event that started on this past Monday, February 11th and runs through Thursday, February 18th.
I'll be presenting on Thursday, February 18th at 8:15 am PT.
My topic? "How to Get More and Better Clients Using PAID Introductory Sessions"
Milana Leshinsky, the host of CoachingBoom 2010, has been sending out the top ideas that she's taken away from each day's sessions.
Here are the top ideas from Day 1:
1. Create a learning plan for yourself to master
entrepreneurship in 3 areas: business building,
marketing, and finances (from Michael Port)
2. Coaching is really an online business, and
anyone who disagrees is simply walking with
their blinds on (from Judith & Jim) Read more
Cutting-Edge Approaches to Getting More Clients in 2010
February 4, 2010
When it comes to getting more business, it's amazing how many coaches continue to "hunt" for new clients using the same strategies that were used 5-10 years ago!
To be successful as a coach or consultant, you need four main skills:
- Coaching/consulting skills.
- Business skills.
- Marketing skills.
- Selling skills.
In my experience and observation, most coaches and consultants fail to be successful because they lack general business skills, marketing skills, and selling skills. Some of them may even be "allergic" to business development, marketing, and/or selling. I know I used to be! Read more