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Action Learning Associates

Free download of Passionate Action: 5 Steps to Creating Extraordinary Success in Life and Work, chapter 1

by | Jul 8, 2013 | book review, Business, change, Coaching, strengths, Success, talent

I wrote this book in 2007 when preparing for a relocation.  Yesterday I re-read chapter 1.  It provoked me, and it should provoke you.

Here you go:

Passionate Action, Chapter 1

To order the full book, go to https://actionlearnin.wpengine.com/main/page_products_products.php

Please forward this chapter to anyone who may need to be provoked!

 

 

 

What Site Managers Want From Safety Leaders, Published in Professional Safety, May 2013

by | May 27, 2013 | Business, change, Coaching, energy industry, safety, talent

At the request of the editors of Professional Safety magazine, I interviewed several site managers to gain their wisdom

Regardless of your industry, or job title, you can apply these 5 Tips to your business.

May2013p1 WhatSite ManagersWant   (page 1 of 2)

May2013p2 SiteManagersWant  (page 2 of 2)

I love this acronym, developed by a former coaching client:

T= take the time

R= regularly meet

U=  understand the situation and facts

S=   share solutions and agree on the next actions

T=  thank the other person

A coaching question is:  How are you demonstrating your competence and skills with your manager or clients?

Please reply at 704.895.6479 and let me know…

Are you a GOMO?

by | May 10, 2013 | Business, change, Employment, money, Personal Development, Sales, strengths

GOMO stands for Going Through the Motions.

Some 70% of workers are dissatisfied with their jobs.

Some 50% of marriages end in divorce.

Some 20% of people make a living doing what they love… Huh?  Yes, it is possible.  Here are two stories.

1.  One of my clients, Matt, co-founded an IT company that provided a unique service.  Over 10 years they were acquired by 3 companies.  Matt was the principal architect of the software.  But he was getting restless.  His young family was not happy in the D.C. metro.  He was tired of being a GOMO.  We had worked together 6 years previously.  So he re-hired me to explore “what’s next?”  He realized that several of the executives on their team were working remotely.  In short, he could live anywhere.  So within 4 months he relocated to Colorado.  And he re-designed how he managed his product development team.  That process occurred in months, not years…

2.  Another client, Allen, had been an HR manager for many years, but he aspired to be a global talent director of a nearby F500 company.  We met at a Vistage International meeting.  Shortly thereafter he realized that he could not imagine staying at his current employer.  He felt trapped.  There was no evident career ladder.  He struggled each day, and hated the fact that he called himself a GOMO.  So we explored options.  He did not want to move.  His divorced wife, and their children, were nearby.  So he designed a virtual talent recruitment program, using former HR colleagues who wanted to work from home.  He built the system and sold services to F500 clients.  In short, he developed and moved into his dream job.

So how about you?  Are you feeling stuck as a GOMO?

If ready to explore what’s next, then call me at 704.895.6479 now.

There is no wisdom in waiting.

High pay vs. Low pay marketing

by | May 7, 2013 | Business, change, Financial Professionals, Managers, money, Sales, strengths

Since 1997, I have been delivering value to clients.  That fact means that I market and sell my services every day.  In everything I do and say…

Years ago I coached a new franchisee in the Sandler Sales Program, called President’s Club.  Pat needed to distinguish between high pay and low pay activities, because he is distractible.  (Like most small business owners.)  I helped him increase his business over 300% in 6 months.  He had to do so.  I strongly recommend the President’s Club content.  And I strongly recommend re-visiting the President’s Club content, which is what I did yesterday.

High Pay marketing activities are those that will likely lead to relationships and higher value sales.

  • direct meetings with qualified prospects
  • direct meetings with referred or pre-qualified prospects
  • invited speaking in your area of expertise
  • cause marketing in your area of expertise
  • networking with buying agents
  • invited writing as a credible expert

Low Pay marketing activities are those that will likely lead to transactions and lower value sales.

  • email marketing
  • direct mail marketing
  • interruptive advertising
  • paper and digital advertising
Last week I met a local marketing expert, Shelly, who provided a circular model of marketing services she could offer her clients.  Imagine spinning the Wheel of Fortune with as many colorful options.  I appreciated her ideas, but felt dizzy.
Last week I also met a financial advisor who had been a member of MDRT, the Million Dollar Round Table, for 11 years straight.  He was exhausted. His marketing system required that he deliver seminars to local retirees who needed to invest in his estate planning solutions.  He wanted to know if there was something else he could do that would yield similar high results, but be easier.  I said, “No.  Nothing is simpler.  Thank God.”
He give me a strange  look, and asked, “What do you mean?”
I explained, “If you want great compensation, then you need to provide high value.  The laws of marketing require that.  When we give great value, then and only then we receive great value.  You know that better than most, who dream of being at the MDRT level.   What you need is a regular kick in the ass.”
He agreed and hired me to coach him.
You can too.  Call me at 704.895.6479 now.
So, are you engaged in high pay or low pay marketing?