Archive for September, 2007

Published by startupcoach on 12 Sep 2007

Taking time to think

When I coach, the first step I take is to check the energy level of my customer. Does he (she) have what it takes to undertake a coaching process?

The second one is to take time to think. The majority of modern execs live in a perpetual personal and professional frenzy that don’t give them time to reflect. For entrepreneurs whose SME is in growth, the situation is even worse. They always have a tough time balancing personal and profesional lives.

I personally noted that my best moments of reflexions occurred at conferences and seminars. During a dull presentation, my neurons suddenly switch into high gear. Why always in these moments?

Because, I found myself in a situation where it was impossible to fix something at home or putting out a fire at work. As if all the processing capacity of my brain became suddenly available to resolve problems of strategy… Got me thinking…(getting the point here ?)

What other contexts would enable me to reach this professional nirvana?

A yoga teacher explained to me that it was necessary to see the meditation like ONE moment during which the brain reaches a minimal threshold of thoughts per second. By decreasing the number of thoughts per second you open space for creativity, for more complex treatment of information. One starts to see things differently, to find solutions, to think outside the box.

Each person can find HIS way of getting there. For some, it is riding a bicycle, for some it’s jogging, even a good walk can prove to be effective. It is NOT necessary to go mountain climbing or to “chant” OM during 20 minutes…The important thing is what works for you!

So I try to help my customers to reach this zone where it will be possible for them to stop to reflect on what they really want out of Life. To reflect on the obstacles that prevented them from reaching their dreams up to now. To identify in their personal and professional lives what would be the achievements which would give a sense of direction, a purpose to Life.

 

Those achievements become “anchors” or stepping stones. Goals so clear that they motivate, support and reassure the person during the most difficult times.

I follow by setting out a plan those reach those goals.

 

This plan will consist of a set of SMART objectives

* Specific: hiting those targets will get them closer to the ultimate goal
* Measurable: We must agree on indicators

* Attainable:

* Realistic:

* Time bound. A clear when

and of the actions that will make it possible to achieve these goals.

In Quebec, when our hockey team don’t seem to know what they are doing on the ice, we say they play like a bunch of headless chickens. Running around but don’t have a clue what’s going on ? Do you have the impression to be like that in your life?

 

Find time to reflect, and find time to play it is the first stage to take again control.

If you do not know where to start, may I suggest coaching ?

We’ll help you find time and we’ll ask the questions to get you thinking.

 

People sometimes refer to coaches as being professional butt kickers. Let me offer you another way of looking at it. It’s the favorite expression of a coach and good friend of mine. It’s the title under his names on his business card

 

It says MQA…

 

Master Question Asker :-)

   
 

Entrepreneur's toolbox,Entrepreneurship

Published by startupcoach on 05 Sep 2007

You may be at 45 seconds of success

All entrepreneurs await their great chance, The opportunity that will turn things around. An important customer who will double your bottom line, a supplier that will extend your line of credit, a financial angel interested in your project, or a mentor who can make the difference with his network of contacts.

You heard the expression “Opportunity knocks”; when it knocks don’t waste time opening it. Indeed, bumping into someone; at a conference, on the golf course, riding your bicycle, in a line at the airport, during the “break” at a show, sitting at a table next to you at the restaurant, is a situation that conceal many opportunities. If you ever said to yourself , “Damn, I should have spoken to him”, may I suggest you work on what is now known as the elevator speech

Why this term? Get someone’s interest in your project in a shortest amount of time.
It is about a short and concise presentation, well prepared, repeated over and over. The kind of things you could go thru with enthusiasm, if I got you out of bed at 3 a.m.

You are not trying to get a client, you are not selling a product or a service! You want to thrill someone, turn him (or her) on about your project. You “sell” the company not the product. You sell the interest of being part of such a marvelous adventure. You do not have to say much. Actually, it’s quite the opposite. You just want to raise curiosity.

To way to measure if you won the first round ? Are they asking questions, precise ones. Do not fall into the trap thinking this is easy. It’s akin to writing your company’s mission statement, the choice of the words is very VERY important.

Here is the groundwork. Imagine that you are on a TV quiz show, you have 10 seconds, NO MORE, to explain so that anyone (even someone with no knowledge of your field of expertise, like grumpy Gran’pa!) will understand what you are talking about. I suggest you do that more than once.

Ready ? Get your watch out. Look at the seconds..if you can’t summarize the following topics in10 seconds, you’ve got a weak link, you are eliminated! I already hear the “buzzer” from here ….. are you ready ?

On your product or service: Its difference, its unicity, the manufactoring process, technology behind, its different way to present it. 10 seconds, GO!

Your market: Show how much it is captive and that it develops. 10 seconds, GO!

Your business model: Jerry Maguire said “Show the money”. Be careful. Too many people have seen the Internet bubble burst. Don’t talk about numbers more than the HOW people will have to keep buying. Avoid the IF’s if you don’t want to loose interest and credibility. 10 seconds, GO!


Who is behind you: “Name dropping” is the name of the game here..10 seconds, GO!

Your competition: Don’t hide them. The best way to convince someone that your stuff will work is to show that another one seeks to copy you or benefit from your market. No one else in the market often mean that there is no money to be made. 10 seconds Go!


Your difference: Unique selling proposition 10 seconds, GO!

What’s your weakest link. Work them thoroughly.

When you have all those parts well under control, weave them in a story. How would you piece them together, for a supplier, for a prospective client, an investor, etc.

I can’t insist enough on the importance of being passionate about it. Tell a story, facts will come later. If you think it’s useless, try this…. Put on a piece of paper a list of twenty objects with no specific relations between them. Recite them to someone, out of the blue, one word following the other in a constant flow. Then ask them to repeat the words. Then take the list again, weave the words into a story. Which one do you think will be remembered the most ? Isn’t it what we’re trying to do with those 45 seconds ?


Make it a compelling story.


Be sure to have a “hook” in the first few seconds, in the first paragraph when you write it. Generally, a question starting with “Do you know that…”

In this context you understand that your story might vary from one listener to the next..

Finally make sure to ASK for something in the end. A business card, a permission to call back, or if you feel it went very well, a meeting! If that person says yes, it’s a new door opening. Learn how to gauge your next move.

But most important, if they start looking interested in your project, asking specific questions, you know you’ll have nailed down the famous elevator speech.

Have fun!

Entrepreneur's toolbox