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Browse published articles attributed to Shawn Driscoll, with full-archive search.
When I left corporate America several years ago to strike out on my own I was so happy to leave behind corporate greed and lack of loyalty. I’d come of age as a professional in the 1990’s—the era of rightsizing, downsizing and reengineering. And I’d personally handled the layoff or reorganization of over 1000 people.
There’s no doubt about it. These are crazy times. In fact, at times it may seem unreal. But that doesn’t mean you can’t create real success and real business growth. I’ve been working with many of my clients to create solid foundations and focused business strategies that allow them to safely and sanely grow even during these tough economic times. Planning and positioning for growth is about taking the long term view, and then aligning your short term actions with your end game vision.
This has been a challenging month for me on the home-front and so I’ve been thinking about energy—how to have more of it to get through my (sometimes long) days. Have you ever known someone who’s always a bundle of energy and you end up feeling more energetic after being with them? How about someone who comes into a room and seems to suck all the energy out of it within moments? What is the difference between these two people? n nHave you ever had a day wher
You’ve spent a long time and a lot of energy and money mastering your craft and getting your business to where it is today. You know your God-given talents and skills have been gifted to you for a reason - and you’re eager to live up to the amazing potential you and your business possess. Yet, sometimes it’s a struggle to know just how to put together products, programs and services your clients will be excited to invest in.
There is something you do that is so unique, so authentic, and so incredibly valuable yet you probably don’t even recognize it. It’s your Signature Advantage™. Your Signature Advantage™ makes you incredibly effective at what you do. It’s what your clients, colleagues and friends come to you for, even though you may not always recognize what “it” is. Your Signature Advantage gives you an edge over everyone else who ‘does what you do’ because it’s based on your distinctive experiences, gifts and approach.
I think we’re going to see some major changes in the way business online get’s done. 2009 shook us and as a result, there’s an opportunity to blaze a new trail in 2010. (Yippee!) I don’t normally do ‘predictions’ but this year I had to make an exception. A combination of macro trends combined with some grassroots rumblings I hear online led me to a couple of critical shifts I see happening this year and beyond: 1. The end of the clone wars. People are looking for something different. The days of mini-me business models and do-it-my-way coaching is waning.
What if you developed such a stellar reputation for delivering outstanding results that people lined up to work with you? What if your clients were so thrilled with the service they got from you, they told everyone they could and referrals poured in? How awesome would it be to create that kind of reputation in your market?!
In an overcrowded marketplace, everyone is looking for a way to get noticed. I think one of the great paradoxes we’re all living with (and through) is that the more connected we become the more difficult it is to be heard. You could try and get noticed by putting on a show. And some take that route. You could give yourself a catchy ‘persona’—and there are plenty of self anointed Diva’s, Gurus, Czars and Queens out there to be sure! And, to a degree, these tactics work. If done right, they can be fun. But, if done wrong, you risk becoming an inside joke.
Are you interested in taking your work as a coach, consultant, trainer or other expert to the next level? Would you like to reach a broader audience? Have you thought about packaging the work you do with individuals into an engaging and interactive experience for multiple clients? If so, you may be at the right point in your business growth to add what I call a “signature program” to your catalog of services. A signature program is a unique, focused group learning experience that helps your clients achieve high-value goals.
I remember the exact moment I realized my “Plan B” was an illusion. I was talking to my husband about my then-struggling coaching practice. I had been in business as a coach for two years and had barely pulled a profit. I was frustrated, feeling like a failure and dreaming of getting a ‘real job’ where I could experience success again. I told Mike “I will give this business one more year. By that time, both kids will be close to school age and if I’m still not profitable, I can go back and get a corporate job.” It sounded like a smart, solid plan. I felt certain he’d be 100% on board.
I’ve had several conversations with my clients about their business model. There seems to be a lot of misinformation in the coaching, consulting and expertise market about how to build a business capable of making a big impact and big income without sacrificing your freedom, time or talents. So here’s the deal. There is no one RIGHT WAY to build a successful expertise based business. But there is definitely a way that’ RIGHT for you.
I’ve been a busy woman this past week. I’ve been pouring through pages and pages of responses and heartfelt sharing from you, my readers. And I’m fired up! In case you missed it, I recently posted a survey where I asked what was up for you and your business. The responses were amazingly honest, direct and inspiring, so Thank You So Much for taking the time to share your goals, challenges and questions with me.
Question for you: What is an easy and effective way to: * Increase client confidence in their decision to work with you? * Get better, more lasting results from your work? * Preserve your energy and focus for the mission critical parts of your work? * Boost the perceived value of your service? * Strengthen your ability to handle sticky client situations with ease and grace? Answer: Service Policies. (I know, not a very fun topic! But bear with me -- this is really important stuff!)
As a business owner, the ability to solve the right problem is critical. Every business, no matter how successful, faces challenges that require the business owner to put their ‘thinking cap’ on and sort through what’s going on. One of the things I learned early in my career was the value in looking beyond the symptom, beyond the obvious situation and digging to find the source. When you simply react to the situation or the symptom, you rarely solve the problem or get the results you need and want.
This is one of the most frequently asked questions I hear from clients and participants in my workshops. Everyone seems to be overloaded and drained.n nMy “prescription” is twofold. First, handle what drains you. Second, focus on what drives you.nnThree things that will kill your energy, drain your motivation and derail you faster than anything are (1) tolerating things, (2) being incomplete on things and (3) procrastinating. These are the things that tip the bala
Whenever I attend an event I always pre-plan time in my calendar afterward to take action. For a live event, I’ve blocked out the entire first day back, and half of the second. It’s really important to do this for several reasons. 1. I need the time to reground myself at home and in my ‘office’ 2. I need time to integrate what I learned so it doesn’t fade away in the busyness of everyday life 3. I need time to do the follow up so the event I invested time and money in continues to be a high payoff experience even after I’m home
If I asked you to describe your ideal car...assuming no limits...how would you describe it? Most people can describe their ideal car in great detail--from the make,model, features, and color, to any accessories to how it would feel to be behind the wheel. When I ask people to describe their ideal job, however, most people are far less clear. They may describe one or two attributes, like how much it pays, and/or the job title. Thatâs it. If you were shopping for your ideal c
One of the coolest things I get to do in my work with ambitious, visionary leaders is to get them back on track. You see, many creative people frequently find themselves feeling stuck, stalled or spinning their wheels. It’s a product of seeing so many possibilities, but not always seeing the ...
Itâs mid-March already. How are those New Yearâs Resolutions or intentions coming along? Are you like most people who have long-since abandoned their resolutions (sometime around Jan 28th) or are yours limping along, but with less vim and vigor than you would like? If you are going strongâ¦you can stop reading. For the rest of you, this article gives some simple strategies to overcome the top 5 ways we shoot ourselves in the foot.nn1. PROCRASTINATIONnnTopping the list is
If you find yourself dragging at the end of the day, or have difficulty getting motivated to tackle what you once did with ease, you may be running low on energy. We often complain of not having enough time to fit everything in. But, when we look to the truth in the situation, 9 times out of 10 it's not a time problem so much as an energy problem. Time is fixed. Energy is not. And many people run out of energy long before they run out of time.nnThink of your energy as a cup f
Are you struggling in your career and thinking about 'throwing in the towel'? Read this article to get some tips before you do. “I hope I’m not wasting your time,” my new client said as we kicked of her first session. “You see, I’ve been trying to get my consulting business off the ground for ...
A “Career Path “is a thing of the past—a relic from a time when professionals had jobs that started at entry level and provided a clear path of promotions up until retirement. Today’s careers don’t follow a standard linear progression—we cycle through multiple ...
In baseball, you have to touch all 4 bases to score. It's the same with getting results in career and business. You only get wins on the board when you cover all the bases. Stepping up to "bat" requires a clear focus. Before you do anything else, you must know what you are on a mission to ...
A 5 POINT STRATEGY FOR ENSURING YOUR JOB SECURITY nnThink Job Security is a thing of the past? Think again. While it may be true that no one is exempt from a downsizing, layoff, or unexpected re-organization in todayâs economic climate, that doesnât have to mean you have no job security. Todayâs workers simply need to redefine what job security really is given the competitive environment we live in, and where security comes from. You can (and should) have a sense of job
We’ve become a nation of ‘tolerators’. We expect bad service. We tolerate poor corporate leadership. We barely question biased jou alism. We buy mediocre products. We’ve grown immune to hype and overblown marketing messages. And it’s coming at a price. Our businesses are suffering. Our schools are struggling. Our spirits are sagging. And if that got you mad—or even a little bit irritated—good! You’re exactly who I’m talking to. We need YOU to start leading the way out of this mess.
My Grandfather was a natural born salesman and successful small business owner. For more than 40 years he owned a grocery store and meat market (that he started by borrowing 50 cents from his mother) and whistled while he worked. (Really!) He clearly had a success-minded approach to business and he thrived. But, as a product of the Great Depression, fears of not having âenoughâ to get by were ever present. nnI remember he was always trying to save money on gas and car exp
For Valentine's week, all the news shows and magazines are talking about ways to Rekindle the Romance and keep your love life hot. Well, I'm not a romance and relationship expert but I do believe in the power and importance of loving what you do for a living. So I figured, if you can't beat ...
I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of setting New Year’s resolutions. I’ve grown weary of writing goals and milestones. I’m not interested in another blueprint for success or 7 success principles from someone I’ve never met. But I do love a really ...
"To love what you do and feel that it matters; how could anything be more fun?" Katharine GrahamnnA recent New Employer/Employee Equation survey by Harris Interactive, Inc. conducted for Age Wave, took a broad look at the American workforce and found some less-than-encouraging attitudes towards work:nn*Only 45% of workers reported being satisfied or extremely satisfied with their jobsn*42% reported to be coping with burnoutn*Only 20% indicated they were ¡°very passionate¡Â
Today we’re talking about Money--a BIG topic that I’d like to keep simple. I believe it is critical to get a “handle” on our money issues if we are to truly live the life we imagine (in every area). Money is a powerful resource available to us. Happiness and well being hinge in large part on your relationship with money.nnSo, how does money, and the way you handle/approach it, allow (or limit) you to be WHO you want to be and achieve WHAT you want to a
As we approach the holidays, itâs a good time to get a handle on your money matters before all the retailers gets their hands on your money! nnAccording to a study by the APA (American Psychological Association) 61% of Americans listed money issues as the top cause of holiday stress. nnTaking ownership of your finances during the holidays will significantly reduce stress, and bring greater peace and happiness to your holiday season. Your happiness hinges not on what you mak
“With your spirit open and unconstricted, look at things from a high point of view.”—Miyamato MusashinnDecember is a time of endings. We wrap up another full year of our lives and start to lift our gaze to the next one. One of the traditions I really enjoy this time of year are the ‘year in review’ retrospectives you see on TV, in the newspapers, and online. nnI love looking back at the last 12 months and remembering. As well as noticing what I f
I live in the part of the country where fall is a breathtaking display of change. The view out my window looks different every day as the trees change colors so boldly. I wonder if the trees resist the change or if resistance is a uniquely human condition. I imagine the trees willingly transform from green to vibrant reds, oranges, yellows. And eventually shed their leaves entirely and stand naked in the cold for the long winter season.nnAnd I wonder what it would be like