February-March 2007

COACHINGTRAININGWORKSHOPS

Experts and Gurus ©

When I need answers to questions or help with something, I often turn to an expert. Webster’s dictionary defines an expert as, “having, involving, or displaying special skill or knowledge derived from training or experience.” It makes sense to contact experts for answers and solutions. When I’m stuck with a mechanical problem, anyone who knows more than I do is welcome to help me. If that fails, I contact an expert to solve the problem.

If I need financial help, I’ll contact a financial expert such as an accountant, tax consultant, banker, etc. If I’m having difficulty selecting a new appliance, tires or printer, I’ll check with Consumer Reports. If I want to learn to play the piano, I’ll hire an expert music teacher.

From their knowledge and experience, experts give direct answers to specific problems. But, where do I turn if I want or need extensive knowledge about tax consultants? What do I do if I want to become a banker or a concert pianist? These needs require deeper, more extensive knowledge than the typical expert possesses. To fill these needs, I need someone who IS a tax consultant or IS a banker or IS a pianist. And, not just any banker or tax consultant or pianist. I want the best. I want a guru!

Webster’s dictionary defines a guru as, “a: a teacher and especially intellectual guide in matters of fundamental concern b : one who is an acknowledged leader or chief proponent.” A guru leads me down the path of knowledge. A guru stands beside me during the process. A guru guides me so that I can learn for myself.

• An expert gives me answers. A guru shows me the way.
• An expert solves my problem. A guru teaches me how to avoid the problem.
• An expert’s work is done when I receive the answers or solution. A guru’s work is done when I become what I wanted to be.
• An expert is short term. A guru is life long.

Confusion and frustration surface when we expect the expert to do the work of the guru or when we expect the guru to do the work of the expert. If you want fast answers to a temporary problem, you will be frustrated with the assistance of a guru. If you want the long term benefits a guru offers, you will feel short changed when you receive direct answers from an expert.

We can avoid these pitfalls by being very clear about what we want and need. Take time to analyze the situation, know what you want, and be willing to invest in the best expert or guru you can find. Your investment may be simply paying an expert for a quick solution or it may be an investment of time, energy and money if you choose to bring a guru into your life. Either way, you will be ahead by bringing experts and gurus into your life.
 

"Create a portfolio of your successes. Purchase an attractive zippered portfolio and include testimonial letters, photos, lists of awards received, etc. If you have lots of materials, select the items that are the most meaningful to you for inclusion. You want this to be impressive, not overwhelming.”

This tip was excerpted from, “55 Networking Tips For People Over 55” by Donna Reed. This book includes the following categories:

Networking Tips for Job Seekers
Networking Tips When You Have Been Downsized
Networking Tips for People Relocating
Networking Tips to Learn a New Locale
Networking Tips for a Successful Retirement
Networking Tips for Locating Quality Healthcare

“55 Networking Tips For People Over 55”

$12.00

To obtain your copy of “55 Networking Tips For People Over 55” click the "Add to Cart" button. The cost is $12 which includes postage and handling. Credit cards are welcome. If you prefer to pay by check, mail your check for $12, payable to Donna Reed, to Tools For Achievers, 5740 E. Paseo del Cenador, Tucson, AZ 85750. For more information, contact Donna Reed at Reed@ToolsForAchievers.com or (520)299-8199.

Other Tip books available:

“Tips for Creating Your Own Retirement”
by Kathleen McCormack and Amy B. Rust.

“Tips for Creating Your Second Career”
by Kathleen McCormack and Amy B. Rust.

For information about purchasing these books, contact Kathleen McCormack at (520)743-3817 or mackathl@wildblue.net.
 

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The Cycles of Networking ©

We live our lives in cycles. In business, there are busy times, down times and in-between times. These are repeated over and over.

Just as there are cycles in the seasons, nature, retail sales, the economy, education, etc., there are cycles in networking. Relationships also have cycles. Because relationships are the heart of networking, we can easily see similarities between the cycles in relationships and the cycles in networking. Let’s explore the cycles of networking as seen through the framework of relationships.

The following cycles were covered in previous newsletters. Click on our newsletter archive list to locate them.

First Cycle: Making Contacts

Second Cycle: Selection Process

Third Cycle: Building Relationships

Fourth Cycle (last): Building Trust

This can only happen after we have gone through the other cycles. There are people I trust with my life. I wouldn’t hesitate to give a signed, blank check to others. When I need a favor, I can call a number of people and know the favor will be granted immediately with no questions asked. This is mutual; I would do the same for them. This is possible because we have invested in carefully building long-term relationships. I can trust these people because they have proven themselves many times.

When you reach the cycle of mutual trust, you have created the ultimate network. Enjoy it, nurture it and honor it!

You need to carefully evaluate each cycle of your networking on a regular basis so you can improve any weaknesses in the cycles and make appropriate changes. As in any precious relationship, never take your network for granted. Do things to keep your relationships alive and fresh. Express appreciation regularly. Tell other people how great these people are.

To be an effective networker, you should be operating in each of these four cycles simultaneously. In other words, you should always be searching for new contacts, continually reviewing those contacts to identify the truly productive ones, building relationships and creating an environment of trust. By doing this, you will avoid suddenly finding yourself without new contacts and growing relationships.

Participate pro-actively in the cycles of networking to enjoy greater benefits and success!

"Tip #35. "Don't burn your bridges! Resist the temptation to share a piece of your mind with your boss when you leave a position or bad mouth former co-workers. You never know when they will be in a key position to help you."
-- from "Networking Tips That Build Powerful Connections^©" by Donna M. Reed

Order online or call (520)299-8199.
 

Coaches Corner © Q. Is it appropriate for me to share valuable materials provided to me by my coach? A. If your coach has given you materials that were created by her/him or their franchise and are copyrighted, it is not appropriate or fair for you to share them. You are paying for your coaching sessions and materials. Why would you give away the materials? In any case, it’s always wise to ask your coach about sharing their materials. Some coaches are generous and consider sharing their materials good marketing. Others consider it a big ”NO NO” so be sure to check with your coach before sharing anything.

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“Being a warrior and a leader is not about achieving personal success. Success usually does come to leaders, but to a real leader, personal success is just a secondary gain – a nice payoff, but not the real prize.

“The real prize is achieving the victory of a great principle – like freedom, or peace, or the prosperity of the many.

Therefore, a real leader is actually a servant. He’s the servant of a great cause.”

-- from Leadership Secrets of the Rogue Warrior
by Richard Marcinko

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