Spring 2007

COACHINGTRAININGWORKSHOPS

Formula For Success ©

Chefs use recipes, drivers use maps and successful people use formulas to get the results they want. The following formula for success contains four key ingredients that are designed and shared with your enhanced success in mind.

1. Networking. It’s the foundation for all of your other efforts. The heart of networking is relationship building. Start with solid networking principles, such as be a “Give-Getter.” This means give to others before you ask for something from them. Have a genuine attitude of caring. Other networking principles include: Walk your talk, keep your word and be willing to be a collaborator.

Develop your networking skills. Learn to give a 15-second self-introduction that conveys who you are and what you do. Master the art of follow-up including sending “thank you” notes and returning phone calls promptly. Purchase some of the excellent networking books available containing skill building tips and exercises. The Internet is a great resource for networking articles and books.

Create a networking system to hold everything in place. Databases are excellent for this. Design networking actions that take you from “good intentions” to accomplishment. Create a yearly calendar of meetings and groups to attend. Set weekly, monthly and yearly networking goals. Monitor your progress and adjust your goals as needed.

Key Point: Understand the process of networking and master good networking skills.

2. Mentors. A mentor knows you well, knows your potential as well as your weaknesses, and is willing to invest time and energy to guide you. His/her strengths are experience, wisdom, insight, knowledge and honesty. You can trust your mentor with your dreams. He or she supports you, helps you work with your weaknesses and keeps a thumb in your back to keep you moving forward. You mentor listens to you, has lots of patience and gives you confidence.

When you find someone you feel would be a good mentor, ask to meet with him/her and discuss the arrangement and relationship.

Key Point: Watch their walk and listen to their talk.

3. Master Mind Group. This is a small group of people who are committed to the success of each person in the group. In his book, Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill says, “The human mind is a form of energy. When two or more minds cooperate in harmony, they form a great ‘bank’ of energy, plus a third, invisible force which can be likened to a Master Mind.”

Master Mind Groups meet regularly with each person sharing. The group responds with ideas, possible solutions and encouragement.

4. Coaching. Examine your own needs and motivation for hiring a coach. You may need a coach for only a session or two, or you may want to engage him or her for several months.

Hire a coach to help you get specific results in your life and/or career. To move your business forward, hire a business coach. If you are in a career transition, hire a career coach. If you need help making some important decisions, hire a coach who specializes in helping you achieve clarity.

Be sure you and your coach are compatible and that you communicate well. Be honest, expect honesty from your coach and work with a written contract.

Key Point: Be serious and committed to moving forward quickly.

This is a powerful formula! Learn and use networking, mentors, a Master Mind Group and a coach consistently and you will experience outstanding results.

If you are a Baby Boomer, what source do you use to locate tips for dealing with issues such as planning retirement, locating quality healthcare . . . . and MORE?

“55 Networking Tips For People Over 55” © was written by Donna M. Reed and contains 55 networking tips under 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

Sample: Tip #52 under Tips for Locating Quality Heallthcare:
If you have reason to be concerned about the quality of medical care you are receiving, obtain a Medical Advocate who will conduct research for you. This person will also accompany you to doctor’s visits and perform numerous helpful tasks for you.

Who will be my Medical Advocate if I need one?
There is space for the reader to record answers.

“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.
 

---

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: 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 possibilities!

(This is the final article in a series of four.)
 

Coaches Corner © Q. I want to move forward with my business but am so involved in it that I can’t see good solutions or positive direction. Can a coach help me? A. Absolutely! It’s all about clarity and it’s so hard to do for ourselves! I guide my clients to identify their priorities and goals. Then I partner with them to design strategies that will keep them focused and moving forward. When you feel “frozen” or “paralyzed,” work with a coach to get you moving. Otherwise, you are not just standing still --- you are actually going backward!

Looking for professional or personal gifts for your
Baby Boomer friends and associates?

Give copies of
“55 Networking Tips for People Over 55.”
For information on volume rates, contact Donna Reed at
(520)299-8199 or Reed@ToolsForAchievers.com.

 

Partnering with you to achieve clarity, strategies,
and create systems for success.

Tools For Achievers · 5740 E. Paseo del Cenador, Tucson, AZ 85750
Phone: 520-299-8199 · Fax: 520-299-3917
www.ToolsForAchievers.com ∙ Reed@ToolsForAchievers.com

Copyright © 2007 Tools For Achievers