The International Coach Federation Annual Conference will be held in Long Beach, California!

I will be attending the conference and helping my friends at Compass Life and Business Designs at their booth. Would love to meet you, so come and visit me at the Compass booth!

DETAILS:
Date: Wednesday, October 31st - Saturday, November 3rd, 2007
Time: 8:00am - 6:00pm (hours vary each day)
Location: Long Beach Convention Center

Hope to see you there!

Technorati Tags: International Coach Federation, Conference, Long Beach, Compass, Exhibitor

(Two Saturdays (9am-12noon))

Would you like others to SELL for you?
Are you tired of constantly pounding the pavement looking for prospects and leads?

LEARN HOW TO BUILD A REFERRAL BUSINESS

Learn over 10 key steps to start building a referral business where you can leverage your current prospects and clients to work smarter, not harder.

Clients automatically come to YOU.

You will learn how to:

• Get the clients you want.
• Prepare a message that “closes”
• Feel comfortable networking and promoting yourself.
• Build strong relationships that result in business.
• Be one step ahead of your competitors
• Have others sell for you.

Make Business EASY for Yourself

“I learned how to ask for referrals. It was informative and very valuable” Jamie Griffiths, Home Express Loan

DETAILS:
Two Saturdays:
October 6th and 13th
9:00am - 12:00pm Hawaii

You will get:

• Two in-depth classes
• A workbook ($10 material fee)
• A complimentary subscription of the monthly Take Action! Newsletter

This class is being offered at Maui Community College.

Register at www.ocet.org (Class #420F07)

Technorati Tags: referral, business, resources, profits, relationships, trust, building relationships, business development, networking, word of mouth, referral

Toastmasters International has created a structured program to bring communication and leadership skills to students called “Youth Leadership Program.” Modeled after the standard Competent Communication Manual of Toastmasters International Clubs, students learn how to plan, prepare and present speeches while also developing leadership skills, such as meeting facilitation and coordination.

Susan Kim will be discussing this program during the next Soroptimist International meeting.

Date: Wednesday, October 4th, 2007
Time: 12noon - 1:00pm
Location: Maui Beach Hotel, Kahului

For more information, contact Soroptimist International of Maui at 808-264-1775.

They say that “No man is an island,” and I would have to agree. Whether in business or in your personal life, relationships matter and have a large impact on your well being. As people, we were made to relate and be companions to each other, so when your relationships are confused and unhappy, our lives feel the same.

Relationships influence our body, mind and spirit. Do you notice that after a difficult phase in life your body feels tired, drained? Have you been caught in a moment of pure love for someone and felt the rush of energy? Is it hard to concentrate and focus when there is “drama” in your relationships - good or bad? Then you know what I mean.

Although relating is natural for us, sometimes our relationships are not quite where we want them to be or perhaps they are even hurting us. The best way to enhance your relationships is to improve your Self. Think about it, the common factor in all of your relationships is YOU!

Just like we have to exercise our muscles to be fit, we also have to “work out” our relationships to be healthy and strong.

Below are three Take Action! tips on how to “exercise” your relationships to strengthen and tone up.

#1. RELATIONSHIP SYSTEM
A relationship is a system that combines two individual systems - “You” and “Me” (the other person in the relationship), where each individual affects the outcome of the relationship. Given this model, think about how you are affecting the system. Each adjustment of your actions will somehow change the overall system.
Take Action! - Try it out. . .change your behavior just a little by tweaking something in your relationship. Start with something small. A good exercise to begin is to make a list of three columns:
Column #1: List the challenges/difficulties in your relationship.
Column #2: Write out the usual reaction/response when this situation occurs.
Column #3: Write out how you’re going to “tweak” it - give yourself some options to look at and then decide on one.

#2. RELATIONSHIPS START WITH YOU
The key to the “Relationship System” is that each individual is a separate whole person and is in integrity within themselves, not relying on or being dependent on the other. The relationship winds up being a natural and organic result of two people coming together to enhance the world of the other. Therefore, a healthy relationship starts with a healthy “You,” mentally, physically and spiritually.
Take Action! - Think about how you are contributing to the challenge you listed in #1. Also ask yourself honestly and with integrity, “What will it take for me to be complete?” Start taking care of your Self, giving to your Self and allowing your Self to LIVE. Not only will YOU feel great, but your relationships will improve in parallel!

#3. BOUNDARIES, NOT A MOAT
Relationships are about connecting with people, but boundaries enable us to protect ourselves from the potentially damaging affects of the world around us by discerning negative influences that surround us. Boundaries protect the individual from harm from the outside by letting the right people and behavior in, it does not serve to keep people out like a moat.
Take Action! - Top Three Steps to Building Boundaries:
1. Start Right Away -the sooner you start creating boundaries, the easier it becomes.
2. Be Clear - the better you can articulate your boundaries, the easier it is for others to understand and honor them.
3. Create Fair Boundaries - test your boundaries by asking if you would accept the boundary for someone else. If it is difficult to do, then ask yourself if it’s a fair boundary and adjust.

Technorati Tags: balance, relationships, boundaries, self care, personal development, action, accountability, couples

Oftentimes when I sit out in the ocean to surf, I wait. Wait for the sets, wait for the right wave, wait my turn in the lineup. It certainly takes an element of patience out there - sometimes a LOT of patience. Business is a similar practice in patience, especially when we are “floating” in the sea of prospects.

Perhaps you meet someone at a networking event. There is a nice conversation and an exchange of business cards. You’re feeling good - you made a strong connection, you’re sure that this is certainly going to lead to a great business relationship. That evening, you decide to pop a quick email to follow up on your earlier discussion before you go to bed. In the morning you run to your computer in anticipation. You’re thinking the networking is going to pay off! You turn your computer on. . . no email. You hit “Get Mail” again, . . nothing. Your computer screen is silently staring you in the face, thinking, “Now what?” You feel a little let down, but you’re still pretty sure that you will soon get a response.

A day goes by. Nothing.

Two days go by. Nothing.

As each day goes on, you’re feeling more and more dejected. And then after about a week, you start thinking, “Should I call?” “Should I send another email? Maybe they didn’t get my first one.”

Certainly waiting in anticipation can be a true test of one’s patience. But it can also be frustrating and paralyzing to your business.

Business is a practice in patience. But once you master the art of patience, it pays off . . .

I have the pleasure of being the guest speaker at professional and community organizations, like Rotary club. A couple of years ago, after a Rotary meeting, I had a really great conversation with a woman who expressed interest in coaching. We exchanged business cards and she left the meeting telling me, “I’m definitely going to call you.” When I got home I followed up with an email. No response. . . In a couple of weeks I published my newsletter and thought she might like it, so I sent it to her. She didn’t respond. But a month later she wound up signing up for my newsletter. Then after that I didn’t hear from her for 1 whole year . . . when she called to hire me as her coach!

She told me later that I was always in the back of her mind, but she just didn’t get around to calling. BUT she said that she got my newsletters and always appreciated them and then one day it triggered something in her - which is when she called me.

In business, having a system of follow up promotes patience - you know you’re getting in front of your prospect and that they are being exposed to your message, so you don’t have to TRY so hard.

Practicing patience is instrumental in business.
Remember, business is a process - it takes time.
Hang back and wait for THE wave.
When the “wave of the day” comes your way, just ride it . .

With Aloha,
Susan

Technorati Tags: Business Process, Prospects, Networking, Business Resources, Staying In Touch, Patience

(Four Tuesdays)

If you think you have to go out and pound the pavement to look for prospects and keep networking . . .

You may already have a GOLDMINE OF CLIENTS just waiting.
The Key is to STAY CONNECTED AND KEEP IN TOUCH with the people you have already developed relationships with.

LEARN HOW TO “STAY IN THE GAME”

“. . . the content of the course was excellent. [Susan was] very well prepared and had a wonderful patient manner. . . What I felt was the most beneficial part for me was how encouraging [she was] . . Thank you so much!” Debra Lauderdale, Clincial Therapist and Coach

STOP STRUGGLING.

You will learn how to:

• Learn the importance of staying connected.
• Set up your own system.
• Develop strategies to automate your system.
• Start keeping in touch more regularly.
• How to make organizing your contact easier.
• Creating a system to stay in touch
  

Don’t let valuable contacts fall through the cracks!

DETAILS:
Four Tuesdays:
September 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th
at 12pm Hawaii (3pm Pacific / 6pm Eastern)

You will get:

• Four interactive teleclass sessions
• Detailed notes and excercises via download
• A complimentary subscription of the monthly Take Action! Newsletter
• Recordings of the teleclasses each week
• PLUS Access to fr*e*e valuable online resource to Stay In the Game and keep in touch.

Usually this class is $149, but sign up for THIS session and get the
extended Summer Discount price of $89.

REGISTER ME FOR THIS CLASS ONLY

Technorati Tags: Teleclass, Business, Strategies, Organization, Relationships, Profits, Resources

In order to stay inspired, to take action and to move toward what you REALLY want in life, oftentimes it entails learning - learning something new, different or just discovering something within ourselves. The best way to learn something is to teach it. If you want a deeper understanding of a topic or your want to move forward and gain more success, teach that which you want to learn.

Why does this work?
The short answer is that in order to teach, you have to have a clear understanding of the topic at hand. The path to that understanding means that you naturally learn, but teaching it takes it one level deeper - you express the material in your own words and thoughts - you make it your own.

Because learning is an organic, interactive process, the nature of having students asking “why” strengthens your knowledge and opens up for a creative dialogue. A great teacher empowers others to discover the same ownership and clear understanding (this is also the mark of a great leader as well).

The next time youʼre struggling to explain something, trying to wrap your head around a concept, write a proposal, give a presentation, put together your 60-second elevator speech or just learn something new; try this:

1. Ask yourself, “What questions did I start with?” and “How would I explain this to someone else?”
2. Formulate how you can clearly and succinctly communicate the material.
3. Teach it to someone else.

Not only do YOU learn better, you also share knowledge and growth with others.

Technorati Tags: Education and Learning, Communication, Goals, Strategy, Focus, Personal Development, Business Development, Results, Action

Speaking is still a very common fear. The fear of speaking is not limited to public speaking. It also includes much more common occasions, such as talking to someone at a party, speaking to a supervisor, or just providing feedback during a meeting.

How many great ideas have not been expressed because of this fear?

Ironically, this fear is not based on a tangible or life-threatening source; it comes from our own beliefs and perceptions; it comes from what is in our minds.

How many great ideas have YOU not expressed because of this fear?

Since this fear is based on beliefs, it can be eradicated by beliefs.
If you believe in yourself and your message, you will discover the passion and confidence to speak your mind.

THREE STEPS TO SPEAK WITH CONFIDENCE

1. Get Over The Fear - Think of a time in your life where it is more important to speak up than to remain silent (e.g. for a promotion, to honor someone, when you see an injustice, to express love and gratitude, to land a client, to remember a loved one with a eulogy). Write this on an index card and look at it to remind you that this is more important than your fear - your message is more powerful than this fear.

2. Know Yourself Better - Being clear and really understanding your own thoughts will enable you to manifest better in words and speech. Get clear.

3. Be Yourself - Leo Buscaglia said, “The easiest thing in the world is to be you. The most difficult thing is to be what other people want you to be.” You donʼt have to “perform” to be heard. Sincerity has a loud voice and is always appreciated.

Technorati Tags: Being in the Present, Communication, Confidence, Challenge, Goals, Personal Development, Results

Have you noticed that:

It’s easier (or more comfortable) for most to send an email than pick up the phone.
Despite the overwhelming use of cell phones, it’s harder to actually reach someone.
A voicemail is now considered an acceptable form of communication.
Technology has made it almost acceptable to ignore the person you’re with, ie talking on a cell phone at lunch or text messaging someone during a meeting.

You get the idea, no one is actually talking to each other!
Today “talking” has been replaced with a string of emails or a game of phone tag.
And the worst thing about it is that, this method of communicating has become acceptable!

However, if you ask anyone, what are the most important things in life?
Most people will include relationships/companionship as one of the answers.

• Families want more time to spend with their loved ones.
• Friends rely on mutual support and understanding.
• Professionals are more likely to leave a job because of an interpersonal conflict and not feeling valued, rather than because of a specific project or task.
• Clients demand better customer service and overall value from a purchase.
• Businesses grow based on customer loyalty, so they invest resources to build that trust.

In order to foster the important relationships in our lives, it takes two vital ingredients: time and communication.

Most strong relationships are built on trust and consistency, both of which show up over time.
In addition, there is usually an understanding or a shared bond between the two parties, which can only be the result of true communication.

So when we take the time to communicate (the actual exchange of information both by talking and listening), we start to develop lasting relationships and it feels good for both parties involved.

Think of the last time you got a call from a friend who just called to say “hello,” how did it make you feel?

What if your boss took the time to ask about your weekend, and actually stopped to listen?
How would that help your productivity?

What if a company cared about your opinions enough to ask what you REALLY want?
Then what if that company created a product that was designed specifically for you?
Would you be a loyal customer?

How would you feel if you were on the giving end?
What if you are that friend? What if you are that boss? What if you are that company?
I’m guessing it would make you feel pretty good too.

Discovery Tip: Take Time To Communicate

For the next week, communicate with as many people as you can.
(1) Instead of sending an email, pick up the phone to chat.
(2) Ask a colleague about their weekend- and stop to really listen.
(3) Get feedback from a client regarding your product/services - what do they REALLY want?

Notice the reactions you are getting and any feelings associated with your communication.
Notice if it makes a difference with your relationships, both personally and professionally.
Notice how YOU feel.

Technorati Tags: Communication, Business Development, Relationships, Action