Rules of the Game FREE 2009 Business Plans!
Explaining the Game!
Hi Everyone!
I know that you are all getting geared up for 2009 and I’d like to help.
I’d like to take a moment to invite you to a few special sessions of my FREE small business coaching series. For years I’ve used Coffee, Tea, You and Me as a wonderful outlet to facilitate the advanced networking education of small business leaders in the area. As a result, I’ve had a tremendously powerful impact on many small business leaders and have been inspired to use this venue to conduct a workshop and contest for small business owners to create their own word-of- mouth marketing plan for 2009.
That’s right, for the next 5 or so weeks we’ll be helping our clients and contestants to create their own personal winning strategy. I’ll be right there to guide you in the development of a plan for phenomenal success in 2009. The winners of the contest will receive thousands of dollars in prizes and gifts! If you’d like to check what others have said about our skills, I invite you to review our testimonials here.
Be prepared to take lots of notes and to introduce your business to more than twenty other professionals. Feel free to hand out your business cards and brochures.
This website will be our online meeting place, and will contain the information you’ll need to participate.
Professional transformation is yours in 2009, I can’t wait to help you unlock your plan for success. Welcome to your revolution!
Stay tuned every week to see updates to this post and join the game at any time!
Ready to get started? Read on!
The Rules of the Game!
- Log onto the website (www.ninetydaypowrplay.com)
- Read all rules pertaining to the contest and it’s timelines
- The contest is open to the entire on-line business community
- Answer all required blog post in a timely fashion
- Assignments will be posted weekly in the blog section of (www.ninetydaypowerplay.com) every Saturday for the next eight weeks
- Report any inappropriate, offensive or inflammatory language used on the site immediately it will be removed immediately
- The discussion will be monitored but not moderated
- All plans submitted in week 8 will be read and judged according to submission standards written in syllabus below
- Prizes and supporters will be announced to all participants as the contest unfolds. We anticipate $1000′s of dollars of prizes and cash
Syllabus and Weekly Assignment Posts
Establish (VMGD) Passionate and Powerful Vision and Mission Statements, Appropriate Goals, and Daily Action.
Week 1-tasks to be completed and submitted before 2PM on January 9th:
- Read each blog entry 1-6 on Vision at www.ninetydaypowerplay.com and leave comments for the community your comments must be at least five sentences for each entry (everyone will know if you fake it so don’t)
- List at least ten real measurements of success for you becoming the best networker that you can be in 2009
- List the values and principles that you will have to embrace and focus on to achieve these results
- List at least five weaknesses that you’ll have to strengthen in your current personal behavior to insure success
- List at least five strengths that you currently have that you’ll have to maximize and explain why
- List at least five opportunities that you must take advantage
- List at least five threats that could keep you from achieving your networking goals if you don’t get in front of them
- Look back over previous lists lessons and list why each is important
Week 2- tasks to be completed and submitted on or before Jan 16
- Look back over you previous list and for every entry ask what do I have to do specifically to achieve or get better results here?
- List out your answers as in the example below (you may have more than forty entry’s). I’d use free form think like in your own personalized brain storming session for about 1/2 an hour
- Prioritize your top ten items; these are you real goals that you must achieve
- Break your goals into tasks that must be completed to achieve the goal. You might want to try some back wards planning here. There is a sample back up plan on my #4. You’ll need one for all ten. Begin with achieving the SMART goal and work backwards from there. If you are not use to doing this it will take some practice get started right away. Remember each of your ten items needs a backwards plan!
- Now which of these tasks must you focus on daily for the rest of the year-choose five. Clearly you will do more than this but these will become your wildly important goals that we want to focus on everyday
- List why each of these tasks is important
Develop a Powerful Diverse Network of Contacts
Week 3 -tasks to be completed and submitted on or before Jan 23
- Compiling your current and future contact data – It’s important for a master networker to be able to collect and use data from his/her networks. Today you are going to need more than the basic contact information. You’ll need to know their cell address, do they have a Skype account, are they using LinkedIn, Facebook maybe even Ning? You’ll want to understand what kinds of contacts they have that might want to use your services or help you find a job. Decide how you wish to assemble all your contacts in one location through whatever medium is easiest for you. It may be a combination of things such as your: Computer database Vendor/client list (I use Outlook and Excel), Mailing lists Rolodex (maybe LinkedIn or Jott) or Business card box etc.
- Segment your contacts – Decide how you want to segment your contacts and post results
- Define Your Team – Contact Spheres are businesses or professions that can easily provide a source of referrals for one another. They have a symbiotic, compatible, noncompetitive relationship with one another, such as a lawyer, CPA, financial planner, and banker.
- List the unique talents and skills that might make you attractive to them. They may make great reciprocal partners later.
- Plan to quarterback your own team – You must take responsibility for your networking activity and results. The quarterback is central to every offense; in this case every business acquisition or networking strategy. You’ll be the key figure to a host of others that have similar interest to you. Your team members may have the same client demographics that you do and work in the same markets. Each team member should be unique but not a competitor. We already talked about the symbiotic relationship above. Guess who the star player is? That would be you! You’re the one that knows all of the plays!
- List five habits that you’ll need to be a good quarterback.
- List at least five types of firms that you should build partnerships or alliances with to better enable you to serve your market. We sometimes refer to these as “golden geese”. They continue to lay the “golden eggs” that you want but you have to care for them. Don’t eat them! Selling to your team members could be hazardous to your health!
- Establish contact goals (remember goals are always SMART, back to week two)-Don’t become a cave dweller. You will have to constantly engage your networks. Set goals for the number of appointments you will establish with the people you want to have in your team or will build an alliance with.
Week 4-tasks to be completed and submitted on or before Jan30
- Start to identify your playing fields and your team mates-The selection process is very important. Don’t let chance decide where you’re going to spend your time and efforts. Remember, the key is to diversify your activities. One type of business organization will not serve all your needs. Therefore, you should consciously select a well-rounded mix of groups. Try to avoid being in more than one group that separates their membership by having one per category like a BNI chapter. If you have associates, partners, or employees, take their participation into account when deciding what groups you need to become active in you may not need to go!
- List the names of the groups that you now belong to. Remember networks are active groups of people that meet regularly and know you by name. Ideally they have existing communications mechanisms like meetings, conferences and newsletters that allow members to interact. Groups today might even have a social networking component on-line for its members. Some groups are all virtual and never really meet physically
- Analyze group information using any and all available methods
- List groups that you would like to consider for membership and provide details about the group’s demographics
Create Powerful Messages Delivered Effectively
Week 5-tasks to be completed and submitted on or before Feb 6
- List your five strongest personal character traits (PCT). Make sure these character traits are backed up and validated by others. What would your best friends say they are? You’ll know this because they already said it (that’s a hint).
- Of your PCTs list two ways you can leverage each of them to achieve your vision and mission. Think of things or ideas that can help others engage with you. What will make make your networking partners interested enough to commit to helping you? What’s the best way to communicate your vision and goals to them?
- Create two affirmation statements that you can repeat to yourself to increase your positive attitude or keep you focused
- Describe the image you would like to create amongst your networks
Week 6
Create Your Personal Plan for Networking Success
Week 7
Week 8
Welcome to the revolution!
Wise Ways Consulting is a world leader in personal empowerment! We use our unique high impact training and coaching programs to aide our clients in reaching their ultimate potential.
These are some the things that I could do to get better results in my networking in 2009. I’ve listed the individual tasks under the top 10, after which I have listed my most important 5 and the reasons why. After that you’ll see the rest of my list.
1. Develop strong vision/mission statements and live them!
 Display and seek input on first draft, then revisit. Continue until it “˜works’.
 Place them in highly visible areas. (Bathroom mirror, work space, refrigerator, car dashboard, day timer/planner”¦etc”¦)
 Create a vision board and have it displayed in a prominent place.
 Find the emotion/energy level that is attached to the attainment of the vision; bring that to the visualization as well.
 Visualize daily, 5-10 minutes each morning before I get up.
 Visualize mid-afternoon as well for 5 minutes.
 Carry it on a business card, wallet, jacket, etc..
 Have members of my “cheering squad” read them and provide feedback.
2. Develop a marketing plan by the end of January; this is to attract clients who are my own and not through another training firm.
 Research effective marketing plans.
 Research target market (IE Current gov’t legislation for companies and EEO/Diversity training)
 Write 6 specific questions to ask clients that will give me insight into their needs/my competition.
 Utilize services that are out there to help me (Pat Peacock, VPTAP)
3. Begin to transition to coaching (life/executive)
 Complete training for coaching by July.
“¢ Research programs to find the best for current time:
o Ask other coaches
o Read on the internet
o Read industry publications to compare.
 Secure 6 clients by end of September.
“¢ Let friends/colleagues/acquaintances know that I am doing the training and when I’ll be ready to start.
“¢ Provide one hour complementary sessions.
o Advertise on website
o Send out e-newsletters
o Donate as door prizes or giveaways at networking events in the area.
 Ask them for at least one/two referrals each to pursue as future clients.
4. Establish a cadre of companies that I am associated with, minimum of 8 by the end of 2009.
 Research training companies
“¢ Via the internet.
“¢ Industry publications.
“¢ Phone book.
“¢ Fed Biz Ops.
 Ask other training consultants via Linkedin for companies they have worked for.
“¢ Seek their input on good/bad experiences, via private emails.
“¢ Ask them for referrals to companies that they are working with or have had past (positive) relationships with.
5. Secure 5 new active linkedin contacts each week.
 Research new people through off-line networking events.
 Research new people through the various linkedin groups I belong to.
 Find appropriate new linkedin groups.
 Add invitations to link with new people, via the discussion boards.
 Read all discussion emails that are sent each few days.
“¢ Reply to questions on those emails (that I can give competent, fabulous answers to!)
 Maintain contact through asking one question each 1-2 weeks.
“¢ Thank people for their responses.
“¢ Send out compilation of the responses to those who are interested.
6. Cold call those new companies in order to set-up and develop relationship.
 4 hours each day.
 Research who they are.
“¢ Includes the person responsible for the relevant type of training in each company.
 Write the marketing plan/engaging questions.
 Questions that will get necessary/relevant information FROM them about their needs.
“¢ Am I talking with the person who is responsible for training and development?
“¢ Who is the person who makes the hiring decisions for “¦diversity, soft-skills, leadership?
“¢ Who is currently providing your training?
“¢ Do you like the people that you’re working with now?
“¢ What can they do to be better for you?
“¢ If I could keep the things that you like and get rid of the things you didn’t like, would there be an opportunity for us to do business in the future?
 Set up data-taking system (book/journal) to record info.
 Establish data base of appropriate people in the company to speak with.
 Find best times of the day to catch people at their desks
“¢ 8:00 ““ 10:00 a.m., lunch, late afternoon?
7. Write 5 different elevator speeches and commit to memory so that they are naturally presented in the appropriate setting. (golden shepherds, clients, Linkedin, speaking engagements, local networking events)
 Before writing:
“¢ Identify/describe each target audience.
o What are they representing?
o What do they want/need?
o What can I do to add value?
o What makes me different?
o Why should they bring me on board vs. someone else?
“¢ Discuss with other colleagues/friends.
 Write.
“¢ Find story to personalize it and make it “˜yours’ and memorable.
“¢ Ask trusted friend/confidante who is a member of the target audience ““ is this going to do it?
“¢ Revise.
 Practice!
“¢ In front of a mirror.
“¢ In front of colleagues/friends.
 Re-evaluate frequently.
“¢ Stay current!
8. Become industry “recognizable authority”.
 Establish speaking presence:
“¢ Web presence on Speaker’s Site
o Link with those on the site.
o Ask them their opinions, suggestions, directions.
“¢ Utilize requests from questions on LinkedIn.
o Ask for opportunities to speak.
o Referrals.
“¢ Radio interviews.
o Local PWC/DC stations, business shows.
o Front Royal Business Show (Dr. Miles Davis)
“¢ Local organizations (Rotary, Chamber of Commerce, Colleges)
 Establish writing presence:
“¢ Answer questions for linkedin.
o At least 2/week.
“¢ Articles for local newspapers.
o Potomac News (Susan Jessup)
“¢ Industry Publications
o Write two articles for Diversity Executive this calendar year.
 Develop relationship with KW at Diversity Executive so that she will come to me consistently for their various publications. (Sept/Oct ed. on Cross-Cultural Communication)
 Write an excellent first article for her ““ Religion in the Workplace: Spirituality and Productivity. (May/June edition, deadline Feb. 21st, 2009)
o Source out at least two publications which accept submissions.
“¢ Begin a monthly e-newsletter by end of March and have people (both industry and non-industry) read and provide constructive feedback.
9. Treat all people as special and unique:
 Close my mouth and listen more!
“¢ When I meet someone new, ask them the first 3-5 questions to get them to open up and tell THEIR story first.
 Accept them at their places of beginning.
 Pay it forward
“¢ Recommend people and refer people, just as I hope they will do for me, and even if they don’t.
“¢ Send on Fed Biz Ops opportunities to people who I think might be interested (if it’s something that I don’t do).
“¢ As people to team if it’s something that we could do together.
 Recognize that people are all starting with different agendas.
10. Stay STRONG and DETERMINED!
 Visualize daily.
 Schedule some time for relaxation/enjoyment every day.
 Read enlightening things ““ books, magazines, stories.
 Laugh”¦.every day!
“¢ Watch entertaining movies.
“¢ Share positive experiences with friends.
 Remove negative people from my life. (Create a Drama Free Zone!)
“¢ Listen to my feelings/inner guide.
“¢ Surround myself with those who keep my UP.
“¢ Celebrate my successes, even daily ones of doing all of the tasks on my list.
“¢ Go through the failures and analyze what I could do differently and what was beyond my control.
 Turn the TV/News off.
“¢ Makes me depressed, negative language will drag me down.
Here are my top 5 daily activities for now, and the reasons why:
1. Create/live/display/reflect upon the vision.
a. No vision, no future! I go back to my response to the blog, I must leave behind my life as a wandering generality and become a meaningful specific”¦”¦ and I know myself well enough to know that if I don’t have it in front of my face often, daily, weekly, perhaps even hourly, I lose that motivation.
2. Visualize.
a. Again, I must take 5-10 minutes each morning to visualize where I’m going, see myself there, etc. And then in the afternoon when I’m feeling a little scattered, repeat the same process. This will allow me to regroup, focus, and stay on track.
3. Cold Call. I must make daily contact with any of the genres listed below. In order to make a presence for myself in this industry, I must continually be talking with (either on the phone, computer, in person) those who are in need of my services. If I make no contact, how will anyone know that I’m here!
a. New companies for my business.
b. Companies to partner with.
c. New connections/colleagues to team with.
4. Write. I need to write either articles for magazine submissions, contact emails, new training programs, journal entries, additions to the vision board, and speeches/presentations for different audiences. More writing/discussion will keep ideas current as well as it will generate more new ideas for future projects. Keep the creative juices flowing!
5. Keep moving forward”¦.one step, one action, one success, one day at a time. Forward motion will help to keep me moving in the intended direction ““ it’s easier to start when you’re already in motion as opposed to starting from nothing. Don’t let the frustrations get to me”¦..
11. Network to find as many reputable ones to work with/establish relationship with.
12. Google/Phonebooks/Registries of training companies both locally and nationally.
13. Develop new training courses ““ something that makes me unique and appeals to a niche market.
14. Identify opportunities to link with new people via discussion emails from different groups that I belong to.
15. Ensure that I respond to others’ requests and help out where I’m able ““ or refer on to someone who is.
16. Check out the membership lists for my groups in order to find suitable connections to initiate.
17. Network at various events to find suitable connections.
18. Ask for referrals to my connections’ connections.
19. Put out requests to link up on discussion boards.
20. Utilize other sources (Speaker’s Board, etc.) to find people to link with
21. Ensure that I am prepared for all sessions.
22. Deliver excellent training = receive excellent evaluations.
23. Ask for referrals. (You don’t get what you don’t ask for!)
24. Remain up to date so that training sessions are current and innovative.
25. Utilize attendee’s comments on marketing materials and website.
26. Ensure all training is top quality.
27. Tailor programs to client needs ““ avoid “canned” training.
28. Ensure all training is up to date/innovative in terms of content and method of delivery.
29. Ensure that WWC offers better value than other training firms.
30. Find one opportunity to teach short session courses.
 USDA Grad School.
 AMA
 HHS University
 NOVA, GMU
31. Maintain relationship with those in my client base AFTER the job is done.
 Evaluations.
 Thank you cards.
 Email mail-outs (newsletter).
 Suggestions for current training, etc.
32. Ensure that friends/acquaintances know WHAT I do.
33. Network via Linkedin and other sources with other trainers to solicit their opinions re: quality companies.
34. Continue to pass on opportunities that may be of interest to other colleagues/companies.
35. Avail of their help when offered.
36. Ask for their help when needed.
37. Build a network of trusted and respected trainers/coaches.
38. Foster relationships with others that I respect and admire within the training field.
 Maintain consistent contact.
 Forward opportunities for collaboration onward.
39. Obtain coaching clients. (Marketing Plan)
40. Focus on Cross-cultural competencies
41. Work closely with Dr. Johnson in order to ensure that the first training meets the needs of the NY Giants and their rookies.
42. Be flexible to change program as needed.
43. Work closely with Ric and Rob to provide whatever is needed when they are soliciting other teams.
44. Selectively choose on-line classes/seminars that will support my learning and advancement.
45. Create some type of passive income ““ a book on preparing for life as an international educator or working with “TCK’s” ““ Third Culture Kids.
46. As friends/colleagues to look at my website or linkedin page, vision/missions, etc. and have them send their comments, thoughts.
47. Budget time appropriately so that I avoid wasting time. Daily task lists.