What exactly is a business plan anyway?
Another client question on Tuesday’s call-in day – “Chris – how do I create a business plan when I’ve never done it before?” I asked what research he had done so far: 1. had a look on the internet at downloadable packages; 2. had a look in a local PC store at off-the-shelf packages: 3. [...]
Getting outside your comfort zone
One of my clients has recently completed an extended trip away from home, visiting with 4 of his top consultancy clients and spending quality time with them – first delivering some project work – second asking them what their greatest challenges are right now. From these 4 conversations it has emerged that they all face [...]
Getting ready for workshops
One of the advantages of focusing on my core programme for the last 8 years is that quarterly workshop preparation can be a fun experience. About 6 weeks before each workshop month begins I pull up the trusty old PowerPoint slides that have served me so well over the years and then: 1. change the [...]
The absurdity of reality
A client asked me “how come you know so many jokes and can use so much humour in your workshops and your coaching?” I explained that I don’t tell jokes – in fact I am truly hopeless at telling jokes. But I do use lots of humour – that’s correct. And I’ve learned to observe [...]
Inspiration and interruption
I know that I will get some great ideas and insights today. Its 8.30am here in Italy, I have written my ezine for the week and emailed it to Team CB for issue, I haven’t read any client emails – and yet I know it will be a great day for ideas. How can that [...]
“Tell me what I am missing”
Over the years I have been asked this question by many clients (both dentists and coaches). It can often come as the last question or comment at the end of an email/progress report, where the client is listing their achievements and progress. As a coach, I find it impossible to answer the question. Since 1994, [...]
Mid-Life Awakening
During an email coaching exchange with a client there came this moment of self-realisation yesterday. That for the first 50 years of my life I was constantly searching for answers. And that in the last 2 years I have changed. Now I’m just trying to figure out which are the right questions It’s proving far [...]
More on the laptop story – and tired with no ticks
So to finish off the laptop story – I revisited the QPT triangle and opted for high quality, customer service and a higher price. The good news is that the supply/demand curve in technology is in favour of the customer at the moment – so our local Sony dealer was quite happy to sell me [...]
They are all in a meeting
Today I walked into a computer store. I wanted to buy a cheap and functional laptop that would suffice for just email and internet access – wireless and a decent screen – not too bothered about speed or techie nobs and whistles – so it made sense to stay away from the bigger computer stores [...]
Business development
I have very few actual “coaching” dates in my schedule for the rest of this month. Yes, the client’s weekly email reports will be answered promptly and we have a couple of telephone call-in days – but the rest of the month will be primarily dedicated to planning. Planning the next 3-months, our 2006 marketing [...]
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