Friday, August 24, 2007

CRPS/RSD Described...

I had such an overwhelming response to my sharing with you my
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (RSD), also known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome that I wanted to give you facts about it as many were inquiring individually...the info below is taken from the RSDS.org website:

(CRPS) is a chronic pain syndrome characterized by severe and relentless pain that affects between 200,000 and 1.2 million Americans.

RSD is a malfunction of part of the nervous system.

Nerves misfire, sending constant pain signals to the brain.

RSD develops in response to an event the body regards as traumatic, such as an accident or a medical procedure. This syndrome may follow 5% of all injuries.

Minor injuries can cause major problems. Minor injuries, such as a sprain or a fall are frequent causes of CRPS/RSD.

One characteristic of CRPS/RSD is that the pain is more severe than expected for the type of injury that occurred.

Early and accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment are key to recovery, yet many health care professionals and consumers are unaware of its signs and symptoms.

Typically, people with CRPS/RSD report seeing an average of five physicians before being accurately diagnosed.

Symptoms include persistent moderate-to-severe pain, swelling, abnormal skin color changes, skin temperature, sweating, limited range of movement, movement disorders.

CRPS/RSD is two to three times more frequent in females than males.

The mean age at diagnosis is 42 years.

However, we are seeing more injuries among young girls, and children as young as 3 years old can get CRPS/RSD.

This is not a psychological syndrome, but children may develop psychological problems when physicians, parents, teachers and other children do not believe their complaints of pain.

Treatment may include medication, physical therapy, psychological support, sympathetic nerve blocks and, possibly, sympathectomy, or dorsal column stimulator.

... so there you have it...I got so many emails that were loving and beautiful and heard about so many of your stories and I wish each of you health and peace.


My Goal Is YOUR Success!

Terri Levine, The Guru of Coaching SM
PresidentComprehensive Coaching U, Inc.
(877-401-6165)
http://www.CoachInstitute.com

Create a great home based business coaching clients over the phone!
Visit http://www.CoachInstitute.com today!

Thursday, August 23, 2007

My Latest Book!!

Learing life lessons are never easy, but a new friend is here to help.

Abigail and The Purple Fairy takes the audience on a delightful journey as Abigail learns some valuable lessons from a purple fairy about growing up, dealing with big and small disappointments in life and learning to find the good in the bad days, too.

As the story begins Abigail is in her bed asleep and is awakened by a gentle, small voice coming from her bedside. She turns on the lamp and sees a fairy with white hair and gossamer wings that spreads silvery purple glitter into the air. The fairy wants to talk about Abigail's life - Abigail says it's boring, but the fairy teaches Abigail a valuable lesson. She tells Abigail to believe in herself and imagine he things she wants to happen.

The tale ensues with several examples of Abigail learning to believe in herself and her desires such as friends playing with her at school, the teacher asking her questions in class that she knows, her mom fixing her favorite foods and enjoying the colors and scents of flowers as she and a friend walk to school.

Abigail and the Purple Fairy gives children valuable lessons through the eyes of Abigail's day by accepting, believing, dreaming and making the most of their days and learning that disappointments are not everything in a bad day.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Recreating Yourself ... Life After CRPS/RSD

As you may or may not be aware, after a long period of immobilizations and castings due to a ruptured Achilles, I developed CRPS/RSD, known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome/Reflexive Sympathetic Dystrophy.

There are many stages to CRPS/RSD, which have to do with changes in the extremity. In stage one, which is the stage right after injury, there is increased blood flow and swelling to the area of injury. In my case the extremity was always cold and swollen. It turned black and I could not feel it.

Stage two, is the dystrophic stage or ischemic stage. This stage is characterized by neurovascular changes that affect the blood flow into the extremity. Again, in my case, this meant the extremity was very cold, black and I had no feeling and could not tell hot vs. cold or feel sharp needles.

And stage three is atrophic where the neurovascular changes become more pronounced. There is a decrease of blood flow into the area, along with other nervous system changes.

My life and my physical limits have changed with this disease and so I had to change my hobbies and activities. I had to learn to do things I can do vs. things I want to do.

I have pain each day with CRPS/RSD and have physical limitations with this disease. I have had to learn to recreate myself in many ways so that my life is still full, juicy and meangingful.

I live life at a much slower pace now. Instead of going for long walks, working at on equipment, working with my trainer, hiking and jogging, and exploring countries around the world, I now do more writing, am at home more and have created more books and articles.

The busier I am the less I focus on the pain. There have been many times when the pain was just to unbearable to do anything and concentrating became almost impossible, yet I always fight my way through it and find that when I am writing, speaking, training or coaching clients, I escape the pain and have much joy.


My Goal Is YOUR Success!

Terri Levine, The Guru of Coaching SM
PresidentComprehensive Coaching U, Inc.
(877-401-6165)
http://www.CoachInstitute.com

Create a great home based business coaching clients over the phone!
Visit http://www.CoachInstitute.com today!

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Every Speaker Needs Coaching!

When a speaker uses poor grammar or has error in their speech, their credibility can be destroyed. Here are words and phrases that can make a good speech and a good speaker lose the audience.

1. Irregardless: Although some people say this isn't really a word, it can be found in Webster's. The word means regardless. So, just use the word regardless.

2. Proactive: This has become an overused word today. It refers to looking forward and avoiding future problems. Instead of proactive, try replacing it with the words active or reactive.

3. Capable of: This is a weak phrase. Substitute can or able to instead.

4. Remains to be seen: This is a cliche. Avoid cliches when presenting.

5. In terms of: What does this mean? We hear it said all the time, but it has no meaning. Avoid these words.

6. At some point in time :What other point is there than a point in time? Just say, at some time.

7. As to whether: Why not replace with the simplier, whether?

8. As regards: Once again, this is wordy. Replace with, regarding.

9. Timewise and otherwise: Don't you mean regarding or as to? Much clearer.

10. Equally as This is poor grammar. It is either equally important or it is important. Not equally as important.


My Goal Is YOUR Success!
Terri Levine, The Guru of Coaching SM
PresidentComprehensive Coaching U, Inc.
(877-401-6165)
http://www.CoachInstitute.com

Create a great home based business coaching clients over the phone!
Visit http://www.CoachInstitute.com today!

Monday, August 20, 2007

10 Ways to Put Fun In Your Practice

It might be a stretch for any physician to imagine how "fun" has anything to do with their profession. I'm not suggesting you become frivolous or that you should take your responsibilities lightly. I am suggesting you find ways to lighten your days, for your own benefit.

Yours is not the jolliest of professions on the planet. It's hard to go home and switch off. How can you focus on being with your children in a playful manner, when your head is elsewhere, perhaps with a dying child? How can you interact with anyone cheerfully, when each moment of your workday involves sickness and death?

As a human being, having fun is your birthright. Learn to incorporate some fun into your day and YOU will feel better for it… and so will your staff, your family, and your patients.Need ideas?

Here's 10 to get you started

1. A physician I know has a smiley face sticker inside the cover of his bed lamp – when patients look up, they see this big smiley face. He also has a large, stuffed toy giraffe in one corner that he puts silly hats on and colorful mobiles hanging from his ceiling. His piece de resistance is a white Furby on his desk with whom he "consults" playfully.

2. Keep 10-15 minutes free morning and afternoon so you can have a break. Keep some puzzles, crosswords, games or even coloring books in your desk to play with. (If you're embarrassed, lock your door.)

3. Remember to smile. Illness and death are going to happen every day, whether you're there or not. You do the best you can, but you're not a miracle worker. Don't spend all of your day worrying about everyone else's day. Take your own advice. If you recommend your stressed clients take a walk at lunch time, you'd better get your walking shoes on!

4. Buy a joke book. Each time you enter your office, share a joke with your staff. If your staff are happy, it will rub off on you and make visits to your office more pleasurable for your patients. Children will love your riddles.

5. Allow your staff to play the radio in the front office. Do the same for your own office, or choose CD's that inspire and relax. Maybe you can have "happy" children songs playing for your child patients and soothing music for your stressed professional patients. (Or maybe they could also do with a dose of "The wheels on the bus go round and round…"?)

6. Take a rostered day off. Share this opportunity with your partners. You CAN arrange your schedule to fit in a rostered day off during the month. Do exactly what YOU want to do on this day: fishing, golfing, reading, hiking, or maybe you just want to spend the day in bed and do nothing!

7. When you send follow up notes and reminders to your patients, stick a "happy" sticker on the bottom near your signature. Put "happy" stickers on your phone, your computer and anywhere else you will see them.

8. Send your office a "happy" gift basket once in a while. There are online stores that sell specialty "fun" corporate gifts that include silly things, like moldable Gumbies, happy faces on a stick, fun shaped chocolates. You'll also enjoy receiving the basket of fun goodies, even if you have sent them yourself.

9. Have fun with your patients. Give them a riddle and tell them if they can answer it, you'll give them a jelly bean. Keep happy stickers on your desk so you can stick one to your patient's shirts before they leave.

10. Have a "wacky" day, like a crazy hair day. Wear silly wigs or do something crazy with your own hair. Put up a notice to alert your patients beforehand so they won't get a shock when they visit. Invite them to participate if their visit coincides with your scheduled "wacky day". Take advantage of special days like "Red nose day" when you and your staff can wear red clown noses. (You can "fine" your staff and patients a dollar if they don't participate, and donate it to charity.Think about this… if you were ill and had to visit your doctor, what would lift your spirits? A happy, "fun" environment, or a somber, gloomy environment that matches how you feel?


My Goal Is YOUR Success!
Terri Levine, The Guru of Coaching SM
PresidentComprehensive Coaching U, Inc.
(877-401-6165)
http://www.CoachInstitute.com

Create a great home based business coaching clients over the phone!
Visit http://www.CoachInstitute.com today!

Friday, August 17, 2007

Prepare For Job Interview Questions

To be prepared for an interview it is helpful to have an understanding of the questions you may be asked and to have prepared answers for them. As you read the questions below, think of adaptations to these and then answer them. You may want to say your answers out loud while looking in a mirror to see how you look and sound. Another great tip is to record your answers into a tape recorder and then play it back and see what it sounds like. Practice your answers and then go take charge of your career and get the job you want and find the employer you want to work for!

1. Which supervisors have you found easiest to work with and which have been most difficult? This is to judge your adaptability.

2. What did you like best and least about your previous job? Checking your administration and management skills.

3. Have you ever had to get a point across to different types of people? Give me an example and tell me what approach did you take? Finding out about your communication skills.

4. Describe a work-related problem you had to face recently. What did you do to deal with it? Decision making skills tested.

5. Give me an example of a time you did more than what was required in your job. Seeking initiative.

6. Give me an example of a time you found it necessary to make an exception to the rules in order to get something done. How is your integrity?

7. What was the best decision you ever made? What were the alternatives? How did you go about making it? Checking your judgment.

8. Tell me about a time you had to gain the cooperation of a group over which you had little or no authority. What did you do? How effective were you? Leadership.

9. Have you ever had trouble learning a new method or procedure? How did you deal with that situation? Investigating your learning ability.

10. Tell me about a problem you have had that would affect more than one department. How did you try to solve it? For organizational cooperation.


My Goal Is YOUR Success!
Terri Levine, The Guru of Coaching SM
President Comprehensive Coaching U, Inc.
(877-401-6165)
http://www.CoachInstitute.com

Create a great home based business coaching clients over the phone!
Visit http://www.CoachInstitute.com today!

Thursday, August 16, 2007

Prospecting For Clients

Believe it or not in one of my first business, I simply pulled names straight out of the telephone book. A through Z....and called. I dialed and dialed to get clients.

I'd say, "Hi...how are you? My name is Terri Levine and we are looking to host local art shows and give free art away to people in this area...Are you interested?"

And guess what? Most people said NO!

Why am I sharing this? Whatever medium you are using whether it's phone, written word, Internet, radio or TV, you have a few seconds to identify who has a need, want or desire for your products or services, and then you have to hold their attention long enough to get them to do what you want...

Simple concept, yes?

Of course, there's more to it... for now just do one of the following two things and your success will soar immediately...

1. Scare the audience... worry them badly about something that affects them...

OR

2. Promise them something ridiculous yet true...

So ...Knowing this, my cold calls would be different now (if I still did them!)...

"Hi...My name is Terri Levine. Let me ask you something...If I can truly show you how to
get your home fully decorated with original oil paintings everywhere you desire in your home for free ...is that worth 14 minutes of your time to find out how?"

So there you have my prospecting gift!

This one tip will dramatically change your success forever...

Do you want to have more people saying "yes" to you?
Then tune in to me:)


My Goal Is YOUR Success!
Terri Levine, The Guru of Coaching SM
PresidentComprehensive Coaching U, Inc.
(877-401-6165)
http://www.CoachInstitute.com

Create a great home based business coaching clients over the phone!
Visit http://www.CoachInstitute.com today!

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Empower Your Employees!

The word empower is often overused. Many employers talk about empowering their employees but often employees feel disempowered. Here's a list of the top 10 things you can do that will really empower your employees, according to employees, not employers!

1. Allow employees to actively participate in team and company goals.
Look for every opportunity to include employees at every level of the organization, in being active participants. Employees often report getting one-way directives instead.

2. Allow employees to suggest better ways of getting their jobs done.
Ask for employee suggestions for other ways of getting the task or project accomplished. Listen and be willing to really hear the employees' comments. Employees often report that they have no input and are told exactly how to perform their jobs, leaving no creativity.

3. Provide positive reinforcement.
Always listen and acknowledge your employees. Employees often report that their decisions and actions are second-guessed and that most, if not all, feedback given is negative.

4. Clearly delegate responsibility and give the employees authority along with the responsibility.
Do you give inconsistent messages? Do you ask the employee to handle a problem or project and then give them negative feedback or give them an assignment and then say "never-mind?" Employees often report that they are given tasks and then told they did it wrong.

5. Be clear in your communication.
When you express goals or explain projects, be sure the employees really understand what you are asking for. Employees often report that the goals are unclear and that they are not sure what they are being asked to do.

6. Show you have trust in your employees.
Allow them to make mistakes as a form of learning. Show that it is really ok to make mistakes. Let them know you really support their decisions. Employees often report that someone is always looking over their shoulder to make sure they do things right.

7. Listen. Listen. Listen.
Do you do most of the talking? Employees often report that conversations are one way, comprised mostly of their ideas being criticized. They don't feel they are heard.

8. Be interested in the employees' career development.
Meet with employees and discover their goals and their wants. Employees often report that their goals are not viewed as important in the organization.

9. Let the employees help you achieve success.
Are you doing it all yourself? Employees often report that their managers do all the tasks and that they have no way to make contributions outside their job descriptions. Look for opportunities to delegate and enhance the employees' career development at the same time.

10. Be a coach.
The best way to empower employees is not to manage them. Coach them to success. This is a process of developing their skills and providing them specific feedback to meet high standards. Employees often report feeling like children rather than being on the same team with their bosses. Be their coach and lead the team to success!


My Goal Is YOUR Success!
Terri Levine, The Guru of Coaching SM
PresidentComprehensive Coaching U
(877-401-6165)
http://www.CoachInstitute.com

Create a great home based business coaching clients over the phone!
Visit http://www.CoachInstitute.com today!

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

The Top 10 Approaches to Your Career Goal Attainment

Most of us spend the majority of our working hours engaged in work or work related activities. Yet over 80% of the population is dissatisfied with their current job situation. These top 10 tips will assist you in achieving your career goals.

1. Whether you're unemployed, underemployed, considering a career change, re-entering the job market, or recently graduated, the first step toward reaching your career potential is to objectively analyze and evaluate your skills and capabilities. Have a coach or career counselor objectively assess your natural talents, skills and professional strengths.

2. Set realistic short and long range goals. Create a plan that will give you a competitive edge. Be specific. Have it reviewed objectively.


3. Design a high profile resume. You must have a resume that will sell you. Don't send out a resume until it is a strong sales tool that represents you.


4. Gain information on industry trends and specific companies. Use a business database, CD-ROM or on-line systems.


5. Develop sophisticated networking capabilities.


6. Create winning interview skills. While you may be an expert in your profession, you must be able to sell yourself during an interview.


7. Negotiate the salary that you require. Have a strategy for negotiating top dollar. A coach or career counselor can give you tools for getting the money you want.


8. Use marketing techniques for a competitive edge. You need to implement an effective marketing strategy to increase your visibility and give you an edge. Create a plan targeted to meet your needs.


9. Find long term support, even after your short term career goals are met.
In order to keep growing, stay abreast of market trends and issues related to your career growth and development. Use an objective partner to support you.


10. Use an approach that meets your needs. Don't follow guidelines in a book or from a friend if they are not comfortable for you and not representative of who you are. Be authentic in designing a career search and marketing plan that really reflects who you are.


My Goal Is YOUR Success!
Terri Levine, The Guru of Coaching SM
PresidentComprehensive Coaching U, Inc.
(877-401-6165)
http://www.CoachInstitute.com

Create a great home based business coaching clients over the phone!
Visit http://www.CoachInstitute.com today!

Monday, August 13, 2007

Start Spreading the News...

Coach Training with Personal Coach Trainers begins today! Only our members will get to work with people who are committed to their success, have tools to train coaches, have the best coach training skills in the industry... imagine, learning coaching the way it is best and easiest finally brought to life!

It's like being with your best friend and yet being challenged by your best teacher.

Check it out at www.CoachInstitute.com.

Coach training has never been better!

Out from the cookie cutter - personalized coach training for YOU by our Personal Coach Trainers!


My Goal Is YOUR Success!
Terri Levine, The Guru of Coaching SM
PresidentComprehensive Coaching U, Inc.
(877-401-6165)
http://www.CoachInstitute.com

Create a great home based business coaching clients over the phone!
Visit http://www.CoachInstitute.com today!

Thursday, August 09, 2007

Wanted People Who Want Success NOW!

I only help a select group of people each year who want to be coaches. I take only those with the real qualities needed to make themselves a success.

So ask yourself the following questions:

1. Do you want more money than you have now?
2. Wouldn't you spend about $8,000 to make about 100k?

If your answer to both questions is yes, then the ideas and strategies I have for you will achieve both in record time.

I know that you might be skeptical, and I don't blame you. There are a lot of purported experts, saying they can make you money in a business.

So, how can I show you that this program really works, has worked for people all over the World, and will work for you?

Maybe you're intrigued, it sounds good (maybe even too good), and you want to believe -- but how can you really find out for sure?

If you read the testimonials at www.CoachInstitute.com you will have heard from lots of people I'm already helping. If you've yet to do so, here's an example of just how different and effective this is...

"Thank you for an incredible experience. I looked long and hard for a coach training program that would emphasize marketing as much as coaching. After all, what good is a great coach who can’t be found???

You provided the perfect blend. You have the unique ability to capture the listener’s attention with terrific delivery while providing meaningful, thought-provoking content. I often hear echoes of “T” as I am coaching my clients. Just as you suggested, when a client sets a goal of mastering time management or marketing, I find myself paying more attention to fine-tuning that skill in my own life. Thanks for giving so much of yourself, and for making coach training so darn much fun!

PS: My coaching business is already soaring...through your powerful partnering and referral, I found an immediate stream of clients."

Cynthia PhiferGraduate, Virginia Beach, VA

So will my training work for you?

Implement what we teach and history has shown that answer to be a resounding YES. But the only real way to find out is to try out what we have to offer.

So if you haven't already reviewed www.CoachInstitute.com I suggest you do so today. The faster you respond, the faster you can start seeing the success you're after...



My Goal Is YOUR Success!
Terri Levine, The Guru of Coaching SM
PresidentComprehensive Coaching U, Inc.
(877-401-6165) http://www.CoachInstitute.com

Create a great home based business coaching clients over the phone!
Visit http://www.CoachInstitute.com today!

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

$10,000 Guarantee?

I know this sounds a bit wild, and it came to me late last night.

Would it interest you if I offered a 12 month gurantee where if within 12 months after graduating The Coaching Institute (www.CoachInstitute.com) if you have not earned an additional $10,000, (and that you document a few conditions) I will reimburse you the tuition PLUS $100 for your trouble?

What if included in your coach training package I sent you the guarantee in writing asking you to send it back... would you be willing to do that?

Here are the conditions that must be met and documented... very resonable, right?

1. You must have at least 15 documented marketing activities. These must have been active for a minimum of 6 months prior to the end of the 12 months.

2. You must be conducting at least 3 teleseminars or othe live presentations for your business on a weekly basis within 6 months of your registration date.

3. You must have written a free report and be distributing it within 3 months of your registration date.

4. You must have written a sales letter and be distribuiting it within 3 months of your registraton date.

You know the expression you can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink? I do all the leading... you get the very best training, certification, coaching diploma, marketing tools... but I have no way of knowing if you are being accountable and applying what I teach.

I do know that if you apply what I teach, you'll be a masterful coach and make a great six figure living as a coach. But it really is up to YOU to take the action, right?

I'll put my money behind my mouth. Will YOU?


My Goal Is YOUR Success!

Terri Levine, The Guru of Coaching SM
President Comprehensive Coaching U, Inc
(877-401-6165) http://www.CoachInstitute.com

Create a great home based business coaching clients over the phone!
Visit http://www.CoachInstitute.com today!

Tuesday, August 07, 2007

Training For A New Career

When I look at what people love about the field of business coaching it is the fact they can get training quickly and have a new career by studying at home in no time. Finally people have an opportunity to have a business of their own. They get all the tools to increase their success to build clients and client releationships with ease. I also think that business coaching is fascinating because we as coaches get trained and learn essential life and business skills we were never taught in school!

When people learn coaching skills they have better relationships and more success. They get to learn the skills quickly and get a coaching diploma while learning knowledge essential for life and work.

Let's face it... too many people are miserable in their JOBs! Too many people want to have a side business from home but don't know what business to select! Too many people are dreaming of being entrepreneurs and are afraid to try it. We have more parents wanting to be at home more and not knowing how to do this. Let's rock and roll those people and get them to move into taking some real ACTION!


My Goal Is YOUR Success!
Terri Levine, The Guru of Coaching SM
PresidentComprehensive Coaching U
(877-401-6165) http://www.CoachInstitute.com

Create a great home based business coaching clients over the phone!Visit http://www.CoachInstitute.com today!

Monday, August 06, 2007

Who Ever Heard of a Woman Losing Weight - and Enjoying 3 Delicious Meals at The Same Time?

My good friend, Carla, has been telling everyone about how she is eating her favorite foods, loosing weight and how great she feeeeeeeeeeeeeels and we've all been telling her how beautiful and young she looks! She is following the Create Your Ideal Body program and eating what she loves in moderation, not counting any calories, not dieting, not killing herself exercising and she is happy and getting slim! I am thrilled for her and love the fact that she decided to give up all the crazy, unhealthy and expensive diets she was on so she can live and loose weight.

If you don't kow the Create Your Ideal Body program, here is the link:
http://terrilevine.com/CYIB/orderformib.html

My Goal Is YOUR Success!
Terri Levine, The Guru of Coaching sm
PresidentComprehensive Coaching U, Inc.(877-401-6165) http://www.CoachInstitute.com

Create a great home based business coaching clients over the phone!
Visit http://www.CoachInstitute.com today!

Friday, August 03, 2007

Make Your Clients Love You...

That might seem a bit over the top, but if your clients love you, they'll keep coming back. They'll give you repeat business and refer their friends and acquaintances to you. They'll give you wonderful testimonials that you can use to boost your business. Working with them will feel more like "fun" than "work".

And it works the other way first… !

Have you ever heard of people talking about a doctor's "bedside manner"? A doctor with a great "bedside manner" is never short of patients! In fact, a doctor with a great "bedside manner" attracts more patients. This doctor, if he wants, can charge whatever price he chooses and he will never be short of clients!

Coaches are in a similar boat. If you're a sourpuss, or too serious and have no sense of humor, how do you think you'll compete with a loving, caring, warm, approachable Coach who has a great sense of humor and brings warmth into their client's lives?

Don't make the mistake of thinking you only have to hold the most qualifications to attract more or better clients and keep them. It doesn't work that way. People like feeling good. We might run our businesses with our heads, but it is our hearts that make us tick. We are creatures of emotion and even the most cold-hearted among us responds positively to kindness, warmth and compassion.

There is only one secret to attracting and keeping perfect clients… they have to like you. I've known people who are willing to pay MORE to a particular Coach for that very reason. You don't HAVE to be the smartest, most qualified Coach on the planet, and you don't HAVE to offer the cheapest fees – but you must be likable.

Being likable is a true business asset. You shouldn't believe that provided you do great coaching, that's all that matters and personalities don't come into it – it doesn't work that way. When you consider referrals (which can boost or kill your business) – what type of referrals do you want? Do you want your clients bad-mouthing you and telling people how terrible you are? No, of course not… this is why you must be likable!

Most coaches don't have this problem. We're trained to be "people" oriented, to build them up and make them feel good about themselves. However, as with any profession, there are some Coaches and Consultants whose "bedside manner", to borrow the expression, is cold and detached. Detaching yourself from outcomes is good, but just be careful about how you express this in your relationship with your clients. You don't want to form any barriers between yourself and your client. Remember, they are not buying a loaf of bread from you, they are paying you to help them have a great life… their coaching experience should be part of that experience.
A great marketing tip, and one that serves Coaches and consultants well, is remembering your clients birthdays and special events. You should have this information in your client records so you can send birthday cards, and for special clients, you can send small gifts. Remember them at special holiday times too.

If they have children who participate in special activities like sport or dancing, etc. You can inquire about them. You will impress your clients by (a) remembering and (b) that you cared enough to ask.

Being a "likable" Coach doesn't just stop with your clients. Word of mouth referrals also come by way of every business associate with whom you deal. If you're unpleasant to deal with, you will miss valuable joint venture opportunities and the referrals from other coaching and business associates. Some coaches forget this. Some have short tempers and sharp tongues in their dealings with those who are NOT their clients. It pays to remember that you are "selling yourself" every time you open your mouth or write an e-mail. How do you want others to talk about you? That is the question!

So, if you can be a great coach AND a likable coach, you will also be a popular coach and never be short of your ideal client!

My Goal Is YOUR Success!
Terri Levine, The Guru of Coaching sm
PresidentComprehensive Coaching U, Inc.
(877-401-6165) http://www.CoachInstitute.com

Create a great home based business coaching clients over the phone!Visit http://www.CoachInstitute.com today!

Thursday, August 02, 2007

Referrals In A Hurry!

Everyone who knows me also knows I believe 100% in using referrals as a business building tool. It is the easiest and cheapest form of marketing – other people are doing your marketing for you!

There are added benefits to building your business using referral based marketing, apart from the obvious cost savings. You know yourself, when you ask your friends for advice and they refer you to a certain business or product, you trust their judgment and advice. It's the same with clients whose own friends referred you to them. You don't have to prove yourself to these new referrals… you've already proven yourself to their friend and in their eyes, you're already the expert.

So, how do you encourage existing clients, and past clients, to refer others to you? Well apart from simply asking them, there are other ways of building referrals – here are some tips:

1. I include a request for referrals at the bottom of my new client Welcome letters and on the bottom of each invoice – so there is a constant reminder and request for referrals.

2. Besides always including some small wording about referrals as above, you can do a special mailing in which you specifically ask for referrals from your current and past clients. You can consider a referral reward system. For every x number of referrals/clients who sign up, you can give a gift to the "referrer". Or for every new client referred to you by another client, you can reward your referrer with an Amazon gift certificate. People like to receive rewards. Another great time to ask your client(s) for referrals is when they compliment you and express excitement about some achievement they've accomplished thanks to you! That's your cue to tell them to let their friends know that if they also need this help, they know where to come!

3. If you have an office where clients attend, stick up a sign on the wall where clients will see it that says you appreciate their referrals. Make it large enough to read from a distance. Even if your client has never referred anybody to you, this will put the idea in their head!
4. Participate in joint referrals with associates whose business activity complements your own. If you refer YOUR clients to other people's businesses, there is a better chance that they will reciprocate and refer their clients to your business. You don't have to stick to businesses that are similar to your own – think about hairdressers, dry cleaners, travel agents, etc. You can do this with your clients as well. Promote them to people you know and they will be happy to refer people to you.

4. Leave your brochure and some business cards in a visible place (front desk) of businesses whose clientele might be interested in your services/products. Offer to do the same for the business where you leave your brochure/cards. (I also do this with "ad exchanges" – no money changes hands here – my business associates are happy to send out an ad of mine to their newsletter lists in exchange for me sending one of their ads to my list.)

5. If you don't have a formal referral reward system set up, do remember to send a special thank you card or small gift to the person who has referred a new client to you. If you are not appreciative of a referral and don't show your appreciation, you may not get a second one! Don't offer gift certificates to your own services or products – your referrers are more likely to appreciate it if you reward/thank them with other types of small gifts. In the past I have thanked my referrers with individualized gifts to suit them: an acrylic clock, a calculator, and a paperweight. However, you needn't spend a fortune on this – your clients will feel just as rewarded with an Amazon gift certificate, movie tickets – or even a box of chocolates!
For first referrals, I suggest a gift in the $5-10 price range. Choose something they can display in their office or home and if you can, inscribe it with something like "Deep thanks, Comprehensive Coaching U" (using your own company name, of course!)
When that person refers a second client to me, I follow the same format but this time, I send a slightly more expensive thank you gift – in the $15-20 range. (Notepad/calculators, emergency car kits, thermos, etc.)

Then, for each referral above this, I work in increments of 3. For each third referral, I bump the gift up. So, it might be lunch at their favorite restaurant, a weekend getaway, etc.
I don’t promote this program to my clients. I love to “WOW” them with the surprise gifts. I have found in about 9 months, this program really kicks in and referrals flow in. It is great fun for all, and I happily pay for a gift of dinner to have a new client.

6. Offer your clients and associates commissions on successful referrals – you can start an affiliate program. When you receive payment from referring other people's products or services, you don't mind making the referrals! You don't have to do this for every product or service, but you might like to pay a small commission on the first coaching session your new referred client receives.


7. Consider to do a free teleseminar and encourage your existing clients to attend and bring a friend! That gives you extra people who will be able to experience you without having been a client themselves, and who will talk about you to others. Offer them a gift for their attendance – perhaps a free e-book or special report. Give them an e-mail address where they can redeem their gift.

8. Another great way to build referrals is to do a promotional activity with a nonprofit organization. Find a charity organization that has a large member base – the types of members who would be most likely to use your services. You contact them and offer to do a special fund-raising activity. Maybe you can do a speaking engagement in which you split the profits 50/50 (and you can also sell back of the room products to increase your profit.) Or you can suggest if they would like to refer you to their members, you can offer their members a special discount and you will pay the organization a percentage of each member's fee. Sure, you don't make great heaps of money doing this, but it does showcase you to a whole new range of people – potential clients – potential referrers! And it's cheaper than taking out a full page ad!

My Goal Is YOUR Success!
Terri Levine, The Guru of Coaching SM
PresidentComprehensive Coaching U, Inc.
(877-401-6165) http://www.CoachInstitute.com

Create a great home based business coaching clients over the phone!Visit http://www.CoachInstitute.com today!

Wednesday, August 01, 2007

Fear of Success?

As I continue to train and work with coaches and as I coach my own clients, I see many people having difficulty handling fear of success. This fear of success comes from an old story or pattern that they are not good enough. This fear results in them losing their motivation to grow, to achieve and to succeed.I help them establish new behavior patterns and new beliefs and feeeeeeeeeeling to overcome this old story.

To begin this process we look at their life and where they had fear of success.

If you want some free coaching advice, here it is:
Create an autobiography of your life and age by age write down when/where and how you had fear of success.
The first step in changing our stories is knowing what we are thinking.

My Goal Is YOUR Success!
Terri Levine, The Guru of Coaching sm
PresidentComprehensive Coaching U, Inc.
(877-401-6165) http://www.CoachInstitute.com

Create a great home based business coaching clients over the phone!Visit http://www.CoachInstitute.com today!