As I write on pages 61 and 62 of Coaching Business Builder, “Consistency doesn’t mean that you can’t do different things and that you have to do the same thing all the time. It is important that people see how things tie together. Consider what you’ve created when products can be developed into other projects or purposes. Part of this may be to consider how you can reduce, reuse and recycle.”
 
I remember vividly being in grade 1 and the 3Rs – Reduce, reuse, recycle mantra was coming into play in public education. I continue to think about this as I move my own work forward, focusing on:
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#1 – Reduce – “Less is more”. In addition to the 80/20 rule being known as the Pareto Principle, distilling things down in group programs is also very important. In fact, for years I’ve practiced a design rule also known as the 80/20 rule, which I’m pretty sure I picked up years ago from a program with Bob Pike. In the 80/20 rule, to design we want to pull out at least 20% of our original design ideas to create more space for discussion, dialogue and reflection. In content creation, reducing may mean having shorter posts, or doing a series over the course of a week or month. What are the elements you want to distill downwards?

#2 – Reuse – What can you do to reuse or REPURPOSE content? Perhaps two blog posts become an article, or an article becomes a short video. What can you do to repurpose your content? Take a look at what you have created, perhaps by looking back at your Content Trackers in Section 5 of your Coaching Business Builder Workbook and Planner. What do you notice about content which can be reused?

#3 – Recycle – How can things be recombined to create a WHOLE NEW entity? As a program designer, I built most things in discrete modules. Like building blocks, when put together these can create a whole new spectrum depending on the combination.
What is useful for you to take action on this week around content creation and the 3 R’s?

All the best,
​Jennifer

Content creation can be an important part of business development, marketing and visibility. Content can signal to others the areas we focus on, are passionate about, or work with clients on.

Content creation can involve focusing on several different areas, including:

• Videos
• Blog posts
• Articles
• Social Media Graphics – i.e. Instagram quotes, Facebook graphics

What type of content do you want to be creating?
Ongoing content creation starts to build a body of work overtime, in step by step basis. As we write, shoot or create, our voice and message become clearer to us, and to those we serve. Note that with many of the channels you may choose to become active on, you can syndicate or share content from one channel to another.

How to get started:
Take 15 minutes this week making a list, or creating a MindMap, or using post-its and index cards to map out all your ideas for content. Don’t self-censure. Just make a list! From there, create a list of possible post titles for videos, or articles, and schedule in blocks to write it out.

Remember, what doesn’t get scheduled, often doesn’t get done!

Where to go: If you have a copy of Coaching Business Builder, take a look at section 3 – Marketing Essentials, and work through the exercises associated with the areas you are interested in. Also be sure to use the Content Planning Tools available to you in the Planner Section. You might want to use the Content Planner to lay out your Annual list of themes, and then start capturing ideas or tracking posts/items with the Monthly Content Tracker and Monthly Content Journal – One Line a Day.

Let us know how you are using the Coaching Business Builder – Send a photo or two of the planner in action!

Best wishes,
​Jennifer

I’ve been privileged to support the work of coaches for many years now, through the ICF CCE approved programs I offer, Mentor Coaching Groups and also in individual coaching conversations.
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Through the good times as well as the downturns, like the 2008 and 2009, and more recently the 2020 pandemic, coaches can benefit from having several things and people in their world. Think about:

Your own coach - While we can do things alone, a coach is there to support us in getting places quicker, faster and perhaps differently than we thought by ourselves.  Whether you engage a coach for 1-1 work, as part of a group program, or a Mastermind, it’s valuable to engage coaches throughout our career.

A community of peers - One of the reasons I love my work so much is seeing the peer process play out every day. Connecting with, learning from and sharing with peers can be so important at all stages of our business. It can be the thing that helps us grow and stretch. Looking back at my own business growth, it was many collaborative peer experiences that helped me (and even pushed me) to “Get out” and start talking about coaching with prospective clients. Some of you may have heard my stories about partnering with several sets of coaches to host booths at large trade shows in offering live coaching sessions. This was HUGE for my growth of a coach, having to talk about what coaching is, and demo it. I learned quickly from the reaction of those I was speaking with how resonant my language and messaging was to prospective clients. Those two or three day marathons of conversations were invaluable in helping me refine my message, and it wasn’t something I would have done on my own.

Admin or project support - Having extra hands to help you with program launches, administrative tasks or financials can make a big difference. Whether it’s hiring a VA, or getting creative with even a coop student placement, what would you benefit from passing off?

If you have a copy of the Coaching Business Builder Workbook and Planner, be sure to check out the sections on Prioritization and Delegation in section 4. These can help you think through your task buckets and identify some of the areas you might want to let go of.
 
Enjoy your reflections and conversation!
Jennifer

Later this week I’ll be hosting the Stand Out virtually Masterclass on Thursday September 17th. I’m super excited to be bringing together a set of amazing coaches, leaders and virtual professionals to amplify their virtual presentations.

Since the publication of my 2017 book, Effective Virtual Conversations, I have spent a lot of time talking about how to make virtual conversations more impactful and memorable, whether you are leading a team meeting virtually or hosting a virtual event.

What are some of the elements which make a call WOW?

Here are some I’ll be sharing later this week – join me for the HOW TOs…

V - Visuals - Visuals DO capture 1000 words. Check out this recent book – Virtual Leadership by Penny Pullen. 
I - Intention - Being clear on what you want people to leave with.
R - Reinforcement - What are the top 3-5 bullet points you want to reinforce throughout the presentation? Think about how your STRUCTURE, IMAGES and CONTENT, alg
T - Themes - What is the theme of the overall program? What are the core elements?
U - Umbrella - Connection, flow (upwards and downwards) and pacing is key in the virtual space. Great conversations are framed by an individual umbrella which will frame out these different variables.
A - ACTION - I’m a firm believer that learning doesn’t happen without action. We might generate knowledge but it’s not learning until it’s put into practice. Great virtual calls encourage people to put it into learning.
L - Layered - Check out the September 3rd Remote Pathways Community call when I share more about the 8 Layers of Remote Work with Michelle Mullins. If it’s after this date you can find the replay at my Youtube channel or join us live on Thursday September 3rd from 7 – 7:30 am Eastern online.

Again, if you want to learn more about the HOW TOs in creating the best of VIRTUAL, join us or the Stand Out Virtually! Masterclass. Bring a colleague and each save 25% off the registration of $697 US. Join as a group of 3 and each save 40%.  You can sign up and reserve your spot here.

Enjoy the conversation!
​Jennifer

And…here we are. It’s Labor Day which is often known as the second new year. What are your goals for the end of the year? What routines do you want to establish, or re-establish, even if they look a little different this year?

Earlier today I held a 25 minute reflective pause call - you can find it here. Be sure to download the associated worksheet as well over at PlanDoTrack.com

We have over 120 days left of the year, and there’s still a significant amount of time to revisit your annual goals, tweak them, and/or play full out in achieving them.

As you step into this week consider these questions:

Around Annual Goals:

• When did I last review my annual goals?
• Which goals have I already achieved?
• Which ones are still outstanding?
• What’s it going to take to achieve these (think people, resources, information, connection, etc)?
• Who do I need support from?
• What’s going to help me 10 X these results (10 X means magnify the results 10 X)?
• What goals need to be crossed off the list or modified?
• What else is important to note about annual goals….?
• What metrics or numbers do I have around these?

As it relates to Fall Routines consider these questions:
What are the routines which help you:

• Excel physically
• Focus mentally
• Build Relationships
• Expand your thinking
• Move projects to completion
• Think ahead of the curve
  
• Serve your clients
• Be grounded
• Stay connected
• Share what you are working on with others?

Enjoy your focus and I hope to see you in a few weeks at the Stand Out Virtually Masterclass! You can find out more about this one day program here.

With best wishes,
​Jennifer

It's the start of a new month which means two things:
1. It's time to do  your monthly planning and stocktaking! Be sure to head onto a new monthly section if you have a copy of the PlanDoTrack or Coaching Business Builder Workbook and Planner. I did my own planning this morning during the Monthly Planning session I facilitate. Stay tuned for the end of September dates and perhaps you'll join me in 30 days!

2. A new month also means a new 1BizStepADay. This month's focus is on Virtual and Routines. September is often likened to the 2nd new year. What are your goals? What are the routines you want to adopt? 
I hope that you'll take a minute and download this resource, using it as a daily (or regular prompt) to move your ideas, business and/or work forward in 15 minute increments. 
AS I write in the PlanDoTrack and Coaching Business Builder - Daily Steps + Consistent Action = Momentum. 
Download the 1 Biz Step a Day For September here.

Enjoy the resource and be sure to share your progress over at the Virtual and Remote Visionaries Hub I host in Facebook or over at the Conversation Sparker Zone in Mighty Networks. 

Enjoy!
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC, CHRL
Author of PlanDoTrack (2019), Coaching Business Builder (2018), Effective Virtual Conversations (2017) and From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching (2013). Pick up a copy of any of her books at Amazon.

Book Jennifer for a coaching session to explore what's next for your coaching business, or group and team programming.

PS - Have you heard about the one day virtual event I'm hosting this month on Thursday September 16th? It's called the Stand Out Virtually Studio Day/Masterclass. We'll be taking a deep dive into the virtual facilitation toolbox to support you in creating even more powerful virtual programming, while giving you time during the day to map it out. Learn more and reserve your spot here. Save 25% when you register with a colleague!

This summer marks the two year anniversary since the release of the Coaching Business Builder. Part workbook, part planner, the CBB as I affectionately call it, grew out of more than a decades worth of coaching conversations with coaches growing their businesses.  
With us stepping into the month of September this week, it's an optimum time to start a new planner. Pick up a digital copy or $29 US you'll get an immediate download of right now.​

Over the last two years since the release of the book, some of the key highlights have been:

Hearing from readers and coaches about how they are using the Coaching Business Builder in clarifying their vision, building out their strategies, and tracking it with the planner. Over the last year I've heard from coaches in all continents (except Antarctica), who are using the book as a resource in growing their businesses.

Seeing my own clients get clarity and traction in their business development efforts. I am always amazed how the different planning resources connect in for different clients. Some love the Annual Planning, others the monthly planning, and others the content development tools. Just the other day my co-host at the Remote Pathways podcast was showing how she converted the daily planner into a dry-erasable resource! 

Connecting with groups of coaches through many presentations about coaching business development, and the importance of planning, doing and tracking while growing a business. I've enjoyed speaking to many ICF chapters, coaching conferences, and coach training schools. Please email me if you'd like to book me for a presentation virtually this fall or winter to your coaching group. 

Hosting the Coaching Biz Growth Lab twice a month on Friday afternoons. This bi-weekly group serves as a place to connect, pause and get coaching around your business. A monthly article and template, along with Quarterly Get Things Done afternoons make it a budget friendly coaching group. Join us for the next 6 months (to the end of January 2021) at a special rate of $695 US. Payable in 1 or 2 installments. Contact me to see if this program is a good fit for you.

Incorporating it into  Business Design VIP Days where I get to work one-on-one with a coach to help them build out their business plan or program plans. Whether it's a half day or a full day I've been enjoying these a lot in recent months as coaches have realized it's so important to dedicate chunks of time to their planning with another thinking partner. Contact me to see how this could benefit you in your work.

The spin-off of the CBB to PlanDoTrack for Virtual and Remote Professionals at the end of 2018. With the publication of this workbook and analog planner at the end of 2018/early 2019, little did I know what 2020 would bring!  IF you work with virtual and remote professionals, do pick up a copy of PlanDoTrack and gift it to them. You can get hardcopies via Amazon and PDF copies via our Potentials Realized store.

Over the last year I've also trained up a number of Certified Facilitators who lead PlanDoTRack and/or Coaching Business Builder in their businesses as well. If you need to scale programming to a larger intersection of coaches or remote professionals, please let me know. We've got large groups covered.

I'd love to hear your stories. How has the Coaching Business Builder or PlanDoTrack supported you with your business growth?

This month, in honor of the 2nd anniversary I'll be returning to Instagram for daily posts. If you don't follow the CBB feed, connect here.

Stay tuned as I resume regular blog posts around business development and building a coaching business! They'll be coming to you weekly.

Let's talk about what's possible in your business? Book a 15 minute call to explore what's going to move your business forward -- there's four months left in the year. What's possible for you?

Have a great week,
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC, CHRL
Author of PlanDoTrack (2019), Coaching Business Builder (2018), Effective Virtual Conversations (2017) and From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching (2013). Pick up a copy of any of her books at Amazon.

Book Jennifer for a coaching session to explore what's next for your coaching business, or group and team programming.

​

Marketing is an on-going focus for business at all stages - whether we are new or established businesses, spending time consistently on marketing is key.

Here are five elements you may want to include in your marketing strategy for the rest of the year.

#1 – Outreach
What is on your plan to reach out to new people as well as your network. What are the touchpoints you have planned to keep people in the loop?

What are you doing on a consistent basis to be in conversation with your community?

If it’s not scheduled, put some outreach time in your schedule right now.

#2 - Content Creation and Repurposing
A few weeks ago, I wrote about the many reasons content creation is important. So is repurposing the materials. What are the 3 things you are excited about creating?

#3 – Digitization
2020 has been the year of the pivot to all things virtual and digital. I’ll be doing a series of blog posts this all on digitization. Let’s get you thinking of this already.

What products do you have that could be made into a digital version?

If you have a book, what could become an e-book?

If you have a card deck, how could that become digitized?

#4 – Tracking What You Are Doing
What do you notice about revenue flows? Time investments and what’s getting you traction?

With your metrics in mind, what do you want to say YES to? NO to?

#5 - Dedicated Time to Marketing and Moving Key Projects Forward – Regularly
A final piece of this is to ensure that you have time built in to dedicate to marketing and executing your programming on a regular basis. What time have you earmarked? What do you notice about your productivity during that time?
​
Enjoy your focus!
Jennifer

How much silence do you encounter in the remote space every day? Many days can be a blur of back to back calls.

Incorporating what I call “The power of the pause” is an important element of remote work.

What can we do to make more of a pause during our calls?

• Provide people with a prompt they can explore during the call. If you are working on strengths it might be:  Take 2 minutes to reflect on the one strength you have been utilizing recently.
• Pick up a copy of the Digital Conversation Sparker Weekly Journaling Prompts – You’ll have immediate download to the more than 50 graphics. Use one for each call you have. I often give people 2-3 minutes of silence to write out what their insights are. Pick up a copy of them here - (currently $35 US with an immediate download)
• Provide a word prompt and have people write or draw whatever comes to mind
• Have group members mind map whatever comes to mind for them – 2 -3 minutes

These activities can often be more powerful when you then leave time for dialogue and conversation afterwards.

What do you want to do to leave some time for reflective pause?

What do you notice when you do leave time?

Best,
​Jennifer

Stand Out Virtually! I hope that you will join me next week, each day for the Stand Out Virtually! Challenge. This live 5-day challenge will run each day from 9 - 10 am ET in the new Facebook Group I am hosting – the Virtual and Remote Visionaries Hub. I hope that you will join us.

A little about the challenge - It’s geared to get you into action around your own virtual elements. Whether you are leading a virtual group coaching program, a virtual team meeting, or a virtual retreat, great virtual events are all about MEMORABILITY, ENGAGEMENT, and ACTION.

Join me as I share resources and tips to amplify your programming.

The 5 Day Challenge (which is free to join), will be hosted in the Virtual and Remote Visionaries Hub. Join us here – SIGN UP…

Each day I will be going live at 9 am ET for 30-45 minutes in a resource rich call. Each day will also have a daily prompt and assignment, geared to get YOU in to ACTION on your own programming.

Take a minute to sign up for the challenge here.

Also be sure to join the Facebook group here.

Daily prizes (of things you will find useful and can use in your own program) round out the challenge.

Can’t wait to have you join us!

Can’t make the live calls? The reply will be available each day for a 24-hour period, and you can also pick up a copy of the recordings for $47 US. These will be sent out at the end of program. 

Best wishes,
​Jennifer