Aligned with this month’s theme of collaboration, I wanted to zoom into some practical tips for your next collaboration.

As I mentioned in last week’s post around the different ways we collaborate and partner, it’s likely that collaboration is a central theme for many coaches in their work, whether they are co-designing programs, partnering with their clients or supporting teams in boosting their collaboration.

In fact, collaboration in and of itself may be an earlier step in the process of building more resilient and adaptive organizations. Take a look at this article on the 2016 book – Beyond Teams: Building the Collaborative Organization. 

With many team coaches working with teams in a systems perspective, this is likely an important read.

As we step back to the collaborative relationships we are fostering, what is the intent you want to create? What are you looking to co-create together. As I have written before, many collaborative partnerships don’t just happen. They are planned.

As coaches we are great at using questions to co-create and guide us through the varying stages of relationships. With this in mind, I share several questions to explore at the different stages of a partnership or collaboration including:

Before you begin:

• What’s important about collaborating with this task or project?
• What value-add is there by collaborating?
• What are you bringing to the partnership?
• What are the skills and qualities you are looking for, from a partner?
• What are you hoping to have happen?

As you meet with your partner:

• What ‘s possible for you as you collaborate?
• What do you each bring to the partnership?
• What’s important for the two of you to explore together as you get started?
• What are the goals and roles of this partnership?
• What is your shared vision?
• Practically, and tactically, how will you work together?

As you roll out the work, be sure to build in time together as a checkpoint along the way:

• What’s working? What’s not working?
• What are you creating with each other?
• What do your clients value?
• What’s important to tweak and adjust?
• How is what you are doing, modelling collaboration for them?

These are by no means comprehensive, but will likely get the conversation flowing!
As we go to wrap up the month, what’s important to note about collaboration?

Enjoy!
​Jennifer
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Jennifer Britton - GroupCoachingEssentials | Potentials Realized 
Instagram @CoachingBizBuilder
Join us for an upcoming ICF-CCE approved program including Group Coaching Essentials (8.75 CCEs), Advanced Group and Team Coaching Practicum (10 CCEs), the one day Virtual Facilitation Essentials program (8.5 CCES) or the PlanDoTrack Facilitator Training (24 CCEs). 
Author of Effective Group Coaching (2010), Coaching Business Builder (2018), Effective Virtual Conversations (2017) and From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching (2013). Check out my author page on Amazon for all publications.
Email: info@potentialsrealized.com

Collaboration might not necessarily spring to mind when you think of yourself as a coach, however, collaboration is an important way to scale and expand your business. It is one way which can help you expand your reach and also expand your revenue.

What are the different ways we may be collaborating?

Let’s look at five different ways:

#1 Partnering with your clients - Partnership is at the heart of the coaching relationship. As a coach we are there as a thinking partner. We are there to create a thinking and dialogue space. What’s important about the partnership you have with your client? How does that relationship become additive – i.e. the sum is greater than the sum of it’s parts?

#2 Partnering with other coaches - sometimes we may be partnering with other coaches. Whether we have decided to come together for a marketing event such as doing a trade show booth together.

#3 Creating a program or product with another coach - One of my favorite collaborations this year has been with my co-host of the Remote Pathways podcast, Michelle Mullins. When you go to co-create programming be sure to consider your WIIFM – What’s in it for me? And how your skills are complimentary. If you are too similar it might create a gap of skills needed for the project or program.

#4 Co-Facilitation - Co-Facilitation or Co-Coaching is very common when coaches scale their conversations to teams. Having two sets of eyes, two voices and potentially two different types of coaching toolkits, can be invaluable. What are you doing around co-facilitation this year? For more on this topic, be sure to check out the digital chapter I wrote a decade ago which accompanies Effective Group Coaching. You can find a copy here. (use code 4411 when prompted)

#5 Growing your own team – At some stage, coaches may decide to grow bigger than themselves and may bring on sub-contractors or staff. What is important for you to focus on in growing your own team? What roles do you need? How can people support you? What direction do  you need to provide?

Enjoy the conversation and focus,
Jennifer

In my current writing and speaking at Remote Pathways, I often use the phrase “no person is an island”, to remind us that even if we spend most of our time alone – as we do particularly as solopreneur remote coaches – much of our work as business owners and coaches brings us into the realm of partnering and collaboration.

Collaboration comes from the Latin root – Collaborare – which means to LABOUR TOGETHER.

There are many shapes collaboration can take on the part of coaches – from co-coaching when working with teams, to co-designing program offerings, to partnering when you launch a business.

There are many benefits to collaboration from:

• Being able to bring two voices, perspectives, and sets of eyes to our clients
• To being able to magnify our impact and resources
• To offset some of the weaker skill areas we bring. Strengths research continues to show that it’s easier to magnify strengths than to grow weaknesses
• To be able to offer programming at a much greater scale than we could alone

This month over at the Remote Pathways podcast I co-host with Michelle Mullins, we are exploring collaboration. Please take a few minutes to listen in to the latest episode.

Each episode also has a downloadable resource you might be interested in, particularly this episode on Collaboration. Be sure to check it out! 

Enjoy your focus and let us know how you are collaborating – what makes it work, and what gets in the way – over at the Conversation Sparker Zone. 
​
Have a great week,
Jennifer

One of the emerging themes I identified back in my book, From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching, was Design Thinking. While this was several years ago, Design Thinking has now exploded into business practices everywhere. As a longstanding program designer, myself, it’s been natural to be integrating many of the principles and practices of Design Thinking into my own way of doing things.

In this week’s blog post, I wanted to share a little more about design thinking to get you thinking about how you might incorporate it into your program design, or conversations with clients.

“Design is the action of bringing something new and desired into existence—a proactive stance that resolves or dissolves problematic situations by design. It is a compound of routine, adaptive and design expertise brought to bear on complex dynamic situations.” —Harold Nelson

As we step into a new year, and new decade, what is it that you want to create? My guess is that there are probably many design opportunities for you on the horizon.
Design Thinking has emerged from many areas, and is a human-centered approach to any program design. If you’ve worked with me before, you’d know my affinity to the Group Coaching Design Matrix and how it gets us thinking through WHO our client really is.

CEO of IDEO, Tim Brown defines Design Thinking as:
“Design thinking is a human-centered approach to innovation that draws from the designer's toolkit to integrate the needs of people, the possibilities of technology, and the requirements for business success.” — Tim Brown, CEO of IDEO

Design thinking is grounded in several principles:

• It needs to be human-centered
• It should be fun and creative
• It is a mixture of analytics and intuition

IBM has created what they call the Design Thinking Loop – Observing, Reflecting and Making.

Design Thinking usually consists of five or six steps including:

1. ​Empathize – who is your client and what do they want. Next call we will explore one of Design Thinking’s most popular tools – The Empathy Map
2. Define – What do they want, what do they need
3. Ideate – what’s possible
4. Prototype – build a prototype and test it out. Program design may be
5. Test – Test it out – what works, what doesn’t. Iterate again!

 
And the cycle continues….
 
What’s important about thinking about your program design in this fashion?
 
For more on this topic, check out https://designthinking.ideo.com/

Best wishes,
​Jennifer

It's the first day of the month which means that it's time for another new edition of the 1BizStepaDay series. This month we turn our attention to Collaboration and Partnerships.

The 1BizStepADay series is one that I started last year. Each month I publish this 30 day series of daily prompts, inviting you to take focused action on a daily (or regular) basis around your business. It's aligned with the theme of Coaching Business Builder that Daily Steps + Consistent Action = Momentum.

Please take a minute to download this month's 1BizStepaDay here and also let us know WHAT you enjoy about this series. Many of you have been following since the series started in early January 2019.

What's the focus you want to put around relationships and collaboration this month? Perhaps you want to:

• Co-design a new program
• Build relationships with people in a new geographical or industry area
• Reach out to clients who are alumni of your group coaching work
  

Coaching is a high touch profession. Relationships are key to success. What is important about focusing on relationships and collaboration this month? I hope that you will take some time to think about your key relationships and what could use further attention.

Download this month's 1 BizStepaDay on relationships here.

For more on partnering and collaboration, including several questions you will ant to consider exploring, check out chapter 11 in From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching (2013) or chapter 12 of Effective Virtual Conversations. You'll find both books over at Amazon. Enjoy this month's resource!
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton - GroupCoachingEssentials | Potentials Realized 
Instagram @CoachingBizBuilder
Join us for an upcoming ICF-CCE approved program including Group Coaching Essentials (8.75 CCEs), Advanced Group and Team Coaching Practicum (10 CCEs), or the PlanDoTrack Facilitator Training (24 CCEs). 
Author of Effective Group Coaching (2010), Coaching Business Builder (2018), Effective Virtual Conversations (2017) and From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching (2013). Check out my author page on Amazon for all publications.
Email: info@potentialsrealized.com

What would it be like to take small steps and consistent action around your coaching business for 60 days? What momentum could you create?
This year I am running a new program called the 60 day Coaching Business Builder Accelerator, bringing to life the philosophy that the CBB was designed around - DAILY STEPS + CONSISTENT ACTION = Momentum.

It's geared to take you through some of the core elements of coaching business development, and applies to both new and established coaching businesses. With weekly themes we explore your business foundations,  your core as a business owner, who you serve,  your branding, messaging, marketing mix, and promotional vehicles.

Given that it's 60 days of focus we keep moving which means that you get to check things off your list much more quickly. This program is ideal for coaches who really want a dedicated focus on getting things moving.

It's a hybrid program which means that you have access to daily on-demand content around each of the 60 day tips, I meet with you weekly for a 15 minute 1-1 call, and there are Monday and Friday calls which start and end the week.

My favorite part of the program are the daily worksheets, which provide you with some writing and reflection time around your business and what you offer. It's likely that you will start seeing some interesting themes and patterns, as well as nudges or your business.

I hope that you will join us for the February 1st kickoff for the next cohort. Jump on in! You can find out more here and register. For those that register with a colleague you'll each save $300 US. Contact me for a special registration link.


With best wishes,
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton - GroupCoachingEssentials | Potentials Realized 
Instagram @CoachingBizBuilder
Join us for an upcoming ICF-CCE approved program including Group Coaching Essentials (8.75 CCEs), Advanced Group and Team Coaching Practicum (10 CCEs), or the PlanDoTrack Facilitator Training (24 CCEs). 
The next Mentor Coaching Group (For ACC/PCC) starts on February 3rd - Mondays 12 - 1 pm Eastern and will run to May 4th.
Author of Effective Group Coaching (2010), Coaching Business Builder (2018), Effective Virtual Conversations (2017) and From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching (2013). Check out my author page on Amazon for all publications.
Email: info@potentialsrealized.com

One of the more challenging parts of being a business owner can be getting marketing off the ground. As a coach, you may be great at coaching, but letting people know what you are offering, may be the stretch or hard space.
 
Four things to keep in mind as you go about letting others know what you have to offer:
#1 – Keep connected with your WHY. Remembering why you are doing something can help you go the extra mile. It is usually the thing that pulls us out of the trough to try that next thing. As I continue to see in my own business, it’s often that one next thing that creates the breakthrough, or the sale!
#2 – Remember that communicating something only once may not be enough. In marketing we often talk about the 7-11 times rule.  That it takes multiple touchpoints (hopefully in different ways – i.e. video, article, blog post, call etc) for someone to become aware of what you have to offer. That’s even before they decide they need it now.
#3 – Not everyone is going to need what you have to offer now. One of the challenges of creating a “pent up demand” where something is only available for the next 5 days is that people may not need it now, but they may need it later, when it’s no longer even available. Thinking in the medium-term so that you might make it an annual offer each winter can help to maximize your own investment, while also planting the seed, and creating awareness by others.
#4 – Track your results. Always be asking where people heard about you when they register or engage you. What are those sources which are netting business. Which aren’t? How much time are you investing?
 
Over the last year I’ve posted quite a few posts on marketing – you may want to take a look at these to go a bit deeper into these ideas:

• Solopreneur Myth – I need social media to be my most important channel – Read it here.
• Solopreneur Myth – Build it they will come – read it here.
• Solopreneur Myth – Once is enough – read it here.

 
In the Spotlight Series I did last summer, I highlighted 9 of the more common marketing vehicles coaches may leverage. Take a look at them in the July 2019 archives and August archives.
​
Already this year I am enjoying the conversations we’re having at the Coaching Biz Growth Lab. It’s an annual group which meets bi-weekly throughout the year on Friday afternoon for learning, coaching and accountability. Consider joining us for a quarter or the year!
 
Best wishes,
Jennifer

 
Jennifer Britton - GroupCoachingEssentials | Potentials Realized 
Instagram @CoachingBizBuilder
Join us for an upcoming ICF-CCE approved program including Group Coaching Essentials (8.75 CCEs), Advanced Group and Team Coaching Practicum (10 CCEs), or the PlanDoTrack Facilitator Training (24 CCEs). 
Author of Effective Group Coaching (2010), Coaching Business Builder (2018), Effective Virtual Conversations (2017) and From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching (2013). Check out my author page on Amazon for all publications.
Email: info@potentialsrealized.com

What are the skills you want to develop as a coach this year?  Are you needing CCES for your renewal, or have to complete Mentor Coaching? A quick note about three Winter 2020 Coach Training programs that start Monday February 3rd, and one that kicks off this weekend! These are all virtual programs - highly interactive and held on zoom.

#1 - Group Coaching Essentials - Mondays 9 - 1015 am Eastern/Toronto meeting on February 3, 10, 24, March 2 and 9. 8.5 CCEs.
Are you looking to launch your own group coaching programs this year? Wanting to learn more about what scaling the coaching conversation to many can look like? Join us for the 5 week virtual training on the best practices of designing, marketing and implementing coaching for groups (and teams!). With this the 14th year of the program, I've supported a whole lot of coaches via this program who love how the weekly assignments support them in getting their ideas out of their heads, and how they have a better idea of what's possible. This is an interactive live virtual class, which also includes 1-1 time with me. Cost: $475 US. Click here to learn more and reserve your spot - 4 spots still open.

#2 - Mentor Coaching Group (for ACC Renewals, and PCC applications) - 10 hours, including 7 hours in the group -Mondays 12 - 1pm Eastern: February 3 - May 4, 2020.
Come sharpen your skills as a coach and take a deeper dive into the ICF competencies. The Mentor Coaching Group  meets the needs of those renewing their ACC or working towards their PCC portfolio.  The program includes 7x 1 hour calls where you get to take a deeper dive into the ICF competencies, and also get to practice your skills and get feedback on them. 3 x 1 hour 1-1s round out this ten hour program hosted on zoom. Cost: $1100 US for the 3 month program (1 and 3 installment payments). Group calls will be held on Feb 3, 10, 24, March 9, 23, 30. 3 spots open. Click here to learn more and reserve your spot.

#3 - PlanDoTrack Facilitator Training - 24 CCEs - Mondays 6 - 9 pm Eastern - Feb 3 - March 9, 2020.
Looking for a ready-made program to offer under your umbrella to remote teams, leaders and remotepreneurs? This Facilitator training program is based on my 2019 workbook planner, and has multiple ways to be rolled out - from group coaching, to retreats, to lunch and learns. There are dozens of tools and processes you can be coaching, training and facilitating individuals, groups and teams around. The program includes hands-on practice and feedback opportunities. This program is offered virtual 3-4 times a year, and is ideal for coaches who want to expand their offering. 24 CCEs. Learn more and register here.
I hope that you'll join us for one of these upcoming programs!

Finally, the 60 Day Coaching Business Builder Accelerator will also kick off this weekend on February 1st. What would taking 60 days of action on your coaching business be like? Join me for this hybrid on-demand, live program. It includes Monday and Friday live calls, some 1-1 time and daily tips and videos to get you into the Consistent Action + Daily Steps the Coachign Business Builder is grounded in. 15 minutes a day of focused action creates it's own kind of momentum. Learn more and join me for the February/March program! Learn more and register here.

I look forward to hearing from you and setting up a call to discuss what's going to serve your learning best.  A few individual coaching spaces are also open.

Best wishes,
Jennifer

In moving a business forward, especially through inflection points, it can be important to add systems. Systems help us scale, they help us delegate and they also ensure systematization as we bring on different people. Systems ensure consistency in a business.

What are the systems you have in place that help you replicate and scale?

As I explore in Section 3 of the Coaching Business Builder, there are several areas coaches will want to explore as systems in their business including:

• Sales and Marketing – Promotion
• Customer and Client Supports
• Registration and Onboarding
• Financial – Budgeting
• Communication

​At this time of year it can be useful to go through your financial systems and check for revenue and expense patterns;  your budget for the office, learning and expenses; communication – internet/phone(s)/other systems, as well as customer and client supports which often also connect to registration and on-boarding. This can include:

• New client welcome kits and questionnaires
• Coaching agreements
• Registration links
• Website materials

Be sure to look at the End of Year Checklist if you haven’t done so already. You can download it here.

Questions to consider:

• What needs attention right now?
• What are the things you want to focus on tightening up?

With best wishes,
Jennifer

Last week we explored what items you’d like to dedicate time towards, and when you’re going to find time to do them. A week later, what are you noticing about the daily steps you are getting into?
​
An important part of daily action is noticing the focus of these items. What are the things you are focusing on? What is important to be saying “yes” to and “no” to?
It can be useful to link the focused action to your WHY. The purpose of why you are doing this. Without connection to the WHY it may be very easy to lose motivation around daily steps. Reconnecting with your VISION and/or INTENTIONS can be a significant motivator.

If you haven’t looked at your vision since the start of the year, now’s the time to pick it up.

Another part of the FOCUS and DOING equation is noticing WHEN action is best placed? Are you wanting to get this done first thing in the day? Would it be useful to get it done later in the day? When are you earmarking time?

Are the components chunked enough? This last year one of the Weekly Planning Hacks was about chunking things down into smaller pieces. When things are too big, it may be difficult to get things accomplished. What are the chunks you want to focus in on?

Focused action is an important part of the DOING and creating momentum. What is the focus you are undertaking right now? What could you do to amplify that?
DOING is another piece of the puzzle and a couple of weeks into the month, it’s pretty easy to start losing momentum and having other things get in the way of things that are important. What can you be doing to perhaps:

• Get 15 minutes of action in around your key goals first thing in the morning
• Earmark 15-30 minutes 3-4 times a week when you might be watching TV/Netflix etc…
• OR start asking yourself what do you want to say “no” to?

Enjoy your focus this week!
​Jennifer

​Jennifer Britton - GroupCoachingEssentials | Potentials Realized
Instagram @CoachingBizBuilder
Author of Effective Group Coaching (2010), Coaching Business Builder (2018), Effective Virtual Conversations (2017) and From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching (2013). Check out my author page on Amazon for all publications.
Email: info@potentialsrealized.com