Archive for the ‘Business tools’ Category
The Power of Influence: A concept that changed my life.
Posted by Teresia in Business tools, Mindset, Newsletter Articles, Success strategies on September 22nd, 2009
I will never forget one of my first defining moments; the man that I thought I would marry, have children with, buy the house with the white picket fence, the whole shebang – dumped me – yes dumped me, just like that. I think he said something like “this is not working for me anymore” and that was it! But before we parted ways, he gave me the book Unlimited Power by Anthony Robbins and said read it you need it. Once I got past my ego, I realized he was right. I was depending on external things to make me happy.
In the middle of the pain of being rejected, I devoured every word Anthony Robbins said about influence and the psychology behind it. Then I stumbled across Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People Seminar and I was hooked. I knew somewhere deep inside that no matter what path I chose to walk, this information would make the difference in the level of my success and the quality of relationships in my life.
Before long I quit university, (I was living in Ottawa going to Ottawa University at time) sold my car and moved to Vancouver to work for the Anthony Robbins franchise. My parents were appalled. “You are quitting university to work for the man we see on TV in the middle night selling this thing called personal power – for $8 an hour!?
I saw it differently – I was going to be paid to go to the Anthony Robbins University and I was creating the opportunity to be in an environment where I could master the art of influence. I was in pure bliss.
Almost twenty years later, I write this newsletter sitting on a patio over looking the ocean from the home of my dreams. I am in a relationship that nurtures my soul daily and I relish in the luxury of the lifestyle that being an entrepreneur allows and experience daily gratitude that I get to live my dream of coaching individuals to live their dreams.
It hasn’t always been an easy journey but I sure wouldn’t have the business and life I have today if I did not master the power of influence.
A few weeks ago ForbesWoman released The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women and one quote jumped right off the page: “Forbes’ Power Women list isn’t about celebrity or popularity; it’s about influence.”
Now that’s really saying something! Think about it. The ability to influence IS power. It enables success. It leads to wealth and opportunity and relationships. It makes things happen.
These ladies clearly know how to make things happen. Want to meet these masters of influence? Here’s a great three-minute video about them.
Whether you want to influence people to buy your products or services or have higher quality relationships, I have discovered there are four key factors of influence.
Factor #1 To build Rapport:
Rapport is the heart of influence. The word rappoarte comes from the Greek language and means “to carry back to another person an experience of themselves”. Rapport building is being willing to understand and experience another person’s view of the world as if you were that person. This is the art of making someone feel comfortable and accepted. Think of this as being “in sync” with someone, establishing a harmonious relationship of mutual trust or affinity. When you get along with someone well, they instinctively listen to and trust you.
To dive in deeper and learn more about the skill of Rapport, check out the book Step-by-Step System, by Marilyn Atkinson, Owner of Erickson International and Rae Choice, Master Certified Coach. The first chapter gives a wonderful overview of some of the key points of Rapport. Email info@erickson.edu to get your copy.
Factor #2. The ability to influence oneself:
Research shows that top salespeople believe that selling is the transference of emotion. They are extremely aware of the importance of being in a powerful emotional state of mind before talking with a customer. The ability to influence ourselves is about learning to manage our own emotions. Sorry to say it wasn’t your ability alone that produced a particular result, it was the emotional state you were in at that moment.
Do you feel in every cell of your body, that your prospect can get what they need from your product or service? Do you believe without a shadow of a doubt that you’re worth what you charge? Influencing yourself on these issues may be the most important factor of all in your ability to influence your prospective clients and customers. Your level of confidence, conviction and congruency must be strong before the influencing process even begins.
This month decide to play with your rapport skills, and ask yourself where are you REALLY with your level of conviction with what you are “selling”. With these two factors you are well on your way to becoming a master of influence! Be sure to join me next month for 2 more critical factors in becoming a master influencer.
In support of your success!
Teresia LaRocque, MCC
Are you a Success Coach?
Did you know our next Passion into Profit Program starts November 3rd?
“What an amazing year! The tools, the processes, the discussions, the support in the Passion into Profit program made the difference between me failing and succeeding! I will continue to refer all those I run into. Thank you!”
~ Teresa Groendahl
The Passion into Profit program offers an empowering environment that supports you, gives you proven strategies and tools that create results and provides a structure of accountability that keeps you in action. Participants leverage their business, enjoy the process and increase their bottom line!
Join us for an informational call and find out if the Passion into Profit program is the next best step for you. Next program starts November 3rd!
Get your first taste of “The Passion Into Profit Program”
A Business Building Program for Coaches
October 21st 10:00am PST – 11:30am PST (1:00pm EST – 2:30pm EST)
(Please note that if you have any questions or specific things you would like to address or mention, please enter that information in the registration box supplied)
Watch a video of Teresia sharing business building tips here! (In Alliance with Erickson International College)
During this informational packed hour, we will be sharing some of the savviest secrets to building a thriving coaching practice, an outline of the program and we’ll answer any questions you may have. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to meet and be inspired by some participants and graduates of the current “Passion into Profit” program. Connect with people who have been where you are and are now stepping into building the coaching practice of their dreams!
To find out more about the Passion into Profit program visit:
www.passionintoprofitforcoaches.com
The Magic of the Mastermind
Posted by Teresia in Business tools, Newsletter Articles on June 10th, 2009
Can you believe we’re already halfway through this year? It’s true! Summer is upon us, so I have a very important question for you:
Are you still on track to achieve the goals you set in January?
By this time of year, most people are more focused on getaways than breakthroughs… but the actions you take in the next 90 days can have a tremendous impact on your results for the year.
So I’m going to let you in on my favourite way to have the best of both worlds. If you want to get more done with less effort… if you want to take quantum leaps forward without burning yourself out… I strongly encourage you to explore the Magic of a Mastermind.
In the simplest terms, a mastermind is two or more people coming together with a common purpose and desire to support each other with ideas, encouragement, insights and resources in a non-competitive environment.
I was first introduced to the concept of masterminding when I read Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. Hill was commissioned by Andrew Carnegie (then the richest man in the world) to interview over 500 of the most successful people alive. His goal: identify the common elements of their success.
It took him 29 years to complete his task, and in 1937, he finally published the results of his work. Think and Grow Rich outlined 13 principles that were common to every successful person. One of those principles was the mastermind group.
Hill demonstrated that no successful person achieves great things alone. Every achiever is surrounded by people who help them, advise them, give them constructive feedback, encourage them, motivate them, inspire them and push them to be better than they could ever be on their own.
This concept really resonated with me, and I couldn’t wait to put it to work in my own life. When I launched my coaching business in 1996, one of the first things I did was organize a mastermind team.
There were only three of us, and we were all from different industries, but we showed up for each other every week. Not only did I reap the benefits of their support and expertise – I got a lot of referrals too! I was hooked on masterminding… and this was only the beginning.
Within three years, I had reached my original business goals. It was time to step up to the next level. I wanted to impact more people, creating passive income, and build a team of associate coaches.
On a call with my best friend and colleague Sonia Stringer, we scratched our heads and said, “Why reinvent the wheel? There are a lot of people out there who have achieved the level of professional success we’re looking for. Let’s collaborate with them.”
So we started a search for other coaches throughout North America who were getting the results we wanted, and we drafted an e-mail, asking them to join a mastermind. To our great delight, all seven accepted.
Seven years later, our mastermind is still going strong, we meet weekly by phone and once a year we treat ourselves to an in person mastermind retreat at a cool and exciting location – like a gorgeous chalet in Whistler Ski Village, Canada… or the oceanfront beach house in San Diego… or that great cabin in Winterpark, Colorado.
The retreats are some of my most treasured memories. The ideas, insights and support we exchange are more than helpful – they’re incredible! We have pulled each other through the tight spots, traded insider tips on marketing and technology, developed ideas and products, and brought the definition of fun to a whole new level!
Assembling this group was probably my most strategic business move ever. Without my mastermind, my business would not be where it is today – and the same is true for everyone else in the group. Meet my mastermind team!
When you’re ready to take quantum leaps, it’s time to mastermind!
If you are like many business owners, professionals and entrepreneurs, chances are you suffer from the “Lone Ranger” mentality – doing it on your own. It’s just the way most of us do things. But getting to the next level usually requires us to do things a little differently.
The world’s most successful people rely on mastermind groups. Shouldn’t you?
What if you had your own team of advisors? What if you started collaborating with a group of sharp, successful people – people who were totally in your corner and focusing the best of their energy, resources and expertise on your goals? How much further could you go?
People come together as a mastermind for all sorts of reasons – business growth, personal growth, working on a specific project, emotional support, motivation, a sense of community – and they are often surprised to find way more than they expected.
There is a special kind of magic, a powerful group synergy, that comes forth when people work together to support each other. The results can be truly astonishing.
Think about it: what could you accomplish in the next few years if you had a powerful support team behind you?
If you’re inspired to put the power of a mastermind to work in your life, I invite you to explore “The Magic of the Mastermind” – an e-book created by my own mastermind team!
We’ve compiled the most complete guide available to forming and managing your own mastermind group – your personal board of advisors!
Written from the voice of experience, this book includes tips, strategies and insights on what makes a group truly successful (and what makes others fizzle with time). With over 50 pages of material, including a toolkit of forms and scripts to get you started, you’ll have everything you need to create a mastermind that can propel you to the next level – and beyond! To learn more, click here.
In support of your success!
Teresia LaRocque, MCC
P.S. Is now the time to have a mastermind team be part of your strategic life plan?
P.P.S. Visit us at teresia.com.
I am excited to share that this fall we are launching “The Triple “M” Mastermind- Mind, Money and A Life of Meaning” an exclusive mastermind team for business leaders who are committed to living their best life.
If you are interested email us at mastermind@teresia.com to receive your initial questionnaire and book and interview to ensure The Triple M Mastermind is a good fit.
What my mastermind members are saying
“Deciding to start a mastermind is one of the smartest decisions I have made, for me and my coaching business. By being part of a group of like-minded and like-hearted professionals, I have been stimulated and challenged to think beyond my normal limitations.I sometimes learn more in our one-hour brainstorming sessions than I do in a formal training workshop or months of trial-and-error in my own business. Most importantly, I have created personal bonds with each of the participants that have extended far past our business connections. I feel I have created a “family” of unconditional support that has given me the confidence to dream big and become more.”
Sonia Stringer, www.compasscoach.com >
“I believe that everyone at our very core has a deep longing to contribute. Being part of a mastermind allows me to contribute and serve others and I am learning how to allow others to serve and contribute to the growth of my soul and the heart of my business. I have the deepest respect for the love and support that I receive from my mastermind.”
Greg Clowminzer, www.zencoach.com