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Are you a GOMO?

GOMO stands for Going Through the Motions.

Some 70% of workers are dissatisfied with their jobs.

Some 50% of marriages end in divorce.

Some 20% of people make a living doing what they love… Huh?  Yes, it is possible.  Here are two stories.

1.  One of my clients, Matt, co-founded an IT company that provided a unique service.  Over 10 years they were acquired by 3 companies.  Matt was the principal architect of the software.  But he was getting restless.  His young family was not happy in the D.C. metro.  He was tired of being a GOMO.  We had worked together 6 years previously.  So he re-hired me to explore “what’s next?”  He realized that several of the executives on their team were working remotely.  In short, he could live anywhere.  So within 4 months he relocated to Colorado.  And he re-designed how he managed his product development team.  That process occurred in months, not years…

2.  Another client, Allen, had been an HR manager for many years, but he aspired to be a global talent director of a nearby F500 company.  We met at a Vistage International meeting.  Shortly thereafter he realized that he could not imagine staying at his current employer.  He felt trapped.  There was no evident career ladder.  He struggled each day, and hated the fact that he called himself a GOMO.  So we explored options.  He did not want to move.  His divorced wife, and their children, were nearby.  So he designed a virtual talent recruitment program, using former HR colleagues who wanted to work from home.  He built the system and sold services to F500 clients.  In short, he developed and moved into his dream job.

So how about you?  Are you feeling stuck as a GOMO?

If ready to explore what’s next, then call me at 704.895.6479 now.

There is no wisdom in waiting.

My business failures include…

… the following list.  I urge you to develop a similar list for yourself.

Since 1997 I have been trying, and regularly failing on occasion.

1.  Just in Time Coaching,  JIT Coach, JIT Peer.  For individuals and organizations to quantify the ROI of coaching, and provide enterprise solutions.  Tagline:  “Now that you can hire a plumber or lawyer online, why not hire a coach or consultant just in time?”  In 2009-2010.  Worked with a brilliant software business partner, who developed the software and managed a team of offshore developers.  We created a solution that assessed coaching needs, defined strengths, matched with a qualified coach, scheduled services, delivered in 4 modes (direct, phone, Skype, email), and evaluated services.  Presented to three F500 companies.  No sales.   Now (in 2013) there are at least 2 companies that provide similar services. I learned the importance of defining market needs before investing years of energy into what I may think is “a great idea.”

2.  Dash4Cache.org.  A digital scavenger hunt app to promote any event or organization.  In 2012-2013.  After creating and delivering 3-5 adventure races and running races each year, for 6 years, I knew something about event management.  Then in April 2012, my 16-year old daughter and I were watching a local mud run, the Spartan Race.  She continually uploaded photos onto Facebook and Snapchat.  And she said, “Daddy you could create a better event than this one.”  So we formed a great team and delivered 4 events in the fall of 2012.  We proved the concept and applied lean technology (build measure learn.)  Armed with a provisional patent, we developed customized scoring software.  These 4 events promoted local businesses and people travelled by foot, or car, or bicycle.  In 2013 I tried to sell this concept to amusement parks, pub crawls, music festivals.  But no sales.  Yet.

3.  4A Coaching.  A subscription based online library for best practices of coaching and consulting.  In 2009 or so.  With a brilliant software business partner, who created the framework.  Populated with hundreds of best practices and ROI data.  No subscribers.  I learned that all the content in the world can be organized into a searchable format.  However, people need to hire me/ coaches like me to help them through the messy process of learning.  Communities drive sales, not just great content.  Coaching can never be commoditized into a library.  Thank God.

4.  Action Learning Apps.  May prove to be a market driven reality some day, but after 18 months of sales and development I could not find a buyer.  One prospect meeting, with two senior partners in the largest law firm in the SE, was promising.  They stated, “We need to cross-sell.  This app and your business development sessions can force us to use our contact management systems and talk with our colleagues in the other silos, such as real estate, finance, or intellectual property.  Then we can be compensated for cross selling.”  Good concept, but not the economic buyers, therefore another failure.

5.  And there are other smaller failures…

The main point:  learning is  a messy process, combined with failures.

I embraced the above examples because I wanted:

  • to leverage digital knowledge
  • to integrate the virtual and physical
  • to expand value to thousands of people
  • to partner with smart people

How about you?

Call me to discuss any of the above, at 704.895.6479.
And write to describe some of your failures, and lessons…

High pay vs. Low pay marketing

Since 1997, I have been delivering value to clients.  That fact means that I market and sell my services every day.  In everything I do and say…

Years ago I coached a new franchisee in the Sandler Sales Program, called President’s Club.  Pat needed to distinguish between high pay and low pay activities, because he is distractible.  (Like most small business owners.)  I helped him increase his business over 300% in 6 months.  He had to do so.  I strongly recommend the President’s Club content.  And I strongly recommend re-visiting the President’s Club content, which is what I did yesterday.

High Pay marketing activities are those that will likely lead to relationships and higher value sales.

  • direct meetings with qualified prospects
  • direct meetings with referred or pre-qualified prospects
  • invited speaking in your area of expertise
  • cause marketing in your area of expertise
  • networking with buying agents
  • invited writing as a credible expert

Low Pay marketing activities are those that will likely lead to transactions and lower value sales.

  • email marketing
  • direct mail marketing
  • interruptive advertising
  • paper and digital advertising
Last week I met a local marketing expert, Shelly, who provided a circular model of marketing services she could offer her clients.  Imagine spinning the Wheel of Fortune with as many colorful options.  I appreciated her ideas, but felt dizzy.
Last week I also met a financial advisor who had been a member of MDRT, the Million Dollar Round Table, for 11 years straight.  He was exhausted. His marketing system required that he deliver seminars to local retirees who needed to invest in his estate planning solutions.  He wanted to know if there was something else he could do that would yield similar high results, but be easier.  I said, “No.  Nothing is simpler.  Thank God.”
He give me a strange  look, and asked, “What do you mean?”
I explained, “If you want great compensation, then you need to provide high value.  The laws of marketing require that.  When we give great value, then and only then we receive great value.  You know that better than most, who dream of being at the MDRT level.   What you need is a regular kick in the ass.”
He agreed and hired me to coach him.
You can too.  Call me at 704.895.6479 now.
So, are you engaged in high pay or low pay marketing?

Success Tips from John Maxwell

You may know that John Maxwell has written several best sellers, including “Developing the Leader Within You” and “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership.”  At one time he managed two leadership training companies-  one in the business world, and one in the christian world.  IMHO, no one bridges these worlds better than John Maxwell.  He has been called the leadership guru of the century.

He defines “leadership” as influence, nothing more or less.

I have trained teams and individuals using the 5 levels of leadership content:  1.  position based upon rights, 2.  permission based on relationships, 3.  production based on results, 4.  people development based upon reproduction, 5. personhood based upon respect

Here are some of his gems:

1.  You can’t export what you don’t have.  Specifically, you can’t be a “leadership consultancy” unless you have proven expertise leading others.

2.  My greatest leadership challenge is not leading others, my greatest leadership challenge is leading my self.  Nothing is harder.  And nothing is more important.

3.  Examples prove concepts.  When I use an illustration it “brings the cookies to the lower shelf” so that everyone has access to the cookies.  See the point?

4.  Leaders are readers.  There are so many great ideas that others have explored.  We need to sift through those books and blogs and determine what we need, so that we can serve others.

What are some of your favorite gems from John Maxwell, or others?

2012 Energy Leadership Project results: Top challenges in the next 12 months

In February, 2012, we surveyed 24 energy industry leaders in the Charlotte, NC region.

Here are their responses to the question:  What are the most significant challenges facing your company in the next 12 months?

What do you think of this data?

 

1.  To see the complete survey results from the 2012 Energy Leadership Project, reply here.

2.  To be included in the 2013 Energy Leadership Project, click here.

3.  For comments or questions, call Doug at 704.895.6479.

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012 Energy Leadership Project Results: top competencies in the Charlotte, NC

In February, 2012, 24 energy industry leaders responded to a short survey.

Here are their responses to item #3:  What are the top 3 competencies of the top leaders at your company?

What do you think of these responses?

1.  For the complete 21012 Energy Leadership Survey results, reply here

2.  To be included in the 2013 Energy Leadership Survey, click here.