Archive for September, 2008
September 30th, 2008 by Allen Voivod
One of our teachers, Adam “The Marketing Mentor” Urbanski, likes to say that if something’s worth doing, it’s worth doing poorly to start with.
Well, amen to that, but there is a bit of a corollary. As long as you’re doing it authentically, and you demonstrate that you’re going to get better as you go along, then yes, the sky’s the limit, so go for it!
And in that spirit, we’re proud to announce the first of our “A-Ha!” Video Quickies. Recorded with a cell phone (hey, it’s a start), you can’t read the sign Lani’s standing next to, so you need to know that it says “Summit,” and it has arrows on either side of it that are pointing in two different directions.
That’ll make Lani’s quick tip much clearer. 
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September 25th, 2008 by Allen Voivod
The following article was written by Gayle Lantz, whom we found online and who graciously agreed to let us share her article here. We love the way she’s laid out this straightforward overview of the Mastermind concept, including the benefits and all the who/what/why details you need to know to decide whether a mastermind group is right for you!
Master Your Business Through Mastermind Groups
Great minds don’t always think alike. That’s why leaders and executives turn to mastermind groups - a growing business phenomenon attracting successful professionals who seek objective advice, motivation, group synergy and different perspectives to accomplish their most important goals.
It’s easy to feel isolated in a leadership role. The higher you rank within an organization, the less objective feedback you receive, the more difficult it is to find peers who understand your challenges and issues.
As a former executive in a large organization, I had a sense of isolation based, not only on my leadership rank, but on geography. As part of a small regional office, I had a limited peer network. Now, as an entrepreneur, I have similar needs.
Mastermind groups provide a means for leaders to connect with other like-minded individuals who contribute ideas and feedback to help them grow their business and manage their lives.
Business and Executive Mastermind Groups operate as small think tanks and allow members to come together in small groups (typically 6-10 people) to share challenges, successes, ideas and information in a confidential environment.
Mastermind groups exist in many different forms, yet serve similar purposes. Groups may be known also as coaching groups, study groups, accountability groups or peer groups.
Members report many benefits including:
- Better decision making and problem-solving
- Accelerated business growth
- Increased personal effectiveness
- Smarter strategic thinking
- Increased accountability
- Safe and nonjudgmental place to discuss challenges
- Expanded professional network
- Improved life/work balance
Mastermind groups may be structured a variety of ways. Some are professionally facilitated; others are self-organized. Groups may be global, national or local.
Some mastermind groups meet in person; others meet virtually - by telephone. Virtual groups are especially time and cost effective.
Guidelines vary according to each group. The agenda is largely determined by the needs and goals of the members. Group members may also engage in one-on-one coaching to supplement their group experience for a more in-depth focus on their goals.
Generally groups meet once or twice a month. However, some national groups meet quarterly. Virtual groups meet more frequently. The life cycle of a group varies with some of the most successful groups spanning a number of years.
Types of Mastermind Groups include:
Independent Mastermind Groups: These are groups comprised of executives from diverse and non-competing industries. The common element is that members serve a similar role. For example, a CEO Mastermind Group (or CEO Peer Group) attracts business owners and managing partners. Other examples include groups for executive women or family owned businesses. Independent mastermind groups may be structured by topic or interests such as groups for sales professionals or groups for those who want to proactively manage their careers.
Industry Specific Mastermind Groups: These are groups of professionals who represent the same industry such as financial services, health care, real estate or professional speaking. Members play a similar role within the same industry. Some industry specific mastermind groups may be established through professional associations.
Corporate Mastermind Groups: These are groups formed within organizations. They typically involve members who serve a similar role. For example, managers from different divisions may come together to discuss common needs, goals or issues. A corporate mastermind group may be established as a part of a leadership development initiative. Such a group strengthens leadership, decision making and problem solving skills while helping leaders expand their professional network. Virtual mastermind groups are ideal for global organizations. Such groups can positively affect morale and employee retention.
What it’s not…
- A Mastermind Group should not be confused with a leads group. Acquiring leads is not a primary purpose of the group; however, leads may be exchanged based on the relationships formed in the group.
- A Mastermind Group is not a training class. Members may learn new information or skills through discussion; however, the group is not dependent on any one person’s expertise. The format is highly facilitated.
- A Mastermind Group is not group therapy, although some meetings may produce therapeutic results.
Best candidates for Mastermind Groups have the following qualities:
- Strong motivation
- Success in a particular field or role
- Openness to different perspectives and feedback
- Positive outlook/optimistic
- Commitment to the group
- High level of trust
- Like to have fun and be challenged
At first glance it may seem as though a managing partner in an accounting firm, a law firm, an engineering firm, an architecture firm and a financial services organization have little in common. However, they’re all dealing with similar challenges and they’re all members of the same group.
Successful executives understand the importance of connecting with others outside their natural network who can offer objective perspective. The best groups are not only diverse in industry, but represent different behavioral styles and personality types. Members are not only committed to their own personal excellence, but to the success of others.
Small businesses are well suited to take advantage of mastermind groups. With the growing number of individuals starting and running small businesses, the need to connect with other peers is even greater. “Micro businesses,” those operated by one person with a couple of employees, and home based businesses are especially well served through mastermind groups.
Great minds may not always think alike, but that’s good news for those in mastermind groups. More people are finding mastermind groups to be instrumental to their success in business as well as to their growth as human beings. Business professionals looking for an innovative and effective approach to growing themselves and their businesses should consider starting or joining a mastermind.
Gayle Lantz is President of WorkMatters, Inc., (www.workmatters.com) a consulting firm that helps companies improve performance by growing great leaders and helping people make the most of their work. She is author of Take the Bull by the Horns. Request tips on how to create successful Mastermind Groups at: http://globalmastermind.net/tips/index.htm.
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September 23rd, 2008 by Allen Voivod
The following is a reprint of an article written by our business coach, Melanie Benson Strick. We’ve been in her Fast Track program for a few months now, and we’re on the cusp of radically transforming our business (and, our bigger goal, the businesses and lives of 10 other NH micro-preneurs and solo professionals) with the Mastermind concept. Here, Melanie sums up those benefits quite nicely.
Why Masterminds Catapult You Forward:
5 Insights Why You Thrive in a Group
I’ve been in mastermind groups for over 15 years. My first mastermind experience was with a group of friends back in San Diego, California where we focused on things like manifesting our marriage partners, finding our career paths and attaining our dream homes. That mastermind group of women continues to be four of my closest friends in the whole world. There is a special kind of bond that happens when you regularly connect people who are pursuing similar goals and life ambitions.
A few years ago I realized that as an entrepreneur, I needed something more than the traditional mastermind. So I began a new kind of mastermind group that was focused on the challenges that all small business owners face: thinking bigger, discovering what works (and what doesn’t) from your peers, leveraging each other’s skills and education, sharing proven resources, etc. I quickly realized that I craved that kind of connection time as a way to leap forward in my thinking and results.
Today, in addition to being in my own private mastermind for my business, I now also run mastermind groups for my clients. As I watch the members of these programs thrive, leap and finally get out of their own way there is truly something unique that can only happen when you allow others into your life and business through this process.
A while back, one of my mastermind groups was sharing with me some of the insights of why this process has helped them catapult forward. Here are five of their insights of why a Mastermind helps you thrive:
1. Brainstorming is more powerful where two or more minds are gathered. Often our thoughts are limited to our current and past experiences. When you tap into the power of a mastermind, opportunities are unlimited. Napoleon Hill in Think and Grow Rich talked about the power of the third mind. This is a type of synergistic potentiality that can only happen when multiple people build on each other’s ideas.
2. You can’t hide with in person accountability. When we follow our same old routines, it is easy to slip into the habits that have kept us in our current challenges. We are our own worst enemies when it comes to accountability and staying on track. We don’t have bosses, just goals. We will let ourselves off the hook when necessary or slide into playing small again. When you have a mastermind call or live retreat to prepare for and you know that people are going to be listening to your updates, it’s like a kick in the pants to remember to stay on track.
3. Other people’s ideas can stimulate a healthy challenge. It only takes one new idea to put you on track for million dollar results. There is a difference between playing it safe and stepping into our bigger game. Left to our own devices…most of us unconsciously play small. When you listen to how others think and strategize, it can help you grow and expand your “box” as well as challenge you to play a bigger game.
4. The realization that your obstacles are shared by many. It can be comforting to know you aren’t the only one who has struggles and challenges. Transformation starts the minute you become aware of the problem. But if we aren’t aware that something is a problem, then it’s impossible to fix it. Many times a fellow group member’s breakthrough can be exactly what you needed to hear to help you realize where you’ve been getting in your own way.
5. Overcome isolation to thrive with connection. Dan Kennedy says, “Being an entrepreneur is the loneliest job on the planet.” Most of us work alone from home, surrounded by people who need something from us or just don’t understand our passion for our work. A mastermind can be a powerful way to stay connected to people who get us, overcome the feeling of isolation and be a springboard for taking your business into new dimensions of success.
Whether you are looking for a facilitated mastermind group like our Platinum program or the Fast Track to a 6 & 7 Figure Lifestyle Business, or you want to create a mastermind of your own, it’s time to tap into the power and take your success to another level. I’ll be sharing some more tips soon on how to know what kind of mastermind is right for you!
Melanie Benson Strick, The Million Dollar Lifestyle Business Coach, teaches entrepreneurs how to stop feeling overwhelmed so they can create more money, more freedom and more prestige. To find out how close (or how far) you are from the ultimate lifestyle business, take the Free Ultimate Lifestyle Business Quiz.
© Copyright 2008, Melanie Benson Strick and Success Connections Inc.
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September 18th, 2008 by Allen Voivod
When you’re a musician, you play the same song over and over again. Eventually you want to do something different with it, so you change keys, orchestrations, whatever, to freshen it up again.
When you’re a comedian, you do the same routine over and over again. You don’t really get to change much, because then you start messing with a proven laugh line, and maybe you don’t get the same result.
When you do an interactive speaking gig, and you do it multiple times, you don’t have to do any mixing up. The audience does it for you, every time.
That’s my main personal takeaway from last night’s Top 10 Social Media Opportunities engagement for the NH High Tech Council. For the third time in a month, I’ve done this breezy overview with Kevin Skarritt of Acorn Creative, and each time, the results are different. (Except for the positive response - so far, that’s been thankfully consistent.)
 This time it was in person at Fratello’s in Manchester (odd photo of the room - the windows make it look like we’re underwater). And though the questions and comments from the attendees covered quite a lot of ground, one common theme’s been tugging at my attention all day today.
What’s the point of “doing” social media? Is it useful, or just a big waste of time and killer of professional productivity?
There are so many ways to get social online - in the resource guide Acorn provided, there are more than 100 social bookmarking sites listed (and that’s just bookmarking, for Pete’s sake!) - that you’ve got overwhelm on the one hand as a barrier to entry, and the now-percolating concept of “social media burnout” as a cautionary flag on the other. And if you’re running in circles where the people you know don’t blog, tweet, or get found on Facebook, why bother?
We flagged Chris Brogan’s link-bait-worthy post “You Can Do Your Job Without Twitter” the other day, and it raised a related point - we’ve all been doing our jobs and running our businesses without social media for years, so is social media just another distraction?
Here’s my response: What does your target market say about social media?
And: What will they be saying 1, 3, 5 years from now?
If your current clients and prospects are using social media, I’d say yes, it’s high time you investigated a social media strategy.
If not, don’t think that lets you off the hook.
At a conference in March, I quoted John Jantsch of Duct Tape Marketing, from a presentation of his I’d watched online. In it, he cited a survey where 76% of respondents said they were using the Internet to search for local products and services. I asked my audience whether they thought the percentage would be higher or lower across New Hampshire. The consensus? It’s lower now, but it’s only going to get higher.
So test out a social media tactic and see how well it works for you. Greg Stuart (though he’s probably not the first or last to recommend this - just the one I heard it from) advises you use 10% of your advertising/marketing budget on new things you haven’t tried before (70% to what works already, 20% to tweaking things that aren’t working as well as you’d like).
And if you happen to make Facebook or Twitter your tested tactic of choice, click either of those links to find and connect with me there!
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September 17th, 2008 by Lani Voivod
Earlier this week, Chris Brogan asked his blog-following contingent a simple series of questions:
Why … do millions of us thrive in [the social media] environment? Why are we threading the social web? Why are we spending hours a day reaching out, building connections, cultivating relationships, producing and consuming media that only a sliver of the world is even noticing?
What makes this our passion?
It got me thinking…and here’s what I came up with.
I blog because I have to get at least some of what’s flying around in my head out in the ether. (Once it’s out, at least it’s got the potential to do, be, or become something else.)
I tweet because I don’t have the time to blog 1/32nd as much as I’d like — and I can handle 140 characters here and there, on a whim, just to have some sense of action or accomplishment.
I throw my face and bio out on social networking sites because I hate to miss a party, and the Virtual Me can be in more than one place at the same time, hanging out with high school cliques, former colleagues, friends, strangers, and associates of all stripes, past ‘n present.
As for why we — the happy, blogging-tweeting-virtual-socializing collective — thrive in this environment, I think it’s for one or more of the following reasons:
-We dig random encounters.
-We’re into arbitrary voyeurism.
-We’ve got a penchant for synchronicity.
-We find it all very ADHD-friendly.
-We live by one of two phrases: 1) “Because I can” and/or 2) “Because it’s there.”
Do you have strong feelings about social media opportunities? Do you love ‘em, hate ‘em, or ignore ‘em altogether? Allen and I would love to hear your thoughts on the matter. Please take a minute and share them in a comment. Thanks!
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September 9th, 2008 by Lani and Allen
GILFORD, NH – Business coaches, consultants, and other solo-preneurs: Are you working harder but still losing clients? Do you have other sources of income to support you when money gets tight? Are you looking for new ways to grow your business, deliver greater value, and have more fun while you’re at it?
Lani and Allen Voivod, co-owners and “Content Lovers” of Epiphanies, Inc., are daring New Hampshire coaches, consultants, authors, speakers, solo professionals and other big-thinking small business owners to take a bold, proactive leap in their business success and development. The Gilford-based spousal-preneurs are offering special incentives for NH-based professionals who join them at a three-day workshop in Los Angeles, from Nov. 13th-15th, 2008, led by online success guru Alexandria Brown.
“The home-study version of Ali’s ‘Online Success Blueprint Workshop’ is what we used in 2006 to change our business model, make 147% more income in 2007, and spend more time with our kids, family, and friends,” says Lani Voivod. “We believe so strongly in the live event, we’re sweetening the deal so NH microbusiness owners don’t miss out on this biz-boosting opportunity.”
For any NH business owners who sign up for the workshop through www.AhaNH.com, the Voivods are offering a free “Revenue and Visibility Kick Start” session with them any time in 2009 (valued at $500), and exclusive access to three post-workshop “Mastermind Smackdown” sessions, where attendees will develop custom action plans for their own businesses, implementing strategies learned at the L.A. event.
The Online Success Blueprint Workshop is the brainchild of Alexandria Brown, CEO of a multimillion dollar company devoted to empowering professionals – especially women – around the world with the tools to live the freedom-based lives of their dreams. This is the last time Brown will host the Online Success Blueprint Workshop for a live audience.
“As of September 9th, the workshop is more than 85% booked,” says Allen Voivod. “This is a chance for fast-acting New Hampshire professionals to make a powerful shift in their mindset, strategies, and tactics. It’s a way to leverage the knowledge of more than 200 other like-minded business owners who’ve already committed to investing in their success for 2009 and beyond. And it’s the best, most-focused path to rapidly transform your current venture into one that gives you much more money, time, freedom, and fun.”
The Voivods hope to show up in Los Angeles with a strong New Hampshire contingent, all eager to learn the details of Brown’s clear, proven, seven-step plan to making money online (and off) with their current businesses and move away from ‘dollars-for-hours’ work.
“It’s lifestyle business at its best, baby,” adds Lani. “Ali definitely delivers the goods. Take the leap and join us!”
About Epiphanies, Inc.
As the “Content Lovers” of Epiphanies, Inc., Lani & Allen Voivod help lifestyle entrepreneurs and million-dollar businesses “A-Ha Themselves!” in fun, innovative, and profitable ways. On their “A-Ha!” Blog and with their clients, they champion increased visibility, reputation, and revenue through business masterminding, content leveraging, and online marketing strategies. To learn more and register for the Online Success Blueprint Workshop they’ll be attending in November 2008, go to www.AhaNH.com.
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September 4th, 2008 by Allen Voivod
At my Microcredit peer group meeting last night, one of the people at the table remarked that business as a solo professional can be lonely at times.
Not “alone,” mind you. If you’re in business for yourself, you may see customers, clients, prospects, vendors, and other folks in the course of your day. Hardly what you’d call “alone time.”
But who can you really talk to about your business – which for many small business owners is also a significant chunk of their lives? And if you don’t have anyone, isn’t that a lonely feeling?
Peer groups like Microcredit definitely help, because they put 5-10 people in a room together, for two hours once a month, to talk about specific business tutorial topics and the individual issues businesses face around those topics.
While that’s good, I got to thinking about this on the drive home last night, though, and what sprang to mind was the idea of the company retreat.
You ever go on one of those? You’re off-site for a day or a week, relieved of your regular duties, and free to focus on a specific business-boosting agenda.
It’s a space for brainstorming, for defining business strategies and objectives, and course correcting – seeing how you’re already doing, and figuring out what you need to do next.
Departments and groups in large organizations go on retreats, and in small companies, sometimes the whole company goes.
As solo professionals and microbusiness, we don’t have that. What we DO have are bootcamps – multi-day workshops, either in person or via teleconferences. And I’m excited as all get out because we’re going to one we’ve wanted to go to for a long time.
 Alexandria Brown, the former “Ezine Queen” who recently re-branded her business and expanded her focus, is holding her last-ever Online Success Blueprint Workshop this November in Los Angeles. We got the home-study version a couple of years ago, and it was a big help when we started to change our business around in 2006.
Now, as we gear up to make another big change in our business, we’re thrilled that we’re gonna be live and in person for the event. 250 small business owners will be there – so far, it’s 90% booked, from what we’ve heard, which means there are only about 25 spaces left.
Lani and I can’t stress enough how powerful it is to remove yourself from your business for a few days, and learn not just from a master marketer, but from fellow business owners who know what you go through on a day-to-day basis, and know how to support your ascent.
That’s why we’re telling you about this event on the blog, and including the link for you to learn more. That link itself leads to access to a series of free recordings where she shares the formula she used to turn her services-based business into a more lucrative model - those recordings alone are more than worth a click through. (The link is also an affiliate link, which means if you click through and eventually sign up for the bootcamp, it doesn’t cost you any more, and we get a little commission.)
We’d love to see a huge New Hampshire contingent there, too, so if you’re in the Granite State and sign up through us, we’d like to say thank you with:
- A free “Revenue and Visibility Kick Start” session with us any time in 2009 ($500 value – just give us a minimum two-week notice for scheduling)
- Access to three “Mastermind Smackdown” sessions, where all takers can join us in our office and fire away with your brainstorming, business-building, and marketing-related questions (10am-3pm on Monday, November 24th; Wednesday, December 3rd; and Monday, December 15th - and lunch is on us)
And if you have any questions for us after you read the information about the Bootcamp, just drop us a line!
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