I’ve been busy this summer putting together some different programs and putting the finishing touches on my signature product.

Here are the programs and products you’ll see me rolling out between now and the end of September:

1. Free 30-min call around the Ideal Client and WHY you need to know who your Ideal Client is. On this call you’ll:

• Discover the difference between target market, niche and Ideal Client
• Learn why the Ideal Client is key to your marketing success
• Learn how to attract and retain quality clients

I recorded this teleseminar because it’s hard for everyone to make it to a FREE call. This way you can download and listen at your leisure. Click here to get the recording.

2. Focus Days — Here’s an opportunity for you to work with me with a high degree of focus around topics that are applicable to you and your business. I offer 3-hour and 6- hour Focus Days. Curious? Click here for more information.

3. 1:1 Mentorship Program — This is your opportunity to work intensely with me. We will spend 6 months focused on you, your business, and your vision of success. Click here for more information.

4. Ideal Client Work Group — This group will meet for 3 sessions beginning October 5th. We will do the work around discovering your Ideal Client, why it’s important for you to know who your Ideal Client is, and how discovering the Ideal Client can help you with your marketing. Enrollment will begin early September. Watch your email!

I’m also putting the finishing touches on my signature product. This product will be called Business-In-A-Box: The Four Essentials for a Successful Business. The first module is currently available and is called Uncover the Key to Your Marketing Success: Your Ideal Client. You can read more about the module here. The other three modules will be: CEO Perspective: Who Is Running Your Business?; Marketing/Sales: Getting The Word Out; and Vision: Seeing Your Success, Seeing Your Future. In addition to the self-study version of each of these modules, I will also be offering a Work Group around each module. Stay tuned as we move forward for details!

These programs are in addition to my current offerings. Rather than list everything here I’ll let you just go directly to the page with all the information: http://virtualpartnering.com/programs-products/

My philosophy is to provide you with multiple entry points to my services so that you can choose the most appropriate program for you and your business.

On the horizon is a group coaching program. If you are interested in participating in the program, won’t you please take this super short survey so that I can put the program together to best meet your needs: http://tinyurl.com/VPsurvey

Thank you for being a part of the Virtual Partnering community. I appreciate each and every one of you, and couldn’t do this without you!

Have a fantastic day/weekend.

©2010 Cindy Hillsey, CPC

With all the talk in the news about Toyota and its recall issues, it occurred to me that in my profession there is no recall! That is, if a coach fails to deliver, the client has little recourse except to move on. We all understand there may be extenuating circumstances that dictate terminating a relationship. Most relationships are terminated for two reasons: 1) They have succeeded or; 2) They have failed.

What this really means is that the selection process, for both the coach and the prospective client, is not just a preliminary activity, but a critical activity. How do you go about picking the "right" coach? Here are some steps you can take to make sure your fit with your coach is the right one:

1. Seek referrals from those who’ve had success! Talk to the people who’ve had that success. Ask them why they chose that particular coach. Was it because the coach had experience working within a particular niche or segment? Was it because the coach had received coach training? Was it because they resonated with one another? What was the reason?
2. If you don’t know anyone who’s had a coach, don’t do a general Google search. The results will boggle your mind! LOL I would suggest you to go to ICF’s website and do a search for the type of coach you’re seeking and start here.
3. Research the prospects you’ve acquired. Go the their websites and take the time to read about who they are, what kind of experience they have, and most importantly why they’ve chosen to be a coach. There should be a passion around coaching. How did the site make you feel? First impressions (whether online, face-to-face, or phone) are important! Did the site make you feel comfortable? Did you feel the coach understood your challenges and would be able to coach you through those challenges? Take the time to read the Testimonial page and see who is giving the testimonials. Are these people in the coach’s niche market? What type of words do they use to describe the coach and the coaching process? Do these words resonate with you?
4. Narrow the list down to two (unless you’ve had several people recommend the same coach). Contact these two coaches either via email or phone. Most coaches offer a 20- or 30-minute complimentary session. Take advantage of this! It’s a great time to see if you connect with the coach and to see if the coach connects with you. You can also discuss how the coaching process will work during this session. Now, if you reach out to a potential coach and they do not get back to you within 24 business hours (unless it’s a weekend) then you need to decide if this is the coach for you. This is the conversation that will tell you if you want to work with this coach. Have your questions ready.
5. After the session, take 10 minutes to record your thoughts: Did you feel a connection with the coach? Did you get your questions answered? Did the coach connect with you? Write down how you felt. Put aside for a couple of hours.
6. Sit down and pull out another piece of paper. Record now how you feel. Answer the questions above again. Do you still feel the same way? Compare it with your original sheet.
7. If you have additional questions at this point, reach out to the coach and get clarification.
8. At this point you can confidently go forward. Invest in yourself. Hire the coach!! Then relax and get ready to grow.

Want to comment on this article? Have a thought to share? I’d love to hear it!

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©2010 Cindy Hillsey and Virtual Partnering