May I ask you a question? Might you be guilty of being too smart for your own good? Let me tell you a secret - you're not alone. Smart people tend to get in their own way a lot. And for some reason, a disproportionate number of business owners are smart, at least in my opinion.

So here's my encouragement for you today: Stop making things complicated for yourself. It all starts with picking the ripe apples.

Imagine yourself in an apple orchard for a moment. Picture yourself reaching your arm out, fingers curving around the bottom of an apple.

You pull.

But instead of the apple falling into your hand, the entire branch comes with it.

When an apple isn’t quite ripe, it sticks to its branch.

On the other hand, when it’s ripe, it quietly breaks away from its branch with a snick.

There’s something to learn from the way a ripe apple effortlessly leaves its tree when it’s time.

As business owners, one of the valuable things to learn is that there is a season for everything. And sometimes, in our single-minded focus to get ‘something’ done, we force that ‘something’ before it’s time.

The result? Not much to show for a lot of effort!

If you’ve been trying to get something done…

Or you’ve been trying to convince someone of something…

Or if you think you simply must persist towards a certain goal or target or result…

Ask yourself…is this an apple that’s not quite ripe, and must I pick this particular apple now?

The answer is usually no, there are other apples – or even other fruit - that are ripe right now that would be less difficult to pick.

Often, bright people can think their way into a decision that’s based on logic alone. Their intellect ‘informs’ them that their choice is the smart one.

But recognizing there is a natural cycle to everything – including business – will help you put your effort where it’s warranted…where the ripe apples are.

Wisdom Nugget:

Struggle – of all kinds, in business and life – is highly overrated. Are you someone who thinks you have to struggle or work hard in order to achieve something? Where did you learn this message?

Consider the possibility that you could achieve just as much if not more, in your life, not by struggling, but with ease. What feelings come up for you when you explore this concept?

Freely brainstorm and list what you are struggling with right now, using the comment section below, or a piece of paper on your own.

Now that you've done that, what are three things you could let go of, and stop struggling? Put a line through each of those. Take just a moment longer here and become aware of your energy and emotions. How do you feel as a result of shedding just a little of your habit of struggling?

This article is an edited version of Chapter 13 from the book 'Money, Meaning and Beyond.' More details available at
http://www.MoneyMeaningandBeyond.com

If you've been looking for a Mentor Coach to guide you to inner shifts and outer bigger income following the Multiple Streams model, I am opening a new set of Group Coaching calls beginning in June. Here are the details:

Title: Advanced Group Coaching | June to November 2007

This is a 6-month small group coaching format with:

• 3, 60-minute sessions per month on Tuesdays from 100 to 200 PM Eastern

• Calls will consist of 1 content/information-rich call organized around an advanced business-building theme; 1 hot seat & laser coaching call and 1 group brainstorming call. (Brainstorming will center on feedback and ideas from the group on your chosen project - first-come first-serve. While Hot Seat and Laser Coaching will be more Coach-Client oriented.)

• There will be a mailing list format for email communication with fellow coaches and e-coaching. Please note registration in the group indicates permission on your part to share your email address with the rest of the group unless you specify otherwise.

• Recordings, notes and any links will be shared via mailing list and/or webpage dedicated to the group.

Please Note: The month of July will feature Tina Forsyth as Coach on the theme of Teambuilding and Business Management.

As always the emphasis in Advanced Group Coaching throughout the 6 months is on tangible-nuts and bolts steps you can act on as well as big picture mindset shifts. Our goal is (always) money AND meaning, sustainably in a way that suits you as an individual.

• Theme for June - Simple Multimedia | Exactly How To Create Compelling Products (Includes Resources, Suppliers, Recommended Sub-Contractors and A Step-By-Step Process we will walk through together)

  Registration Closed

  *** Note: If you are interested in more than one month, or other discount options, be sure to see below for alternate payment methods. ***

• Theme for July - Increasing Your Biz Capacity | Hiring, Managing and Retaining Your Core Team led and facilitated by Tina Forsyth (Includes 'Who's the Boss of You' material)

  Registration Closed

• Theme for August - Identifying and Real-Time Implementation of Key Joint Ventures | Access to More Clients/Customers Equals More Money

  Registration Closed

• Theme for September - Closing the (eep!) In-Person Sale | Taking the Easy Route In Workshops, Seminars and Other Speaking Engagements and Earning More Money (Also applies to Virtual Speaking Opportunities or TeleSeminars)

  Registration Closed

• Theme for October - Strategic Planning for 2008 | What's Next for Your Biz? Possibilities, Planning and Implementation

  Click here to reserve your spot for October Only: http://tinyurl.com/2uqsok

• Theme for November - The Paul Principle | Businesses Grow and/or Shrink Based on the Capacity of the Business Owner - Let's Work on Your 'Who,' Open Your Money Chakra and Continue Working Less

  Click here to reserve your spot for November Only: http://tinyurl.com/3adlpq

NEW: We've also added a monthly Integrity Day the last Thursday of each month - the better to support you in getting real work done. Integrity Day Calls will be 12noon - 5pm Eastern (9am - 2pm Pacific) - calling in once per hour for support and to celebrate progress!

And here are three alternative options for registration:

Option #1: 3 60-minute sessions per month as outlined above $175 per month, one month at a time recurring for six months

Bonus to the first 5 to register: Your choice of one of two cd packages

Click here to reserve your spot: http://tinyurl.com/3drdbp

OR

Option #2: 3 60-minute sessions per month as outlined above $150 per month in one lump sum of $900

Bonus to the first 5 to register: Your choice of one of two cd packages

Click here to reserve this option: http://tinyurl.com/32ww2l

OR

Option #3: All of the above plus ONE 45-minute individual session per month with Andrea or Tina (your choice)

Note: Scheduling will be done first-come first-serve and individual time must be used each month.

$325 per month

Bonus to the first 5 to register: Your choice of one of two cd packages

Click here to secure this option: http://tinyurl.com/39kqmc

If you'd like to do some comparing, use this webpage to review regular 1-on-1 coaching fees and details:

http://www.MultipleStreamsCoaching.com

And here are a few kind words from previous coaching clients and Advanced Group Coaching attendees for your warm and fuzzies. :-)

"Andrea, I cannot say enough good things about our time together. You were business consultant, business coach, personal coach, and couples coach – all in just three hours!!

I loved the way you cracked open our business model to find the holes that needed to be plugged. I loved the way you were able to cut to the heart of every problem and concern, while still having compassion for the personal and emotional feelings surrounding it all.

Most of all, I loved the way you were instantly able to see the real reason I was struggling with my book. You were more right than you will ever know. "

-- Jennifer Koretsky Founder, Head Coach & Chief Visionary Officer
www.ADDmanagement.com

---

"Not only did we strategize exactly how to take my business to the next level, but Andrea also addressed ALL the pieces essential to creating the business and life I most want. I left our meeting with the big picture firmly planted in my mind, an action plan in hand, and no doubt that everything I’m envisioning for my business and my life will become my reality.”

Alicia M Forest, MBA
www.ClientAbundance.com

---

"I'm thinking in new and more powerful ways! I make decisions more quickly and decisively, I'm more focused and less frantic, and find it much easier to "let go" and drop or delegate work."

Terri Zwierzynski
www.Solo-E.com

---

"My business has completely changed because of this coaching. I have let go of a partnership and am now working with a new partner; this has been a huge shift for me. I get stubborn about how I think things are supposed to look, and Andrea's yoga for the mind, as well as no bull way of talking has really helped me rearrange the way I work. And thank God for that!"

Kristine Carey
www.LifestyleCatalysts.com

Got questions? Happy to help. Just email andrea@andreajlee.com and Tina or I will get back to you.

With apologies to Byron Katie's important 'Work,' I've been using the phrase Unwork quite a bit lately to help foster the premise that working hard is NOT the way to riches or happiness.

For some people working hard is a license to feel justified about complaining. Or feeling self-important.

For others it's a way to pull the wool over their eyes about the fact they aren't succeeding - they're doing everything they can, aren't they? Exhaustion is the proof of this statement. It can't be their fault because they're trying so very hard.

Still others are subconsciously using hard work as a way to avoid something. Could it be fear of success? or almost any other fear/feeling?

I've been exposed to enough variations on the theme of hard work that I feel I can say with confidence:

The message "Work hard and you'll be rewarded" is MOST useful to people in authority (teachers, parents, church leaders, politicians, etc.) Tired people (adults and children) are less likely to act up.

What I know for sure is that it takes a certain amount of guts to think about Unworking. Hard work is a potent anesthetic that like any addiction numbs us to life. Time to wake up.

Let me be clear that Unwork isn't about being lazy. And it isn't some fancy way of talking about delegation or time management either. I hate to say it's a kind of 'consciousness' as that's just too floofy for many people to care about, but it is in fact what it is. And...there are specifics that can help you start 'doing' unwork in a concrete way so this isn't all just ethereal stuff.

Register for the no-fee Open House TeleSeminar on Unwork (post coming soon) if you'd prefer a more interactive version of this. But here are my notes in response to those of you who don't want to wait. ;) Remember - Suzanne Falter-Barns is spearheading the call so I'm sure she'll have much to contribute on her end too.

Or, check out the radio show Pam Slim did with me on 'Taking the Struggle out of building your business' over at VoiceAmericaBusiness. You can download the program here.

Now here are my notes on just what Unwork is and how you can start integrating some...

(1) What does Unwork mean?

The first step to understanding the concept of Unwork is noticing that for everything you do, there is a hard way and an easy way. Whether it's picking a photograph at IstockPhoto to illustrate your blog post; putting together your new TV stand or making ends meet this month, there IS a hard way to reach your goal. Perhaps it's the road you're most used to taking.

So the best way to help connect you with the concept of Unwork is to ask you to assume with me there IS an easier way to what you are doing. So pick a challenge you're working on this week. Or a long-standing obstacle in your life. My assumption is going to be that there is an easier way. If you were to play along, what comes up?

This is about practice because letting go of the habit of thinking life has to be hard isn't going to be an overnight thing. So practice challenging yourself. Gradually your way of 'being' in your business will become less onerous.

Just start with one thing. Go ahead, you can think of one thing that you're annoyed at that feels terribly hard...what is it?

Unwork = noun. Definition = a contrarian idea that for everything human beings seek to do or achieve in life there is a hard way and an easy way or unwork way. Especially applicable in entrepreneurial settings.

(2) What might be a useful metaphor that conveys the sensibility of Unwork?

Unwork can feel like a foreign concept the first time you hear it so I like to use metaphors to help us get intuitive about it. Here are two:

Metaphor #1: If you were hanging a calendar on your wall, you wouldn't go to the basement to get your power tool, right? Yet so many of us in our daily 'to dos' are doing just that - using a power tool to put in a tack.

We might be spending way too much time to complete something...or doing a menial task at the time of day when our brains are most creative...whatever it is, there is an ineffective use of energy to accomplish the task in front of us...using a power tool on a tack when just your thumb would do the trick.

How are you burning out a power tool doing something little in your business?

Is it possible you're giving a long lecture to your teenager when a small curfew reminder would do the trick?

Metaphor #2: The Sun and the Wind fable, excerpted from the book 'Money, Meaning & Beyond' and previously posted here.

Okay, I lied. There is another very colourful and slightly PG-13 metaphor that illustrates Unwork to a 'T'. I think it's the MOST effective metaphor there is for some people but I'm not going to post it here. I'm being a little coy here alright? Okay maybe a little chicken too. :-) So if you'd like me to post it I will, but encourage me a little would you? I'm not a prude (especially in 1-on-1 coaching sessions) but I'm still not sure how colourful to be here...

(3) What are some recent examples of how you apply Unwork in your life?

Example #1: After being self-employed nearly 10 years, I know there are two major activities that consistently generate income. For me, these are speaking and writing; they may be different for you. But speaking takes a proportionately HUGE amount of my time, effort, patience from husband and family, etc. in order to do. Not to mention health and other environmental costs.

By contrast, writing takes up much fewer resources and - important - does almost as good a job generating business as speaking does.

Unwork decision I made? Speak even less frequently than I do now, and make every speaking engagement really count. Net result: I have much more energy and time to spend writing. Ultimately this gives me better results (more money) for less work over the course of the year - exactly what was proven when I visited my accountant last week - gross income increased only 10-20% last year, but we had about the same amount of expenses and both partners worked about 40% less. That's a great raise as a result of unwork.

Example #2: Here's a smaller example.

When searching for a great photo to illustrate a blog post, I discovered a friend who was looking and looking on IstockPhoto. We all do the equivalent of something like this - go through all the bids on Elance for example, or researching an additional hour when you've already found a good link.

What if you were to stop? Meaning, stop when you find the first useable photo? When you find a decent bid on Elance that meets all your criteria?

We spend a lot of time looking for what could possibly might be a slightly better answer. But all the while we already have a serviceable solution.

Does this apply to you? If you haven't been able to think of a place to concretely apply Unwork, this should help. Make a list of things you work unnecessarily hard at now and practice letting your work go.

Insert a food-related Andrea-ism here: Like trimming the fat off the steak before you barbeque, you can trim wasted energy off many of your daily tasks, if only you start thinking the Unwork Way.

Remember...Hope is not a strategy. Neither is hard work.

In conclusion...do you know the saying 'work smart, not hard?' I don't know who said it originally but I have a huge dislike for it. Why? I just don't think it's a useful phrase when it comes to implementation.

The phrase 'work SMART' has the exact opposite effect...in fact already-smart people are the ones who are most guilty of working too hard in their businesses. Their try to 'smart' their way out of problems when simplicity would be better. Since smartness already gets them in trouble, more smart thinking isn't going to make things better.

So I say dare to be different. Embrace unwork instead by picking a few clear action steps that lesson what you do in order to get a result, today. Now that you understand just what Unwork is about...you have no excuses!

Now off to choose a photo for this post, or not. ;-)

Do you have way too much business? Maybe you plan to.

Too much business was the topic of a call held at the Career Coaching Institute today. Specifically, the chock-full 45 minutes was titled: “After You Attract Them and They Keep Coming: Sanity for the SOHO."

We covered 14 points in some detail, not a ton, but I managed to sneak in some of my most favorite analogies and examples. For those of you who were there, thank you for your intentions to implement and take action...

For participants in the TeleSummit, Marcia was kind enough to take notes so be sure to look to your participant-only area for those. If you didn't participate in the TeleSummit perhaps you'll glean something of the essence of our discussion from this list of 20. Or, I think you can still sign up!!

=====================================================
20 Ways to Be Ready For (and therefore attract) 'Too Much' Business
=====================================================

Note: Even if you haven't **yet** created an influx of business, it's good (VERY good) to plant these seeds beforehand.

(1) Build your team.

Yes, duh. However do this EARLY before you need it and always be hiring. Hire for temperament, drive and mindset, and be willing to train skills.

(2) Measure, measure, measure.

Feeling like you're insane is often because you have no clue 'where you are.' In business, your metrics/numbers are your compass.

(3) Stay on top of your expenses.

Insanity and overwhelm often lead to unfettered spending in an effort to do 'something' to help.

(4) Zealously guard your time off. Take more.

Doubling your income hinges on doubling your time off, really. This happened to me, ask me about it sometime.

(5) Ask 'how much is enough?'

Not knowing this is killer to your business sanity.

(6) Plan an exit.

Whether you sell, bequeath, maintain or other, get a bigger perspective/give your business context. Zoom out.

(7) Use your profits well.

Could it be real estate? Just a suggestion.

(8) Share the wealth.

Refer, of course. Go further: spin off separate business arms run by others. Build an associate coaching team. (Create a champagne fountain.)

(9) Develop yourself personally.

Consider the 'Paul Principle.' Cultivate a 'witness' self. See #4.

(10) Fire your bottom 10%.

(11) Raise your fees.

(12) Tweak your ratio of active and passive income.

(13) Dial down your marketing language.

(14) Don't try to 'ride the tiger.'

Read Pema Chodron.

(15) Seek the minimal level.

Don't use a power tool to put in a tack.

(16) Embrace systems.

Check out this cool example for managing overwhelming amounts of email while still encouraging and elevating conversation.

(17) Question all assumptions.

You make the rules. What long list of things do you think 'should' or 'must' be done. What if that's not true?

(18) Stop trying to be liked quite so much, via your business.

(19) Tithe ideas.

Use your brain as a thinking organ not a storage dump. Declutter your brain by giving ideas away.

(20) Apply the 'one-thing' rule.

What one thing, and one thing only, will you choose to do today/this week/this month/this year? Everything else falls into place in service to the one thing.

Bonus: Ask, "how might you be making things much harder than they need to be?"

Also known as 'being too smart for your own good.'

How can things be much simpler?

In conclusiong: Sanity in small business is about loosening your grip on things, not tightening them.

What are 1 or 2 action steps you can take on the above points today? Even if it's 'Think about X?'

Want our help building your team or reading or getting coaching on these concepts? Or just have questions? Please be welcome.

You wouldn’t use a power tool to put in a tack, right? So don’t send your ‘big guns’ out to do the little things in your business.

It's not even 60 days into the 2007 yet, and already I can feel it. That sensation of everybody digging in, getting their noses to the grindstone, and starting to work really hard.

Ugh.

Which is why it's the perfect time for this excerpt from the "Money, Meaning & Beyond" book that emphasizes the opposite...

Chapter 18: Seeking the Minimum Level

Would you use a power tool to put in a tack? Time and energy are your precious resources. Use them wisely by seeking the minimal level.

The idea of seeking the minimum level in business owes origins to the work of the Frugal Zealot* who wrote about ‘the minimum level’ from the perspective of thrift as an alternative lifestyle in 1992.

‘People are creatures of habit.’**

When it comes to business owners, there’s never been a truer statement. It’s probably for that reason that the unexpected ways we approach business in this book are so well received.

After hearing the same lessons about business for so long, we can tend to accept them without questioning. After doing things for the same way for so long, it can take a little shock treatment for us to stop.

But it’s important that we do, because far too many business owners are chronically tired and overworked, yet are still trying harder to do more with their energy and time.

Old ways of thinking and old habits can be very costly – to both the success of your business, and your overall happiness.

Case Study:

Andrea: I was working with a client in the summer of 2002. I remember it clear as day. She was a really earnest, really serious-about-getting-to-success type of client. And she was talking about doing some door-to-door canvassing of the business owners in her building to see if there was interest in doing a building-wide flyer.

(This was part of our work together on collaboration – see Chapter 12: No Great Thing is Accomplished Alone)

Now you need to know that her business was doing alright. She had earned close to six-figures each year for the last year and a half and had an assistant and a nice little office. But whatever reason – you might relate – she was extremely stressed about getting over six figures. It was a prize for her, something symbolic, I think.

When she started talking about going from door-to-door herself, later in the day, and how it would take her several days to get around to all the offices, I interrupted.

“I think that’s a waste of your time and energy. You’re already tired out as it is. Is this something YOU have to do?”

I don’t know why, but some clients just like to argue with their coach, and that’s what she did. Finally, I said –

“Why would you use a power tool to put in a tack?”

And she got it.

Do you invest too much energy into tasks that aren’t worth it? Are you using a lot of time on a project that could be done with much less?

If you have a tack in front of you, you wouldn’t use a power tool to put it in. It would be a massive, disproportionately powerful tool to get the result you want.

This can be a difficult one, but try to develop an awareness of how to apply just the right amount of energy and resources to the appropriate tasks.

If you’re used to providing a full-fledged proposal for a client, would a two-page summary work just as well? Do you send over five possible ideas for how to ‘redo the living room’ when 3 would be equally delightful to your client? How about paperwork – are you overdoing your paperwork and losing time and resources?

When you write emails, do you always proofread and double-check before you send out? If you’re doing a series of follow-up calls that are administrative in nature, could an assistant could do the trick? Do you always stay open an extra three hours on Thursday night when only a few customers ever come in? See if closing up shop on Thursday nights will work. Or, take appointments for people who absolutely can’t get to your store during regular hours.

You get the picture. Experiment with the minimum level.

Wisdom nugget:

Based on experience, we estimate business owners waste an average of 20-30% on tasks that would be just as good, just as complete, if they’d leave well enough alone.

The Frugal Zealot puts it really well:

“When you wash dishes, do you always fill the sink to the top? If you’re doing a small number of dishes a sink half full of water may suffice just as well. Do you always put a two-second squirt of dishwashing liquid in the water? See if a one-second squirt will work. “

“Do you use an inch of toothpaste because a brush has inch-long rows of bristles and every toothpaste advertisement you’ve ever seen portrays a neat, full, bristle-length swath? Experiment to see if a ½ inch of toothpaste works as well.”

Seeking the minimum level definitely goes against the grain at first, because business owners are used to working hard, and racing to keep up.

Take a moment now to think of just one thing that you could work a lot less hard at to complete, or better yet, one thing you can take off your ‘To Do’ list entirely.

* The Frugal Zealot is pen name for author Amy Dzcyczyn, founder of "The Tightwad Gazette."

** Amy's article on 'Seeking the Minimum Level' in volume I of her book 'The Tightwad Gazette: Promoting Thrift as a Viable Alternative Lifestyle" was the inspiration for this chapter which takes the idea of the minimum level and applies it to the business world.

I'm delighted to share this 6-question interview of Richard Reardon, formerly the Dean of the School of Small Business Coaching at CoachVille.com. Richard was the first established Graduate-level Dean selected by Thomas Leonard, and revolutionized Small Business Coach training in that role in the fall of 2002.

Those of you who remember meeting Richard at the Business Coaching Conference held fall 2002 in Toronto, Canada will clearly recall what a deep well of expertise and experience he represents. A humble, rather quiet and dare I say 'old school' (in a good way) Mentor Coach, Richard has been doing the work of transforming businesses since 1981.

As you will see from just a few interview questions, there is no faking his kind of experience. Let me also add that Richard personally coached me through some of the most difficult days of my journey as a business owner, so if you pick up my rather fond feelings towards him, that will be why.

That will also be why I'm so delighted to partner with his R&R Business Development to invite you to 3 new course offerings designed to deepen your abilities as a Small Business Coach. These highly affordable offerings are now open for registration here.

Without further preamble, here's the interview. You may want to pay special attention to question #4.

(1) Richard, not to be rude, but you have been coaching businesses for a very long time! What is your favorite client success story?

The client who began coaching approximately 2 years ago and who now works solely with Fortune 500 companies, sets fees at 5K per day, has plenty of work and really "gets" coaching as a means to a bigger end.

He started with lots and lots of self doubt but, did the work, met the challenges and grew into it.

(2) As part of your legacy, you have said that you'd like to pass along your insights, methods and experience to new business coaches. Would you fill in the blank of this sentence?

I wish more business coaches would _______________.

Easy... practice what they preach and become world class business advisors.

Most have so much potential as business advisors/coaches but get all hung up on trivial stuff, side roads, analysis, what is a coach type of talk over and over... the market is so big...what are we waiting for?

(3) You have mentored coaches in several places including the Graduate School of Coaching - you must be exceeding patient and persistent to continue to make offerings available to coaches. I think many trainers might have given up by now. What makes you so determined?

Actually I tend toward impatient. Since I fully expect the 80/20 rule applies everywhere, I tend to attract/work with those who are ready to " get it going", learn what has to change and build their business.

Not everyone will do the work necessary (not that it is all that hard, by the way) and that (not doing the work) is to be expected in any "new endeavor."

In my role, I benefit in three areas:

(a) opportunity to teach good material and then
(b) the chance to work 1x1 with those who really want more. and, finally
(c) coaching business owners on-site.

The free stuff is easy to do and it's nice that I enjoy it too ---- no patience needed, really.

(4) What kind of earnings do you think it's reasonable for a business coach to expect in their first year, done well? Fifth year? 10th?

Depends on the vision, goals, character and how big they want to become....I strongly believe that Solo operators doing coaching to businesses can easily earn...

Year one $115 ,000 plus
Year two $155,000 plus
Year five $300,000 plus

Once the model is decided and process developed, any solo person can earn these without a lot of extra service or affiliates. By year ten it depends mostly on the model and growth strategy.

All this is possible if they develop a step-by-step plan and develop the mental discipline to operate to the plan month after month.

Too many coaches are looking for a quick homerun ...that is a mistake. This is a profession that requires a consistent plan of development and a whole new level of mental energy. It is fun and rewarding but does not just happen.

Frankly, if the above revenues are not set as baseline goals, I think the payoff will be too small for the amount of mental change and work required for becoming happy & successfully self employed. Revenues count.

(5) Recently I have been coaching coaches a great deal around the concept of building their businesses to sell. Can you say a little about the universal things that need to be in place to make a business sell-able?

> Systems in all areas of the business (that run independent of the "coach.")

> A well-oiled marketing process that operates all year round.

> A product (or service) focus that really is world class in its impact on the business (and is easy to deliver.)

> Higher than average fees because the service is truly value added and clients see that. It can be vanilla and stand out in some way.

> The plan and awareness from the get go to "build it" for sale.

(6) You recently approached me to introduce a new set of 3-week course offerings to make a difference in the lives of small business coaches. What kind of business coach do you most hope will join up?

Those who want to "lead" their clients toward much better productivity and profitably by using both the strategic side of business development and the personal development side ....they really do go well together.

Example: The coaches' business will not exceed her own level of growth next year, etc.

Great questions, Andrea. Best, Richard

----end interview---

P.S. A great example of what I mean when I describe Richard as 'old school' is his recent succinct article called "Too much happy talk?" available at his new blog. Be sure to stop by and say hello!

Multiple Streams of Coaching Income and R&R Business Development are pleased to present the following 3 new course offerings for Business Coaches.

Each is 3 weeks long and addresses a single theme focusd on gaining you new clients and then exceeding their expecatations. Led by Richard Reardon, Mentor Coach of over 25 years experience, the classes will be participative and include recordings and full notes. (More on Richard here, and here.)

Early-bird seating is available for a very limited number of registrants, so act fast if you're that way inclined. :) That said, the full-price for the training is affordable by any standard. Click here to view the descriptions directly at Richard's website, or use the appropriate links below.

See you in class!

-----begin class descriptions-----

Class #3001 Getting Hired | The 9 Most Frequently-Occurring Challenges In Small Businesses

Learn nine areas where a business owner is most likely to hire you and your services. Opportunity is there. You just have to know where to look and understand how to sell to the 'hot buttons.'

Particularly in the small business coaching arena, it is important to be clear about where it's best to enter the small business, and avoid selling coaching per se. In this 3-session course, you will learn 9 ways to do this. Chances are, if you already know some ways, you will add to your repertoire and increase your ability to secure a range of small business clients with a wide spectrum of needs.

This class lays a foundation of what services and solutions you can develop as a coach.

The overt benefits from this hands-on "how to" offering are:

> Increased competence and confidence when speaking with business owners, with an eye towards consistently securing new clients
> Nine fresh approaches for problem solving and coaching competency specific to the small business arena.
> The ability to apply coaching to situations beyond what you currently work on with business owners.
> Increased viability of your coaching business as your pool of prospective clients grows

Dates: 3 Mondays - February 26, March 5 and 12, 2007

Time: 4:00 P.M. Eastern, USA for one hour

Price: $127.00 for the first 3 registrants. $167.00 thereafter. Class size is limited and course content will not be repeated in 2007.

In addition to the 3 full-hour sessions by conference line, your course fee includes class notes and audio recordings. The only additional cost you will incur is long-distance charges to dial into the conference line. However if you opt to listen to the recordings later via the internet, you will not incur these charges.

Register early to secure your seat.

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Class # 9011 It's Not Just Business, It's Personal Coaching the 'Whole' Business Owner for Lasting Change

In addition to solving all their business related problems, many clients need your advice on dealing with feelings of alienation and stress. Your depth as a coach matters, and here is where your coaching can have the most lasting impact.

When you learn how to help the client find meaning in their work, become comfortable in both their inner and outer worlds and transform themselves toward fulfillment, you will assure your success and become even better paid for your work. The tricky part is building a bridge from business issues to the personal realm with the buy-in of the client.

This class shows how to cross the gap between what you may be hired for (overtly) and where you are needed most. Treating the roots of issues in addition to the business symptoms.

The overt benefits from this class are:

> Clarity and comfort with the process of guiding your client toward a deeper purpose of coaching.
>How to help the client access both the business and personal elements of lasting success.
>The ability to overcome objections to crossing the line between business and personal.
>Familiarity with the language business owners can understand, when it comes to inner work.

Dates: 3 Mondays - April 9, 16 and 23, 2007

Time: 12:00 noon, eastern, USA for one hour

Price: $ 127.00 for the first 3 registrants only. 167.00 thereafter. Class size is limited and course content will not be repeated in 2007.

In addition to the 3 full-hour sessions by conference line, your course fee includes class notes and audio recordings. The only additional cost you will incur is long-distance charges to dial into the conference line. However if you opt to listen to the recordings later via the internet, you will not incur these charges.

Register early to secure your seat.

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Class # 3111 - 7 Universal Success Factors How A Coach Can Improve Any Small Business

The more you understand the nature of successful organizations, the more assured you are of affecting growth and improving the performance of your client and his or her business. The 7 most important success factors affect any organization regardless of its mission, products, services or market.

Once you know how, you can use simple conversation for discovery, analysis and planning. This course provides a structured, repeatable and reliable approach to improving productivity, direction and long-term success of your clients' businesses.

The overt benefits of this 3-session offering are:

> Meaningful business insights to provoke your client.
> Action steps you can coach within any small business environment.
> Proven growth initiatives so your coaching is always tied to concrete results.

Dates: 3 Mondays, September 10, 17 and 24, 2007

Time: 12:00 noon eastern, USA, for one hour.

Price: $ 127.00 for the first 3 registrants only. $167.00 thereafter. Class size is limited.

In addition to the 3 full-hour sessions by conference line, your course fee includes class notes and audio recordings. The only additional cost you will incur is long-distance charges to dial into the conference line. However if you opt to listen to the recordings later via the internet, you will not incur these charges.

Register here.

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Additional Incentive for registrants in all 3 courses: A business book selected by me (Andrea) after reviewing your website, if you have one, and shipped to your address.

To qualify for this additional gift, take action to register for all 3 course offerings together (as opposed to one at a time throughout the year.)

Once you've done this, simply send your receipt to me via ericka@msoci.com with 'Business Book Selection CF Richard Reardon' in the subject line. Include your website address and I will select your book.

If you don't have a website send a description in your email about what your plans are for a web presence (or not.) I'll base my book selection for you on what you send, so send me what you think will help me understand where you're at. Until then...

As the saying goes, "There are two ways to end up with more money in your business (or life!) at the end of your month. (1) Earn more and (2) Spend less."

The latter, or 'spending less' will be the focus of the Advanced TeleClasses for October, and will include:

> a way in which to use your selected contractors (graphic designers, product creators, writers, etc.) so as to make your money go farthest
> negotiation tips for advertising
> a training method to bring new team members up to speed with the least amount of 'down time' to your biz, and
> a concrete tool that will enable you to purchase office supplies, reference material and unlimited other everyday items for your business and home at a considerable discount (sometimes less than wholesale prices.)

There will be 3 calls in total; 60 minutes each on the following dates:

Three Tuesdays, October 10, 17, 24 from 100 to 200 PM Eastern.

All calls are led by Andrea Lee: Call #1 is a content-based call; Calls #2 and #3 are laser coaching, role play, demo and case study based, and center upon integration and implementation.

Fee: $150 [MSOCI members receive one month's membership credit, valued at $27, redeemable after your purchase.]

Are you ready to take a leadership stand on what you're spending in your business, AND make the most of your investments?

By reducing the money leaking 'out', you make room for more to flow 'in' and stay in, the definition of sustainability in business.

To Register for the Advanced Coaching Group Theme for October, Click Here:

This month's Advanced Coaching Group is part of a 7-month series of advanced topics. To register for (or browse) all of the 7 Advanced Coaching Group Themes, and consider purchasing at a bundled discount, Click Here.

Note: Register for one of more Advanced Coaching Group Themes by September 29, 2006 and receive access to our bonus call entitled "How Do You Get So Much Done, Andrea? | The 'One-Thing' Rule and the 'Two-Second' Rule with Thanks to Thomas Leonard" (A first-time-ever offering.)

The bonus call is an 'up close and personal' call also with implementable tactics taking place on Thursday, October 12, from 100 to 200 PM Eastern. All calls, bonus included, will be recorded for your convenient (re)listening should you prefer.

After years of consulting experience, I firmly believe there is money to be made *now* (today, or this week) in every business. Asking yourself the question "What's Closest to the Money?" and focussing your activity on following through on the answer, is a proven way to get cash flowing and more importantly, shift the way you look at your business, forever.

In the Advanced Coaching Group Theme for November, we will take these ideas from Chapter Four of 'Money, Meaning & Beyond' and expand and concretize them so you can begin to internalize this way of operating in your business.

Do you know the answer to the question "How Can I Earn $1000 Today?" If you don't, or would like help taking action on what you think may be the answer, this Advanced Coaching Group Theme for you. Please come prepared to act!

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We've all heard the wisdom of Michael Gerber as he brings home the point: The only reason to build your business is to sell it. But, is there more than one way to 'sell' it and reap the rewards of passive income?

Especially in the coaching profession, there is a lot of talk about the industry being in its 'infancy.' So why are some coaches quietly but confidently, without fanfare, doing one or more of the following, again and again, increasing their wealth as they do so?

I'm talking about not just straight selling, but a concept I call 'Outheriting' as well as Licensing, Creating Associates & Investing. With respect to Gerber, there is more than one way to skin a cat - exit your business at the right time, that is!

If you haven't yet thought about your exit strategy, you are not alone. But by being willing to do so now, you will:

(1) give new purpose to your daily 'work,' making the work less a present-burden and more a future-investment

(2) make the day to day work lighter as a result

(3) make it easier to prioritize the many, many things that seem to cling to your to do list

(4) let you see your life in a bigger perspective, a good thing because too many business owners have their noses so far into their businesses they can't even reach the top of their heads to scratch an itch! ;-)

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