This Saturday, March 10 is Guerrilla Mentoring at the George Washington University. This is part of our SisU learning series wherein women share a goal or a challenge and get feedback in a very specialized manner. It seems easy, but, we’ve actually been trained on it, practiced it for 10 years, adapted it for women, condensed it to two hours, put it in a mass format, tested it, fixed it, and now it’s darn-near perfect.
The first step, however, is dig down and say: “Hmmmm, what is a goal I have for this year that I’d like to accomplish?”
The goal can be professional or personal.
And, if you can’t think of a goal, it’s usually because there is a big honking challenge getting in the way. If this is the case, we invite participants to share their challenge. Maybe they’ll be able to unearth enough to get to their goal next time.
So, I’ve challenged our Guerrilla Mentoring participants – and open it up to you:
What is your goal or challenge for 2012?
Here’s a tip: It shouldn’t be “Organize my sock drawer.”
I am waiting and ready to give feedback.
My goal is to create the Hot Mommas Project Digital Classroom. I have other goals but will stop at one. Yours?
Goal:
What I really want to do is to present a weekend workshop for Absolute Beginner Entrepreneurs, to teach them how to market themselves and/or their new businesses online. I want to teach them how to create free websites & blogs (easy, drag & drop stuff you can do in an afternoon), how to use Twitter & LinkedIn to find clients, how to do free online radio shows, etc.
Obstacle:
But I can’t because I’m not sure anyone would pay for such a workshop, I don’t know how much to charge, and I have no where to present it.
Have you got any ideas?
Thanks,
Jennifer
Okay – this is brilliant. First of all, I have a very VERY smart friend who (you know who you are if you are reading this!)…we just spent a lot of Sunday with my re-doing her website. I had a website intervention with her. I walked in and said, “Honey, I looked at your site and….uh…no.” She goes, “No?” I said, “No.” And in about an hour we had a wordpress site up, had Picniked her picture, got her on Facebook (no! She wan’t on Facebook!). She said, “I feel lighter.” I was JUST thinking this the other day. People would LOVE to be 1) sat down (is this grammatically correct?), 2) taken step by step through basics. For instance, people always want me to look at their business plan. I cannot escape this. It’s part of the reason why I’m starting a group coaching call. Maybe this is YOUR item you cannot escape. Lead a pilot group of 5 through a curriculum you develop. Have them ready with content and pictures and stuff so you can take them through it all on WordPress and Twitter. Ask them afterwards, “How much would you pay for this?” Then, follow internet marketing gurus like @BrendanBurchard and @YanikSilver. See who they interact with, and get up a class, distribute it to some folks via email, create a sign up page with a paypal donate click button, and see what happens. Testing, testing, testing. You don’t know until you get out there and try. Thoughts?
Kathy, Thanks for all the great feedback. I *have* already led 5 people through this process, customizing it for each one of them. They “hit the ground running” and were in business right away. So I know it works & I know there’s a demand. I just can’t figure out how to reach the people who are ready right now. Jennifer
You’re talking about the “top of the funnel” – so, searching key words on twitter – for instance – and using key words on twitter, like “start up” and “entrepreneur” are key. Establishing yourself as an expert with something to offer in this area is key. Put out content using your key words on your Twitter, Facebook page, Google plus, You Tube, and even an Amazon ebook. Make sure it always links back to a place you want them to be (info on you and your seminars). This is a build it and they will come situation. Also, offering a free teleseminar to learn more, with an offer for something at the end is a good idea. If no one comes – this is a sign to tweak and test again. I remember doing this with the Hot Mommas Project. We called it “Virtual Mentors” – no one signed up. We then called it “Girls and Power: The Top 5 Things You Need to Know”, put it out on Twitter, and got 35 sign ups in 5 minutes.
Kathy,
Again, wonderful ideas! Alas, I’m not looking to create a global domination-type of business (long-term, etc.) I’ve had a successful career already.
I just would like to do this locally in the northern Virginia / DC area with small groups.
(I’m more of the mentor-age-group than the just-beginning age group.)
But your comments will help so many others who *are* looking to start something big!
This is what I’ve done so far: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=20506975&trk=tab_pro in my previous career.
Maybe that will help.
Thanks again,
Jennifer
Well, if local is your focus, and given your history in the area – I’m sure you’re familiar with the Vienna Women’s Center. It’s a great place for community service, and a great place to lead your seminar. They’ll market it for you if you’re in their course-book, and after that maybe women would sign up for follow-ons with you. Also, see the networking group link I posted for Cherry below. Although, again, unclear what you’re familiar w/ versus not given your career history. Just approaching folks at these events with a business card on one side, and a seminar description on the other with a link to a sign up page would be my first step if it were me. From there, I’m sure affiliate relationships would develop and groups would mail to their local list for you.
Oh wow, I just saw you travel and train in Oracle ! I train in Financial systems too…around the world. Maybe we will meet on Sat?
Goal:
I would like to learn to let go of the parts of my business that are not my forte or favorite things to do. I would like to feel confident hiring someone else to handle those aspects of the business administration and feel confident knowing that this expense will enable me to grow the business and become more profitable. I would also like the confidence to accept jobs and use subcontractors for jobs that are not in my geography or niche.
Obstacle:
I am a control freak, cash poor and am afraid doing so will be a detriment to my brand.
Looking forward to seeing you on Saturday. Thanks!
I have a reply for you at the office Kim. Dang. Didn’t post. Stay tuned.
Oh I just LOVE super honest business people. I am summarizing your business issues at: 1) Focusing (and possibly firing clients) 2) Delegating (without curling up in the fetal position and crying “mommy”). It also sounds like you’re thinking about a possible 3) Affiliate relationships involving a subcontractor which enables you to better accomplish #1. Taking these one at a time, some Q&D (Quick and Dirty) is as follows. I use these terms *on purpose* because – as a professional organizer – they probably give you the willies. And, yes, my sista…it may be time to think a tad bit differently.
1) Focusing – focus is GOOD. In our Hot Mommas Project research done with high drive (and high balance) working women, focus – like, SERIOUS focus – is one of the major factors enabling them to be highly successful and do the proverbial “all”. But, they had re-defined “all”. “All” was now being kick **s at x, instead of x, y, and z. It sounds like you are right at the edge of this choice yourself my wise friend…and just need a little nudge (*dink*).
2) Delegating – this is a tough one. Speaking frankly. I’ve noticed many women don’t delegate for two primary reasons: Because they DO and they DON’T have experience with it. If they DO have experience, they’ve had direct reports in the past and now don’t want to deal with it. If they don’t have experience with it, perhaps they don’t know where to start. The good news is, in either situation the answer can be the same: Start with a virtual, out-sourced, or part-time solution with very specific tasks that are repeatable. Have a “CL” (Close the loop) procedure with this person wherein they report back via email at the end of each of their time blocks…say, Tuesday and Thursday from 10 to 2. If you’re paying $15 an hour for a virtual assistant, it’s a low cost test. Try it for a month to three months, see how it goes, and work up from there. Cameron Herold has great outsource solutions in his book “Double Double” such as http://www.odesk.com
3) Affiliate relationships – Establish relationships with subcontractors you like. Be a referral snob. Take a piece of the business in perpetuity. You’ll do the same for them. It will be great. This is an accepted practice in the internet marketing world, as I just learned at Underground Online 8 #ug8, and feel very into this now. All of these people are well off, happy, and into their businesses. If you’re not, you should go to Underground next year and re-invent your business.
Toodles and may the force be with you. Hope this helps.And you’ll get more feedack from your peers at http://www.GuerrillaMentoring.com this Saturday!
Kathy
Disqus has not been letting me post this for days. D$*m you Disqus!
Oh I just LOVE super honest business people. I am summarizing your business issues
1) Focusing – focus is GOOD. In our Hot Mommas Project research done with high drive (and high balance) working women, focus – like, SERIOUS focus – is one of the major factors enabling them to be highly successful.
2) Delegating – Start with a virtual, out-sourced, or part-time solution with very specific tasks that are repeatable. Have a “CL” (Close the loop) procedure with this person wherein they report back via email at the end of each of their time blocks…say, Tuesday and Thursday from 10 to 2. If you’re paying $15 an hour for a virtual assistant, it’s a low cost test. Try it for a month to three months, see how it goes, and work up from there. Cameron Herold has great outsource solutions in his book “Double Double” such as http://www.odesk.com
3) Affiliate relationships – Establish relationships with subcontractors you like. Be a referral snob. Take a piece of the business in perpetuity. You’ll do the same for them. It will be great. This is an accepted practice in the internet marketing world, as I just learned at Underground Online 8 #ug8, and feel very into this now. All of these people are well off, happy, and into their businesses. If you’re not, you should go to Underground next year and re-invent your business.
Hope this helps. You’ll get more feedback from your peers at http://www.GuerrillaMentoring.com this Saturday! Remember, mentors don’t have to be older. Peer mentoring is hot hot hot.
Kathy
Kim, I am summarizing your business issues – tell me if this sounds right:
1) Focusing – focus is GOOD. In our Hot Mommas Project research done with high drive (and high balance) working women, focus – like, SERIOUS focus – is one of the major factors enabling them to be highly successful.
2) Delegating – Start with a virtual, out-sourced, or part-time solution with very specific tasks that are repeatable. Have a “CL” (Close the loop) procedure with this person wherein they report back via email at the end of each of their time blocks…say, Tuesday and Thursday from 10 to 2. If you’re paying $15 an hour for a virtual assistant, it’s a low cost test. Try it for a month to three months, see how it goes, and work up from there. Cameron Herold has great outsource solutions in his book “Double Double” such as http://www.odesk.com
3) Affiliate relationships – Establish relationships with subcontractors you like. Be a referral snob. Take a piece of the business in perpetuity. You’ll do the same for them. It will be great. This is an accepted practice in the internet marketing world, as I just learned at Underground Online 8 #ug8, and feel very into this now. All of these people are well off, happy, and into their businesses. If you’re not, you should go to Underground next year and re-invent your business.
Hope this helps. You’ll get more feedback from your peers at http://www.GuerrillaMentoring.com this Saturday! Remember, mentors don’t have to be older. Peer mentoring is hot hot hot.
Kathy
Thanks for the great advice! I will have to download the book. And uh yeah, I guest checked out http://www.odesk.com and all I can say is WOW. I am just about to enter in to a referral agreement with a referral source. They only get paid after I complete the job. I am curious to find out a standard referral % and if there is a time length on the agreement. I look forward to learning from and helping others tomorrow.
-Kim
Goal: To establish a strong networking base in the Northern VA, Washington, DC, Maryland area that will translate into (1) a strong system of support and referrals (ultimately conversions) for speaking, programs and coaching opportunities in “what’s next”; moving beyond mindset limits to increase confidence & be the woman you want to be; MBTI and (2) fun and supportive friendships.
Cherry,
Right after I saw your tweet, I saw this post by @JillFoster on top networking groups in the DC area on Women Grow Business.
http://womengrowbusiness.com/2009/06/value-of-face-time-as-entrepreneurs-top-womens-networking-groups-in-the-dc-metro-area/
My goal to find the best job for me! Is it too much to ask for 1. A boss who really cares about you gives you direction and tells you they appreciate your hard work. 2. A team who shares information with you without havin to ask for it? 3. A job thathas structure and you have a good idea of how to succeed? 4. A casual environment where you can be yourself in jeans and still be respected and somewhere i can commute to easily without having to fight traffic and speed cameras?
Thats all I want. I care about my team and always helping everyone. Even to the of creatng documents on benefits. Sending it to HR and they love it so much they send it out to the whole company. I love connecting people. Someone just did a radio show based on my introduction. Nothing
Chris…What industry are you in? Sounds like you’re looking to be in a better culture. Ever considered entrepreneurship? Or tested something on the side? This can be quite empowering. What skill sets ya got?
I’ve never considered having my own business because what I do no one can pay for and I just enjoy it doing it for free. For instance for the past 15 years, I’m the go to person when someone is looking for a job,(Ironic, huh?) resume review, I have steered people in the right direction and they are now happy where they are at. I send jobs multiple times a day to others. In addition, I connect people, like what I was writing above. It so makes my day! And my other passion is financial literacy . I’m good with my money, and people used to call me like Suze orman-Can I buy this, and I would respond, No, take it back! I talk about insurance, and how to get a good deal. People come to me with questions on how to pay the hospital when you have no money, or should you consolidate all your loans. I have tons of advice on HR benefits….
But that’s what I do on a daily basis for fun. What I do for a living is travel the world training users on Financial systems. Sounds sexy, but its lonely let me tell you. I need people to recharge my battery, and sitting a hotel room all day is killer. I definitely would love to work for a smaller company or what has that feel that we’re a family, and maybe not travel. I’ve been an accountant for many years but many say I don’t act like an accountant, =)
Call me crazy, but, it sounds like we’ve just launched the next Suze Orman or Carrie Schwab Pomerantz. Why NOT you? Seriously. These guys making millions on videos start with some story of “I was just a skinny guy who started doing push ups.” You’re a financial whiz/trainer miserable in a hotel room. Do a youtube vid, write a blog. Couldn’t hurt. See what happens.
I’m going to actually write the novel I’ve been sitting on for too many years. I’m taking a week off of work in June to attend a 5 day course in writing your first novel at UW. I have the idea, I’ve started the abstract, and I need to have several pages of it for day one of course. Having the idea, that assignment and the deadline is already propelling me toward my life long goal with gusto! Knowing I can bond with 14 other writers as we all start this journey together, with the guidance of a pro is also freakishly exciting to me! Woo hoo!
Heidi – this is so cool. I have been slowly researching this area and am so impressed by the seminar you’re taking!
The following were recommended to me by writer’s in what I’d call a pretty exclusive group that gathers at the invitation of http://www.Twitter.com/SamHorn_dot_com who is the MC of the Maui’s writer’s conference every year (and founded it, I think). The conference includes all the names you know, and the names that want to be known. Writers flock there. So, Sam has these dinners at the National Press Club and a couple F.o.S.s (Friends of Sam) told me about:
1) “Screenplay” by Syd Field http://ow.ly/9xH9q
AND
2). “Story” by Robert McKee http://ow.ly/9xGQZ
These are classics for fiction, whether you’re writing a screenplay or not, because the authors demonstrates how every winning story has certain classic elements (a la Joseph Campell)
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Here is something interesting I found on mistakes to avoid in fiction writing (I suffer from one of these traits, so, thought I’d share)
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http://www.amarketingexpert.com/how-not-to-write-fiction-3-big-mistakes-to-avoid/
P.s. Didn’t want you to forget my new avatar Heidi – I know how you love my glamour shot. Lol! If only you knew what I looked like in the morning before Michael Vonal took this.
Goal: I’ve always secretly wanted to be a writer. Now that I’m working in finance (in a job and industry I really like) I want to get into the financial journalism/communication space. My friends have told me I should start a blog and just write about issues I care about. There’s something about starting a blog that makes me nervous though: what if the content isn’t good, what if no one reads it, etc. Any advice on how to just get started with a blog?
Call me crazy, but, it sounds like we’ve just launched the next Suze Orman or Carrie Schwab Pomerantz. Why NOT you? Seriously. These guys making millions on videos start with some story of “I was just a skinny guy who started doing push ups.” You’re a financial whiz/trainer miserable in a hotel room. Do a youtube vid, write a blog. Couldn’t hurt. See what happens.
Great seeing you today at Guerrilla Mentoring! One of my favorite intros to blogging was going to BlogHer. Then the had BlogHer DC. I learned a ton. Bloggers share a lot and are a great community.
ProBlogger is a great place to knock around and pick up tips, like these
http://www.problogger.net/how-to-write-great-blog-content/
I also like to see what Liz Strauss has to say at Successful Blog
Follow folks like this and you’ll start seeing who they follow, and picking up tips
The best way is always testing and tweaking. Put something out there. Keep it 750 words or less. Tell a story. End with takeaways, an aha, or a question. This was an equation spelled out to me by Maria Shriver’s really brilliant director of communications.
Great seeing you today at Guerrilla Mentoring! One of my favorite intros to blogging was going to BlogHer. Then the had BlogHer DC. I learned a ton. Bloggers share a lot and are a great community.
ProBlogger is a great place to knock around and pick up tips, like these
http://www.problogger.net/how-to-write-great-blog-content/
I also like to see what Liz Strauss has to say at Successful Blog
Follow folks like this and you’ll start seeing who they follow, and picking up tips
The best way is always testing and tweaking. Put something out there. Keep it 750 words or less. Tell a story. End with takeaways, an aha, or a question. This was an equation spelled out to me by Maria Shriver’s really brilliant director of communications.
Thanks for this Article! Love the analogy! I’ve recently launched my Coaching & Consulting business in D.C.. My mission is to help individuals & businesses apply positive psychology practices in order to THRIVE! My goal for 2012 is to get more companies & organizations interested in positive management. There are a few mgmt consulting agencies out there doing similar work (Gallup is the largest) & the rest are small firms (often 1 person like mine) with positive psychology training. By the end of 2012 I would like to have a steady flow of companies or organizations (clients) that I coach through implementation of positive management practices thus improving company culture, employee engagement & retention, and of course the bottom-line. My challenge is getting my foot in the door in the business world!
Sara. The first thought that came into my mind after reading your business goal was “productize.” You are somewhere between coaching and mental health. Coaching, in my mind, has become an over-used term. Let the client suggest it. If they like it, great. But I would avoid it unless it’s following the terms “executive” “management” or “performance.”
In terms of approaching companies, there need to be an “it’ to sell. The “it” is what they’ll get if they use your services. Will they get x percentage increase in retention, morale, productivity? Pre and post surveying will reveal this.
Packaging your services with a brand name in a one-off (seminar / workshop format) then a one-off plus retainer (seminar / workshop plus monthly sessions with staff in group or one on one) would make this a “menu” that is very real to me as a manager.
Get one company to say “yes,” then the rest will come. You may have already. Packaging also allows for scale so that other therapists / practitioners can deliver this. If in the mental health arena, who knows, maybe insurance will partially cover it (not that you want to go down that road.
Hope this gives you some food for thought.I’m sure others will have thoughts on this too. My mind is going in a million directions. This is just one.
My husband and I are both very fortunate. We both work for companies that engage in mentoring relationships and have both benefited greatly from them. As a result we are both “on track” so to speak for bigger and better jobs. Our challenge in 2012 is figuring out if it is possible for both of us to have such demanding schedules while still having time for each other and time to raise our very young kids to be happy, healthy people. Our number one priority is our family. Does one of us have to put our career goals on hold or is there a better way? We both feel confident that we can do it all but we are just not so sure how!
This is such a fascinating question. I believe the next challenge is “the new family.” With women working, and men working, there are a lot of moving parts to put together. I can offer my personal opinion based on my own life, Hot Mommas Project research, and observation of peers but – ultimately – you’ll have to go with your gut. At the end of the equals sign is time. You need the most time possible for your family. However, the trick no one tells you is this, there are really TWO equations (parallel equations!!! drat!) the OTHER one is the most time possible for your spouse / partner. Where did you go? By the way. You’re in NO equation. Everything else has just trump carded you without even a thought – hasn’t it? So, this is warning sign number one – RoV (running on vapors). You can solve the parallel equations, and many do by outsourcing shopping, cooking, homecare, etc. Why not? They are making the big bucks. But, then, you have no time for yourself and there is high RoV potential. Just a warning.
Next, IS there potential for staging. What are the costs if you do not stage your careers in a building block strategy. Discuss the pros and cons. My husband, a life long entrepreneur, struggled for many years channeling cash back into his business when I graduated from business school with a lucrative job. After many all nighters and weekend conference calls, the job seemed a lot less “lucrative.” I went out on my own, and today, we both work toward a goal of making more, working less, and matching our schedules to the kids’ schedules and date nights.If we RoV, it is by our own design. A friend who works for a large company came back from a trip and decided she was going to modify her schedule, or quit. Her employer accomodated. What will it take for YOU to “entrepreneur” your schedule? A thought for all out there working for others.
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Socks is like our other undergarments that always need to be organize and it should be in proper place. This have its partner that hard to find if not properly arranged and finding it is taking our time.
We’re not trying to offend real organizers here.
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