Running a meeting effectively may seem like it requires little skill.  That's what I thought when my boss at one of my first jobs asked me to create a guide for a homeowners association in how to to lead effective meetings.

Hiring a coach is like hiring a trainer.  If you want to get your body in better shape you hire a trainer.  If you want to get your business in better shape, you hire a coach.  As I wrote in a previous blog, I recently hired a business coach for me – the coach.  And, I have seen remarkable differences in my business. 

Why I hired a coach really shouldn’t be of any interest to you.  Unless you have some profound interest in me, which I’m sure is not the case for most of you.  But why anyone considering hiring a coach hires a coach may be of interest. 

The problem with most construction-related businesses is that the owners and managers of these usually small businesses focus on the “big picture” issues in their business for only a few months in the “off season”.  The fact is that these “off season” entrepreneurs are strategic business owners for only a few months of the year.  When spring arrives they get so busy in their businesses they lose sight of important strategic issues necessary to focus on if they’re going to grow or improve their businesses.  The remainder of the year, t

I understand your challenge as a business owner to BE the entrepreneur in your business.  But, your challenges are not going to end, until you end it.

How many times in your business have you started taking steps to improve and position your business for the way you want it to look in the future that you pulled back because you told yourself lies like “Nobody does it better than me” or “If I want something done right, better do it myself or “You just can't hire good help”?

Who advises you in your business?  Don't tell me you don't have key advisers you call on when you have something you want to discuss!

Most people would think it morbid to imagine being at their own funeral.  I know this is a tough topic to bring up in person.  But privately, how many of you haven't thought of this?  What would you like to be remembered for?  What legacy do you hope to leave behind?  

People often ask me where I get my business.  And, usually I rattle off a bunch of different methods like: articles, speeches, webinar samplers, live event sample sessions, referrals, telemarketing, website, etc. After that litany of methods the conversation usually ends and I'm left wondering why they asked the question in the first place.  And, so it got me thinking.  Is there a simpler way?  Where do I get my business?  And, why do some consultants get 70-80% of their business from referral when mine only account for 22% of my income over the past 4 years?