Archive for February, 2009

What REALLY Happens in a Business Success Mastermind Team Meeting?

February 10, 2009

I’ve spoken with many of you recently about masterminding and the most frequent question I am asked is, “What happens in the meetings?” I know you want to know the actual process of a meeting, but I’ve also discovered that you really want to know what “happens”. Specifically, what do you get out of the mastermind process?  I am going to answer these questions for you here, in detail.

First, if you’ve never masterminded before, here is a definition:

Masterminding is an effective process to provide solutions to challenges and maintain motivation through powerful tools such as creative brainstorming, strategy sharing and accountability structures.

In our teams, I facilitate the meetings rather than participate. I lead the team in remaining focused on the goals and challenges of the members on each call. There is no extra “story-telling”, no “chit-chat”. Simply full member participation, strategy development and high-level brainstorming.

Each team has no more than five members who are not in competitive businesses. Your team may be all men, all women or a mix. You may or may not already know your other team members. You all agree to respect the privacy and confidentiality of what is discussed within your team. Your calls are recorded in case a member is missing and wants to stay current, and only your own team members ever gets access.

Let me give you a general overview of the agenda our teams follow.

•    A review and acknowledgment of your accomplishments since the previous session. Most entrepreneurs concentrate on what they didn’t get done, rather than on their successes.

•    A review of your goals set at the last meeting. If there are items you didn’t accomplish or goals you couldn’t meet, let your team know if you’d like assistance.

•    Requests for brainstorming. If you’re working on an issue or challenge, even if you’re not clear where the problem is, your team will work with you to figure it out and overcome it.

•    Brainstorming. The “meat” of your call is to create solutions for yourself and your team members. You quickly discover that while you’re brainstorming for another member, an insight appears that solves something you’ve been working on as well.

•    Business building strategies. Not only do these come from your teammates, but also from me as your coach and facilitator.

•    Goal setting for the next session. This is your accountability team and we will keep you focused and working toward the goals you have set.

As you can see, a lot is accomplished in the time we meet. This investment in time and in yourself keeps you clear on where you’re headed, how you’ll get there and how to make money while you do so.

That’s what we do in our mastermind meetings. But your question is, “What happens?” Well, that’s different!

What happens is you leave your team meeting with new ideas and new strategies to implement in your business. You are energized and re-focused on the goals you have set. You are once again ready to face your clients, your customers, your employees and your prospects with a positive attitude and a willingness to try new ways of doing things.

In a word, you are positive. And your positive attitude, along with the specific strategies you’ve just helped to create, do propel you to more success and more money in your business.

Come join us and make your business more profitable. Call me at 831-241-1545 to talk about your mastermind team. And please visit my website at www.SecureYourSuccessInc.com and sign up for my free weekly email Sales Strategies for Success.

February 5, 2009
Sales Strategies for Success
Strategy #28

Do You Qualify?

Maybe it’s just me, but have you ever spent an hour or more with a potential customer and had a really great conversation? You made your presentation and you just know you nailed it? Truly, things couldn’t have gone better. Then you reach the end, you ask for the sale and your prospect says, “I can completely see the value of what you offer and I know you will deliver on your promises. In fact, I wish I was [choose one] (a) in the market right now for what you offer, (b) able to afford your service, or (c) didn’t have to run all my decisions by the boss who never likes my plans.”

OK, I’m willing to admit I’m the only one who has ever run into this, but I’ll bet I’m not. What was the very first mistake I made? It wasn’t that I didn’t know my service or product offering inside and out. It wasn’t that my presentation wasn’t compelling. I even remembered to ask for the sale!

You know it – I failed to qualify my prospect before I wasted her time and mine in a full presentation which could never result in a sale (i.e., money in my pocket).  Here’s how it happened. She called me and said that a friend had referred her to me. Great! The whole referral-thing is working! I jumped right in and made the appointment for my presentation. And there you have it – I missed a step.

Qualifying your prospect is a critical step you cannot afford to miss. Why? Unless you’re simply looking to practice your presentation skills, spending your time talking to someone who will not buy is a waste of your most profitable hours.

How do you qualify your prospects? Ask them questions that you develop ahead of time. You want your questions to prompt the answers you need. For example, if you offer business building expertise that helps your clients make more money (like I do), you’ll want to know what kind of business your prospect owns or manages and what types of challenges they’re experiencing. Make certain that what you offer can really help before you spend their time meeting with you. Ask if they are willing to invest in growing their business. If your prospect simply wants to “chat” or “vent” about how things are going and has no intention of making changes, you’ve just lost a profitable hour – or more.

It can take practice to do well at qualifying your leads. But every time you leave a meeting where you realize you’ll never get the business, take a moment to determine what questions you could have asked up front that would prevent you from wasting your time.

Make the most of your presentation time and make the most money.

I help professionals like you learn how to make the most of your business hours. Call me at Secure Your Success, Inc., 831-241-1545, or visit my website at www.SecureYourSuccessInc.com for more information about building your business bigger in the shortest amount of time.
THERE’S AN OPENING RIGHT NOW

Business Success Mastermind Teams
Make more $$$ this year.
One of our Business Success Mastermind Teams has an opening right now. We are specifically looking for a team member who is serious about making the sale and getting more business. If this is you, call me right now at 831-241-1545 to see if you’re the right fit for this powerful team.

Our mastermind teams’ primary focus is on sales, marketing and business building. You receive leadership support and strategies to achieve your goals, make $$$ and stay motivated. Twice a month hourly sessions are held by phone and recorded for your team. Masterminding with a facilitator keeps your calls on target and profitable. In addition to working with me on your team calls, mastermind members receive discounts on one-on-one coaching.

A MASTERMIND TEAM FOR SALES PROFESSIONALS

Client Magnetism Mastermind Teams
Attract the clients you want.

Start by bringing in your perfect customers, then move to the Business Success Mastermind Teams to keep getting the sales. Continuing strategies, support and accountability as you grow your client base and increase your profits. Twice a month, 1-hour team meetings by phone with your Secure Your Success, Inc. facilitator and your mastermind team. Mastermind team members receive discounts on one-on-one coaching.
E-mail Audrey@SecureYourSucccessInc.com or call 831-241-1545 to set up your free consultation call for placement on your winning mastermind team.

I can’t wait to see you succeed!

Audrey

Audrey Pierson

Secure Your Success, Inc.
Business building strategies that make $$$.

831-241-1545
316 Mid Valley Center, #216
Carmel, CA 93923
Audrey@SecureYourSuccessInc.com
www.SecureYourSuccessInc.com