C-Suite Network™

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Advice Best Practices Growth

Unlock Executive Benefits with Corporations and LLC’s: Your Path to Perks and Prosperity

Unlock Executive Benefits with Corporations and LLCs: Your Path to Perks and Prosperity

Imagine enjoying a housing stipend that offsets your living expenses, a vehicle allowance that puts you behind the wheel of your dream car, and access to luxurious corporate jets for your travels. These executive benefits aren’t just for Fortune 500 CEOs—they’re attainable for savvy entrepreneurs who leverage the power of Corporations and LLCs.

The Corporate Advantage

Forming a Corporation or LLC opens the door to a world of executive perks that can significantly enhance your lifestyle and financial well-being. By strategically structuring your business, you can enjoy benefits that extend far beyond traditional salaries.

 Housing Stipend

As a business owner, you can set up a housing stipend through your Corporation or LLC. This stipend can cover a portion of your rent or mortgage, making it easier to afford a premium living space. This perk not only improves your quality of life but also allows you to reallocate personal funds towards other investments.

Vehicle Allowance

A vehicle allowance provides you with a monthly stipend to cover the costs of a car. Whether you need a reliable vehicle for business purposes or want to drive a luxury car, a Corporation or LLC can offer a tax-advantaged way to achieve this. Plus, it simplifies expense tracking and can lead to significant savings on personal transportation costs.

Solo 401(k) Plans

Solo 401(k) plans are a powerful retirement savings tool for self-employed individuals and business owners. By forming a Corporation or LLC, you can contribute to a Solo 401(k), maximizing your retirement savings while enjoying tax benefits. This plan allows for both employee and employer contributions, providing a higher savings potential compared to traditional retirement accounts.

Corporate Vehicles and Jets

Access to corporate vehicles and jets isn’t just a perk for high-flying executives. With a Corporation or LLC, you can justify the business need for these assets, providing you with the ability to use them for business travel. This not only enhances your business operations but also offers a touch of luxury and convenience to your travels.

Tax Benefits and Asset Protection

One of the most compelling reasons to form a Corporation or LLC is the tax advantages. These entities offer various ways to reduce taxable income through legitimate business expenses, including the executive benefits mentioned. Additionally, Corporations and LLCs provide a layer of asset protection, safeguarding your personal assets from business liabilities.

Ready to elevate your business and lifestyle with these executive perks? At Controllers, Ltd, we specialize in helping entrepreneurs like you unlock the full potential of Corporations and LLCs. Schedule a complimentary call with our Sr. Strategist, Stephan, today to explore how you can take advantage of housing stipends, vehicle allowances, Solo 401(k) plans, and more. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to maximize your benefits and secure your financial future. Contact us now to get started on your path to prosperity! To book an appointment call us at (775) 384-8124 or send us an email to info@controllersltd.com. We look forward to speaking with you!

Categories
Advice Best Practices Growth

Unlock Executive Benefits with Corporations and LLC’s: Your Path to Perks and Prosperity

Unlock Executive Benefits with Corporations and LLCs: Your Path to Perks and Prosperity

Imagine enjoying a housing stipend that offsets your living expenses, a vehicle allowance that puts you behind the wheel of your dream car, and access to luxurious corporate jets for your travels. These executive benefits aren’t just for Fortune 500 CEOs—they’re attainable for savvy entrepreneurs who leverage the power of Corporations and LLCs.

1.The Corporate Advantage

Forming a Corporation or LLC opens the door to a world of executive perks that can significantly enhance your lifestyle and financial well-being. By strategically structuring your business, you can enjoy benefits that extend far beyond traditional salaries.

Housing Stipend

As a business owner, you can set up a housing stipend through your Corporation or LLC. This stipend can cover a portion of your rent or mortgage, making it easier to afford a premium living space. This perk not only improves your quality of life but also allows you to reallocate personal funds towards other investments.

Vehicle Allowance

A vehicle allowance provides you with a monthly stipend to cover the costs of a car. Whether you need a reliable vehicle for business purposes or want to drive a luxury car, a Corporation or LLC can offer a tax-advantaged way to achieve this. Plus, it simplifies expense tracking and can lead to significant savings on personal transportation costs.

Solo 401(k) Plans

Solo 401(k) plans are a powerful retirement savings tool for self-employed individuals and business owners. By forming a Corporation or LLC, you can contribute to a Solo 401(k), maximizing your retirement savings while enjoying tax benefits. This plan allows for both employee and employer contributions, providing a higher savings potential compared to traditional retirement accounts.

Corporate Vehicles and Jets

Access to corporate vehicles and jets isn’t just a perk for high-flying executives. With a Corporation or LLC, you can justify the business need for these assets, providing you with the ability to use them for business travel. This not only enhances your business operations but also offers a touch of luxury and convenience to your travels.

Tax Benefits and Asset Protection

One of the most compelling reasons to form a Corporation or LLC is the tax advantages. These entities offer various ways to reduce taxable income through legitimate business expenses, including the executive benefits mentioned. Additionally, Corporations and LLCs provide a layer of asset protection, safeguarding your personal assets from business liabilities.

Ready to elevate your business and lifestyle with these executive perks? At Controllers, Ltd, we specialize in helping entrepreneurs like you unlock the full potential of Corporations and LLCs. Schedule a complimentary call with our Sr. Strategist, Stephan, today to explore how you can take advantage of housing stipends, vehicle allowances, Solo 401(k) plans, and more. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to maximize your benefits and secure your financial future. Contact us now to get started on your path to prosperity! To book an appointment call us at (775) 384-8124 or send us an email to info@controllersltd.com. We look forward to speaking with you!

Categories
Advice Best Practices Leadership Skills

Evan Hackel Discusses His Path to Ingaged Leadership

Key insights from the new book Ingaging Leadership: The Ultimate Edition

1. What inspired you to write Ingaging Leadership, and what is the central message or concept that readers can expect to find in the book?

I wrote this book so that my kids and future generations of my family will be able to understand my life philosophy. This book is about business, but it’s really more about life itself and how to work with and be in partnership with people. The core message of the book is that when you start with curiosity, withhold the temptation to come to quick judgment, and involve other people, you make better decisions and have better support of your decisions that can make a major impact in both business and life.

2. Can you describe a time when Ingagement was used to deliver superior results?

In 2000, CCA Global Partners acquired its main competitor, Flooring America. Following the acquisition, Flooring America faced adversity as its parent company went out of business, tarnishing the brand and leaving franchisees frustrated and in legal battles. The franchisees believed CCA only acquired Flooring America to shut down their businesses and dominate the flooring industry.

Overcoming resistance and rebuilding the damaged brand involved a comprehensive “Ingagement” program. This initiative aimed at inspiring and achieving business results by involving everyone at Flooring America. Town hall meetings, advisory councils, and regional networking groups fostered open communication, allowing franchisees to voice opinions and ideas.

The positive experience resulted in doubling the number of stores and more than doubling business within four years. The success was attributed to a vision that inspired and an effective plan that engaged and empowered everyone involved.

3. How do you view the role of mentorship in leadership development, and have you had influential mentors in your own career?

Mentorship is one of the most important things in developing as a successful person. My father was my #1 mentor. I learned so much in life by observing how he could avoid taking things personally and remain objective. In addition, Howard Brodsky and Alan Greenberg of CCA Global Partners are two incredible mentors to me. I learned a lot about business from them andabout the power of collective action.

4. How do you see the role of effective leadership in driving organizational success, and what are the common challenges leaders face today?

Leadership is everything. Leaders need to promote a shared common vision and function as stewards of that vision. Without that kind of leadership, companies stagnate or deteriorate. I likely have a very different view than most people do regarding the number-one challenge that leaders face; I believe it is a lack of clarity of vision and the willingness to share it.

5. What advice would you give to aspiring leaders and entrepreneurs looking to make a positive impact in their fields?

Listen without judgment, always be in learning mode, recognize you can learn from everybody within the organization. Truly get to understand both your customers and your vendors because without them you don’t have a business. And don’t be afraid to make mistakes.

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Advice Best Practices Growth Leadership

How to Acknowledge and Reward Your Highest Performing Franchises

A great leader motivates and empowers their team. This can be more challenging in a franchise, where the structure can create barriers between top management and individual franchise owners. How can leaders overcome these obstacles to acknowledge and motivate their franchisees effectively?

Understanding Motivations

People are driven by various factors, not just money. Competition is a significant motivator, where franchisees strive to outperform each other and rival franchises. Another powerful motivator is the desire for appreciation. Like in childhood, when praise from respected figures spurs us to excel, adults in the workplace also thrive on recognition.

The Power of Awards

Awards can effectively acknowledge efforts and inspire excellence. Common awards include:

  • Rookie of the Year: Best new franchisee.
  • Top Growth Awards: For highest sales growth in single and multiple locations.
  • Spirit of the Franchise: Exemplifying company values and mission.
  • Marketer of the Year: Best marketing strategies.
  • Top Trainer of the Year: Best use of training programs.
  • Business Development Award: Encouraging new franchisees to join.

Consider using a combination of metrics like sales volume and net promoter scores for awards. Engage franchisees in suggesting new awards and possibly include an invitation to join the franchise advisory council for a year as a form of recognition.

Effective Award Practices

  1. Transparency: Clearly explain how award winners are chosen based on measurable benchmarks to avoid perceptions of favoritism.
  2. Peer Nominations: Encourage franchisees to nominate others, emphasizing the legitimacy of the awards.
  3. Special Awards Night: Host an elegant awards ceremony, possibly with a special presenter, evening wear, and an Academy Awards-style format to enhance the experience.
  4. Travel Prizes: Offer trips as prizes, combining excursions with educational and training sessions, bringing in special speakers, and involving key vendors to add value.

Conclusion

By implementing these strategies, you can effectively reward and motivate your franchisees, fostering a sense of community and family within your franchise. This connection can transform your franchise from a collection of isolated locations into a cohesive and supportive network.

About Evan Hackel

As author, speaker and entrepreneur, Evan has been instrumental in launching more than 20 businesses and has managed a portfolio of brands with systemwide sales of more than $5 billion. He is the creator of Ingaged Leadership, is author of the book Ingaging Leadership: The Ultimate Edition and is a thought leader in the fields of leadership and success.

Evan is the CEO of Ingage Consulting, Delta Payment Systems, and an advisor to The Learning Network. Reach Evan at ehackel@ingagen.net, 781-820-7609 or visit www.evanhackel.com.

Categories
Best Practices Growth Marketing

AI = Your Content Creation Catalyst

AI = Your Content Creation Catalyst

Artificial intelligence is a transformative force in content creation, particularly for those either swamped with writing assignments or wrestling with the mental block that often plagues writers. Where AI shines is in its capacity to automate tasks that are frequently time-consuming and repetitive. Imagine the freedom you’d experience when a machine efficiently scans vast datasets for you, verifying facts or even generating initial outlines. This time-saving aspect allows you to concentrate more on adding your unique narrative voice and emotional depth to your content rather than getting entangled in the web of endless research.

Similarly, AI is not just about raw computational power; it also offers advanced analytics that can deepen your understanding of your readership. This information helps you tailor your writing to better align with your audience’s needs, enhancing reader engagement and satisfaction. It can pinpoint trends and suggest styles or topics that are more likely to resonate with the audience.

But let’s not lose sight of why this complementary relationship between human creativity and artificial intelligence is so valuable to you. By leveraging AI to handle the heavy lifting—data collection, initial drafts, and audience analytics—you can devote more of your energies to the creative and emotionally nuanced aspects of your work. Essentially, AI is an invaluable partner, allowing you to fulfill the ever-increasing demands for high-quality, engaging content without sacrificing the personal touch that only a human can provide.

This balanced approach paves the way for a more efficient and compelling content creation process. You get to combine the best of both worlds: the computational efficiency of AI and the emotional intelligence and creative flair you bring to the table.

Categories
Best Practices Growth Marketing

Mastering AI for Optimal Content Creation

Mastering AI for Optimal Content Creation

When we discuss artificial intelligence in content creation, we’re often caught up in its output—what it produces. However, comprehending how it gets there is equally illuminating, especially for those who aim to harness its capabilities for more insightful and precise text. There are, essentially, four major elements when an AI model generates text.

The first is the training data, a compilation of extensive and diverse text samples from multiple sources. This is the foundational layer of AI with a broad base of existing knowledge. The role of this data can’t be understated; it serves as the raw material on which all subsequent activity is based.

The next element is the algorithmic interpretation of this data. Unlike the human mind, which comprehends and processes information organically, AI relies on mathematical formulas to sift through its training data. The algorithm identifies patterns, gauges context, and forecasts subsequent text, albeit without real comprehension. Essentially, it excels at determining what text is likely to come next based on statistical probabilities.

Then comes the user input, a crucial pivot in the AI text generation process. When you present a query or a prompt to an AI model, it matches your input against the patterns it has unearthed during its training. This doesn’t mean the AI is surfing the web to find real-time answers; instead, it leverages its internal database of pre-learned information to formulate a relevant response.

Lastly, we reach the output stage, where the AI produces the text after the steps mentioned earlier. The primary objective is to ensure the output is coherent, contextually appropriate, and grammatically sound.

So, why should any of this matter to you? The more you comprehend the intricacies of AI writing, the better equipped you are to fine-tune your queries for more accurate and meaningful responses. Being aware of AI’s capabilities and limitations enables you to tailor your input to elicit detailed output, thus amplifying the quality of the resultant text. So, while AI may not replace the unique qualities of human creativity, it can certainly act as a powerful tool for those who know how to wield it effectively.

Categories
Best Practices Other

How’s This AI World Treating You? Good? Bad? Indifferent? What the Heck is AI?

How’s This AI World Treating You?

Good? Bad? Indifferent?

What the Heck is AI?

 

In the digital whirlwind of modern life, a new breeze has blown so intricately into our daily experiences that it’s sometimes hard to make sense of it. This gust of wind is Artificial Intelligence (AI), and it’s shaping our world in profound, subtle, and undeniably complex ways. But how is this AI world treating us? Are we benefiting from its advancements, grappling with its challenges, or simply indifferent to its pervasive presence? And for those still puzzled by the term, what exactly is AI?

Let’s start at the beginning: AI is the simulation of human intelligence in programmed machines to think like humans and mimic their actions. It’s a broad field that encompasses everything from the voice assistant on your smartphone to the predictive algorithms that recommend your next favorite show on streaming services.

The Good

For many, AI is a boon. It’s the convenience of asking a digital assistant to play your favorite music, the safety of advanced car driver-assistance systems, and the personalization of online shopping experiences. In healthcare, AI helps diagnose diseases with precision that matches and sometimes surpasses human doctors. AI algorithms analyze data for businesses to provide insights that inform strategy and drive growth.

AI’s presence has also given rise to new industries and job opportunities, from machine learning engineers to data annotation specialists. It’s in the way we can now fight climate change more effectively, with AI monitoring environmental data to predict and mitigate disasters.

The Bad

However, not all is rosy in the AI garden. With its growth, privacy, surveillance, and data security concerns have become increasingly pressing. AI systems are only as good as the data they’re fed, and biased data leads to limited outcomes, often perpetuating societal inequalities. The labor market also faces challenges; AI’s ability to automate tasks can lead to job displacement and requires a workforce to adapt to changing skill demands.

There’s a more existential worry: the fear of AI becoming too advanced, encapsulating scenarios where machines surpass human intelligence, popularly known as the singularity. While this is still the stuff of science fiction, it sparks debates about ethics and the future governance of AI. Remember the Borg? Or The Terminator?

The Indifferent

For some, AI’s infiltration into daily life has been met with a shrug. It’s there, it does its job, and life goes on. The silent workings of AI in backend systems, security, and logistics might not demand attention but still impact efficiency and convenience. This segment might not ponder the AI revolution but reaps its benefits through smoother services and better products.

So, What’s the Verdict

The AI world treats us in various ways, and our experiences are as diverse as AI’s applications. It’s crucial to maintain a vigilant yet open-minded perspective. Embrace AI’s benefits, be aware of its challenges, and participate in shaping its role in society. After all, AI, at its core, is a tool, and its impact is primarily determined by how we choose to use it.

AI’s story is still being written, and we hold the pen. So, as we continue to weave AI into the fabric of our lives, let’s ensure that it enhances the human experience, not diminish it. How is this AI world treating you? The answer may be as complex as AI, but it’s a question worth exploring as we stand at the crossroads of a new era.

 

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Best Practices

Become a Master of Change: Transform Your Business with These Five Controversial Tactics

Hey there, fearless entrepreneurs and high-flyers! Baz Porter here, the powerhouse behind R.A.M.S by Baz, where we don’t just talk about success—we make it happen. Today, I’m diving into a topic hotter than a jalapeño in a heatwave: becoming a master of change. You’ve come to the right place if you’re ready to transform your business and leave your competition in the dust. Buckle up because we’ll get natural, raw, and controversial.

1. Own Your Business and Personal Operating System (P.O.S.)

Let’s kick things off with a truth bomb: if you don’t have a solid operating system for your business and personal life, you’re screwed. You’re like a ship without a rudder, drifting aimlessly in a sea of chaos.

The Systematic Approach

I’ve seen it repeatedly—business owners running around like headless chickens, putting out fires left and right. The solution? A defined, organized system for everything from marketing funnels to client interactions. This isn’t just about business; it’s about your life. You need a Personal Operating System (P.O.S.) to stay grounded and focused.

Imagine this: you’re a mighty oak tree in a tempestuous storm of change. With solid roots (your systems), you stand tall and resilient. Without them, you’re a flimsy sapling at the mercy of every gust of wind. Get your systems in place, and watch your ability to handle change skyrocket.

2. Resist FOMO Impulses

Here’s a controversial take: sometimes, being late to the party is better. That’s right, I said it. In a world obsessed with being first, I tell you to chill out and take your time.

The Myth of FOMO

FOMO, or Fear of Missing Out, is a killer. It drives people to make hasty, ill-advised decisions. But here’s the thing: careful, thoughtful, and methodical implementation often leads to greater success and wealth. I’ve made a fortune by coming late to the party and avoiding the stampede of desperate early adopters.

Remember when everyone slapped “A.I.” on everything and watched the dollars roll in? Sure, some got rich quickly, but many crashed and burned just as fast. Don’t be a Walmart shopper at 5 a.m. on Black Friday. Stay cool, be methodical, and watch the competition trip over themselves.

3. Be Cautious About Temporary Conditions

Temporary changes can feel like the end of the world, but overreacting is a surefire way to make permanent mistakes.

The Long Game

Think about the market shifts during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Restaurants pivoted to take-out, and businesses scrambled to adapt. But now, many of those temporary conditions have passed. If you make drastic, irreversible changes, you might regret it.

Every new media was supposed to kill the old ones—TV was going to kill movies, the internet was going to kill everything. Spoiler alert: it didn’t. The lesson here? Don’t overreact to temporary conditions. Stay the course, keep your principles intact, and be ready to pivot back when the storm passes.

4. Have High Immunity to Criticism and Being Laughed At

Let’s get real for a moment. If you’re in business to make everyone like you, you’re in the wrong game. You need a thick skin and a high immunity to criticism.

The Power of Persistence

What works for you? No one else’s opinion should sway that. I don’t use the internet or a cell phone personally, and some people think I’m a dinosaur for it. Do I care? Not one bit. I use every online media for my clients because it works for them, but I choose not to have it as part of my personal life.

Your time is yours, and everything you do should demonstrably earn its keep with ROI. Ignore the naysayers and stick to what you know works. If you let criticism dictate your actions, you’ll never achieve greatness.

5. Principle Governs Strategy, and Strategy Is Applied Through Tactics

Here’s the golden rule of mastering change: have unchangeable principles that guide your strategies. Without principles, you’re just flailing around in the dark.

The Hierarchy of Success

Your principles are your foundation. They govern your strategies, which in turn are executed through tactics. For example, if a principle of your dental practice is never to let a patient slip by, your strategy might include having easy, immediate access to friendly, helpful humans who convert every incoming call into an appointment.

Walt Disney’s principle was to be “THE Happiest Place On Earth.” This guided a portfolio of strategies and prohibited many others. Most business people are tactical to their detriment. If you can’t trace what you’re doing back to a strategy and that strategy back to a principle, you need to rethink your approach.

Master Keys to Riches

Now, let’s unlock the treasure chest. Here are two master keys to getting rich as an entrepreneur and a marketer:

Master Key #1: We Know Nothing

Yes, you heard that right. The most successful entrepreneurs approach every day as “Day One.” They don’t take anything for granted. They know that what worked yesterday might not work today.

Master Key #2: We Test Everything

Never assume you know the outcome. Test, test, and test again. Split-testing in marketing, trying new approaches, and verifying your strategies are essential. For example, I once increased conversions by 40% just by having salespeople speak with British accents instead of American ones.

You’ve explored the realm of transformation, discovering that true mastery of change often requires embracing bold, unconventional tactics. Let’s recap the five game-changing strategies that can propel your business to new heights:

  1. Break the Rules: Ditch the traditional playbook and forge your path. Innovation thrives in environments where boundaries are pushed.
  2. Prioritize People Over Processes: Empower your team by focusing on their growth and well-being. Exceptional results come from motivated, inspired individuals.
  3. Leverage Disruption: Take advantage of market disruptions. Stay ahead of the curve by anticipating change and responding with agility.
  4. Embrace Failure: View failures as opportunities for growth and learning. Each setback is a stepping stone toward greater success.
  5. Cultivate Radical Transparency: Foster a culture of openness and honesty. Transparent communication builds trust and drives collective progress.

These tactics may be controversial, but they can revolutionize your business. Now, it’s time to take action and transform these insights into reality. Your business’s future lies in your willingness to embrace change and lead with courage.

Call to Action: The Adventure Call

Are you ready to become a master of change and transform your business? Step into the CEO Impact Zone, where you’ll receive expert guidance tailored to your unique challenges and goals. This isn’t just a consultation—it’s your gateway to unlocking unprecedented success.

Click here to embark on your transformative journey: The Adventure Call

Seize the opportunity to lead with boldness and innovation. Let’s make your vision a reality together.

Categories
Best Practices Leadership Negotiating

Why “A Man in Full” Reinforces the Need for the Art of Feminine Negotiation

The new highly anticipated Netflix series, “A Man in Full”, demonstrates the desperate need for a new reframe on negotiation success. In fact, watching the show reminded me why I launched my mission for the Art of Feminine Negotiation. ™

While the series should play as a parody of masculine toxicity, sadly, it rings true for much of what passes as strong leadership these days. Whether it’s the business tycoon, the banking hotshot, the simpering loans officer, the mayor, or legal counsel, the male leads can hardly be called protagonists. Each in their own way are antagonists or anti-heros, displaying behaviour that is neither acceptable nor productive.

The men in the show put on a full-on display of toxic masculine conditioning run amok. Not surprisingly, there is an inordinate amount of references to balls and pricks with a corresponding number of F-bombs or derivatives thereof thrown into the mix. The language reflects the behaviour.

The men brag about their relative abilities to ‘kick another man’s ass’ (both literally and figuratively) and are hell-bent on destruction of their ‘opponents’. Ego and testosterone abound in virtually every interaction between the males in the show. As in real life, this does not end well.

Respect and dignity are not a factor in their negotiations. In fact, the over-riding goal in almost every negotiation featured appears to be the humiliation and belittling of the other side. Brutish bullying seems to be the go-to modus operandi even when it’s to the character’s detriment.

Winning is everything, but unfortunately their concepts of winning do not allow for best outcomes. Taking the most aggressive path is always chosen even when it doesn’t best serve the party taking that approach. Charlie Croker (played by Jeff Daniels) brags that ‘I may be a sore loser sometimes, but I’m a vicious winner’ as if this is a sign of his superior business acumen.

Don’t get me wrong. The production is fabulous, and the acting is exceptional. It’s the message I take issue with. I expect the hope is that the audience will see the folly in the traditional competitive and polarizing approach to negotiating (in business and life) and choose a better path – a more collaborative, creative path to a better future. Heck, that’s the point of the Art of Feminine Negotiation™ – to truly seek to understand and meet the needs of the other party in our interactions and negotiations. But I fear that the audience will take away the opposite lesson, believing that emulating this toxic, divisive behaviour is somehow a sign of power and success.

Allow me to spin some better lessons to take away from the show:

1. Surrender ego for better negotiated outcomes. Bumper-car egos are an impediment to good negotiating. Parking ego when approaching a negotiation will virtually always make space for better resolutions.
2. Build rapport and trust and with it, better results. Effective negotiation is all about connection. Personalized attacks destroy the possibility of connection that allows for bigger and better opportunities.
3. Empathy is key to getting to the heart of the matter and opening space for unexpected wins for all.
4. Holding all your cards to your chest (rather than allowing for transparency and vulnerability) may preclude your ability to find the real deal.
5. Be willing to be flexible. Staying too attached to one particular outcome precludes your ability to see better possibilities lying on the table for the having.
6. Aggressiveness is not the same as assertiveness. The former shows a lack of confidence in your knowledge of the subject whereas the latter comes from effective preparation and intention in showing up as the best version of yourself.
7. Curiosity is more effective than bullying in negotiations.
8. Everyone wants to feel seen and heard. Shutting down either is not an effective way to get your best result.
9. Integrity matters in negotiation and in life. I mean this in both sense of the word. Sacrificing our moral code inevitably backfires as does coming from a place not in keeping with our core values.
10. Machismo is not strength. In fact, the so-called ‘soft skills’ are the strongest way to best outcomes.

Hope these simple tips give some value in approaching your next negotiation.

Cindy

Categories
Best Practices Personal Development Strategy

How to Find the Right Executive Coach for You: An Unconventional Guide

Hello, ambitious leaders! Let’s cut to the chase. Finding an executive coach isn’t just about boosting your leadership skills or expanding your network; it’s about choosing a partner in your journey toward self-mastery and professional greatness. Today, I’m diving into the crux of this challenge, mixing a dash of controversy with a spoonful of humor while educating you with the principles of R.A.M.S—Results, Attitude, Mastery, and Systems. Ready to pick a coach who’s not just a guide but a game changer? Buckle up!

Identify Your Goals and Needs

Start by asking the big questions—and no, I don’t mean, “What’s the meaning of life?” (We’ll save that for another day.) I’m talking about: What do you want to achieve with coaching? Better communication? Stress management? Or perhaps you want to wield the charisma that could convince a cat to bark?

Knowing your goals isn’t just step one; it’s the foundation. In my R.A.M.S approach, we don’t just set goals—we chase them down, pin them to the ground, and tickle them until they give up their secrets. You can only find a truly equipped coach to guide you to victory by understanding your aims.

Look for Relevant Experience

This is where things get spicy. Don’t just look for any coach; seek out a coach who’s walked the path of fire—preferably in dragon-proof boots. You want someone who’s navigated the corporate jungles and emerged with their sense of humor intact. For example, if you’re a tech wizard, a coach who thinks Python is just a snake might not be the best fit for you.

Check for Credentials and Certifications

Sure, a coach with a wall of certifications might seem impressive, but let’s not confuse quantity with quality. Look for certifications that matter—the ones that scream “I’ve mastered this!” rather than just “I attended a seminar.” In the R.A.M.S framework, we emphasize Mastery, not just participation. Seek out coaches accredited by bodies like the International Coach Federation (ICF) because you want a coach who’s a black belt in leadership, not a white hat in attendance.

Look for a Good Fit

Now, for the fun part! Finding a coach isn’t like swiping right, hoping for a perfect match. This is more serious—it’s about finding someone whose vibes don’t just tickle your fancy; they light up your entire leadership circuitry. The right coach should resonate with your personality, challenge your ideas, and maybe even finish your sentences. It’s a relationship, after all, and every great relationship is built on understanding and a bit of mind-reading, right?

Ask for Referrals

Talk about controversial! Some say it’s not what you know but who you know. I say it’s who will vouch for you when the chips are down. Tap into your network. Ask the tough questions of those who’ve walked this path before you. And listen—not just to the successes, but to the tales of woe too. They often hold the juiciest insights.

Evaluate the Coaching Process

Before you sign on the dotted line, understand the battlefield. What’s the coach’s strategy? Is there a plan, or are they just winging it? In the R.A.M.S methodology, Systems are key. Without a system, you’re just a wandering nomad. Look for a coach with a clear, structured approach that matches your style—be it weekly check-ins, action items, or spontaneous midnight motivational calls (hey, we all need them sometimes).

Conclusion

Choosing the right executive coach is a quest—think of it as your personal Odyssey. It’s about more than finding someone who can merely advise; it’s about finding a catalyst to thrust you into the stratosphere of professional achievement and personal growth. Remember, the road to finding a great coach is paved with questions; the more you ask, the more precise your path will become.

And finally, keep your humor about you. The journey might be challenging, but with the right coach, you’ll not only survive—you’ll thrive, laugh, and maybe even conquer the world (or at least the boardroom). Here’s to finding your coach, your champion, and perhaps, your most formidable ally.

Ready to Ignite Your Leadership Journey?

Don’t just dream about excellence—make it your reality! Schedule your Adventure Call with Baz today and start crafting your path to success. Dive deep into the R.A.M.S method with Baz and discover how targeted coaching can transform your career and your entire outlook. Your adventure awaits—are you ready to answer the call?

Schedule Your Adventure Call with Baz Now