Why is it that some business owners seem to thrive no matter what the economy is doing? Studies show that, in this kind of shifting economic climate, those who collaborate are stronger and will have a greater chance of remaining successful.
There’s a sure fire, proven strategy that that taps into the power of collaboration and supercharges it. This tactic has been used successfully by the savviest entrepreneurs for nearly 300 years!
It's been used to create powerful business collaborations – relationships that, in our new economic reality, will help you hang in and take the best actions to keep on succeeding.
This strategy is an “open secret” among those top earning and most successful business leaders that we all admire and try to emulate. It’s called a Mastermind Group. Consistent collaboration with accomplished allies is a time tested and powerful strategy guaranteed to help you reach and exceed your goals. Learn more about the magic of mastermind groups here.
ABOUT THE NANCY'S
Nancy Gerber
It’s no small wonder Nancy Gerber is known as the “Connection Magician.” From solopreneurs to CEO’s, high tech consultants to artists, chiropractors to community organizations, she has a knack for empowering her clients to discover their authentic selves, build robust relationships and bond with their larger community.
Her on-line community, Marketing Mambo.com, “The Dance of Connection That Creates Lifetime Customers – One Step At a Time”, was created for unconventional entrepreneurs who want to find and keep their best customers without loosing their souls.
A Professional Certified Coach since 1999, Nancy is an internationally published writer and Certified Teleconference Leader who has facilitated hundreds of learning programs over the phone for thousands of people all over the world. She is also a popular speaker who has given presentations on three continents.
With over 35 years of experience as a coach, consultant and educator, from her background and training in Psychology to her work with some of today’s most high profile marketing and business experts, this lady is all about connection.
Nancy Spivey
People call Nancy Spivey “The Real Deal”. An insightful visionary, Nancy has the rare ability to implement practical practices that help her clients turn their intentions into action.
The CEO and founder of Atlanta-based Transformation Consultants, Inc., Nancy is genetically wired to hold the reins. From parents to grandparents to cousins, all are successful entrepreneurs. At age 14, when her business owner Uncle handed her a copy of The Power of Positive Thinking, it set in motion an already determined young woman. From her first glass etching business at 19 to a highly successful coaching and training company, Nancy discovered early on that change is inevitable but transformation is a choice.
“It’s not about what happens to you. It’s what you do about what happens to you that is life altering,” Nancy says. Whether it’s facing your fears or driving your ideas to the finish line, Nancy’s balance of knowing her clients “essence” and putting into motion deliberate, laser beam-like plans for action make this “Real Deal” woman a sought after speaker, coach and consultant.
She has helped thousands of clients from such diverse categories as Real Estate, Staffing, Sales and Marketing and Technology transform their lives and business through an innate ability to cut through the chaff and get down to what matters.
MASTERMIND Q&A
1. What exactly is a Mastermind group?
A Mastermind Group is a specially selected group of people with similar intentions who meet regularly to help each other achieve their goals.
Mastermind Groups have been the “secret weapon” of success-oriented business owners ever since Ben Franklin started the first one back in 1727! Napoleon Hill re-introduced the idea in his classic 1937 book, “Think and Grow Rich.”
2. How is a Mastermind Group different from networking, leads groups, professional organizations, or getting individual coaching?
Professional associations, leads groups and similar gatherings all serve an important purpose, BUT they’re NOT Mastermind Groups. These are all about networking and marketing – and you must “put on a good face”.
You don’t want to appear incompetent or unsuccessful to peers and potential clients, so you just smile and say “everything’s fine”.
Yes, many of us have trusted coaches, consultants and mentors – another great resource, but this is only a one-on-one only relationship.
3. How do Mastermind groups work?
Brain trust of multiple minds that generates exponential results for YOUR business.
Every member gets attention at every meeting – and all members together contribute to the “magical” experience by investing their time and energy – instead of their revenues -- working on each others’ businesses. Imagine this power of multiple minds all working "on" YOUR business.
Members share resources, skills, knowledge that would otherwise cost mucho $
Members hold each other accountable
Safe space of trust, complete confidentiality, honesty
Long term commitment
Can be different formats – in person, teleconference, retreat, weekly, monthly, etc.
4. What are the benefits of participating in a Mastermind Group? With time & energy at such a premium, and so much to be done, why would an entrepreneur want to take the time away form their business to spend time in a Mastermind group?
Anyone who’s an entrepreneur knows the challenges we face, such as:
Never enough time to get all the important stuff done – feel like you’re always behind the 8 ball.
Juggling and often dropping balls
Challenge of prioritizing when it’s all important and urgent
Time management
Work life balance
Handling all the categories of the business -- 1 person show -- one person handling multiple tasks – must do everything
Disappointing Cash flow – missed opportunities because of overwhelm
BENEFITS:
Improved focus, driving tasks to completion more quickly
Saving lots of $ by getting assistance, advice, support from other members
Input that can save you time, energy & money – keep you in the right direction
Multiple minds, your own “board of directors”, exponential results
Sharing wisdom and resources
Atmosphere of trust and confidentiality – tell the truth about what’s going on and get the right kind of advice
5. Why aren’t more people participating in Mastermind Groups?
Some people think they don’t have anything to offer or contribute
Others feel that it would be too difficult to find the right kind of people that are willing to share ideas and resources and contribute to them
We talk to people all the time that are feeling overwhelmed, overloaded, uncertain and maybe even a bit depressed right now. They are in transition trying to figure out new business models to make things work in this new market. They feel this isn’t the best time to be involved in a Mastermind Group because they don’t have much to bring to the table right now. This is actually the BEST time to join a Mastermind Group!
6. How has participating in Mastermind groups impacted your own businesses? Why do you do it?
Spivey -- Good enough is good enough (vs. perfection)
Accountable to timelines and deadlines that don’t grind me down
More time and space
Still & stagnant and now I’m my own little tornado of ideas
Team up to create new projects that generate revenue that I never would have thought of – or been able to execute timely on my own
Gerber -- More focused
There is congruency and consistency in my message and all my products and programs
I’ve developed an identity and a brand that people recognize and respond to
I’m seen as an expert and that generates lots more revenue and opportunities
I have more time to spend doing what I love and pursuing other activities such as my singing, and I’m getting to spend more time with my family, which is very important to me
7. How do you find people you can trust?
Confidentiality agreement, code of ethics, core principles – we address these in great depth in our program – no time now to go in depth but here are a few tips
Consider people and organizations you are already involved in
Look and the qualities of the people who have been working with – who would you like to be involved with in a committed group?
Who has shown themselves to be discreet, honest, uplifting?