Who helps you think better?

Just recently I met with my board of directors and it was anything but boring! Do you have a group of like-minded, same level leaders to help you tweak, morph and grow?

Something that can be of huge value to you, and be a lot of fun too, is creating a Mastermind group or a Board of Directors for your business. These two are similar however not the same, though what you call your advisors (yet another name you can use) is totally up to you.

For the Ultimate Leadership Adventure we are creating Mastermind Groups and of all, I’ve done and experienced that’s my favourite and one I think accomplishes the most, so of course, that’s what we’re creating!

How to use this amazing gift?

1. Know the common denominator. Many times Masterminds or advisory boards don’t work or get boring because there isn’t a common language. Yes, you seem to be there for the same thing however if you all come without some shared experience or knowledge base, much time can be wasted attempting to learn each other’s point of view.
2. Be clear on the parameters of the sessions. In the work I do with leaders, we set up expectations and come up with what we call Level 5 agreements. Knowing EXACTLY how the time with go, who gets how many minutes and how each party can support the others is key to having success.
3. Believe in your partners. A Mastermind is mostly about holding each of the parties in the group as fully capable of anything and everything they desire. We have all had people in our lives that had more belief in our ability than we did and that’s what this group is for. Total belief that the other members are able and capable to accomplish whatever is determined by them.  

During the Ultimate Leadership Adventure, the Mastermind Groups will have the opportunity to follow results driven path so their small group time together is of most benefit. You can do this by setting up a clear agenda and creating something that serves you all.

Come join other successful savvy trailblazers and get in a Mastermind that will rock your world here

 Blessings,
 Shawna Schuh, CSP 

Attending an event where you know there will be influencers and buyers or potential partners can be fraught with peril – unless you plan!

Pets And Money is going to be an awesome event yet, how you feel about it and the results you glean from it have a lot to do with how you prepare before you get there.

Following are a few tips to make the summit, or any networking event one where afterward you actually say, “This was the best thing I ever did for my business!”

Step 1 – Define your goals

And meeting great people isn’t what I’m talking about – You’ll do that naturally when you bring your best self to the party.

What do you really want? Define this and you’re already close to getting it.

Who (exactly) do you want to meet?

What topics will gain you a competitive edge?

And I don’t mean do this in a general way, write down your goals and the people you most want to connect with – magic seems to happen the clearer you are.

Step 2 – Plan your time and attention

Now that you know your goals, it will be easy to plan your day, from sessions you want to take, people to look for or make appointments with and what you will ask when you’re there.

Set up your calendar so that you have the goal items in first, then fill in or leave open additional slots that you can determine what to do with closer or on the day to fill.

You want to leave a little wiggle room for the perfect person you will meet in line, or on the shuttle bus or bathroom. (I’ve met some key people in all those places!)

Step 3 – Check your focus

If this is a ME Show for you, you’ll not have as good as an experience as you will if you make it a THEM Show.

Yes you are going to market YOU – and yes you have a compelling story and good business, however, no one wants to be bombarded with information, even if it’s good.

This is what most people do poorly at networking events, conferences and trade shows. They jump into selling themselves and their ideas before they have determined if they are:

1. Talking to the correct person
2. A person who has interest
3. That what you have would help or serve them

So get your ASK on! When you ask the right questions, people open up to you and you can determine if they are a fit for your goals.

Step 4 – Bring your Best Self

This means you are informed, confident, willing to listen and learn. You have the materials you need and enough business cards as well as clothing that helps you shine.

The first impression someone has of your business or idea is you. You have all you need if you simply think before you act.

Pets And Money looks like it’s going to be an amazing place to network. I’m going and so is the new Pet Industry Woman of the Year, Dr. Judy Morgan, DVM who will be speaking – now she’s an impressive person to meet!

If you’re going and we connect, I look forward to learning about you and finding out how I can be of service to you and if you want to become a masterful networker, make sure you check out what we’re doing in 2019 at the Ultimate Leadership Adventure!

Blessings, Shawna

 Blessings,
 Shawna Schuh, CSP 

Is Your Business Self-Managing?

This week I’m actually at a business retreat in Hawaii. Tough life I have, I know…

And this ezine is still being delivered, the horses and pets still being fed and business is still getting done. How does that happen without stress or concern?

There are various things that help you have and enjoy a self-managing business. (A term coined if I’m not mistaken by Dan Sullivan of Strategic Coach.)

Here are the top three things to get in place so you have the support you need.

1. Know your needs – each business has need of a support system – from assistance to IT and legal. Naming these components and having a plan to get people in the right role is key. (We have an entire section on creating support systems in the upcoming Ultimate Leadership Adventure) 
2. Hire right by using criteria. Many leaders find good people and put them to work, rather than determining the criteria for a role and hiring for that. The right people in the wrong role can derail your business, especially when you are away. 
3. Lay out the path to follow. Processes and systems make doing business better because there is a tried and true path to follow. Going over and tweaking processes and thinking is one of the top things I do with my coaching clients. When your processes are superb, the team can do superb work!

The joy and happiness I feel knowing I have surrounded myself with smart people, who know their roles and how to follow the processes and systems they helped create is wonderful. What happens when I go away? Nothing out of the ordinary at home so I can do extraordinary adventures while away!

Check out the Ultimate Leadership Adventure here  so you can experience the same thing.

 Blessings,
 Shawna Schuh, CSP 

The 2018 Pet Industry Woman of the Year, Dr. Judy Morgan, DVM will be speaking at the upcoming Pets And Money on December 6th in Austin, Texas.