Our mission is to spark new thinking and ideas for creating a thriving business and rewarding life.

An Era’s Change

As we move into 2023 we ought to recognize that this is more than the change of a year. It’s part of an ongoing change in an era.

We’ve emerged from a long period, post-World War II, wherein that generation (“Boomers”) is aging and retiring or changing direction. Moreover, the “western” values of doing well, getting promoted, raising an intact family, empty nest, and so one has been greatly de-emphasized. The traditional transference of values generationally has been via the family dinner table, schools, and religion. All three are vanishing or held in far lower esteem today.

About 40 percent of children born in the US over the past year were born out of wedlock, and about 35 percent of all marriages end in divorce by the 20^th anniversary. Amidst rising crime there are calls to “defund the police.” Around the world, tyrants are threatening with nuclear arms—in China, Russia, North Korea, Iran.

Finally, a record-breaking transfer or wealth is occurring as the Reagan-era IRA legislation requires that those Boomers begin withdrawing funds which will go to children or philanthropies. This is the largest trans-generational transfer of wealth in history.

So, don’t expect just another new year.

Q&A

“Some prospects at successful companies—where you point out, correctly, is where the wealth is—simply say to me, ‘We’re great, all’s going quite well, I have no issues or areas of concern.’ How do I respond to that?”

—Vanessa Gomez

Tell them that’s what most of your best clients have said, just before investing to innovate further. Ask this question: “If the board gave you a million dollars tomorrow, what would you do with it? Would you return it because you have no use for it, or would you put it to good use somewhere?” Most buyers will then say, “I’d improve the physical plant,” or “I’d hire more call center people,” or “I’d improve our technology” and then you have your answer about key issues. Remember that improvement is a key issue, not merely problem solving.

“My agreement was to be paid 50% of my fee on commencement. Three weeks later I’ve received nothing although my work is ongoing. The buyer says that it’s coming, accounting is slow. Do I take that on faith or make an issue of it?”

—Victor Berkeley

You make an issue of it immediately. Right now you’re enabling the delay by continuing to work and provide value. Your only leverage is to stop working. Tell the buyer you know he or she can write a manual check if needed, and you’re a small business dependent on cash flow per agreements. Don’t talk to anyone in accounting or accounts payable. Tell your buyer that the company is in violation of a legal and ethical agreement.

Send your questions to me at [email protected]

Developmental Stuff

Speaking with Alan

My most popular offering on professional speaking, and the best experience in the world for improving your skills and raising your fees. Join a small group of people for 2.5 days with me in Miami to learn how to quickly develop, market, price, and deliver a superb keynote speech. Imagine impressing a room full of buyers in just an hour of your time and being paid quite well for it! I offer this once a year at most, register now before we’re filled.

Alan’s Coaching Confidential Newsletter™

Sign up to receive my unique, monthly, highly targeted newsletter which contains inventive coaching methodology, case studies, and strange experiences in the coaching trade! I’ve coached thousands of business executives and entrepreneurs globally.

Million Dollar Consulting® for the World

I’ve provided 14 modules with videos from me, from your colleagues globally, slides, and text. They include everything from launch to self-esteem, proposals to fees, closing business to creating a brand. No upsells! It’s only $115. What do you think about a 10,000:1 ROI? We have over 500 people from 47 countries.

NEW: MASTER MASTER CLASS

On March 21-23 (2.5 days) I’m offering a unique session into my own success and techniques, and how I see things that others don’t, enabling rapid agreements and high-fee, low-labor projects. Can you identify patterns and contradictions in others’ behavior? Can you respond “in the moment” with a pithy example or quote? Can you produce social proof immediately for your ideas and approaches? Can you readily identify the most likely influence on a prospect? I can, and I’ll show you how in this intense session that’s going to be one-time only. You can attend this in person or virtually! $5,000, includes most meals (but not virtually!).

Four seats remain!

MILLION DOLLAR MATURITY

Million Dollar Maturity: Exploiting Your Most Successful Years. Why and how you should be more productive and demand higher fees as you mature.

Are you over 50 years of age? Or are you someone aspiring to someday be over 50 years of age? If so, then this experience is for you. If not, then go back to the garden and “Law and Order” reruns. I know a lot of people who retired at age 65 (or even younger) and are sitting around collecting a pension, social security, and their personal retirement withdrawals. They are tending a garden, careful about spending with their fixed incomes, and hang out with people just like themselves. They call it “the golden years.”

I call it “waiting around to die.”

SENTIENT STRATEGY

SENTIENT STRATEGY, my new book, will be released in March. It’s a revolutionary approach being facilitated by over 70 people in five countries. Here’s how you can reserve advanced copies of the book and gain bonuses for doing so.