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

We continue the question and answer format this month. Please send your questions to me at [email protected].

Opening Thought

In a little more than 60 days the US “off-year” elections will be held, in which all 435 House seats and 34 of the Senate seats will be contested. Currently, the Democrats have a slim majority of 12 in the House. There are 50 Republican Senators, 48 Democratic, and 2 Independents who tend to vote Democratic.

Depending largely on inflation but also on trust in the President, supply chain issues, covid, immigration, abortion, Ukraine, and other major issues, the elections could either enlarge the Democratic majority or completely reverse it in both Houses. Off-year elections have two consistent features: The party of the President usually loses seats, and there is a very low voter turnout (about 40%, vs. 60% in presidential elections).

This election affects people far beyond the US. My advice to you in the consulting profession is to stay out of politics when engaging your clients, prepare for either party gaining and the ensuing likely policy effects on business (more or less regulation, more or fewer taxes, etc.).

You and your clients should control what you can control.

Family Emergency

“My buyer has a child who was in a bad automobile accident. He’s been away and out of touch for two weeks. I have a proposal pending. What is an ethical and polite way to check on progress, or do I just sit back and wait?”

—Wynn Mulrooney

This is more common than most people think (in the age of covid)—a family issue removing a buyer from the organization for some period of time. I would do two things, maybe three: First, talk to the buyer’s assistant or secretary, as if you can have a home address to send a note of support, or if you can send it to the assistant to be forwarded. While doing so, ask if there is a scheduled return date and/or if the assistant knows of the proposal’s status. Second, send that note of support with any help you can, i.e., a doctor specializing in a relevant field you know, or a rehab center. The “maybe” third: IF you know any of the buyer’s peers personally, contact them to see if you can be of help and casually mention the proposal.

Vacation Isolation

“I tell my clients when I go on vacation for two weeks (usually twice a year) that I’m not reachable, it’s family time. I make an appointment, however, for when I return. I’ve been told this is rather aloof. I consider it prized personal time. What do you think?”

—Ralph Voorheese

This is a matter of personal style and taste, but here’s my style and taste: I’m writing this response sitting in a beachfront house in Nantucket. I check my email twice a day and respond where necessary, and I give certain clients my cell phone and assure them I’m happy to talk “from the beach” 9-3 US eastern time. Of course, I also think nothing about jumping in the pool at home at 1 pm on a weekday, or playing Frisbee with the dog, or having a cigar and scotch in my library. You have one life, not a “work life and personal life.” So I’d lighten up. (My wife usually comes down to the beach around two hours after I’m there and asks if I’ve paid for the vacation yet on any phone calls!)

Send your questions to me at [email protected]

I’m pleased to bring three unique experiences to your attention.

Coaching Confidential

Subscribe to my new monthly newsletter, Alan Weiss’s Coaching Confidential™ beginning in September. The charter subscription is only $100 annually. Every issue will have a case study, a humorous or bizarre coaching adventure, and contemporary coaching methodology. You can sign up here:

Return to Australia

I’ll be making my 19th trip in October, this time to Brisbane, to present a week of unique offerings from passive income and global “reach” to a new strategy approach. Join me and your peers for my latest value to grow your business and decrease your labor facing our “new realities.” There is limited seating capacity.

Return to London

I’ll be hosting a two-day, high-level discussion of likely business futures globally, financial considerations, global passive income, the new realities of sales, new approaches to strategy, and so forth. There would be a limit of eight people. I’ll also conduct a full-day experience for a larger group, probably a limit of 30, for an entire day which will address new approaches to value based fees, the five essential short-term revenue generators, role playing difficult conversations, the advanced Accelerant Curve, and scaling the practice.

Schedule:
November 29: General Session, 9 to 4.
November 30 and December 1: Intimate Session, 9-4 both days.