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

Eschew the memes. That is, don’t get caught in the whirlpool of Great Resignation, Quietly Quitting, Toxic Work Environment, and all the rest of this nonsense. I’ve already seen “Remote Delivery Consultants” and “Great Resignation Coaches.”

People don’t leave organizations, they leave individuals. Look for the patterns to determine who are driving people away. Help your clients reward people who excel and provide negative consequences for people who don’t bother to do more than the minimum. Organizations exist to have customers, not to solely have employees who demand every grievance be satisfied.

Unemployment is at virtually zero and everyone is advertising for staff. Don’t support hiring “bodies” just to fill positions. Find competent people who are enthusiastic and can be properly educated.

If the Great Resignation (which I call an “existential jailbreak”) were real, there are going to be a lot of people sleeping in their parents’ basements or on friends’ couches.

Q&A

“The hospital CEO tells me she’s the buyer, but also says that all of our agreements have to go to the board for approval. Do I leave this with her, or try to see the board?”

—Marsha Centano

The board is the buyer. They approve the funding. The CEO clearly doesn’t have a discretionary budget. Suggest that you meet with at least the board chair, because otherwise the CEO will be asked questions by the board that she won’t be able to answer and she and the project will be jeopardized. It’s best if the board votes on the basis of a familiar face and not someone they’ve never met. Tell her “it’s always worked out better this way.” Make it in her own self-interest.

“I contribute about 70% of the household income plus about 90% of our kids’ care (school prep and homework, shopping, errands, etc.). My husband of 20 years feels that my work (I’m a small business coach) is unimportant and that I’m not qualified for it in any case. He will not help me with my business or with the household chores. How do I convince him otherwise?”

—Sarah Williams

You need to both go to counseling. It’s hard to make headway with someone who thinks his partner supporting the family is doing unimportant work that she’s not good at!! In all candor, if he won’t go to counseling or pays it only lip service, I’d have him move out. You don’t need this, and it certainly isn’t about love or the family. Don’t rule out a divorce. This is sheer obstinacy and disrespect. It’s abusive.

Send your questions to me at [email protected]

Developmental Stuff

Speaking with Alan

One of my most popular courses over the years, learn how to develop, market, deliver, and charge for a superb keynote speech based upon your expertise. Whether you’re new to speaking or a veteran, this will put you in the top tier

Alan’s Coaching Confidential Newsletter™

Sign up to receive my unique, monthly, highly targeted newsletter which will contain inventive coaching methodology, case studies, and strange experiences in the coaching trade! I’ve coached thousands of business executives and entrepreneurs globally. Write me for a sample copy: [email protected], subject line: Sample Confidential.

Meet Me in 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 will 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. At the Baglioni Hotel, across from Hyde and Kensington Parks.

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.

Beyond Thought Leadership

I’m bringing six experts and huge successes from five countries, spanning the globe, to a 2.5 session with a series of 90-minute interviews I’ll conduct, plus new IP and case studies. The seventh interview will be with me. Nothing else like this, and it’s far too difficult to coordinate schedules to do it again. So it’s now or never. Learn from your peers how they have scaled their business and built great lives. One seat remains. W Hotel, South Beach, Miami.