Leadership Strategy - Do you know the secret to overcoming resistance to your leadership?

Leadership Strategy - Do you know the secret to overcoming resistance to your leadership?
My black quarter horse mare, April is challenging my
leadership skills today. I'm asking for what should be a
very simple action; go around on the lunge line in a walk,
trot and lope. When going around I want her to tip her head
slightly to the inside of the circle facing me. Instead she
wants to travel with her head turned to the outside of the
circle away from me.

No matter how many times I pull her head into the circle
she pulls it back to the outside, resisting my leadership.
She has a long slim neck and can easily turn her head to
the inside if she chooses. But instead she faces me only if
I use force her and then immediately turns away as soon as
I release the pressure.

We play her game of resist, pull and give in to the
pressure for the next 15 minutes and I find that my
patience is waning and my temper getting the best of my
leadership abilities.

Slowing myself down and regaining my patience I use my
problem solving skills and check to see if April has any
physical problems that would keep her from doing her job.
Once I've checked her back, legs, neck and body for any
sensitivity, I decide there's no physical reason for her to
turn her head out when it should be turned in.

So why is she resisting this simple task? If there's no
physical reason, it's entirely in her mind.

We continue our pull and resist and I decide it's time to
get more creative. Attaching a lead rope to the side ring
on her halter I pull it just tight enough to force her to
turn her head to the inside.

She immediately braces her neck setting up resistance in
her face and body. Rather than settling down and giving to
the pressure of the rope she pulls hard and fast jerking it
out of my hand. Jumping after her I grab the end of the
lunge line before she runs away with it. In a panic April
resists fast and furious and stops just short of going over
backwards.

Because I don't want to turn this into a clash of wills and
set us both up for failure I determine to quit for today.
My leadership strategy is push and then back off to give
her some space, keeping in mind my end goal rather than the
skirmish of the day. Pushing her too far past her comfort
zone only makes for more delay in achieving that goal.

It's time to give her some release so I untie the rope and
walking slightly to her side and rear I keep her moving by
applying body pressure. Asking her to trot and then lope,
her body shows me she is still resisting but at least she's
moving.

A few minutes and she's beginning to relax but I can see
it's going to take several days of this before she's ready
to turn her face to the inside of the circle without
coaxing and working her into it.

Having met our goal for the day I inwardly review the steps
that I've taken with April to get her past her mind
resistance.

1.As her leader I determine if the resistance is in her
mind or body

2.Since it's her mind that's in resistance mode I
physically put her into a position where she's safe but
that forces her to move in the right frame

3.I insist that she move around by applying pressure to her
hind quarters but I don't push her beyond what she can
mentally handle. Instead I push her just enough - then back
off giving her space

4.Next I repeat the process calmly and consistently until
we have reached our goal for the day. The way to get her
through her resistance is to lead her through it safely but
insistently and consistently.

Just as with April, our leadership of individuals may
require the same process. The person may have all the
skills and abilities they need to perform a role but
feelings of fear and uncertainty can cause them to resist
and freeze up.

They are physically and mentally capable but their mind is
in resistance mode. The feelings of resistance are neither
good nor bad but just feelings. It's important to use
appropriate leadership strategies to help them push through
their resistance rather than allow it to control them.
Determine a leadership strategy that gives them a step by
step process to overcome their resistance and reach a
successful conclusion.

----------------------------------------------------
Jean Starling holds an MBA in International Business and is
an Author, Business Strategist and Executive Coach. Go to
http://www.leaderstakingthereins.com to get your Free
Leadership Home Study Course and learn how to be the leader
that people want to follow. Contact Jean at
mailto:jean@leaderstakingthereins.com .

Are You Following The 'Will You Marry Me?' Approach to marketing Your PT Business?

Are You Following The 'Will You Marry Me?' Approach to marketing Your PT Business?
Over the last couple of years I've dedicated a lot of time
to doing appraisals of the marketing materials that much of
the Personal Training industry is currently using in an
effort to gain a better understanding of why so many
trainers are still seriously struggling to grow their
businesses.

I've looked at thousands upon thousands of web pages,
blogs, brochures and all the other paraphernalia associated
with 'getting clients' and to be honest, I've been shocked
at what I found.

You see, with the almost unlimited resources available to
personal trainers today, I expected to find marketing
materials that would capture my imagine, tantalise me,
persuade me and get me to think 'Wow, that sounds great,
where do I sign up?'

But that wasn't the case at all.

In fact, those sites were so few and far between that I can
count them on one hand.

No, there was one theme that kept on coming through again,
and again and again and it can be summed up in four words.
Will - You - Marry - Me? (Yes, I know that sounds a
little strange but bear with me...)

You see, most of the sites I looked at were the marketing
equivalent of a stranger walking up to you in a bar and
asking "Will you marry me?"

No pre-amble, no (as we say in the UK 'chat up lines') or
anything else.

Now I don't know what it's like where you come from but in
pretty much ANYWHERE on the planet this approach is likely
to get, you at the very least, some strange looks and an
answer in the negative and, in many places a slap in the
mouth and a sentence ending in 'off'!

If, on the other hand, you strike up a friendly
conversation, build some rapport, go on a few low-key,
no-commitment dates, build trust and develop a relationship
and THEN ask the same question then your chances are MUCH
higher that you'll get the 'Yes' that you're hoping for
right? (Sure, you might still get a No but probably not the
slap)

Well, marketing is no different!

Especially the marketing of your PT services where the
development of a long-term relationship of trust is both
desired and required...

And yet, as I said, MOST Personal Training websites just
dive straight in there with the proposal.

No wonder most of 'em aren't producing results and
attracting clients!

Where are the dates?

Where's the trust?

Where's relationship development?

(Now you really think I've gone mad, after all, this is
just a website we're talking about here!)

The thing is, if you really want your marketing to work, to
truly attract the clients that you're absolutely committed
to working with, the people that you're passionate about,
the people who respect your profession, your advice and
your time and the people who're more than happy to pay you
every penny that you're worth, then you've got to stop with
the 'wham bam thankyou ma'am' approach (Yep, I know it's a
bit crude but in all honesty, this is what most marketing
is) and take your prospects on a few dates.

What do I mean?

For a start, show them the town.

YOUR town.

Give them the guided tour of your services, your systems,
your techniques.

Use words that are meaningful and demonstrate caring and
professionalism rather than 'At Jimmy-Joe-Bob's Personal
Training Centre we focus on functional training...." This
means nothing!

Shower them with gifts.

Everyone loves presents. In fact, there is no quicker way
to show a person that you care than by giving them
something that they want, like and can enjoy owning.

Do you give sample diets, workouts, e-books, reports,
audios, videos... all of the above?

If you're not then you're really missing out on the chance
to develop some high quality 'bonding time' with your
prospective clients.

Why?

Well it's obvious!

Only friends give gifts don't they?

If you're continuously giving gifts then you MUST be a
friend right? And (this is SUPER important) if those gifts
are high quality, valuable and well thought out presants
then you'll be considered a very good friend indeed.

Earn Their Trust

Gifts or no gifts, trust isn't earned overnight.

You've got to show consistency of intent before you're
trusted by anyone. (In fact, very often those who shower
us with gifts 'too soon' are often viewed with distrust)

So it's no good offering a free report and then sending an
email 5 minutes later trying to sell something.

It's no good presenting a free audio program where all the
way through it you're simply trying to pitch a product.

You lose trust... fast!

People say 'I knew they were after something!' and they
switch off to the value of your gifts, leaving you
unappreciated and friendless.

So be consistent.

Give away more than you ask for.

Offer more than you're trying to take.

In short, provide service, outstanding service, and you'll
gain their trust. That way, when you ask for their 'hand'
the chances of getting a 'yes' will be that much greater.

To your many successful dates!

----------------------------------------------------
Dax Moy is one of the UK's leading resources for personal
trainer market strategies and runs some of the most
successful programs in the world for personal trainer
education.
For more articles like this one, visit
http://www.personaltrainersuccessacademy.com

Practice For Your Job Interview With This Two-Minute Drill

Practice For Your Job Interview With This Two-Minute Drill
Studies have shown that most people form an opinion about
another's ability or competence within the first two
minutes, and as much as 93% of a person's communication
effectiveness is determined by style ¬ how someone
comes across. In today's tight job market making a good
impression is not only desirable - it is essential.

A look at a worst and a best-case scenario illustrates the
point.

Worst Case

Jack is nervous about his interview as he sits in the
lobby. Anyone watching can see the signs ¬ his foot is
tapping rapidly, he is muttering to himself (obviously
rehearsing his lines). He is slouched down in his chair.
When he spots the interviewer coming down the hall he
begins to wipe his sweaty hand on his pant leg. He stands,
but as he does the magazine on his lap falls to the floor.
When he bends to pick it up, he knocks over his portfolio
and papers fall out. The interviewer stands to the side
observing his behavior. She is thinking to herself, "This
guy is a basket case. He doesn't look like the kind of
person we want representing our product line." When Jack
does pull himself together, he holds out his hand, but his
handshake is weak. This interview is already headed in the
wrong direction.

Best Case

Joann feels prepared and confident as she waits in the
lobby for her interviewer. She knows she looks good, and,
as a result, she feels good. She has practiced and
prepared, and knows she can do this job. She will
concentrate on selling herself as the solution to the
employer's problems. As her interviewer approaches she
stands and smiles looking directly in his direction. She
notices the color of his eyes as she extends her hand. She
gives a firm shake and smiles. "This is a very confident
woman. Someone who shows real promise," is the thought
going through the interviewer's mind. The first impression
has been made ¬ and it is a positive one.

The Drill

It is important that your interview get off to a good
start. The following seven steps or "two-minute drill" will
guide you toward a best-case interview scenario.

1. Appearance counts. When you look good, you feel good.
Make sure you look groomed and neat. If you were a book,
would someone be attracted by your cover and want to pursue
you further?

2. Your clothes and accessories should be conservative and
neutral, rather than wild and loud. Your clothes are your
packaging and should not take attention away from the
product.

3. Non-Verbal Communication sometimes conveys a stronger
message than verbal communication. When you slouch, whether
you're sitting or standing, you are saying volumes about
you and your confidence level. Sit up straight (like your
mother always told you to). When you stand make yourself as
tall as possible ¬ shoulders back and head held high.
Picture a successful screen star or TV announcer ¬ and
mimic their carriage.

4. Eye contact and smiles can indicate a confident and
upbeat attitude. You will notice that many job postings ask
for "enthusiasm and energy." This is a good opportunity to
demonstrate your social and interpersonal skills, as well
as your excitement about the opportunity you are
interviewing for.

5. The handshake sends a strong tactile message. Whether
your hands are hot and sweaty or cold and clammy, you can
try some tricks to control the temperature. To cool your
hands try running cold water on the insides of your wrists.
Use hot water if your hands are cool. If you have
particularly sweaty hands try using a deodorant gel
(antiperspirant) as a lotion. Your hands will feel soft and
smell good.

6. Your voice and the volume of your speech convey a strong
impression. Whether it is a phone interview or a
face-to-face interview, it is important that you speak with
enthusiasm and energy. Use a firm voice to demonstrate your
confidence. If you speak in a whisper the impact will be
weak and ineffective.

7. Your vocabulary reveals your communication skills and
ability to interface with people ¬ especially people
you've not met before. The words you choose will indicate
your education and training, as well as your knowledge of
the industry you are applying for. It is important to use
"their" words and talk "their" talk.

Practice your first impression with someone you trust to
give you objective feedback. Use a checklist to remind
yourself how to handle this first encounter. You are there
to make a sale - an important sale - and the product you
are selling is YOU. When you get off on the right foot the
interview will flow easily. This is one impression you
cannot leave to chance.

----------------------------------------------------
Carole Martin, America's #1 Interview Coach, is a
celebrated author, trainer, and mentor. Carole can give you
interviewing tips like no one else can. Get a copy of her
FREE 9-part "Interview Success Tips" report by visiting
Carole on the web at The Interview Coach
http://www.interviewcoach.com

All The Benefits of Your Own P.A.

All The Benefits of Your Own P.A.
A Virtual Assistant will provide secretarial,
organisational and administrative support to entrepreneurs,
individuals, sole traders and businesses of all sizes.

Nowadays, it is not necessary to have your secretarial
resource on site. Having a Virtual Assistant replaces an
employee, covers holidays, sick leave and/or maternity
leave.

This eliminates the added expense of staff benefits, paid
holidays, pension costs, extra office equipment, office
space etc. It also gives you extra flexibility as the
service is not restricted to office hours. There is a
minimal commitment and all services are available to suit
your requirements.

A Virtual Assistant offers a comprehensive range of
services to businesses and individuals. It is a
confidential, prompt and reliable service where you only
pay for the services and time you require.

A Virtual Assistant can be brought in to help with one-off
projects or be employed on a monthly basis to deal with any
aspect of office work which you do not have the time,
patience or inclination to do yourself. Monthly packages
entail committing to a certain number of hours a month.
These can be used as and when you require and are useful
for getting your administation completed on a regular
basis. Obviously, there is a certain amount of commitment
needed for a monthly package but it gives you the peace of
mind that your work is being done in a confidential,
efficient and prompt manner.

By using a Virtual Assistant, you are leaving yourself free
to focus on your business. It will not be necessary for
you to spend time composing and writing letters; doing
invoices; chasing payments; general day to day office work.
You didn't start your business to be tied to a desk doing
administrative tasks, so why allow yourself to get tied
down with it now?

Virtual Assistants tend to be people who have been employed
in offices most of their working life, so they have
hands-on office experience, usually at a very high level.
This means that they have the ability to grasp the type of
work you require very quickly. They are able to produce
the results effectively and accurately within the timescale
available.

The services that Virtual Assistants offer range from copy
typing, digital transcription, arranging travel and hotels
through to Power Point presentations, internet research,
event management and the organisation of conferences,
seminars and team building events. In fact everything you
would expect from a P.A.

Employ a Virtual Assistant and free yourself to spend
valuable time on your business!

----------------------------------------------------
To find out more about employing a Virtual Assistant log on
to http://www.flmsecretarialservices.com .

How to get your Wholesale Directory of Products and Suppliers

How to get your Wholesale Directory of Products and Suppliers
Many people want to start their business and the first
thing they ask for is a Wholesale Directory. In other
words, they want suppliers and products. Many want
suppliers that drop-ship products, others just suppliers.

For those just looking for a wholesale directory I will
give you my favorite site for products and suppliers,
closeouts and liquidations. You will find almost
everything here.

Now, let me tell you what else to do in order to get the
best wholesale directory. Build your own. Yes, build your
own. I've been in the wholesale and distribution business
for years, sold to over 200,000 stores plus distributors,
wholesalers, exporters, online, on eBay, to cash and
carry's. You get the idea! My point is. I've sold a lot
of products to a lot of people. And my main recommendation
is to build your own list.

How do you do this? Why would you do this? Very simple.
You would do this because the "source", the original source
for products is the one that has the best prices. These are
usually not drops shippers and not in these kind of
directories. The companies who import, produce, or have
exclusivity for products don't consolidate. In other
words, they just sell their own products, and if you want
the best prices for those products you need to contact them
directly.

Usually most of the Wholesale Directories have
consolidators, people who sell several products, buying
from the manufacturers and importers. Yes, if you are
starting and will only buy a couple of products at a time
they are your best bet. But if you want large margins for
you wholesale business you need More Margin.

To get More Money you will need to find not wholesalers,
not just distributors, you need to get all the way to the
source, to the producers, owners or importers of the
products. They will give you the best margins and can even
negotiate exclusivities or special contracts to protect a
territory, accounts, or something else.

This is your master list. Your Master Wholesale Directory.
This new list is your key for wholesale products and
suppliers. Now, let me tell you how to build your list.
The easy way is to go to trade shows. There are food
shows, snack shows, toy shows, and apparel, everything you
can imagine. Think of the products you want to represent
and then look up the trade shows on the internet and if
they are near your home town go.

The other way is looking online. This can be a bit more
complicated because you don't really know who the companies
are, if they are the original owner or a reseller. You
will have to do more legwork. I recommend that you visit
my wholesale audio course and signup to my newsletter to
get a free audio course.

You will be surprised of everything that will start coming
your way when you reach to these suppliers. You will start
finding new products, finding business opportunities and
business deals. You see, these people are veteran
entrepreneurs and if you can help them sell more of their
products they will help you, teach you, and guide you into
launching your business.

So look at the big picture, don't settle for just generic
drop shippers and make relationships, don't just send
emails and buy third party directories. These are keys to
success and will have you well on your way to launching
your successful wholesale business. And always keep
learning. Read as much as you can, talk to people in the
industry, read articles, trade magazines, case studies and
everything you can on the products and business you want.
Also, don't forget to have fun. If you're not having fun or
you don't like what you do you will not get pumped up for
it.

----------------------------------------------------
Learn more about how to start your wholesale business and
get 3 FREE recordings on how to get started and make money.
Visit http://www.LearnWholesale.com today and get the
recordings or if you just want to read more info go to
http://www.Wholesale-Distribution-Business.com

Helpful Metaphors for Achieving Irresistible Growth

Helpful Metaphors for Achieving Irresistible Growth
Most of us haven't yet worked in an irresistible growth
enterprise, one that prospers regardless of external
business conditions. As a result, it can be hard to
imagine what allows an irresistible growth enterprise to
succeed. To help you appreciate what's involved, let me
present two metaphors for ways that nature and inventors
have created such usefully flexible adaptations to the
external.

Nature provides an intriguing example of how individual
adaptability expands success chances for larger groups of
individuals in an organization. According to John Tyler
Bonner in the December 1984 issue of Science '84, a type of
amoebas, known as cellular slime molds, display some very
valuable characteristics in the face of daunting
circumstances that affect their survival, their
irresistible forces.

Normally these amoebas live individually on the forest
floor, and are limited in their potential to grow and
prosper by the local supply of food they can reach in a
fixed position. The size and location of the food supply
serves as an irresistible force for the amoebas. For most
organisms that are essentially stationary, high death rates
follow the exhaustion of food sources.

When food sources are scarce, the individual amoebas also
have the capability to group together as slime molds to
move to where there is more food. These temporary clumps
of amoebas creep across the forest floor to warmer, sunnier
areas where food supplies are more plentiful -- something
they cannot do individually.

In time, some of these clumps will then further change
physical form and create a multi-celled stalk culminating
in a spore sac filled with dormant amoebae spores. When
animals and people brush against the sac, the dormant
spores attach themselves and are carried to other new
locations beyond the range of movement for the clump in
order to find further additional sources of nutrients.
Organized slime molds are able to be much more successful
as a species in survival and growth than individual amoebas
are, by the cooperation they employ.

Imagine how your organization would have to change in order
to have the same ability to adapt successfully to
irresistible forces, and how much more would be
accomplished if that were the case.

Human beings can do better than slime molds because we have
the physiological and psychological agility to take
advantage of even unpredictable change. We are far ahead
of all but a few of the most sophisticated biological
adaptations.

For centuries, people have relied on windmills to generate
power. Originally, windmills were built to face in only
one direction. If the wind blew in the right direction,
great results occurred. If not, either little or no power
was generated. That's the way it is with many
organizations: If things do not go just as planned, we
simply get no benefit from our resources, time, attention,
and effort.

Windmill inventors got the message about the benefits of
planning for perfect, timely use of the unpredictable and
went on to develop the pivoting windmill. This wonderful
invention serves to turn the face of the windmill into the
wind so that the greatest amount of power is produced,
regardless of which direction brings that wind.

You need to make a similar adjustment to give your
organization the same ability to generate and use power
from its potential.

Copyright 2008 Donald W. Mitchell, All Rights Reserved

----------------------------------------------------
Donald Mitchell is chairman of Mitchell and Company, a
strategy and financial consulting firm in Weston, MA. He is
coauthor of seven books including Adventures of an
Optimist, The Irresistible Growth Enterprise, and The
Ultimate Competitive Advantage. You can find free tips for
accomplishing 20 times more by registering at:
====> http://www.2000percentsolution.com .