The Coaching Coach Daily Journal

We woke up to a cool day - and headed out for home. It should take until about 8:30 pm to get there - and we are both anxious to sleep in a real house for a few nights at least.

I had time to reflect on what we have accomplished - and whether or not to continue offering such a service. The answer though seems so clear if I think of each person I have met - one at a time.

Many people we saw did not realize the scope or size of the Coaching Coach Tour. We left for the first leg of the trip on March 1st and arrived in Duncan BC for March 3rd - our first of many, many sessions. We attended and or spoke at 8 meetings, held one workshop and 60 coaching sessions and spoke with over 500 women.

There were no medals, no graduation ceremonies, no welcome home parties when we arrived home. Just 12 inches of snow, -23 degrees and a strong sense of knowing however small, I had accomplished something that last fall seemed like an unlikely and impossible - even unreasonable task. In my own way - I had set out to help change the success rates of women in business. It may take many years to learn if this coaching crusade had any impact at all - but in my heart - I know it already has. It has changed me.

It made me question my motives for doing what I do - and ensure that I do things for the right reasons. Before this project - there was always a reward, a party, a certificate at the end of anything hard that had to be done - and the motivation was to upgrade skills or achieve something. This time the motivation had to be about the cause - raising the success rates of women in business - or it would be ineffective. I did not want to do a smoke and mirrors tour. I wanted every woman who attended a coaching session to leave encouraged and take away at least one new idea - something she could use to make her business ‘better’.

This trip has also shown me that anything can be done. Anything. It takes courage to go against what others say. It takes stamina and determination to make something work. And it takes belief and support of a great team around you to get it done. Thank you to all the Roaring Women and men who helped out in so many ways, promoting this tour, attending the sessions, waiting longer than usual for emails to be answered, for understanding when I was too pooped to answer a call, and the gifts of chocolate, wine and good humour. You all played a big part in a truly magical event.

Thank you also to the STAPLES Business Depot Team - Allesandra especially for believing in this project

I am home. I spent a very teary moment embracing the sights and smells of the familiar. I let down my guard. I am tired. I am happy. It has been hard. It has been worth it. With a lump still in my throat, I start the bath running and grab a new book to escape into.

Today we arrived to meet 2 very excited managers at the STAPLES in Winnipeg. They are very understanding and supportive of what we are doing.

They are announcing every hour on the hour over the PA in the store that there is free business coaching outside in the “STAPLES Bus” and have even placed a sign outside on the sidewalk.

We had several women stop in and lots of queries from passers by. This has been a rewarding trip with lots of lessons learned along the way. We have met with STAPLES head office earlier and we are looking at how we can help each other out - we both have very similar visions about helping small business it seems.

I was also surprised to see another manager interested in carrying my book. This is the fourth location that has mentioned it would do well in the copy centre. I left one with her to read and she seemed very excited!

You can order it here!

We left at 8 pm and headed west - homeward. We stopped at a rest stop in Virden Manitoba. Lucky for us (not) a refrigeration unit parked 15 inches from our sleeping area - and it was so loud I could not even here Strath snoring. I got my earplugs out - and heard nothing more until morning!

We woke up this morning to fog. Strath had decided to disobey Jill again and we had taken an alternate route from Thunder Bay to Winnipeg. It took us south along the Border of Canada and the US and he kept pointing to the other side of several lakes to tell me that was the US - which made me a little nervous - I hoped we did not have to cross the border.

Although I was sketptical at first of the alternate route - I like to stay on roads where I can predict where when and how, when we are in a hurry - I was glad he took this route as we heard that the highway 17 was closed just before Kenora - which meant we would be delayed significantly if we had traveled the traditional route.

We are headed to the Winnipeg Meeting tonight and I am anxious to be on time. It should take us about four and one half hours - so we have plenty of time.

About 2 and one half hours into the drive, Strath hollers - “get out the passports”. I immediately panic. We have not yet crossed the border with the ‘bus’ and it is labeled for business. It seems that Jill forgot to tell us that there is a 35 mile journey through the US on this route - so we must cross the border. We do have passports however when you cross the border on business - there are tariffs and on one occasion I was delayed several hours, finger printed and issued a 3 day work visa as well as a long lecture - even though I was not selling anything and was speaking for free.

We were ordered this time to pull over and they were going to inspect the vehicle. The worst case scenario was we would have to turn around and find another route which may mean we would miss the meeting. My palms were sweaty and I was trying to appear relaxed. Even thought I had been a police officer and in authority I still get the jitters if I am pulled over by border patrol or an officer. I do understand (and always did) how other people feel when I was an officer pulling them over. I tried always to reassure people that they were not ‘bad’ but had just broken the rules.

I was hoping now that we had not broken any rules. Then I remembered the grapefruit in the refrigerator and the open container of wine way at the back. I knew that these items would be confiscated. Oh well it was the price of travel I thought. So much for the safety of technology. In the end it was our talking and not and Jill’s direction that got us out of a bind.

The inspector was a young woman who laughed when she opened the first cupboard only to be hit in the head with a paper plate. We had purchased some as there are times when we have no water - and although they had been at the back of the cupboard - the bumpy journey had dislodged many things. So I warned her to be careful opening cupboards. We heard her going through all the accessible doors and drawers. She stepped back out and asked about Roaring Women and asked why we were in the US. I explained that our GPS did not warn us of a border crossing on this route and she laughed. She mentioned she was a ’scrapbooker’ and spoke of her sister’s business. She walked us back in to get our passports and waved us on our way much to the disgust of the younger male who was determined we needed to pay a tariff. She understood we were just passing through - so we were on our way.

There are many issues to be explored if you decide to do any business in the US. And often you will get different answers at every border crossing - so it is good to understand all possible scenarios.  I decided I better do a little more investigation on business in the US as this is the 2nd time I have been stopped.

We arrived in good time to the meeting and it was a very well attended event. There were several late conversations and a great connection with Pearl from Staples in Winnipeg who had set up an
incredible display of furniture and goods. She had even donated and IPOD as a door prize!

It was a long day and I was ready for bed. Tomorrow is the last day of coaching on this tour - and I an winding down. Then it will be home to Calgary and my tub!

We are off before most people are out of bed.  I have cooked breakfast (now having mastered the propane stove).  It  is the same as I normally cook but I only needed the generator for the English muffins and coffee - the eggs I fried!  Today we will travel beyond Thunder Bay - and I will work hard at getting caught up on web work.

I am not sure what I would do without my ‘air card’ - a wireless device that plugs into my computer and keeps me online anywhere I can get the internet.  Except of course in Manitoba - and I have already ranted about that.

I also began reading ‘Be Unreasonable” by Paul Lemberg - and after only on chapter I am hooked.  This is my way of thinking and it is almost like having a conversation with someone of like mind - who can mentor me from the words on the page.

Reading and learning is the gateway  to success and I am determined to learn and read as much as I can in order to pass on unconvential wisdom to help others succeed!

We stopped for the night at the information booth in Atikokan.

I  joked about bears and wild animals to Strath as he headed out to the local port-a-potty.  We have been watching for Moose on the roadway for the last while (the signs warned us).  We have seen the damage hitting a wild animal can do to a vehicle -and I have even seen people killed by such an accident. Last year wee were traveling by motorcycle through glacier National Park and saw a motorcyclist that had hit a deer.

We will  be up early tomorrow to head to Winnipeg.

I slept in until 7 am this morning and felt very rested.  I know at the end of the day I feel quite exhausted but I also sleep very well - satisfied that I have done something well and loving every minute of it..  I have also been taking better care of my eating although a few snacks here an there are still passing my lips - especially chocolate!

Today Susan - my friend and PR director will spend the day just tooting about.  There is a meeting in Mississauga I will speak at about the 20 Reasons that Small Businesses Fail.  It is a workshop that really presents the reasons well - and sometimes pain motivates people to action!  But first some time off!

Susan and I head to Hamilton to pick up 80 of the finished blister packages - an project I embarked on just before we left 6 weeks ago.  We also stopped into see my web guy Devin (Floatpoint Media )and see the progress on his expansion.  His office and business is growing.  Sometimes I think although our businesses are different we have a friendly ‘who will finish first’ competition going on.  We have been good business buddies over the past 3 years and I do not think we could have gotten Roaring Women to where it is at today without his help.

We arrived at Hale Packaging    and I was excited about what I saw.  The blister packs looked great!  We will be the very first business organization to sell a membership in stores!  WOW we get to be first.  This is one of the immutable law of marketing - Be First!  (PS this is a good book)

Now I will have to get it in stores.  Add my book to that and I have 2 things to sell.

I met with my daughter for lunch.  I have been in Ontario 2 weeks and still not seen her.  We talk alittle business - a littel personal and then I am off to relax for an hour at Susan’s house and off to get ready for the Mississauga meeting.

The Mississauga Dinner Meeting is great - with a wonderful mix of people.  We had Sher St Kitts from King City and  even a lady who drove in from London Ontario.  We even had 2 gentlemen there launching a new business with LED lights.

We left at about 9 pm and drove as far as we could safely - stopping overnight at Nairn Centre (hmm I will have to look that up).  Sleeping at the side of the road has become a nightly event!

Today was the last day of coaching in Ontario for this tour. It has been tiring and rewarding all at once! I have had the opportunity to listen to so many dreams and hear of such great successes and wish I could share each one with you - but it would be a very long blog! We have connected with over 250 women n this trip not counting all the Roaring Women Meetings I have attended or presented at.

Today I met with a lady who has run her husbands business, been in real estate, and after her husband’s death wants to think about either re-entering the work force or starting a business.

There are so many things to consider when starting a business - but the foremost consideration is does one have the drive and commitment to follow through and continue as one becomes tired or faces obstacles that may seem insurmountable?

Starting a business is not something you try to do - you either do it or you do not do it. It all begins with a decision.

I mentioned in an earlier journal entry about a book called “The dip” by Seth Godin. He advises we consider all the options - and decide before we get in too deep whether we will quit or whether we persevere. The most painful way to build a business is when we get up every day unsure whether we want to go forward or not. It is costly - because we often make decisions with no long term plan.

So ladies - decide. That is all it takes. The journey of your business begins with a single step forward. Each step forward makes turning back seem farther way. And find a partner to encourage you on your journey - that way when you get tired or discouraged - you have someone to remind you why you are doing this.

We finished the day with a barbecued steak at the campground and a glass of wine out of a paper cup. Life is good!

We were asked to do a workshop in lieu of one of the Coaching Sessions in Barrie - and so this morning we did a coaching session and had four women attend. After lunch we did the workshop 52 Ways to Supercharge your Marketing Efforts. We had over 25 people attend - and it was a great 2 hour event. The store did a wonderful job of getting us set up and ready to go too!

This workshop really hammers home the fact that marketing your business is an ongoing task. It is something that requires some planning and it is what most of us DO NOT DO. Shame on us for whining that we cannot find customers when more often than not we do not keep in touch with them like we should. 80% of your profits in business come from 20 % of your clients - so you need to keep in front of your audience!
Troy White’s Marketing Calendar is the tool I use for some of my marketing ideas - and you can see more about this great tool here. I use it in this workshop.

We conducted a survey of the attendees and half so far have responded. It is very important to survey your customers to see how thye like what you have to offer - and how you can better improve your offerings to them.

RESULTS of the survey

Over 91% said the workshop content was good or excellent. 100% said the presenter was good or excellent (thank you!) And 92% said that the content was good or excellent! 100% said that they would attend again and 53% said they would like to see workshops available online and 63% would like tosee them avaiable for sale in stores! People DO want to learn. They just want to see value.

Thank you to STAPLES for hosting this event. They also supplied Tim-Bits and water for attendees AND gave out great coupons! My favorite gift though was the EASY Button. Yes, Business can be ‘that easy!’

 Radio Show

We had another great radio show tonight - you can listen to it here 

Today we arrived in Brampton for more coaching. Along with hundreds of emails saying thank you over the last several weeks - I did get one email criticizing this coaching effort.

It seems that a representative from a coaching organization that has instituted its own set of standards surrounding coaching, has questioned whether or not I am qualified to coach women in business. I respect the fact that there needs to be a set of standards for professional services. However, it came in the form of a ‘veiled’ question asking if I was certified with their membership based organization and suggested that perhaps I was not coaching but consulting.  There were no thank-you’s or - ‘wow what a great idea’ or thank you for helping other women’ -  only the critical question.

I have a great saying hanging in the bus that my husband picked up  for me that says, “people who say it cannot be done should not get in the way of those already doing it’.  The same thing applies for what I call ‘armchair quarterbacks’.  Anytime an entrepreneur steps out with a business idea - that is a GREAT one, may be criticized for how or what they are doing by someone who ‘knows better’.  And when that happens - you know you are onto something great!

Many women I have met with - have a passion to help others through their work. And I know they are often criticized for their efforts. I recognized how important it was to continue doing what we are called to do - despite the criticisms we may receive, long ago. It does not matter what you do - there will always be an ‘armchair quarterback”. This is someone who feels that they have as much knowledge as you do - but insists on sitting in a chair watching all you do and critiquing it. I ignore them. Criticizing this coaching crusade is like watching someone feed a hungry community and complain that all 5 food groups were not included in the meal.

There are hundreds of business women I have spoken to over the last six weeks who are starving for ideas, guidance and need to be asked the right questions and held accountable for the decisions they make. Regardless of the ‘title’ you give to the assistance they are getting - the fact is - it is helping them. And I feel good about that. And I thank all the people who have helped me do it.   Perhaps the critics who see me doing this could offer to ‘come on board’ or offer an assessment tool or training if they feel I am not qualified.  If they cared to sit in on a session - they would see the good things that are happening.

FORTY-ONE Pennies.

We went to lunch with Marcia Barhydt our Regional Director for Brampton and on the way out the door - in the parking lot - I saw a pile of pennies!  Strath and I began picking them up - laughing the entire time at our good fortune!  I bet many many people had stepped over these pennies without making the effort to pick them up.  Perhaps it was too far to bend, they were in a hurry, or feared that there were too many germs on them!  How many opportunities have we passed by because we were too busy or thought an opportunity was ‘tainted’ in some way.

Picking the pennies up raised my vibrational levels even higher - and helped me to look forward and expect even greater things!  Every penny was an opportunity to get excited about what the Universe is bringing our way!

It rained heavily today but that did not keep business owners from arriving with their questions. After the sessions were over we headed over to the shopping are to check out the ‘deals’ at the outlet store. I believe we should look professional while ar work - so I headed to several locations that I know carry suits.

Jones New York is where I ended up - and I was pleasantly surprised at the service I received - form the sales staff but also from the manager! There were several people in the store and all of us were receiving service second to none. The staff knew the product and the fit and there were two image consultants on staff. What a great addition to a clothing store.

I left  with 2 suits - determined to return and get another before I leave Ontario. And when I go back to Mississauga - you can bet I will head straight to one place. With great service and good product - why would I go anywhere else?

We spent the evening catching up on phone calls and emails. It has been over 5 weeks since we set out on this venture - and I am still pinching myself- one to see if Iam still awake and the other to see if it is all real.

Jill has proven to be valuable - but we are still arguing about routes! Traffic issues and nnew roads often confuse her - so having a little extra intel is often helpful. It is also a problem becasue we KNOW the area so well. SO when she suggests a different route than we know works well - we agree to disagree. Despite road maps - experience is often the best guidance. One route may be shorter - but plagued with traffic issues. So in addition to Jill we also use our own knowledge and experience. Hmmm - do I hear a business tip developing?

We had 2 full sessions in Burlington today. And they kept me on my toes!

These group sessions are so very powerful. Each person gets a sheet with a chart that they can use to keep track of ideas - how these ideas will affect their businesses and a spot to fill in where they can identify what they need to get these ideas implemented. And then each person asks their questions. It is amazing how many of the same issues arise all across Canada. There are no stupid questions.

In the answering of one question I revealed an embarrassing story about myself - but it was really a great example of how even successful thinking people have issues as well.

I had a retail operation when my children were small - selling fabric, notions, sewing machines and knitting machines. I had won top salesperson for that year for the company I sold the sewing machines for - and I had even won a trip to Disneyland for the achievement. However after working 2 years alone - and taking my children to work with me, I was tired out.

The everyday trial of running a business and growing at the same time kept me scrambling 6 days a week to keep competitive and well stocked.

Then GST was legislated. All the merchandise I had - had MST on it - manufacturers sales tax - which had to be inventoried and removed and the ticketed prices changed. I did that. The GST then had to be address and tracked. And I had to adjust the cash register and have a technician come in and put a new program on it. They were backed up for several weeks and it would cost me $350.00. (this was 1991 - and my weekly sales were about $900.00)

This was the final straw. It seemed because the government had imposed GST on business - I would have to absorb the cost of the upgrade to my cash register and also begin the administrative task of remitting yet another tax.

I m not a numbers person. I did all my own bookkeeping at that point. By the time I had inventoried and adjusted prices - I was numbered out. I closed my business.

Looking back I realized - that had I a mentor, a bookkeeper and perhaps even a coach - I could have gotten through this difficult period of time. How many of us give up when things become difficult because we are tired and are too afraid to ask for help - or do not know where to get the right information?

After relating this story at the meeting last night - several people came forward to admit - they too were confused by the financial parts of their business. But they all felt ashamed because they felt like they should know these things.

The truth is - no one can know everything. This is why we DELEGATE. We do not even need to try to do it all.   It is not a dirty secret if you do not understand about financing. The trick is - find someone who can help!

We all had a good laugh. There are no stupid questions. The trick is to realize no one knows it all when it comes to our businesses. We all need help sometimes.