Welcome to August 2005
Building Relationships That Last
Last week, I made a phone call to the Aqua Day Spa in Los Angeles, California. This was a very special phone call, because a trip to this world renowned day spa is my gift to Ann and Katie, my twin daughters for their 17 th birthday and for their last big trip before they leave next year for college (does anyone have a tissue?). I promised them that their last trip as a young girl 16 going on 17 (hey...that's a song!) would be a trip to "see the stars", Malibu, Sunset Strip and to get a bit of pampering. So...I picked up the phone last Tuesday and dialed the spa. I have to say that before I dialed, I wondered what the voice on the other end would sound like...would it be soothing or sensual...perky or stalwart. I was so curious, as the website is beautiful...truly an experience in and of itself.
So...here is what I have to say: If the trip to the spa is anything like the customer service I received over the telephone, we are all in store for a very big treat...I am now even more excited about what is in store for us as we head to Los Angeles next week.
To begin with, the phone was answered on the second ring and it was actually a live person, and I could tell that the woman on the other end was professional and happy. (Check!...no waiting...thank God!)
Next, I was asked if I could be called by my first name….Of course, I said…(Check!...I am not "Mrs. Fields," I am "Bea" so she won tons of points with this one request)
I was then treated like royalty…I was asked if I had a gender preference on who performed the treatment…I almost asked for a great looking man for my daughters (or was this for myself?) but I changed my mind and said that they would probably prefer a woman…just for safe keeping. (Check!...they are taking care of my personal needs so that I feel comfortable)
The attendant went on to say that she apologized but that one of us would have to wait for 15 minutes for a treatment due to our various orders but that we would have plenty of amenities such as food and drink and great lotions to experiment with during our wait…(Check…maybe I will just pay to "wait"...sounds heavenly.)
The cool thing that happened following that was this…The spa called me back to thank me for calling them and to read back what was to happen and to see if we needed transportation to the spa (You've got to be kidding...Check!)
What I realized in this moment was so very clear to me...that building a business has nothing to do with business building...yet it has everything to do about building a relationship with a prospect who wants to be treated like royalty.
I am a huge fan of technology, yet the quote that is screaming at me today as I write this letter are these words:
"The problem with communication is the illusion that is has occurred." -- George Bernard Shaw
While technology has advanced us, I believe that it has really changed the role of personal relationships in business success. As a coach and business owner, I want to see this change. I want to see coaches get out in their local communities, face to face with the thought leaders of their communities, spending time with people in intimate conversations about their goals, dreams and challenges. I want to see coaches touch people through their common values and deep sense of shared community.
Now granted...I love the way technology is being used today to meet my specific preferences, such as the way Amazon seems to really have a great touch on recommending books and music just for me (of course, they are probably also totally confused, as I have very eclectic taste,) and while I have not used the online system with the Ritz Carlton, I have heard that it is to die for...giving you choices of pillows (feather or foam) and allowing you to choose other amenities to make your stay "unique." So...technology does have its place, yet what I am suggesting is to consider what it is that you can do to create a connection which is a much higher touch...to really get into a community of men and women who may also be experiencing the isolation and lonliness of being a business owner in a high tech world.
In closing, I want to say this. Over the past few months, I have had the honor to spend time with my son, Jack, as he has traveled the United States playing golf in a few American Junior Golf Association tournaments, and the connection is so high touch. A few college coaches are showing interest in his bright future, and they can only contact him one time now, and no more until September 1 of his Junior year in high school, and the cool thing is this...the coaches hand write a letter...in their own handwriting. Many of these coaches even say that they will not even look at a kid who sends a form letter or an electronic mass letter, becuase it sends huge messages that they are really not interested in the "relationship with the coach and team"...that they are only interested in what they can get. I think this is a very valuable lesson that we can all learn from...there really is no substitution for a handwritten letter (even though we have told ourselves that an e-mail is just fine.)
In closing, I will leave you with one of my all-time favorite quotes by Max de Pree:
"We talk about the quality of product and service. What about the quality of our relationships and the quality of our communications and the quality of our promises to each other?" -- Max de Pree
Have a great week, and really get out there...building those face to face, intimate relationships which can truly give you such a rich and rewarding life. Warmly,
Bea
*********************************************************************
Gift for August
As a way to thank you for your continued support of Five Star Leader Coaching and Training, the free gift for the month of August is a copy of a teleclass led by Joshua Hornick for the City Directors on the topic of Abunadance.
Download the MP3 file here.
Joshua is a professional coach and the City Director for the Pioneer Valley, MA area. For more information, visit Joshua today:
http://pioneervalley.coachville.com *********************************************************************
5 Steps to Dating with integrity
By Amy Schoen of Heart Mind Connection
Here you are. You just have had another failed relationship, wondering do I want to put myself back out there to and try to meet someone just to be disappointed again. How can you take a different approach this time? How can you increase your chances when you do meet someone you are interested in? How do you avoid dishonest people in your search? These are the questions I asked myself when I was single and I was looking for my life partner. If you follow the steps outlined below, you will get better results in finding your great lifelong relationship!
To read the full article, enter here.
*********************************************************************
Upcoming Teleclasses/Programs
The Four Keys to Becoming a Time Architect™:
An Introduction to a Revolutionary Way to Take Back Your Time
Facilitator: Anne Alexander of Authentic-Alternatives.com
- Are you feeling burnt out?
- Do you have little or no time for the things you really care about?
- Does willpower never seem to work for you?
- Do you feel like you're "on" all the time?
- Are you tired of quick fixes that don't last and ready for a solution that gets to the core?
I want to let you know about a cool new teleseminar lead by my colleague, business coach Anne Alexander, the Time Architect™ .
It’s called: The Four Keys to Becoming a Time Architect™: An Introduction to a Revolutionary Way to Take Back Your Time
If you’re like most professionals, managers, and business owners, you work more hours than you prefer and you may feel like you’re still not getting enough done. You’ve virtually given up on many of the other interests and passions in your life.
In this interactive telephone seminar you’ll be introduced to a new approach to “time management” that gets to the core of how to create sustainable peak performance for today's professionals and business owners.
A Time Architect™ is someone who has a great control over their time and their life, and creates time for the high value activities and relationships that are important to them.
This class is for you if:
- You feel burnt out or like you might be headed in that direction.
- You don’t seem to ever have time for non-work passions and interests.
- You want more than a “quick fix” that won’t last.
To find out more, go there now:
You’ll learn:
- how “solidifying your structure” has everything to do with getting control of your time
- to understand the critical see-saw principle and put into immediate use
- how simplification and stormproofing play key roles in becoming a master Time Architect™.
And you’ll leave the call with at least three achievable action steps, customized to you, which you can start implementing immediately in your life.
Your only investment is $9.95 for the class, plus the cost of the long-distance call to the conference line. If you don’t get way more than $9.95 worth of actionable material, Anne will happily refund your investment.
You have two choices for this class:
- Thursday, August 18th at 7:00 pm Eastern/4 pm Pacific
- Tuesday, August 23 at 1:00 pm Eastern/10:00 am Pacific
For more info. or to register, go here now:
Maximum of 20 people per call, so register now.
Anne will make it worth your valuable time!
Warmly,
Bea
*********************************************************************
The Guerrilla Marketing Coach Certification Program
Now You Can Brand Your Business With The Best-Selling Marketing Series In History and Measurably Increase Your Profits!
Join us for a very special 12 week Interactive Group Program beginning:
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
at 8 PM EDT/ 5 PM PDT
Facilitators: Mitch Meyeronson, Founder of Guerrilla Marketing Coach and
Bea Fields, President of Five Star Leader Coaching and Training
Click Here to Register Today! *********************************************************************
Article for August 2005
Designing the Relationship Environment
By Bea Fields
The majority of human beings are aware of their longing for intimate relationships and the ability to be connected to others in a place which is authentic and true. The path in the direction of building relationships which make you feel alive does not involve changing other people or making demands or insisting that life is to be lived one way and not another. The journey of building intimate relationships begins with your willingness to clean your own house both literally and figuratively. It requires getting in touch with your true self and then deciding what you will do with your love and your vision of your life. The goal of this class is to provide you with an introduction to relationships, about building bridges not burning them, and it is about tapping into your consciousness to bring forth the very best in YOU!
As you begin to develop relationships in life, consider. . .
|
