Today – and all week long, ask yourself the following questions:

· What does my current self-image “say” to others/what message does it project?
· Do I have excuses or “reasons” to FAIL? (Remember, ALL your reasons to FAIL can be ALL your reasons to overcome and succeed!)
· Do I feel powerful and capable with my current self-image?
· If you’re not satisfied with it, what’s keeping you from changing?

An honest self-assessment from the following questions will help you determine if it’s time to be a quick-change artist: 1) Does my current self-image have untapped potential? 2) Can I stretch/extend it to take me where I want to go?

I’m amazed at how many people lead lives of “quiet desperation,” as Thoreau said. They’re going through the motions, knowing that what they’re doing isn’t working, but too stuck, comfortable, or scared to change. These are the exact people who need reminding that everything is an illusion. It’s never too late to pick up one that’s more empowering. Insert name here, do you know someone who could benefit from answering the questions presented here to become a quick-change artist?

Instead of being trapped, consider this: Your past is useful. Look at it, but don’t stare. All experience is good. Review all of your answers to the above questions about changing illusions and design another one. Then make it come true.

Remember that we ALL have blocks – from the top CEOs to the newest entrepreneurs. If you ARE ready 100% ready to bust through yours, then having the right coach is key. I will MAKE room in my BAI program for you, IF you are serious. (I’ve added new dates all over the country if the West Coast isn’t your thing!) Teaching my Mighty Formula for Executive Evolution is my personal passion to turn this economy around, one success story at a time.

Christine Comaford, The Executive Coach
CEO of Mighty Ventures, Inc.
NY Times Best Selling Author http://businessaccelerationintensive.com

PS: Business Acceleration and an experienced Coach are always the key.
http://businessaccelerationintensive.com

Here’s my WAKE-UP call for today.  Until we admit WHO we are, and aren’t, we can’t move past our limiting beliefs and into real success.  Why?  To keep it really simple, one person CAN’T do it ALL.  (And even if you could, would you want to?)

This week starts my semi-annual series on Needle Movers – but before I go there at breakneck speed, let’s cover what should be a TOP Needle Mover for all of us.  Delegation!

Not admitting our limitations and not delegating enough is a COMPLETE roadblock.

One day, I just had to STOP spinning my wheels and admit it, I was a total control freak.  Either I wouldn’t delegate, or when I would, I wouldn’t trust my staff to do it their way. This is not uncommon for first-time business owners — because we feel the company is our brainchild and we’re afraid to let anyone else take on responsibility for certain tasks.

But friends, there’s leadership, and then there’s micro management — know the difference! If you don’t you’ll inevitably alienate your staff and they’ll leave for greener pastures.

So LEARN to delegate, and then get out of the way and let your staff know you’re available for consultation and questions.  For this week, before we get DEEP into Needle Movers, practice a wake-up call that we’ve done once or twice before:  TODAY, and every day this week, make a list of five things you could delegate, and next to EACH item, put the name of a team member (or potential team member) you can (and will) delegate the task to by the end of the week.

If you find that you don’t have enough MVPs on your team, consider adding a few GREAT human resources!  (Like a rockin’ Virtual Assistant, or a mind-blowing pay-for-performance salesperson.)

Remember, if you’re REALLY serious about creating sales, clients, a killer team and a rockin’ success story, join me at BAI – http://mightyventures.com/BAI.  Work with me and a small group of CEOs in person and let us help you design a 90-day plan to MOVE your needle.

Christine Comaford, Executive Mentor
CEO of Mighty Ventures, Inc.
NY Times Best Selling Author http://mightyventures.com/bai/

PS: Business Acceleration and a rockin’ mentor are key. http://mightyventures.com/bai/

Today is the second part of my blog on what makes your team members feel a sense of ownership.  Remember, there’s a lot more to be said about team BUILDING and ownership, and I go into tons more detail about this at my 7 Figure Business Summit on 4/30-5/2.  The event is only TWO weeks away now, and there are less than 30 spots left.  You can still come for the early-bird price of $997 AND bring a friend for half price. (That’s MY PERSONAL business acceleration recession buster — 7 Figure Business Summit.)

Reminder: Your comments and feedback on this blog are always welcome.

If you want more accountability, more initiative, more caring and concern for your business, you’ll want to crank up the aspects of ownership that a team member feels.

5. Authority.  This is the degree of autonomy the person has to make decisions without you.  Remember, a group of partners has limits on individual authority, so saying “owner” or not does not answer this question, it’s independent, but more authority does make someone feel like they have more power over their environment and life and thus feel more like an owner. Your team members need to “own” their areas completely without your micro-managing them, and likewise, major corporate decisions are yours, the CEO’s, and these must be respected too. It’s fine and even good to be questioned. If the emperor has no clothes, speak up for goodness sake. We all have reality distortion fields. The question is, is someone’s about to damage the company? If so, speak up, if not, let them thrive and control their area of responsibility.

6. Consultation.  People like (and want and need) to have their advice solicited, to be listened to, to be consulted on major decisions. This does not imply you have to do what they say, but does commit you to ask their opinion and listen. And heck, if you don’t want to consult your team members, then you have the wrong team. Remember how I say it’s crucial to hire people who are smarter than you? This is one of the many reasons why. You’ll want to tap into their smarts. Appreciation and acknowledgement are conveyed when you ask someone’s advice, when you respectfully listen to it and consider it.

7. “Marriage.”  This is the psychological aspect of feeling a sense of mutual commitment.  It is in some ways the aggregate of the other rights, but in my experience is more about the manner in which you deal with the person, the way you introduce them to the world externally and internally, and whether you act like the senior partner or the boss. For instance, I have an agreement with my team members that we’re in this together, and neither one of us will bail on the other without voicing our concerns and trying to remedy the situation. Sounds like a marriage doesn’t it? It sort of is, and when you have this degree of mutual commitment, it makes the hard days easier, the burdens lighter, the trust level higher, the road smoother. Because you’re not alone, as so many entrepreneurs feel they are.

8. Time.  All of these rights can increase or decrease over time (vesting).  No one but a founder (and often not a founder) gets everything irrevocably all at once.  Trust is earned. It’s a cycle of testing, and trusting, then testing some more, then trusting some more.

A sense of ownership is a beautiful thing. What are you doing to foster this within your team?

To your amazing and IMMEDIATE 7 Figure Success,

Christine Comaford, 7 Figure Business Builder
CEO of Mighty Ventures, Inc.
NY Times Best Selling Author of Rules for Renegades

PS: IF you cannot attend my Summit for any reason, then by all means, grab my Results Now Webinar and get started – but I think you should ALL be at that Summit and give me a chance to see you and hear the extraordinary life that YOU want to build.

I remember when I got a gig writing a column for PC Week. A wonderful mentor of mine introduced me to the top brass there, and I offered to help de-mystify new technologies for their corporate audience. I wrote up 5 sample columns for free to show them how I might be of service to their readers. I brought benefits, not demands, to the table – and I got the job!

Because of my articles, I started getting hundreds of letters each month. I’d read every word and respond to them as a show of thanks to the editor for hiring me to write those columns. So what’s my point?

While it’s easy to get carried away by the heady feeling of a magazine profile, a favorable mention of your company, or a microphone stuck under your nose, remember that the media isn’t there to serve you. You’re there to serve them.

Think of the media as an extension of your network. In fact, they will be one of your best resources if you treat the relationship wisely. Find ways to serve them and they may become some of your best friends. So this week, ask yourself these questions:

–How can I be a connector?
–Can I put journalists in touch with helpful sources?
–Can I put business people in touch with one another?
–Is there an information gap that I can plug?

And remember–the key here is not to have a Rolodex you can “work”. After all, do you really want to be one of those insincere types who pull up their Outlook contact notes to ask how somebody’s spouse (fill-in-the-name) is doing when you don’t really care? That’s not what you want. You want REAL relationships formed over GREAT experiences.

(Now my plug! If you’re building a 7 Figure Business, the BEST place to find those like-minded people is my 7 Figure Business Building Summit. The early bird special price ends in less than two weeks, so click through now – and don’t forget, you can still bring a friend for half price! That’s TWO of you for $1,497 – unbelievable.) http://www.7FigureBusinessSummit.com  

To your success and your winning relationships!

Christine Comaford, The 7 Figure Business Builder
CEO of Mighty Ventures, Inc.
NY Times Best Selling Author

PS: This is the ONE event you must be at this year (if you’re REALLY ready to rock your business and rock your life:
http://www.7FigureBusinessSummit.com

The Number One Rule of Sales:  The Inner Game of Sales = Perseverance

Step Six:  Last but not least, HANG WITH THE WINNERS, people.  You will be MUCH more likely to find mentors, inspiring friends and yes, even clients when you’re with the BEST of the best.  If you’re seriously on the road to your 7 Figure Success and ready to FIND those winners (and learn from ME, in person), then you MUST be at my 7 Figure Business Summit is in April.  Seats are going fast http://www.bit.ly/5dHdCp and the early bird pricing ends in just a few DAYS.  AND, if you hurry, you can still bring a friend for half price.  (Yes, that’s two of you for $1,499.)

PS:  Here’s the link again to the 7 Figure Business Summit:  http://www.bit.ly/5dHdCp

Way too often, we’ll go rushing in to sell our product or service BEFORE we’ve done our three-step check.  BEFORE You Ask for the Deal:#1 Be SURE you have identified your prospect’s needs. If you’re NOT sure, ASK them. Sometimes the simple approach is the best approach.

#2 Be SURE you have presented a solution to your potential client’s needs.

#3 Feel confident!  You have earned the right to ask them to buy your recommended solution or service … So ASK for the deal! This is where a lot of companies and service providers blow it.  They wait for the prospect to ask THEM. People, we’re not in a bar waiting for an invite to dinner. You’re the one who does the asking here.

A PERFECT example of this three-step check is my 7 Figure Business System CD.

Number one, I identified the PAIN (um, can we say agony) that business builders go through (often, it’s systemization and almost ALWAYS it’s no mentor – or worse, the WRONG mentor).

Number two, I gathered up the 45 “must have” business documents, procedures, templates tutorials and worksheets that I insist my OWN mentees use AND I put them into a free CD for you guys (you pay only the shipping).  THEN, I put together a killer video mentoring project – and with the free CD, you get 2 weeks for FREE to try this mentoring program. Finally I made the program REALLY affordable – no kidding – solving the mentoring CRISIS that many of you go through. (After your two-week trial, unless you notify us, you will be automatically enrolled |in this $97 a month Exclusive Training Program.)

Number three, I put the offer out there!  (You can grab your copy now and ROCK the two-week trial. Supplies are limited and I have no plans to create more. http://bit.ly/97KnyV)  Be sure to get YOUR offers out there in a way that your clients see them.  Whether it be one-on-one in a killer sales meeting, or over the web to your friends, fans and followers.

ROCK your business people!  It’s TIME. 

Christine Comaford, The 7 Figure Business Builder
CEO of Mighty Ventures, Inc.
NY Times Best Selling Author

PS: Grab your copy now and ROCK the two-week trial. Supplies are limited and I have no plans to create more. http://bit.ly/97KnyV

What’s the MOST important part of what your company does? If you answered accountability or responsiveness or even quality control, you’re wrong.  The MOST important thing, every day is: Close the Deal. After all, EVERYTHING stops if you can’t do this.

Remember these four vital ingredients:

#1.  Closing is about confidence. You have to KNOW that you kick butt and know that the rest of your formula (i.e., accountability, responsiveness, QC, etc.) is solidly in place.

#2. Also, if your prospect feels you have confidence in your solution, THEY will have confidence in your solution.

#3. Remember, confidence comes from preparation + a quality product you believe in + using the Confident Stance (if nervous, focus on something you are great at: parenting, a hobby, being a terrific friend, etc. Feel that energy in your body and posture – then have at it). You are holding a solution they NEED, they are in PAIN.  It’s a great match – so no reason to be nervous at all.

#4. If you are nervous – or even if you’re not – role play your final presentation in advance and prepare answers to objections.  There’s NO reason not to be prepared.  This is how you HELP your prospect to work through their process and see your solutions.

For only the cost of shipping and handling ($4.95) I’d love to give you my 7 Figure Business Systems (which includes over 45 “must have” business documents, procedures, templates tutorials and worksheets). AND you’ll get 2 weeks FREE trial to my 7 Figure Business Formula Video Mentoring Program. After your FREE trial, unless you notify us, you will be automatically enrolled in this $97 a month Exclusive Training Program.  Business acceleration is no joke, gang, and finding a rockin’ mentor is a huge part of it.  I’m here and I’ve done this over 100 times. 

trial. Supplies are limited and I have no plans to create more. http://bit.ly/97KnyV

1.  “Tune your Radio to WIIFM” (WIIFM – “What’s In It For Me?”)

• This is the favorite and only station your prospect listens to
• Know why they are buying: 3 reasons – make money, save money, eliminate/reduce frustration or pain
• Remind them why they are buying
• Only talk to them about how this deal will help them!

2.  Ask for the Deal

• You have identified your prospect’s needs
• You have presented a solution to their needs
• You have earned the right to ask them to buy your recommended solution…So ASK!

3.  Stop Selling

• Your prospects know what they want
• They asked you to provide it and you did
• The more you talk, the more they think you are not done providing the solution
• Stop talking and let them decide to decide

4.  Close the Deal  

• Closing is about confidence
• If your prospect feels you have confidence in your solution, they will have confidence in your solution
• Confidence comes from preparation + a quality product you believe in + using the Confident Stance (if nervous, focus on something you are great at: parenting, a hobby, being a terrific friend, etc. Feel that energy in your body and posture.)
• Role play your final presentation in advance and prepare answers to objections

If you want these things for yourself too, then I have a gift for you. This is a gift that is going to rock your world, it is a gesture solely with YOUR success in mind.

==> http://bit.ly/97KnyV

For only the cost of shipping and handling ($4.95) I’d love to give you my 7 Figure Business Systems (which includes over 45 “must have” business documents, procedures, templates tutorials and worksheets). AND you’ll get 2 weeks FREE trial to my 7 Figure Business Formula Video Mentoring Program. After your FREE trial, unless you notify us, you will be automatically enrolled |in this $97 a month Exclusive Training Program. 

Christine Comaford, The 7 Figure Business Builder
CEO of Mighty Ventures, Inc.
NY Times Best Selling Author

PS: Grab your copy now and ROCK the two-week trial. Supplies are limited and I have no plans to create more. http://bit.ly/97KnyV