Instant e-Coaching

by Julieann Cross

Copyright 2001 CoachVille

This particular client is a newly appointed CEO of a small non-profit and while he's an outrageous counselor, he lacked the experience and self-confidence to manage the organization without some "coaching". He also had an additional "challenge" in that he is hearing impaired and telephone conversations are difficult for him, even with the "enhanced" attachments to his phone and hearing aids. One day he came to my office and entered as I was finishing a "chat" with my son and became fascinated with the whole "IM" thing.

A Light Bulb Moment

Later that week he "zapped" me for the first time and a major light bulb went off - we held our first "trial zap coaching" session right then and suddenly a couple of concepts he had been struggling to "hear" he could "see" in the context of the conversation. It became clear he had been missing the "subtle distinctions"  because he simply couldn't hear them. We have been conducting our coaching sessions like this ever since.

In fact, we have even taken "zap coaching" to an even higher level on a couple of sessions. One session in particular created an interesting coaching challenge. My client was involved in a very difficult negotiating session to merge with another organization. During a break in the session he zapped me to discuss some of the key strategy points. Unbeknownst to me, the other parties soon entered the room and negotiations continued while he continued to “zap me”.

The Power of Instant Coaching

He told "them" he was keeping notes and he kept feeding me information on what was going on in the room. About 4 of 5 "zaps" went back and forth when I realized that I was “playing his virtual coach” zapping him play by play strategies without disrupting the flow of the “real time” game going on in his office. I quickly shifted my coaching to match the tempo of the game and now know how the coach that sits in the announcers booth and calls down plays on the radio to the field feels like....it was an interesting "coaching session" to say the least. But more importantly, the end result is that the organizations merged, the newly formed organization has doubled its impact on the community through both the number of people served and the array of services they offer.  It also clued me into the power "instant" coaching can have and I've extended the practice to several of my clients.
 
Powerful Coaching in Minutes

Those who utilize the service tell me its like having me in their pocket and they can pull me out in tough spots. The majority of the time this “zap coaching” only takes a couple of minutes and often more powerful. I’ve done “zap coaching” with folks in both personal and professional “real time settings” and even have a couple of teens (who are much more tech savvy) zap me from their web enabled cell phones.

Personally, I love “zap coaching” and find it effective in a wide array of situations and see it as a powerful tool in my practice…nice to see someone else does too.

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Crosshaven Ventures, LLC is a private Development firm dedicated to serving those who serve. For more information about our services and how we can support you in changing the world, call Julieann Cross at 303-659-7691.

SPECIAL BONUS: Excerpt from the 100-Day Full Practice eCourse for Coaches

Here is Lesson 71 from the Full Practice 100 ecourse, which prompted the above CoachVille member to write and share her story with us:

from

Lesson 71 Theme this week: Doubling Value For Your Clients: Being available via Instant Messenger This is a lesson from the 100-Day Full Practice eCourse available from CoachVille.com. Cost is $39 for members. Details here by Thomas J. Leonard copyright CoachVille.com 2001

As the coaching game gets more competitive and as potential clients become better educated about the coaching process, potential clients are going to be looking at the 'features' you offer as part of their buying decision. And one of these features they'll be looking at is your degree of availability to them between sessions. Clients want and need support... One of the reasons that clients leave coaches is because the client wanted/needed more support than the coach was willing, able or even knew to provide. But I believe that there is a simple solution to this problem... And that is to offer IM (Instant Messaging) as a support feature to your clients.  Recently, we've been doing some testing in this area and are finding that clients are really responding to "IM Coaching." This, because the coach is 'there' during periods when the client needs help getting through a tough project, or needs accountability for an afternoon, or just needs a friendly cyber chat, or has a quick question but doesn't want to 'wait' for you get to get back to them via email or phone. Here's one way to present this feature to clients and potential clients... "Dear Client: One of the new client support features that I'm adding to my practice is Instant Messaging, called IM for short.  If you've ever used MSN's Messenger, or AOL Chat or ICQ, then you know what referring to.  If not, I've explained how the feature works below. "I'm adding this feature to my practice in order to everything I can possibly do to support you to success with your goals and projects.  I've used IM myself with my colleagues and friends and I know that it adds a special dose of Instant Support when I need that extra structure to make sure I get something done on time, or just when I need a supportive word.  And, IM is also a way for you to instantly contact me for just about anything, including scheduling, quick questions, a quick strategy session, a request for a phone call; you name it! IM is not a new tech feature; but it's fairly new in the coaching profession.  I'm one of the first coaches to make IM Coaching available to all of my clients.  And I believe that you're really going to like it, especially when you need some just-in-time advice or support. Here's how it works.... After you download the IM software and add my email address to your 'list,' you'll be able to immediately see whenever I'm available to you.  Just click my name on your IM window and I'll respond within seconds. It's as simple as that. In fact, here's a graphic of how the Messenger software looks when you're having a chat.  This little window pops up when you start an IM with me. You can always check to see if I'm around/available via IM. Just launch your IM software which looks like this.  If I'm online, it will show my name under 'ONLINE.' This is just another way to show you that I'm here for you. I value our relationship and your business and I am expecting that this new feature will add value to your life and projects. If you'd like to get started, just download the free IM software from http://messenger.msn.com. And, if you'd like an illustrated tutorial, click here for a PDF. Your Coach, YOUR NAME HERE" Worried that you'll be inundated 24/7 with IM's from clients? Not to worry.  You can adjust your IM settings to hide the fact that you're online if you'd rather not be disturbed.  FYI, when you do log on, all of the clients that have added your name to their IM list will see a little pop up window that let's them know that you've logged on and are available.  And, yes, you can handle multiple IMs at one time. Enjoy!  Thomas

If you are not yet a CoachVille member and wish to access the rest of the ongoing Full Practice 100 lessons, register to become a CoachVille member for $79, and upgrade to receive the Full Practice ecourse for $39.  Archived lessons are accessible anytime, and are organized as follows for the first fifty lessons, 5 lessons per week:

Week 1: Know Thyself and Thy Services
Week 2: Resolving Psycho Blocks
Week 3: Building a Network
Week 4: Educating For Your Network for Referrals
Week 5: Bonding with Your Network
Week 6: Winning Websites 
Week 7: Winning Websites  (continued)
Week 8: 1 to 1 Selling Techniques
Week 9: Using Assessments as Marketing Giveaways
Week 10: Increasing Web Traffic

For more information about the Full Practice 100 ecourse, click here.
For CoachVille,
  

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