Arnold Business Advisors

Are you investing in your employees and yourselves personal development? Or, with the economy, is this an area you have consciously cut back?

In a recent article from The American Society for Training and Development (ASTD), executives report a slight decline in learning development funding.  In spite of this, they still acknowledge the importance of investing in employee learning and development.

“The findings in our latest State of the Industry Report clearly demonstrate that executives and business leaders know their investments in employee learning and development are keys to survival, recovery, and future growth,” says Tony Bingham, President and CEO of ASTD. “Training and the reskilling of the workforce is a strategic driver for companies worldwide. We are encouraged to see that, despite economic uncertainty, business leaders know learning matters.”

The report shares that on averages, businesses invest $1,081 per employee for learning and development.  The specifics of these investments vary; however, a large percentage is invested in external resources in the form of workshops, seminars, and conferences.  While these environments provide value, learning development effectiveness and retention can be a concern for leaders.  Many have experienced sending their employees off to a 2-3 day seminar, their returning “fired-up”, only to watch this energy fizzle within weeks of the seminar.

So, what’s an effective alternative?  The leaders at LIFE have hundreds of years of combined experience and are recognized among the world’s top leadership experts.   LIFE has “systematized” a process for providing and reinforcing world-class leadership development.  Businesses and individuals are finding this “systematized” approach to be a much more effective means of provide personal development which is retained.

Here is a brief overview of LIFE:

“The LIFE business launched with the purpose of providing world-class leadership materials to business executives, entrepreneurs, corporate climbers, pastors, church leaders, administrators, community service leaders, public servants, teachers, parents, and anybody who will find themselves in a position to lead. When it gets right down to it, leadership is for everyone. Nobody will be able to make their way through life without needing the draw upon the toolbox of leadership. Sadly, many people lack these tools and therefore get to live with the consequences of being ill-equipped. These consequences include missed opportunities, unfulfilled career aspirations, financial woes, and broken relationships.”

It doesn’t take long to do a bit of research to find that investing in an entire year’s LIFE subscription is considerably less than a 2 or 3 day seminar.  Yes, for as little as $50/month, individuals are seeing dramatic changes in their business, organizations, families, and overall relationships.  Click here to read some of their testimonials.

As members of LIFE, we are plugging a variety of leaders into this leadership development system.  With a simple email or phone call, we can get you started with a LIFE subscription that includes a 30 day money back return policy on all its products.

Want to learn more? Please contact us today!  We guarantee you will not be disappointed.  Also, make sure you ask about The 3 for Free program!

Have a FANTASTIC day!

Recently, I have had the opportunity to read Chris Brady’s book, RASCAL.  In this book, Brady defines key characteristics of a Rascal Leader and even has a self-assessment for testing your “rascalinity”.  Brady’s humor and passion clearly make this book an easy read and his heart for freedom is readily apparent.

In particular, one of the things that I related with this book and wanted to pass along to you is “The Battle Plan – The Productive Loop.”

As you will likely recall, Arnold Business Advisors LLC mission is aiding businesses and individuals in truly defining what “success” looks like and building strategies to achieve this “success”. Substituting the word “success” for “dream” in the loop, we offer the following.

Brady states:  “Rascals start out ignorant like everyone else.  They simply don’t know what they don’t know about a certain subject, and they may not even realize they are Rascals.  But then new information finds its way into their consciousness, either through a good book, a friend, a life experience, or whatever.  The new information suggests a path toward accomplishment, a route of opportunity, an idea to be tried.”  Or, in our terms a “picture of what ‘success look’s like’”.  From this, the process begins.

Whether it’s someone looking to find a new career, start a business, partner with a new business, increase sales, work through a difficult relationship, raise their leadership capabilities, increase team effectiveness, or many other circumstances, individuals become aware of the possibility of “success” and normally immediately are skeptical. Things like, “I’m not good enough to do that” or “we’ve tried that before” come to mind.  However, then, “curiosity” is raised leading to a process of “learning”, followed by “excitement” to a point where we need to take some “action”.  But, prior to this “action”, we have that critical step of “overcoming fear”.

Assuming a Rascal “overcomes fear”, they immediately transition into action which enters the “Productivity Loop” and progress is seen.  However, our experience is that many don’t “overcome fear” which leads to “inaction, becoming paralyzed and frustrated” to a point where they meet the “Fork In The Road”.

You see, it’s not the initial lack of overcoming fear that diminishes our dreams or picture of success, it’s at the “Fork In The Road” that most experience the “make it or break it” decision. Will we “wimp out” or, as “Rascals”, will we reengage in our dream and press on to a point where we find ourselves in the productivity loop and having the experience of “Being In ‘The Zone”!”

Brady states: “‘The Zone’ is a concept that describes a peak performer in a moment all their own, where they are doing exactly what God built them to do, to the best of their ability, with all of their faculties aligned and intensely focused.”   It’s that point at which we’re hitting on all cylinders and seem invincible.  I’m sure you have experienced it at points in your life.

So, how are you and your team with being “Rascals” and operating in “The Zone”?  What’s your “rascalinity” score?

It’s our experience, which Brady also comments, that most need a coach or mentor to continually stay in the Productivity Loop.  He states that this coach or mentor should “have fruit on the tree” and not just “academic knowledge” for aiding in Rascal development.  For this reason, we mentor with those who “have fruit on the tree” and provide the same for our clients.  Would you like to further discuss? Click here to email.

Dare to be a Rascal and have a FANTASTIC day!

Best regards,

Chris

P.S.  For more blogs on fear, click here.

Walking into my son’s basketball game this past week, John Wooden Pyramid of Success caught my eye.  Great words of wisdom from a man we all love and honor.

Click here to view in pdf format.

In a leadership workshop some time back, I was given the opportunity to step outside my comfort zone a bit. Like most, I wrestled with the concept of “Asking for Help” ; especially, when it revolved around money and myself. For the right cause, I had absolutely no problem “asking for help” to include money; however, personalizing it made things extremely difficult.

One of the myths surrounding this topic is “successful people never ask for help as it’s a sign of weakness”. On the contrary, one of the most important traits of great leaders is their vulnerability. Being vulnerable and communicating to others builds trust by letting others know that, while you may not have the answers, you are willing to find them.

In addition, inherent in most individuals is the desire to “help” someone. How will they know, if we never “ask”?

Speaking of “Asking for Help”, Arnold Business Advisors operates primarily on referrals. While we would love to say all of our business is long term, reality is that most clients have an end point. We are winding down several projects and need your “help” in the upcoming months supporting our visions. Please call or pass our information along to anyone whom may be “asking for help” in their business.

While we are the first to point out that not all contributions to the “success” of a business can be quantified, businesses are in business to make a profit; thus, business owners and their employees should periodically quantify their contribution to profitability.

We generally challenge teams to identify specific tangible results which at a minimum equate to 1 ½ times their annual compensation.  As a management consultant, we like to see our contributions equate to a minimum of 3 times our fees.

Over the past 5 years, we have averaged contributions of over 5 times are compensation through the leadership and inspiration of multiple High Performance Teams.  We are passionate about Manifesting Results and would love to speak more with you about opportunities.

So, what is “a beep?” It is an obstacle standing in the way of an individual or team achieving their vision or intended purpose. Life can deliver some pretty big “beeps”. For example, job loss, loss of a major contract, sickness or injury, and the list goes on. If not careful, these “beeps” can result in “limiting beliefs” transitioning to our losing track of the original vision and, eventually, failing to achieve the ultimate vision or purpose.

So, what do you do when you experience “beeps”? We coach the following process:

• Acknowledge the “beeps”
• Learn from the “beeps”
• Select a new path
• Stay focused on the vision with clear intentions

Then, when you hit the next “beep” (as you will) repeat the process always staying focused on the vision with clear intentions.

While simply stated, this process can be quite challenging, requiring outside council and guidance. While we would love to say we have this process mastered, we also experience “beeps” routinely requiring our own coaches to remind us of the fact that “it’s just a beep”!

Intention + Mechanism = Results

First, let’s understand the definition of both of these terms:

Intention an act or instance of determining mentally upon some action or result; the end or object intended; purpose.

Mechanism the agency or means by which an effect is produced or a purpose is accomplished.

Or,

Intention – “an already decided future”

Mechanism – “method”

What’s more important in this formula?

Experts studies support that 90%+ of all results are driven from intention.  There are multiple “methods” to get from “A to B” and what’s most important is that getting to “B” is already a “done deal”.

Would you like to learn more?  We can help.

Are you “Living from Vision” or ” Living from Survival”?

Another way of relating, as expressed via our partners at Zarvos Coaching and Consulting, is as follows:

Living from Survival – Maintenance & Control
Living from Vision – Possibilities & Breakthrough

We often find, especially in challenging times, that most are consumed with “survival” and need assistance shifting to “vision”.

Are you Living from Vision?  Do you need assistance assessing?  We would love to share more.

When is the last time you felt yourself “holding back” in a relationship?

One of the key characteristics we focus in on during our team building and one-on-one coaching is authenticity in relationships.  We find watching authenticity unfold in relationships and in team environments to be one of the most rewarding aspects of our business.  Coming from the heart and with respect, “clearing the air” can be an exceptionally rewarding experience for all involved.

Do you need a facilitator to aid your team in this process?  We can help.

Isn’t this an interesting topic? Do you find yourself struggling with patience or, possibly feel you’re too patient? What is the balance between “patience” and “taking initiative” to create new possibilities?

We find the answers to these questions to be much more clearly defined once you know what “success” looks like within your business or personal lives. This clarity of purpose and intention allows us to see a much bigger picture while exercising confidence and patience in achievement of this vision for success. What one often realizes is that there are multiple paths to satisfying the vision and that obstacles along the way are simply growth opportunities to capitalize upon.