FinancialMastery - The Foundation of Business Communication

This morning I sat down with business owners to talk numbers. It's what we do at the FinancialMastery seminar - we explore the framework within which all business activity is reflected, communicated, and manipulated. It is so true - the numbers never lie. And today was a great day. Why? Because every day is a great day to know where you're at and where you're going. That's what the numbers tell you and that's why you need to know them.

We could all effectively stumble our way to profitability in a business. A combination of some hard work, luck, circumstance, and borrowing from someone's deep pockets would keep us going on the path of viable operation for a time. But we could also effectively stumble our way to bankruptcy and ruin. How do we know which path we're on? The numbers tell us.

Business owners are always concerned with the bottom line. After all, we're in this to make money, are we not? So increasing the amount of money in a business owner's pocket is the name of the game. We're not thinking like accountants (who should do a very fine job of ensuring we pay minimal taxes on our pocket cash) or like bankers (who love to see a long list of variable expenses and a short one of fixed costs) or like lawyers (who are masters of variable cost application). We are business owners and we think differently. We are the decision-makers that will bring our company to the realm of success. Reading what your business is trying to communicate to you in the financial statements  is just the beginning - but once you've entered that gate, you will shortly find yourself on the path to abundance. 

Do you have the courage to face exactly where your business stands, make the tough decisions that your numbers insist upon, and distance yourself emotionally from the possible fallout? Are you confident about your company's position, even in the volatile economy in which we find ourselves daily? Have you been listening and responding to what your numbers are telling you? If you hesitated, even for a moment, on any of these questions then it's time to make changes in how you run your business. 

A great group at FinancialMastery today took the initiative to control the outcome of their business activity. What will you do today?

Join a Team

Business owners are not unaccustomed to working and standing alone. But at some point we realize that without the support of a great community and the bridges built through working and networking with like-minded individuals, we will never accomplish feats that will change the course of the future for our families and communities. We work together to establish successful municipalities, stabilize economies, and build the foundation of a great future for our children.

When was the last time you attended a networking event and took it to the next level? Did you actually plug in to the community, or were you just there to socialize? How can you be more involved in a great community of forward-thinking business owners? How can you become someone who learns and grows with others in the community to improve your business, achieve your goals, and at the same time promote positive growth and change for the community as well?

At ActionCOACH, we believe we are stronger together than we would ever be alone. We promote connections between individuals, businesses, and teams that can strengthen each other and mutually benefit by association with one another. Participants at our events are encouraged to continue their relationship outside our arena, and help drive each other toward fulfilling the amazing potential they have as individuals and business owners. Join us for one of our events and take the opportunity to meet others who are driven to succeed. Cultivate relationships that will engage you in embracing a future bright with amazing possibilities for our community.

I believe in our community and the business owners that drive our economy. I am pleased to have positive association and participation in the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Business Revitalization Zone, the Lethbridge Fish & Game Association, and the District Council for Lethbridge School District #51. I associate daily with business owners and teams that are interested in claiming a place at the forefront of their industry, taking a commanding lead over all their competitors, and being in a position to step back while well-placed systems and strategies take their business to a whole new level. As their profits and free time increase, they are able to make the move from business owner to investor. And live the lifestyle of freedom and peace of mind that inspired them to start their own business in the first place.

Bridges to Success - a collaborative effort for Lethbridge businesses

Contact me today to join our team, live your dream and leave a legacy to your community.

I Am ...

At ActionCOACH, we believe in creating, verbalizing and reinforcing "I Am ..." statements that reflect who we are. Just check out the banner at ActionCOACH Lethbridge, or the 14 Points of Culture.

I believe that "I am a business coach who is focused on results." As I verbally affirm that fact, it becomes just a little more true.

Have you created "I Am ..." statements yet? The rest of your life can and will be determined by who you are today. Have you defined in specific terms who that person is?

One of the great things about who I am (an ActionCOACH Business Coach) is that I am part of a worldwide team collaborating to bring to fruition the vision of ActionCOACH - World Abundance through Business Re-education.

I am an ActionCOACH, and my success is your success.



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Don't Accept Mediocrity

“I believe we’re born into greatness, but we’re conditioned into mediocrity.”

            --James Ray

Check out the pic on this page; does it make you think again about accepting something a little less than ideal? Especially of yourself?

If you knew you were born to be something great, why are you choosing to maintain a standard that won't allow you to realize that potential?

As a Business Coach, I inspire my clients to see a grander vision of what their life can be. We work together to ensure that their business is systemized to run without them; they are then free to accomplish all that they want to in life. Their business is no longer their focus; it is the means by which they are able to fulfill their goals and live their dreams.

At ActionCOACH Lethbridge, we believe excellence is the minimum standard. It's the starting point for pushing your business above the crowd and becoming leaders in your chosen industry or field. As we work with you to maximize your business potential, we also work to accomplish our own ActionCOACH vision: world abundance through business re-education. And we mean to achieve just that - not just a living for everyone, but abundance. The world over.

Join the wave of business owners across the world who are transitioning to the bigger picture and a broader vision. Take action by contacting Coach David Green now.

Giving Back

A recent announcement by ActionCOACH outlines a new initiative that will reward veterans for the service they have rendered with the opportunity to join our community and reintegrate into society. This move reinforces one of the 14 Points of Culture that ActionCOACH proudly upholds:

Abundance

I am an abundant person, I deserve my abundance and I am easily able to both give and receive it. I allow abundance in all areas of my life by respecting my own self worth and that of all others. I am rewarded to the level that I create abundance for others and I accept that abundance only shows up in my life to the level at which I show up.

In a recent conversation with an old friend, we discussed the importance and desirability of "giving back." This particular friend had a series of great opportunities that rewarded him with substantial material wealth and prosperity. Up until this point he had led a good life and was able to achieve many worthwhile goals. But the realization had hit him that it was time to give back. I was impressed as we discussed ways and means to invest in the people and world around us to better the legacy that we would leave one day for others to carry on.

The emphasis that ActionCOACH places on "World Abundance" is one of the many reasons I am proud to be a part of this community. Don't spend all your days picking the roses this world has to offer - plant some of your own. You can experience the joy of giving in no other way.

Above or Below the Line?

What does the header on this blog mean? And how do you rate yourself in relation to "the line?"

Google the term "below the line" and you will find a couple of popular definitions for this phrase. Wikipedia, always one of the first to jump in, gives us these two ideas in relation to the business world:

1. Above the line (ATL), below the line (BTL), and through the Line (TTL), in organizational business and marketing communications, are advertising techniques.  In a nutshell, while ATL promotions are tailored for a mass audience, BTL promotions are targeted at individuals according to their needs or preferences. While ATL promotions can establish brand identity, BTL can actually lead to a sale. ATL promotions are also difficult to measure well, while BTL promotions are highly measurable, giving marketers valuable insights into their return-on-investment.
2. In feature-length narrative filmmaking, an imaginary line delineates those who have influence in the creative direction of a film's narrative from others who perform duties related to the film's physical production. Below-the-line is a term that refers to the list of individuals who perform the physical production of a given film, the post-production work and all of the related expenditures.

While interesting, as an ActionCOACH, neither of these definitions listed above are what I am referring to. I'm talking about behavior. I'm talking about what we say, how we say it, how we interact, when we step back, what we address, how we address it, and what we don't address. I'm talking about an invisible line that delineates behavior that is acceptable and behavior that is not. Above the line we take Ownership, we hold ourselves Accountable, and we accept Responsibility for all that we say and do. Individuals and organizations that fall below the line pass Blame, give Excuses (or fancy excuses called reasons), or have a general sense of Denial when things don't work out.

 When it comes to business, this line is more tangible than it might seem. The minute you fall below that line, you are losing customers, credibility, productivity, team unity, and profit. You are destroying yourself, your relationships, and your business. Your business will never master its niche until you master the man or woman within.

To this end, ActionCOACH developed 14 Points of Culture that outline exactly what it is to be above or below the line. We hold our coaches, clients, and businesses to the highest standards of integrity, positivity, and energy. While maintaining a balance between consistent, relevant business systems and effective people practices, we cultivate a culture of abundance, gratitude, and success. Join the ActionCOACH community and lift yourself, your business, and everyone around you above the line. Watch the "I Am An ActionCOACH" video to get a taste of the community we are building as we seek the vision we uphold: "World Abundance Through Business Re-Education."

Get a coach - get your head above the rest - and get above the line.
I look forward to hearing from you very soon.

Abundance

At ActionCOACH, we have 14 Points of Culture. Today I'd like to talk about the fourteenth:

Abundance

I am an abundant person, I deserve my abundance and I am easily able to both give and receive it. I allow abundance in all areas of my life by respecting my own self worth and that of all others. I am rewarded to the level that I create abundance for others and I accept that abundance only shows up in my life to the level at which I show up.

Let me illustrate this point with a personal experience:

A woman is waiting patiently while the clerk rings through her purchases. At the completion of this process, the clerk tells her what she owes. In response, the woman offers her debit card. The clerk puts the card through, only to have the sale return incomplete. There is something wrong with the card. Before the woman has time to be flustered, the next customer in line steps forward and offers to pay for the woman's purchases with their own card. For a moment, both the woman and the clerk stare confusedly at the customer. The customer is completely unruffled, offering their card and suggesting that the clerk ring through their own purchases as well and add them to the current total. The clerk gains control of her surprise and takes the customer up on their offer. The woman is astonished, but starts to offer her gratitude in several expressions of surprise and thankfulness. The customer simply smiles and says, "Enjoy." The woman, still marvelling and thanking the customer, gathers her purchases and walks out.

Is their any confusion about the principle of abundance shown in this example? Abundance means there is enough (and more) for everyone, and from our own gratitude grows a desire to share what we have with others. When we act on that desire we start a ball rolling. Was there anyone in this experience that didn't remember it clearly that evening as their spouse or friend asked them how their day went? Was there anyone that didn't stop for a moment to evaluate what happened, and ask themselves why a complete stranger would suddenly become involved in another's life and make it that much better (even if only for a moment, with one purchase suddenly and unexpectedly paid for)? Everyone should have taken a moment to quietly celebrate in their own hearts the principle of abundance. Celebrate it today - give what you have to give to someone who could use it. No strings attached, no begrudging the gift - just celebrate. Be the one to show the world the meaning of abundance.