Mentoring Programs

1. The Private Roster Option

The private roster mentor program consists of six months of unlimited access to me by e-mail, phone, and regular mail. Sometimes personal meetings are possible when mutually convenient. I help people strategically (how improve your value proposition, how to gain visibility in the marketplace, how to identify and access attractive segments of the market, etc.), and tactically (what to say at the meeting tomorrow, critiquing proposals, overcoming objections, etc.). The modest fee is easily recouped through increased business and/or higher fees. Admission is limited and if there are no openings there is a "first come, first served" waiting list.

During our first discussion we’ll reach a mutual decision as to whether the program is right for you. If it is, we begin by examining your current situation, expectations, and fundamental value propositions. You then establish mentoring goals. Some people call daily, some weekly, some monthly. The frequency and style are up to you. I return all phone calls and email, during business hours, within 8 hours. The fee is required to begin the process or to claim a place on the waiting list. While the fee is non-refundable, you may call a "freeze" at any point, for up to two months, at which time I stop the calendar until you're ready to begin again. I am very lax about the six months and readily provide grace periods to take care of any loose ends.

2. Guided Mentoring Option

Guided Mentoring is designed for those individuals who require a more structured relationship and additional accountability for meeting their goals. In this version of the program we choose those areas which are of highest priority and create:

1. A detailed game plan with specific completion dates, and;

2. A formal, schedule of contact times to discuss accomplishments and any obstacles preventing short-term tasks from being completed. I will help enforce completion dates and task accomplishment.

The areas we may address together include contacting prospects, creating publicity materials, developing a book proposal, writing articles, writing a book, contacting speakers bureaus, creating a web site, following-up on leads, establishing networking events, creating a brand, creating products, etc. We generally choose three or four of these areas. I then provide a template with specific tasks and completion dates, and we establish formal schedules for those completion dates. The Guided Program provides for externally-enforced discipline, in that you are accountable for specific completion activities on certain dates on which I follow-up with you.

The Guided Program is recommended for those at any level of their career who feel the need for increased structure, whose intellectual curiosity and talent cause them to wander from task to task prior to completion, and who require more urgency in creating results. Due to its targeted nature, you may not "freeze" the Guided Program during the six months.

3. The Total Immersion Program

For people who want to jumpstart the process and work with me face-to-face, I offer "total immersion." This consists of two days with me, at my home office, to learn how to handle the most important or problematic aspects of your practice strategy, development, and implementation. We spend considerable time on your strategy and goals, and create plans to move forward. We will also focus on the detailed “how to” for topics of your choosing such as deepening client relationships, winning new prospects, office management, developing a book proposal, invoicing, handling interruptions, building your network, and so on.

Normally the two in-person days are split, with one about 90 to 120 days after the other. I hold these days either in New York City or at my office in Santa Fe, New Mexico depending on the time of year. Spouses and significant others are welcome to attend as much of the discussions as they like. We’ll dine together and also have some conversation and "down time." You then enter the regular Mentor Program for six months. (All meals are included in the Total Immersion Program fee while you are with me.)

Before deciding about entering one of these programs, you might want to have a look at my article about growing your practice, "From Startup to Market Leadership."

How to Sign Up

Please contact me directly by email or phone to discuss whether or not one of these three programs is appropriate for you. At that time, I can give you information about the fees for each one and instructions for signing up.

I offer these programs in affiliation with Alan Weiss. Alan, who is arguably the bestselling author on consulting and professional development, has been a longtime mentor and friend. He designed the basic framework for this Mentor program 15 years ago, and has since had 1000 individuals go through it. By collaborating with Alan on this Mentor program I am able to offer my mentees valuable benefits such as access to his annual mentor meetings, membership in his vibrant online community and discussion forum, and others (see below). I am one of only a dozen professionals worldwide who have been certified by Alan Weiss to offer all three levels of the Mentor Program.