| Business owners should not be running the | | | | less costly option too. |
| day-to-day activities within their companies. In order | | | | Affinity group coaching helps business owners to: |
| to bring small and medium size companies to newer | | | | Focus on key goals to achieve business objectives |
| and stronger levels, systems should be running | | | | Increase productivity while decreasing work time |
| companies. Owners must be in a position to step | | | | Widen profit margins |
| back and focus on working on the business rather | | | | Realize their dreams through accountability |
| than in the business. The results can be powerful. | | | | What They Are |
| Through mentoring and advice, coaches help business | | | | Affinity groups come in many shapes and sizes. |
| owners succeed more and work less. Coaches serve | | | | Some are geographically based, by locale or region of |
| a variety of businesses and professionals from | | | | the country. Others are specific to age or revenue. |
| florists and printers to chiropractors and | | | | Still others are linked to a particular frame of |
| manufacturing companies. Most entrepreneurs have | | | | reference, such as the software industry. More |
| few resources and few places to turn to get advice | | | | examples can include a group of interior designers, all |
| on sales, marketing and team building. That's where | | | | who have different specialities, such as furniture |
| coaches step in, not with the answers, but with the | | | | design, kitchen and bathroom design or draperies |
| right questions. | | | | who share client lists, or a group of personal chefs |
| Having an extra set of eyes and ears to look at the | | | | who join together to increase their ability to bid jobs, |
| performance and goals of your business makes a | | | | or a block of stores that agree on hours of operation |
| world of difference. Working with a coach means | | | | and seasonal advertising specials. They often operate |
| you don't have to go it alone. It also holds | | | | like strategic alliances; non-competitive businesses |
| entrepreneurs accountable to someone outside of | | | | that refer clients and prospects. |
| their business. | | | | One of the incredible things about being alive is |
| In addition, a new and less expensive coaching trend | | | | having the opportunity to learn and grow with each |
| for entrepreneurs is belonging to an affinity group. | | | | passing day. The great desire to gain new knowledge |
| Affinity groups can help business owners accelerate | | | | and insights into the people and things around us |
| their company's growth. The next time you are lying | | | | provides an energy that helps overcome the many |
| awake in bed at 2 a.m. wondering how to deal with | | | | challenges we confront on life's journey. We are |
| your entrepreneurial crisis du jour, consider the | | | | constantly amazed by the things we didn't know, by |
| following: find, join, and participate in affinity groups. | | | | the inaccuracy of our perceptions, by the actions of |
| One of the most powerful steps an entrepreneur can | | | | those we thought we knew better and by the |
| take at any stage in his or her development is to find | | | | support we receive from unimaginable places. |
| a group of peers. Creating an enterprise can be a | | | | Keep moving forward even when times are difficult. |
| lonely task. If an entrepreneur is alone in creating a | | | | Try new ways of approaching the same challenges. |
| business (and having a partner or partners doesn't | | | | Take the time to read and listen to the experience |
| mean you're not alone), opportunities for learning and | | | | and journey of others. There is a lot to learn on the |
| teaching are lost. With an affinity group, you can | | | | road to building a successful business, or a fulfilling life |
| accelerate your growth and eventually give back | | | | for that matter. |
| your wisdom and experience to those coming after | | | | We are starting to see the signs of an improving |
| you. | | | | marketplace; start to invest in yourself and your |
| Who Are They and What Do They Do | | | | business. It will give you the greatest chance of |
| Affinity groups are gatherings of peers attracted to | | | | achieving the success you deserve and have worked |
| each other by a common set of experiences and | | | | so hard for. |
| capabilities, or "affinities." Normally the group is a | | | | So the next time you are up at 2 a.m., act on the |
| maximum of 10 people. They have the opportunity | | | | following: find, join, and participate in affinity groups. |
| to share knowledge and different perspectives as | | | | Copyright 2003 Permission required before |
| well as providing accountability and developing their | | | | reproducing. |
| own network. Affinity group coaching is normally the | | | | |