Change Masters is celebrating our 30th year! I remember when I was deciding whether I should start my own business, I had breakfast with a man who had been in business for ten years – that seemed like forever to me. He asked me if I had been successful with IBM and Dayton Hudson (now Target Corp). When I said “yes”, his response was, “Then you will be successful for yourself.” He was correct. Thirty years have gone by quickly in many ways.
30 years ago
In 1986, we did not use email or surf the worldwide web. Fax machines were in high demand for fast communication. Long-distance phone calls were considered expensive so we had an “800” number for people to contact us. Yes, we used computers to print letters that we mailed to clients — most people were still using typewriters at that time.
20 years ago
Our domain name for our first website in 1994 was “ChangeMaster.com” because domain names were limited to 12 characters. That was also the year the first major US business magazine wrote about a new term; “executive coach”.
10 years ago
As our coaching evolved, the definition of “executive presence” became a more pressing question. Everyone ‘knew it when they saw it’, and knew it had great impact. The definition, and how to increase it, was not yet defined. We turned our research and experience into our book, “Seeing Yourself as Others Do – Authentic Executive Presence at Any Stage of Your Career”. The book has been a best seller around the world.
Today
The years have passed as the business world, and coaching, has continued to change. Today, we completed our first pilot of a virtual coaching workshop with participants videoconferencing from Europe, the Middle East, Asia, South America, and the USA. The “3-D Personality on a Flat Screen” workshop focuses on how to significantly improve effectiveness when using remote communication. It is amazing to see how we can successfully personally coach people around the world. We use our online video development with leading edge videoconferencing techniques to improve effectiveness and productivity.
Tomorrow
It has been an exciting 30 years for Change Masters. We continue to be motivated by the tremendous success stories from our clients about dramatically improved lives after our coaching process. It’s what pushes us to find new, and even better, ways to reach people.
We are continuing to build our online videos and are developing a smartphone application that will help our clients carry key Change Masters tools in their pocket. Much has changed in 30 years as we take experience and technology to the next level. Most importantly, what stays the same is our commitment to our clients. The future is bright!
Perception and Misperception
I was reading a LinkedIn post about “perception” and “misperception” that included:
” I recently participated in some coaching on executive presence. While I know you can see my profile picture, I am a little over 6 feet tall, relatively fit, shave my head, and often wear my greying facial hair in the form of a beard or goatee. During the coaching, I had to get up in front of the team and give a “pitch” while being videotaped. Then I received what I had been dreading… the feedback …[Link …]”
It’s a great article!
It was written by one of our workshop participants talking about his experience in our “Persuasion, Perception, and Executive Presence” (PPEP) workshop. The high intensity workshop has made major changes in people’s lives. It is very rewarding to see a blog post from a past participant and learn how it has impacted him personally.
In addition to capturing his own experience, he has taken the importance of perception to a powerful new level. We all fall victim at times to stereotypes of ourselves, and the stereotypes we hold of others. I encourage you to read the article and watch the videos.
Cultural Differences in Negotiation
There are many more cultural differences in play than most people are aware of when communicating. When I taught international negotiations for executives, I was amazed at how even very experienced negotiators, who were effective in their own culture, were sometimes very poor when negotiating with people from other cultures.
Erin Meyer is professor of cultural studies and author of multiple Harvard Business Review articles. Her December 2015 article, “Getting to Si, Ja, Oui, Hai, and Da” addresses … [LINK]
Working Remotely Since 1999
by Lyn Schonebaum
I work for Change Masters, a company which coaches and consults on workplace communication and executive presence. So that must mean that, as a company, we’ve always known the best way to reach employees who are working remotely… right?
Before virtual offices were commonplace, I was given the opportunity to work remotely, and I took it. At the time it was a pretty new concept, and we weren’t even sure that it would work. That was in 1999 when the internet connection was still dial-up … [LINK]
Philosophy for a Happy Life
My wise grandmother would say things like, “Those who talk about ‘the good old days’ have poor memories.” and “Happiness is a choice, not a condition.”
… Sam Berns was 62 years younger than I am when he was featured on a FOX News special because of his positive attitude.
… He shared wisdom beyond his years: “I have my problems and difficulties, but I do not dwell on them. I choose to look forward to even the small things in life. I value the relationships that enrich my life.” He made his life of 17 years matter with the way he thought. [LINK]
Text Message Snooper Protection
You leave your phone on the table in a meeting … just at the wrong moment a text message pops up on the lock screen of your phone that you don’t want your [… SOLUTION]
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