Getting Mastermind Group members to play - whose game is it?

Guest Contributor: Chris Barrow
Chris' Posts - Chris' Blog


Today is a call-in day for my Mastermind Group members.

What I mean by that is that part of the service we offer (as well as a quarterly Mastermind meeting) is unlimited email access to myself and my business partner, Simon Hocken, as the coaches - "just ask as many questions on whatever subjects whenever you like" and also, once a month, a full day that we set aside to attend 30-minute phone calls with each MMG member.

We use an on-line appointment scheduler at http://www.appointmentquest.com/ and each month the 18 MMG members receive a personal email from my business manager (10 days notice), asking them to get on-line and book their call with me.

So this morning I rise early, check the scheduler - and there are 3 calls booked for me - just 3 - and 1 for Simon.

Suppressing a feeling of glee that there will be loads of time today to catch up with business development work, I think about what's happening here and write to them all as follows:

Morning all

I'm not at all moaning BUT...

If you look at the attached spreadsheet you will see the call-in day schedule for today - and it's not really much of challenge for Simon and I is it?

Don't get me wrong:

1. The chance to catch up on my work between the 3 calls I have today will be very welcome - there is always loads to do and
2. The three people I speak to today (and I'm sure that the people that Simon speak to) will get 100% attention and coaching;
3. And I DON'T want anybody to try and book a call today - because I will not be looking at the appointment scheduler again.

I suppose I would like some feedback.

Is it because we are allocating what, for you, is surgery time? We could discuss alternatives, such as some evening calls or...

Is it because there is not such a desperate need for calls so I can just rest assured that you are all happy with the coaching?

I know I spoke to some MMG members yesterday in the main call-in day.

A bit of constructive feedback would be welcome.

I know my darling dentists can be a bit hard to tie down sometimes - we asked over 70 people to attend the 6.00pm bridge call last night (for our core programme clients) - 2 turned up at 6 and a third at 6.30pm - we actually had a darn good conversation about web site design, calculating average daily rate and dealing with procrastination.

Don't forget we have a call tonight at 6.00pm- just for you MMG'ers - maybe we can discuss this then.

Speak later. I love you all!

Cb

What happens as a result is that 2 more clients call before 9.00am with an "OMG - I forgot to book my call - can I speak with you later?"

And, so far (it's 11.00am) I have one email that reads:

"Hi Chris, I thought I had booked a slot but had put in my diary to do it but didn't action it. Can't make tonight's group callas my wife is out and making a conference call with a 1 year old crying at my ankles isn't a good idea, will be in touch soon. We have recently employed a bookkeeper and have found a business development manager who is starting in September ( will be bringing him to the workshop 2 in Belfast in June) so I have not been idle."

So I suppose that gives me some hope that they are enjoying the coaching.

More importantly, it reminds me that the clients take what the clients want from the overall service I provide.

Most of them just want to attend the quarterly meeting and get the benefit of the community, the golf on Sunday, the bar on Sunday night and the conversation all day Monday.

Some of them (a minority) put posts on the Forum we have created.

Some of them (a minority) want to send me emails.

Some of them (a minority) want to attend the call-in days and conference calls.

All of them seem to be happy - they are paying!

So I need to let go of the need for 100% attendances.

Inner Circle Mastermind

Kristen Marie Schuerlein writes a blog on designing a life that you love. Her recent post was on creating an inner circle or Mastermind Group to help you achieve the success you're after. Kristen notes:

None of us get to the top of the mountain alone. Why would we when it is so much sweeter up there being surrounded by friends?

She goes on to make 5 suggestions for people considering creating or joining a Mastermind Group:

1. Determine the size of group, and carefully select members

2. Decide frequency of meeting and agenda for each meeting. One group I was in had a very formal agenda for each meeting, with a specific topic for discussion. Another was less structured, yet focused.

3. Be clear about expectations for attendance and behavior. Success comes from 100% participation. Without a rigorous commitment, the group will lose its power and sense of importance.

4. Always strive to be of service to others. Focusing on others first is the surest way to get the most out of your group.

5. Forget everything I just said, and build your inner circle organically. While I believe in the power of having a group that meets monthly or so, and that is committed to one another, I also believe in the power of one on one relationships and selecting your team over time. Honestly, either approach works. Perhaps you decide to have both. The bottom line is understanding the power of surrounding yourself with people up to big things, and seeking to give to others. This is a secret to success.