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.

How to choose your Mastermind Group Meeting place and time.

Guest Contributor: Reg Gupton
Reg's Posts - Reg's Blog


Now that you have created a group, invited some like-minded individuals and agreed upon your meeting format, you need to decide on the meeting place and time.

Your selection of meeting place and time is as critical as any other decision that you will make in the formation of your Mastermind Group. It provides the context and a safe environment for the miracle of creativity that will blossom at your periodic meetings. Without the proper space, tools and setting the group will suffer mightily.

Frankly I am surprised to notice the impact that the setting (and tools) have on the process and value of the group. My experience tells me that larger groups function better and seem to require a more formal space. Conference rooms or private meeting rooms in some restaurants can work very well.

When our group was larger, we met in a member's conference room with a whiteboard and flipchart. Better for taking notes, making commitments and enhancing creativity. That worked very, very well.

We have tried almost every possible combination of time and location. We have met in restaurants, homes and offices. We have met in the morning, mid-morning, noon, mid-afternoon and evening. Our meeting time and place has changed as we have learned and to meet the needs of the constantly changing group. Each location and time has its benefits and detriments

For the past several years when my Mastermind Group has been smaller we have chosen to meet for breakfast at a local restaurant. We decided on early so nothing can get in the way. We feel that we are more in control of our time if all we have to do is our morning routine, get in the car and get to the meeting on time. We do not have a whiteboard nor a flipchart. My group is small enough for each of us to take notes make the creative lists described in another post.

We found that any time other than first thing in the morning caused problems as certain members have challenges in being prompt for appointments. They are either late or need to leave early for their next appointment/meeting.

Take this post to your group and allow them to participate in the decision on meeting time and place. You will be pleased with your new group and home.