Working with Visual Cards - 12 Days of Celebrations - Day 4

What are you doing to incorporate more visuals into your work with team or group coaching clients?

Coaching is a primarily verbal modality, and new insights can be gleaned via the visual channel. 

Consider how you might want to incorporate more:

• Photographs
• Icons
• Metaphors

Last week I was asked by a coach regarding some tips for creating a powerful collage of images for them to use in an opener for group coaching. Some tips around virtual visuals:

#1  - Make sure they are varied enough - consider perspective, natural vs. built environment, variety of colors/textures/images, 

#2 - Consider the question you want people to reflect on - relate it to the theme

#3 - What questions will evoke awareness? Facilitate action?

In person:

A good rule of thumb for using visuals is to have 2 photos per person, to create enough variety.

Whether it's for openers or closers, I love incorporating visuals to activate new insights, create a pause, or provide a focus. 

To learn more about working with visuals, check out this 30 minute video I created on Working With Visuals - 2020, based on my experience of creating the Conversation Sparker Cards, and working with teams and groups for more than a decade with these approaches:

Enjoy the video and explore different ways, and different questions you may want to ask when working with visuals with groups and teams. 

You may also want to check out the 40 Ways to Work with Visuals Ebook I created with facilitated exercises to work with any visual card deck around topics ranging from innovation, to strengths, to goals. 

Activity today:

• Consider what you would include in order incorporate more visuals in your work
• Take 5-10 minutes to find copyright accessible images (consider Unsplash or Pixabay)
• Explore Canva if you are looking to create your own virtual visual collage

Enjoy!

Jennifer

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What is your unique style as a coach? Take 2-minutes to complete the NEW Group and Team Coaching Superpower Quiz. You can find it at https://bit.ly/gtcoachingsuperpower. Share your style using the comments below and/or follow along on Instagram at our CoachingBizBuilder site.

Join us for an upcoming program including: 

Group Coaching Essentials - Fridays 1015 - 1130 am ET: January 13, 20, 27, February 4 and 11 (with Evana) - 8.75 CCes

Advanced Group and Team Coaching Practicum - 10 CCEs - Fridays 1230 - 145 pm ET: January 13 - mid-Feb (6 weeks) with Jennifer

Reconnecting Workspaces Certified Coach - 24 CCEs - Join us in January for our next 7 week offering on Thursday evenings from 5 - 730 pm ET starting January 19th running to 1st week of March. Build out your specialization for coaching in today's evolving workspaces - hybrid, in-person and remote. 1, 2 and 6 payments available.  With Jennifer.

Team Coaching Essentials (14 CCEs)  - Being asked to coach teams? Equip yourself with the foundations of this quickly evolving field. This program is grounded in our From One to Many methodology PLUS what works right now in today's evolving workspace. 6 week program on Mondays 12 - 130 pm ET  January 9,  23, 30, February 6, 13, 27 2023 with Kathy

Mentor Coaching Group - 10 hours Fridays 9-10 am ET: January 13 - April 13th or Mondays 1230-130 pm ET running January 9 - April 9 2022 with Jennifer. (For ACC renewal or PCC)

SAVE THE DATE For our 19th Annual Holiday Party - 10 - 1 pm ET on Tuesday December 20th (virtual on zoom)!

6 Core Group and Team Coaching Resources: 12 Days of Holidays 2022 - Day 1 of 12

 For years (and I mean years) I've done a year end series of blog posts. Take a  look at the 2010 and
2016 series here. My team here at Potentials Realized asked me earlier this month if I'd be doing something special for the holidays and I said, OF COURSE! So here we go with the 12 days of holidays for 2022. The series this year will include some tips and a focus on one of our many programs and services. I hope you join us for all 12 posts leading up to December 23rd (our 12th day!)

I thought I'd start with 6 Core Group and Team Coaching Resources I return to time and time again, ones that I think every coach will want to consider having in their toolkit:

1. Post it notes - Post it notes continue to be a favorite of mine and have been so for decades now. They are a great tool to elicit participation from all group members, see connections and focus thoughts. Read this 2008 post I did entitled Post It Notes: A Facilitators Ally. In the virtual space, Miro and Mural are our digital twin.

2. Visual Decks - For many years I have been using visual cards and photographs with in person and virtual groups. A wonderful "conversation sparker" across differences, photos help group members create new perspectives, insights and connections. Whether you are using Visual Explorer, the JICT Deck, Points of you - The Coaching Game, or Conversation Sparker (my deck) consider the many ways you can use cards as openers, closers, or as the main focus of the session.  In late November 2016 I released the 40 Ways to Use Visual Cards E-Resource, which includes detailed instructions on 40 ways to facilitate activities with cards (from goal setting, to innovation, to strategic planning, to closure) and also five worksheets you can use "as is".

Working with visuals was also my focus of the Design Studio Blab #6 - View it here.

3. A selection of virtual platforms - The last few years have shown the importance of having a variety of platforms at our disposal - from Zoom, to Teams to others, what are you using to bring people together?

4. A variety of back-pocket ideas - You never know what's going to be needed when you work with groups and teams. It's always a great idea to take stock of the different activities and resources we have at our disposal. Spend 15 minutes this week doing an inventory of what you have available and/or going through some of the books/resources you which are accumulating dust. What might you bring into an upcoming session?

5. A community of other practitioners - Developing your own network of follow facilitators/coaches and trainers is not only good for business when you want to scale your work, it's also really important in terms of ongoing development. Consider how you will invest in your relationships with other practitioners this year, and also expand your skill base.

6. Evaluation Resources - Gathering feedback about what's working well, and what's not, helps keep programming expanding, and coaching growing. What are you doing to poll your group and team members throughout the coaching process.  I always like to recommend Lisa Edward's work around evaluation and coaching.

That's it for today - Day 1 of 12 complete for this year's 12 Days of Holidays.

Be sure to check out our Conversation Sparker decks - including the Square Journaling Cards (my favorite) and the standard Conversation Sparker decks - digital edition.

Enjoy!

Jennifer

Jennifer Britton

GroupCoachingEssentials.ca | Potentials Realized

What is your unique style as a coach? Take 2-minutes to complete the NEW Group and Team Coaching Superpower Quiz. You can find it at https://bit.ly/gtcoachingsuperpower. Share your style using the comments below and/or follow along on Instagram at our CoachingBizBuilder site.

Join us for an upcoming program including: 

Group Coaching Essentials - Fridays 1015 - 1130 am ET: January 13, 20, 27, February 4 and 11 (with Evana) - 8.75 CCes

Advanced Group and Team Coaching Practicum - 10 CCEs - Fridays 1230 - 145 pm ET: January 13 - mid-Feb (6 weeks) with Jennifer

Reconnecting Workspaces Certified Coach - 24 CCEs - Join us for an intensive 3 day virtual delivery on December 12, 19, 21  and build out your specialization for coaching in today's evolving workspaces - hybrid, in-person and remote. 1, 2 and 6 payments available.  Calls 830 - 430 pm ET. With Jennifer.

Team Coaching Essentials (14 CCEs)  - Being asked to coach teams? Equip yourself with the foundations of this quickly evolving field. This program is grounded in our From One to Many methodology PLUS what works right now in today's evolving workspace. 6 week program on Mondays 12 - 130 pm ET  January 9,  23, 30, February 6, 13, 27 2023 with Kathy

Mentor Coaching Group - 10 hours Fridays 9-10 am ET: January 13 - April 13th with Jennifer. 5 spots open. (For ACC renewal or PCC)

Year End Business Planning Retreat - December 13 (1 - 5 pm ET) with Jennifer (4 spots open)

Check out our Intensive December 2022 offerings which will be delivered by Jennifer in early December. More information and schedule at GroupCoachingEssentials.ca.

SAVE THE DATE For our 19th Annual Holiday Party - 10 - 1 pm ET on Tuesday December 20th (virtual on zoom)!

 

 

Expanding Your Group and Team Coaching Toolkit - Fluidity (28)

This week's Group and Team Coaching Toolkit focuses on the topic of Fluidity. Operating in an era of VUCA, where things are volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous, means that what worked

yesterday may not work today.

In supporting our clients, one of the skills we may explore is the concept of Fluidity. I often liken fluidity to be a combination of flexibility and adaptability.In my former role as a leader of teams, I often said that this was one of the hardest skills to hire for, but one of the most important. It's difficult to teach flexibility and adaptability, and this may require a mindset shift as well as a change in terms of how we operate. Learning to become comfortable with the unknown, learning to become comfortable with not knowing, and learning to embrace change and what might appear to be chaotic, can all be elements of work in this space.

What does fluidity mean and look like for each person we work with? I like to start the conversation here  and generally have people use questions and possibly visuals to enter into the exploration of this.

Questions to consider:
1. What does fluidity mean to you in your work/life?
2. What is important about being fluid?
3. What's the opposite of fluid in your work/life/team? What does it look like? What impact does it have?
4. What would make you/your work/your systems be more fluid or flexible?
5. What can you do to cultivate more fluidity?
6. What else is important in exploring this topic?

This is an area where using visual cards or images can create new awareness and insight. You might have people draw or sketch out what FLUIDITY, or Flexibility or Adaptability means to them.

Like the water metaphor in this week's photo, you could also have them sketch out bodies of water, or the voyage down a river with key spots along the way (i.e. eddies, rapids, slow turns, bays, coves etc).

Coaching around this area can be a very creative conversation. Join me next Monday, January 13th from 11 - 11:30 am ET as I explore different approaches for working with visual cards in one of my community calls this month. You can join me live in zoom room 270-302-0415. The call will also be recorded and you can catch up with it at my YouTube Channel as well.

Enjoy the conversation,
Jennifer

If you are looking for  coaching skills development through CCE approved programs - I’ll be kicking off the first Group CoachingEssentials CCE approved program on Friday January 10^th at 1015 am ET. This 8.75 CCE program also includes weekly 1-1 time with me (15 min each week). Is 2020 your year to get your groups going or expand the number of groups you are doing? Whether you are new to group coaching or stepping into your next year, there’s always something to learn – I hope you’ll join us. Reserve your spot here.

Also starting in January is the Virtual Facilitation Essentials - spaces are still open in the Monday group starting on Monday January 13th from 130 - 2:45 pm Eastern - 5 weeks, 8.5 CCEs.

The Winter 2020 Mentor Coaching Group starts on Friday January 10th - Fridays 2nd and 4th weeks of the month from 9 - 10 am Eastern. Reserve your spot now in this 10 hour program which meets the requirements of the ICF.

Finally, starting this month with the first live call on Monday January 6th - calling on coaches who want to focus on growing their coaching business. Reserve your spot for the 60Day Coaching Business Builder Accelerator where you will be focusing on taking daily steps and consistent action around your coaching business. This program is based on my 2018 work, Coaching Business Builder.

Now Available - Square Conversation Sparker Journaling Cards - Joining the Family!

Many of you know how passionate I am in terms of bringing in different resources to "Spark" the
conversation with the groups and teams I work with. Sometimes a question is just not enough.

New Square Journaling 

Conversation Sparker Cards -2019

That led to the initial creation of the Conversation Sparker Deck - a 72 post-card sized card deck - which I launched back in 2014. People have loved having a tangible item to hold in their hands as they explore a range of topics. I've used them in so many ways that back in 2016 I pulled together an ebook called the 40 Ways to Work with Visual Cards, which provides facilitated instructions on 40 different ways to work with any card deck. You can pick up a copy of the 40 Ways ebook for immediate download at the Potentials Realized store.

A few years after this I created the Teams365 TEam Sparker Cards which are much smaller and are 52 weeks in total. They are geared for teams to use in pulling a card a week for discussion.

Larger Conversation Sparker Cards - 

launched 2014. Digital also.

Earlier this week my shipment arrived of the newest family member in the Conversation Sparker family - the square Conversation Sparker Journaling Prompts. While you might use these for journaling (which is where they emerged from) I think that coaches, leaders and facilitators will find that the questions are another great doorway into the conversations that need to be had.  They are being offered at an introductory pricing of $25 US plus $10 shipping.

You can also bundle them with several of the other card decks - and get the full monty (all of them) including the 40 Ways Ebook  - for $150 US plus $10 shipping. They may not stay in stock for long!

Pick up a copy of the deck OR the BUNDLE here.

Is digital your preference? You can pick up a copy of the Digital Conversation Sparker Cards, bundled with the Teams365 deck already. Find the digital bundle here.
I'll be adding a digital bundle to the store soon for the new journaling cards. Digital licenses are available for immediate download via the store and images can be used in your workshops, retreats and webinars.

I'll be incorporating the new journaling cards into the 16th Annual Year-end Group and Team Programs call later this week - please drop in to this annual year-end (complimentary call) I host on FRIDAY December 13th from 230 - 3 pm Eastern/New York. We'll meet in my zoom room - 270-302-0415. Hope to see you there! I'll be sharing some of the key themes we've seen in the realm of group and team coaching this year.

Enjoy and please pass on to others who might be looking for a stocking stuffer or addition to their toolkit.

Many of you have been asking - where can I find the video about working with visual cards - the original one I did back in 2015 as a blab will be replaced by a new one 2020 style in one of the early 2020 virtual book club calls. Download the schedule here and join us for these open call - download at :
https://www.effectivevirtualconversations.com/uploads/1/9/9/2/19920499/2020_community_calls_with_jennifer_britton.pdf

Best wishes,
Jennifer

Three things you might be interested in this week -
PlanDoTrack Facilitator Training starts Tuesday at 6 pm Eastern (24 CCEs) - started and being offered 3-4 times in 2020. Stay tuned for dates.
Four hour Year End PlanDoTrack Business Planning Retreat - Friday from 1030- 230 pm ET
The 15th annual year-end group programs call - this Friday from 230 - 3 pm ET. Complimentary - join me in my zoom room 270-302-0415. We'll look at some of this year's trends and future opportunities for 2020 programming around group and team work. Hope you'll come and celebrate!

Join us for a winter 2020 program including:
Virtual Facilitation Essentials (renewing for 8.5 CCEs) - create more engaging and impactful virtual conversations - from coaching, to team development to education and webinars.
Group Coaching Essentials (8.75 CCEs) - starts again Friday January 10th at 1015 am ET
Advanced Group and Team Coaching Practicum (10 CCEs) - starts Friday January 10th
Mentor Coaching Groups - for ACC/PCC : 10 hours (meets ICF requirements) - starts Friday January 10 at 9 am ET

Expanding Your Group and Team Coaching Toolkit - Visual Anchors (14)

Visual anchors are an important part of our work in the virtual space. They are a way to help our

coaching clients access new learning and insights.

In the May 2019 Effective Virtual Conversations newsletter I shared an article which explored 3 different ways to use visual anchors for engagement and retention. You can access it at: https://conta.cc/2HpiQMN.

Here’s what I wrote in that article:

Visual Anchors for Engagement and Retention: 3 Ideas

Over the last few years I have spoken a lot about the importance of "visual anchors" in creating greater impact, focus and retention. These are all key issues for relationships, results and business success. Several studies are finding that retention, or what we recall, in the digital age is shrinking.

What can we do to create more memorable calls? Consider enhancing the visual anchors in your sessions. Here are 3 ideas:

1. Incorporating more impactful visuals. We are in a visual Instagram era and our phones provide a wonderful vehicle for building our own stock imagery. Take a look at some of the photos I've captured on Instagram through my JennBritton (personal) Instagram feed, or the CoachingBizBuilder feed where images have come from Unsplash and AdobeStock.

2. Making visuals more tactile and hands-on. As many of you know, I have an affinity for using visual cards of all types. Back in 2014, I launched my own card deck, Conversation Sparker, a set of 72 photo and question cards. These are now available in digital format, so that practitioners can incorporate them into their virtual programs. Pick up a copy of the Conversation Sparker bundle where you get hard copy cards, digital cards and a copy of the 40 Ways to Work with Visual Cards e-book (Facilitated Instructions to 40 different ways you can work with visual cards)

Here's an example of me walking through the Conversation Sparker website using the Loom Video extension  I mentioned last month: View this walk-though video here (3 minutes)

3. Consider how you can convert text rich slides to more icon based slides. Much of this can be done in PowerPoint. Here's an example of the translation of the 5 Faux Pas for Virtual Meetings from Chapter 9 of Effective Virtual Conversations. Which one stands out more for you? Stay tuned for a future post on more details around slide redesign but key to this was  - using SmartArt, adding color and using icons.

For more on the topic of Engagement check out:

4 Ways to Move the Needle on Engagement - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szZYILv5O3Q  (30 minute video)

This month's Effective Virtual Conversations Call - 6 Keys for Engagement (32 minutes)

What can you do to create more impactful visuals in your work? We'll be covering this topic and a lot more in the June 2019 Virtual Facilitation Essentials program that will be held on Mondays from 1:30 - 3 pm ET June 3 - July 8 (no call 7/1).

A new newsletter comes out each month related to Effective Virtual Conversations. I hope that you’ll join the list – https://bit.ly/letstalkvirtual.

Six Questions

What’s the photo that represents…

n  Where you are now? Where you want to be six months from now? One year?

n  What you bring to the group?

n  What’s possible for ____(the team/the organization/your work….)?

n  How you can embrace change?

n  What’s another way of looking at it (your biggest challenge/opportunity)?

n  Your strengths/the team’s strengths?

Resources

Unsplash

Check out a commercial subscription at AdobeStock

What else?


With best wishes,
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, CPCC, PCC – Potentials Realized 
Leadership | Teamwork | Business Success
Author of Effective Virtual Conversations (2017), Coaching Business Builder Workbook and Planner (2018) and From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching (2013)
Follow along with the #90DaysPlanDoTrack series over at Instagram @CoachingBizBuilder 
Join the conversation at the Conversation Sparker Zone - our online community where you can explore virtual and team issues, coaching, productivity and business development)

Join us for an upcoming ICF CCE approved program - Group Coaching Essentials (starts Friday June 7 - 8.75 CCEs), Advanced Group and Team Coaching Practicum (starts Monday July 8: 10 CCEs) or the Certified Facilitator Program for PlanDoTrack and the Coaching Business Builder starting this week.

Visuals in Group and Team Coaching Work

Earlier this week I dedicated my bi-weekly Facebook live call to working with visuals in group and team coaching. While I've been using different card decks and visuals for more than a decade now, I continue to rely on them as a "go-to" for conversations of all types. If you're still over on Facebook, please check out the 4.23.18 13 minute bi-weekly call I did sharing a recent experience of working with goals, visuals and questions.

Given that not everyone is on Facebook (and yes - that may be you), I thought it would be useful to dedicate part of this post here at the blog to a quick walk through of a potential activity you might consider.

We stepped into quarter 2 a few weeks ago and many of our clients are working towards this, or other important goals. Here's a quick 20 minute activity which can help individuals gain some new perspectives around goals.

First, have each team member think about one of their most important goals. With a partner, zoom into that, discussing what it would look like if that goal is SMART - Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Timebound. I always an an E on the end and if you've read any of my books you'll see me call them SMART-E goals. E is for exciting. Be sure to check out why the goal is exciting and what's important about it. Have them write this out and notice what becomes clear for them around the goal.

Next, get partners to select a random question card (there are 22 in the Conversation Sparker Deck) and then connect that question to their goal. Perhaps the question is "What do you need to do to collaborate more?" or "What do you say no to?"or "What else?". The role of the partner is simply to listen to what the other person says.

Finally, you can have group members in a third round of this discussion select another  photo which represents what they want to create in their goal achievement.

Visuals have a way of accessing new knowledge and ideas in a way questions alone may not. Check out the Conversation Sparker Cards at ConversationSparker.com.

I've rolled in more than 40 facilitated instructions into an e-manual called 40 Ways to Work with Visual Cards, which is available through our site and also Coaching Toys. If you are looking for actual instructions and five worksheets you can use and duplicate for your groups, check it out at our Potentials Realized Store.

With best wishes,
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, MES, CPT, PCC
GroupCoachingEssentials.com | Effective Virtual Conversations.com 
(416)996-8326

Want to sharpen your coaching skills? The next Mentor Coaching Group for ACC/PCC starts Monday April 30 2018, with calls being held Mondays from 10:30 - 11:30 am Eastern/New York. 7 hours of group calls, 3 hours of 1-1 calls. Calls run to end of July 2018. 3 spots still open!

Coaching Biz Growth Lab meets twice a month on Fridays from 3 - 4 pm ET.  Jump into this ongoing business development group coaching program.

Working With Strengths - Day 6 of the 12 Days of Holidays

One area many of us find ourselves working around as coaches is the area of strengths. Earlier this

week I shared my love of incorporating different visual cards into my work with groups and teams. Today I wanted to share with you one of the facilitated activities which makes up the 40 Ways to Work with Visual Cards e-manual. This activity includes instructions on how to work with groups on Strengths.You can download it here. You'll be taken to a free download which is part of our newest on-demand bundle - The 2017 Kickstart Your Coaching Business.

Research from the Gallup organization shows that teams who are able to leverage their strengths are 12.5% more productive and individuals can be six times more engaged.

Coaching as a modality is also strengths-focused. It doesn't mean that we shy away from having clients explore weaknesses or growth edges, but it does mean that we start from strengths, or lead from that place.


What are the different activities you use to work with strengths? What new activities do you want to add to your toolbox for 2017? Be sure to take a look here at the blog at the different activities we cover. I also dedicate one week to focusing on different resources during the Group Coaching Essentials teleseminar which will be starting again on Friday January 13th. Hope that you'll join us to deepen your toolbox next year!

Didn't catch the first five days of the 12 Days of Holidays this year? Check them out here.

Best wishes,
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC

GroupCoachingEssentials | PotentialsRealized

Email: info (at)potentialsrealized (dot)com

About Us: Jennifer Britton is the author of Effective Group Coaching (Wiley, 2010) and From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching (Jossey-Bass, 2013) . Since 2004 she and her company, Potentials Realized, have supported thousands of coaches, trainers, and leaders, design and create more impactful team and group programs (in-person and virtual). Jennifer offers customized programs for organizations, as well as virtual public training programs. Our areas of specialty are team development, leadership and coaching. Our 2017 programming starts during the week of January  9th and will include: The Group Coaching Essentials teleseminar (8.75 CCEs), The Advanced Group and Team Coaching Practicum(10 CCEs), and the Mentor Coaching Group for ACC/PCC portfolio routes. Our 2017 Learning Lab and Design Studio Group for Coaches who want to build their business and expand their group and team programs starts Friday January 13th at 8am Eastern (2 group calls on Fridays throughout 2017)

Day 3 - 12 Days: Working With Visual Cards

One of my favorite tools in working with groups and teams is bringing in visual cards. Given that I work with many multi-national groups, English is not always the first language. Visuals create a new way to connect across the group. Visuals often spark deeper level of individual insights. Many of you are familiar with the Conversation Sparker Cards I launched back in 2014. This past year we made available a French series for coaches who work with francophone clients. 22 of the 70 Conversation Sparker cards are questions.

There are a variety of different ways be can use visual cards. Consider the opportunities:

a. As a way to open the conversation

b. As a way to close a session with a group

c. As a creative sparker for new ideas when a group is stuck or when you need a little something different

d. When you are working with a team on visioning

e. When you are working with business owners on innovation

f. When you are undertaking a strategic planning session

Many of you viewed my 2015 blab on different ways to work with visual cards over at our YouTube channel. You can view that 30 min call here.

During 2015 I created the 40 Ways to Work with Visual Cards E-Manual, which includes facilitated instructions for more than 40 different ways to incorporate your favorite visual deck in an upcoming workshop, retreat, or virtual  program. The 40 Ways E-manual is a digital download and includes 40 different activities you can facilitate, along with five worksheets you can reproduce and bring into your session. Cost is $40 US. Pick up your copy here.

Have a great Wednesday,

Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC

GroupCoachingEssentials | PotentialsRealized

Footer:

About Us: Jennifer Britton is the author of Effective Group Coaching (Wiley, 2010) and From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching (Jossey-Bass, 2013) . Since 2004 she and her company, Potentials Realized, have supported thousands of coaches, trainers, and leaders, design and create more impactful team and group programs (in-person and virtual). Jennifer offers customized programs for organizations, as well as virtual public training programs. Our areas of specialty are team development, leadership and coaching. Our 2017 programming starts during the week of January  9th and will include: The Group Coaching Essentials teleseminar (8.75 CCEs), The Advanced Group and Team Coaching Practicum(10 CCEs), and the Mentor Coaching Group for ACC/PCC portfolio routes. Our 2017 Learning Lab and Design Studio Group for Coaches who want to build their business and expand their group and team programs starts January as well (2 group calls on Fridays throughout 2017)