Visual Facilitation: A Neat Layer

I have long been fascinated by the emerging work of Visual Facilitators, or Graphical Facilitators, who add an amazing visual element onto any group process.

I was lucky enough to meet Julie Gieseke of MapTheMind.org. Julie attended my Group Coaching presentation at the ICF Conference last month, and created this amazing reprsentation of the major points I covered during my speech. Julie created this drawing while attending my speech. It's really neat to see it in this format.

Julie has got some amazing talent! Please do check her, and her work, out at her site http://www.mapthemind.org.

My fascination round the work of visual, or graphical facilitators, has been grounded in observations of the Wows and ahas participants of major conferences have made, looking at a visual map after a session.

What's been your experience with visual facilitation? How have you used it, or seen it used? How might this add another layer onto your groups experience?

Have a terrific week!

Warm regards,

Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC

Group Coaching Essentials.com

Author of Effective Group Coaching

Phone: 416.996.8326

PS - Thanks to all who have purchased copies of my book in this first few days of launching! Autographed copies are available through my site and come with some added bonuses of special group calls and a 20% discount. You can also purchase directly from Wiley.com as well. (use promo code 2249). Do enjoy!

Learning Styles Re-evaluated

There was a very interesting article about Learning Styles published just before the holidays at http://psychcentral.com/news/2009/12/18/learning-styles-re-evaluated/10290.html.

How do learning styles impact your group coaching work, or not?

Many of you will know that I encourage coaches to include different types of exercises and approaches into their group coaching work to meet the different needs of Visual, Kinesthetic, and Auditory Learners. Check out a few past posts that I have written on Learning Styles. I also go a bit more in-depth on this issue in my book Effective Group Coaching.

What do you notice about learning styles in your work?

Have a great week,
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC
Group Coaching Essentials

Effective Group Coaching Book Now Available

I'm pleased to announce that my book, Effective Group Coaching, is now available. As the first book published on group coaching, it has already generated a lot of interest. Yesterday's ICF Group Coaching SIG call was packed where I spoke about Group Coaching: Tried and Tested Tips and Tools- thanks to all who attended!

Effective Group Coaching is a resource-rich book which walks you through foundational and advanced issues related to group coaching - from design, to implementation and marketing issues. The book covers topics including:
· What is group coaching and is it right for you?
· What is the business case for group coaching?
· The dynamics of group learning
· The continuum of group process
· The core skills and best practices of group coaching
· How to design your own group coaching program
· Delivery options: Tips for in -person and virtual offerings
· How to market your group coaching program
· The logistics of running and implementing your program
· A toolkit of group coaching exercises

The book includes a number of self-assessments (including Are you ready to lead a virtual progam?), checklists and other practical templates to help you zoom into specifically what you need to make your programs a success.

The book also includes comments by, and spotlights, the work and programs that other group coaches are undertaking, including: Ginger Cockerham, MCC; Mary Allen, MCC; Suzee Eibling, PCC; Eva Gregory, CPCC; Ann Deaton, PhD; Lynda Monk, CPCC; Victoria FittsMilgrim, PCC, CPCC; Maureen Clarke, ACC; Deena Kolbert, PCC, ORSCC; Marlo Nikkila; Rita Weiss; Jill MacFadyen, ACC; and Heidi Michaels, CPCC

Here's some of the inital buzz about the book:

"In Effective Group Coaching, Jennifer Britton takes you through the process of group coaching essentials from start to finish. Nomatter where you are on the continuum of experience with group coaching, Jennifer provides insights, ideas, stories and exercises that will stimulate your imagination. You will be inspired to create dynamic groups, and rise to greater heights with your work."
- Marlena Field, PCC, CPCC, http://www.bodymindspirtcoaching.com/

"Jennifer Britton has taken her many years of group coaching experience and extensive knowledge and has concentrated it into this rich handbook. In Effective Group Coaching, you will find everything from the must-have tools for every effective group coach to valuable online resources and the how-to's to facilitate effectively in a virtual coaching world. Once you become immersed in this book, you will want to keep it by your side"
- Leslie Bandaly, http://www.2kinect.com/, and Author of Games Teams Play

Please add your thoughts and comments below once you have read the book.

Some more key info:

Published by: John Wiley and Sons, January 2010
ISBN: 978-0-470-73854-2
Pages: 304 pp, Hardcopy
Cost: $50 US or $54 Canadian

Interested in getting your own copy?

Autographed copies are available with a special 20% launch discount from my site: http://www.groupcoachingessentials.com/pages/effectivegroupcoaching

You can also order directly from Wiley.com and Wiley.ca.

As of January 16th you will also be able to purchase via Amazon.com and Amazon.ca.

I hope that you will find the book a useful companion as you move forward with your own group coaching work.

Warm wishes,

Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, MES, PCC, CPCC

Group Coaching Essentials

Phone: (416)996.TEAM (8326)

Email: info{at}potentialsrealized{at}com

Join Me Thursday at 3 pm(ET) when I speak to the Group Coaching SIG

Happy New Year Everyone!

I hope that 2010 will be a great year for you, your business and your loved ones.

I want to invite you to join me at 3 pm (EST) this Thursday January 7th when I join the ICF Group Coaching SIG (Special Interest Group) as their Guest Speaker. My presentation is entitled: Group Coaching: Tried and Tested Tips and Tools.

Here's the description:
Join author of Effective Group Coaching (Wiley, 2010) Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC for an engaging session on Tried and Tested Tips and Tools for Group Coaching our January ICF Group Coaching SIG call. Jennifer will be covering at several foundational tips to support you in creating powerful group coaching programs this year including:
· 1 tool for designing powerful programs
· 2 must-have resources
· 3 questions every coach needs to ask when focusing on their marketing of group coaching
· 4 Best Practices of Great Group Coaches

The tips will cover the realm of design, implementation, client support and marketing. The call will shed light on a number of practical nuts and bolts issues, as well as several core pieces to make your programs stand out.

The call will be of interest to coaches who are new, and experienced in group coaching.

Call In Details:

Bridge Number: 1-712-421-7401 pin1234#, Back up Bridge Number: 1-407-649-8983

Even if you are not a member of the ICF, you can attend this call as a guest. I hope that you will join us.

I'll also be making a special announcement on Thursday about my book launch. It won't be avaialble until next week - January 15th at Amazon - but a number of copies will be available through my site, with bonuses, later this week. Please stay tuned.

Warm regards,

Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC

Group Coaching Essentials

Phone: 416.996.8326

Email: info{at}potentialsrealized{dot}com

PS - Just a reminder that the Group Coaching Essentials class which starts tomorrow - Tuesday Jan 5th at 10:30 am (ET). Take action right away on making your vision for group coaching real. We'll be meeting on Jan 5, 12, 19, 26 and Feb 16/2010. Calls are recorded if you can't make a call. Click here for more info or to register.

About Jennifer: Jennifer Britton has led the Group Coaching Essentials™ program, an ICF CCE accredited program, since January 2006. A group facilitator since 1988, Jennifer has refined her own unique approach to group coaching over the last seven years. She offers programs for the public including the 90 Day BizSuccess™ program, as well as for corporate and non-profit groups. Originally trained and certified by CTI, Jennifer is a PCC with the ICF. Jennifer’s book – Effective Group Coaching – is published by John Wiley and Sons and is due out this month. It can be purchased at her website: www.groupcoachingessentials.com or at Amazon.com at http://bit.ly//7PDpn2 .

January 2010 Group Coaching Training Classes

The Group Coaching Essentials program turns 5 in January. This ICF Accredited program is eligible for 6.25 hours of Continuing Coach Education Units for ACC, PCC, and MCC coaches who are needing CCEs for recertifcation.

The Group Coaching Essentials program is a hands on program structured to support coaches on the design, marketing and implementation of their own group coaching programs. The program includes 5 x 75 minute calls, an 80 page manual and pre and post course 1-1s with me.

Topics include:
· The Foundation of Group Coaching – What Group Coaching Is, How is it similar to and different from your 1-1 coaching work, Adult Learning Principles, Best Practices of Group Coaching
· The Nuts and Bolts of Developing Group Coaching – Technical issues, Techniques and Templates for Developing and Running Your Program
· Marketing Group Coaching – Tips and Tools for Filling Your Programs - Knowing Your Audience, Exploring mainstream and social marketing approaches
· Filling Up Your Toolbox – Exercises and Other Resources for Group Coaching

New classes will be starting:
Tuesdays 10:30 - 11:45 am (EST) (Morning)
January 5, 12, 19, 26, February 17, 2010
OR
Tuesdays 7-8:15 pm (EST) (Evening)
January 19, 26, February 9, 17 and March 9, 2010

February 2010:
Thursdays 10:45 - 12 noon (EST):
February 11, 18, 25, March 4 and 25, 2010

Spaces are limited in each program to 6-8 coaches. Calls are recorded if you can't make a session.
Cost: $275 US or Canadian

Click here for more information or to register online. Space still remains in all three programs. Alternatively you can email me or call us at 416.996.8326.

For those who didn't quite manage to fit in their business planning before the end of the year, no worries, join me virtually by phone on Friday January 8 and 15 from 1- 4 pm (EST) each day as I take you through a structured business planning retreat in the first 2010 BizSuccess Virtual Biz Planning Retreat. This program is geared for small business owners in the service industry (trainers, coaches, consultants, health professionals). Over the six hours of the retreat you will have the opportunity to focus in on your business, and create some powerful goals for 2010.
Click here for more info or to register for the Biz Planning Retreat. The program costs $150 US and includes the Virtual Business Planning Manual and a group follow up call. We spend approximately 15 minutes of each hour as a group online, with the remaining 45 minutes of each hour left for you to undertake your planning work from your own office.

Looking forward to having you join us for one of our upcoming programs!

warm wishes,
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC, CHRP
Author of Effective Group Coaching
GroupCoachingEssentials.com
Phone: 416.996.TEAM (8326)
Email: info{at} potentialsrealized.com

Taking Stock of Your Group Programs at Year End

Happy New Year everyone! I hope that your holiday season has been terrific so far.

In lead up to the start of the new year, and the new decade, I wanted to share some of the year end reflection questions I have included in this month's newsletter, and my 6th Annual Year End Call.

When you sit down to take stock of your work this year, think about the following:

My accomplishments this year have included (insert these)
I am most proud of achieving .....
The opportunities that are facing me/my business/my programs right now are....
The challenges that are facing me/my business/my programs right now are....
I want to keep the following on my radar screen next year (insert these)
I want to put more
attention on ___________ next quarter/month/year.
My priorities for the next six months/quarter are ........
I want to be energized/fuelled by .... in 2010.
By ________(insert date)____________ I will have.........
My next steps are.....
I will be accountable to.....

Wishing You and Yours a terrific start to our new decade.

I look forward to continuing to serve you, and support you in your efforts to design and deliver high impact, top quality workshops, retreats and group coaching programs.

Warm regards,

Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC, CHRP

Group Coaching Essentials.com

Phone: 416.996.8326

Email: info{at}potentialsrealized{dot}com

Author of Effective Group Coaching (Wiley, 2010)

My Favorite Group Coaching Tools This Year

Every year at this time, I like to look back and take stock of some of my favorite tools and resources of the year, and share them here on the blog.

This year, five of my favorite tools and resources are:

• Visual Explorer from the Center For Creative Leadership. Those of you who joined me in Orlando know the power of this visual tool. I continue to bring it in to team and group coaching sessions, along with workshops and seminars as a conversation starter, and awareness builder. Visit www.ccl.org to learn more about the tool in its many different forms.
• Facilitative Coaching by Dale Schwarz and Anne Davidson. This book is chock full of exercises and resources for your coaching work. Although geared primarily for a 1-1 setting you could adapt many of these for a group context.
• MindMapping seems to make my list each and every year, but I do so love this tool for program design, brainstorming and getting clients unstuck. Check out the tag MindMapping for some ideas on how I use it. Once again, MindJet.com is the best computer based MindMapping tool around. Try out their 21 day free trial at http://www.mindjet.com.

Two new tools which hit my radar screen, but I have not used yet, but am very intrigued by are:

Points of You - The Coaching Game - www.thecoachinggame.com. This very visual tool is described as "designed to foster clear communication and broaden points of view". Part of the tool are brilliant photos in a card deck. It could be a very interesting tool to bring into your group coaching work, in addition to 1-1 work with clients.

MindBloom - a neat computerized goal setting and tracking tool. Viist them at www.mindbloom.com. They have a 14 day trial.

I recently came across both of these later tools in Orlando at this years ICF Conference and feel that they both have great potential for group coaching work. They were so intriguing that they've made my list this year.

What have been some of your favorite tools and resources for group coaching, workshop, and retreat work this year? I'd love to hear - please feel free to comment below.

Warm regards,

Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC

Group Coaching Essentials

Phone: 416.996.TEAM (8326)

Email: info{at}potentialsrealized{dot}com