David Wood | Inner Firewalking

About David Wood

For 20 years David has helped entrepreneurs around the globe to grow their results, by growing themselves. A former consulting actuary to Fortune 50 companies in New York, David quit corporate life to pursue his inner journey, which now deeply influences his work. A digital nomad, David is currently dancing salsa, paragliding, and coaching his rock star entrepreneur clients from Colombia. His specialty is doubling your productivity and profits, while halving your stress. If you become a highly authentic and inspirational leader in the process, well….that can’t be helped.

Anna Dargitz on Pursuing Certification

The following is taken from David’s interview with Anna Dargitz in 10 Super Coaches.

Would you advice coaches to pursue certification?

Yes and no. If you have no other forms of credibility to the public, pursue certification immediately.

The thing that makes pursuing the International Association of Coaches’ certification most attractive to me is the sophistication and progressiveness of the 15 proficiencies that the exam is based on.

The IAC doesn’t care how many hours of classes you’ve taken or different clients who will attest to your competence. They rely on real world demonstration of your skills and knowledge with the world’s most highly researched set of proficiencies for advanced communicating and relating. No hoops to jump. Just “show us what you’ve INTEGRATED in your life in a rigorous written and oral exam”.

On the other hand, if you’ve already integrated the high level of relating that is illustrated in the 15 proficiencies, along with knowing how to listen for a couple hundred different things and you’ve ripened your ego to such a level that most people would say you don’t have one… You definitely don’t need any other designations. You are a powerful facilitator of human evolution and a magnet for what you want in life.

Andrea Molloy on Coaching Niches

The following is taken from David’s interview with Andrea Molloy in 10 Super Coaches.

What are your coaching niche(s)? How did you discover this?

Our practice specializes in personal (mainly socio’s 1&2, primarily 25-40 year olds) and corporate coaching (within organizations that respect coaching as a discipline, predominately market leading organizations and 3 month contracts for a team rather than individual executive coaching) – we identified these areas in our original business planning process.

Personally my niche is in personal coaching and media related fields (ie writing books, magazine articles).

How would you suggest coaches find their niche?

Look at your background and experience, the areas where you already have respect and a healthy reputation…that will easily lead you to your niche. In a way, you need to analyse your personal ‘brand’ – people do judge you on what you look and sound like, so make sure you reflect how you want to be perceived, and that will lead you to your niche too.

Sample Letter to Potential Subscribers

The following is taken from Get Paid University.

Hey [insert name],

Here’s the free download [or report] I mentioned a couple of days ago, to celebrate the launch of my new newsletter.

Just go to [insert web address] to check it out (and let me know what you think!)

Preview Issue

Below is a preview issue only. You are NOT subscribed – if you’d like to get regular tips on [insert benefits] and keep tabs on what I’m up to, you can subscribe at [insert same web address].

Will You Help Me?

I’d love to get this letter to people who can most use it i.e. people who want [insert target market’s desire]. Would you picture these people in your mind now, and forward this issue to them with the note “Hey – thought you might want to subscribe to this”?

Thanks!

[Signature]

Four-Week Teleclass Structure

The following is taken from Get Paid University.

First teleclass

In your first session, begin by focusing on participants’ Goals and Vision. Use a conversation-starter to get things going. For example: “Do you want to be the locomotive in your life, or the caboose? Which one are you right now?” Determine where your participants are in relation to their goals, and how ready they are for change in their lives.

Second teleclass

After your participants have clearly outlined their goals, you can focus on Strategies for Change. What is one step each participant can take to get on the right track toward what they want? Discussing this question in a group format will generate ideas and excitement. As an added bonus, you’re creating a support structure!

Contents of The Coachstart Manual

The following is an excerpt from the CoachStart Manual.

The fastest way to get started.
The real story about accreditation.
How to build your confidence and experience — gradually and consistently.
The benefits of focusing on your specific niche.
How to get your initial clients.
How to structure your very first coaching session.
How to set your fee in the major coaching countries, and how to negotiate a reasonable fee.
How to collect powerful testimonials to boost your credibility and confidence — right from the start.
How to write a compelling ‘bio’ or resume.
How to craft the details of your coaching service and policies.
How to get clients via the internet, alliances, and public speaking!

Anna Dargitz on Building a Practice

The following is taken from David’s interview with Anna Dargitz in 10 Super Coaches.

What was the most interesting or exciting thing for you about building your practice?

Most exciting thing for me about practice development was learning this truth:

Self-awareness + interdependence on others + supportive environments = Successful Practice Development.

I am indebted to my own long-term coaches over the years who inspired me to soar with my strengths and reach farther than I believed I could. They are truly gifted coaches and mentors and include Craig Carr (PCC), Steve Davis, Jennifer Anderson (MCC) and Phil Karl.

What was perhaps the biggest mistake you made in practice building?

Not jumping into interdependent mode sooner. I never do anything important by myself anymore.

Posts by David Wood