Renegade Professional News 

Recently, a prospect contacted me through my blog submitting a set of very interesting questions. I got particularly interested in them because it wasn’t too long ago, about 3 years that I was asking these very same questions.

One of the questions that this prospect had was “What would you recommend for improving communication skills?” he also asked: “Do you know of any good online programs or courses?”

When I first came to America and got started with network marketing improving my communication skills was a huge objective for me, in fact it was the biggest objective I had.

I was doing cold calling, chasing prospects all over the place and I did not feel confident in the way I communicated what I wanted to communicate, thus my results were very poor.

I had a great understanding however of the importance of possessing these skills in business and in life and I was willing to do anything to help me improve my communication and connecting skills.

I was really glad that this prospect approached me with these particular questions, not only because I had them at one point myself, and not only because this is a good sign of his understanding of the importance of finding the answers to these questions, but also because I overcame my challenges and I had a solution to suggest to him.

You see, when I got started in network marketing I began to learn that education and investment in myself is very important to improving any skill, whether that was communication skills, listening skills (which is actually a part of good communication skills), or any other skill.

My mom always told me if I wanted to be able to write or express myself whether verbally or on paper I had to read more books.

So, I began reading a lot of books. In fact, just recently my dad made a comment about me reading books, after a brief chat I had with him over Skype. He asked me what am I doing, and I responded, “reading a book”. He said “Wow, once upon a time it was impossible to make you pick up a book, now you are reading them all the time” I said” I guess there is time for everything, especially when you understand the importance it could have on your life”.

And there is certainly time for reading books when you want to develop your leadership and communication skills. But it doesn’t stop there.

I also, started to listen to a lot of CDs of inspirational and motivational speakers – people who were proving right there on the CD to have the best communication skills in the world. I started observing and picking up from them quite a bit of new things. Words they were using, intonations that they were using, how they were projecting their voice.

But the time when I started to see fast changes was when I began working closely with Mike Klingler, who became my personal coach. What I noticed immediately was that my skills started to develop much faster when I had someone who cared giving me direct tips and advice to me as an individual. Mike would give me feedback after a call to a prospect or client I made, that was directly related to the things he observed about my communication skills. He would comment on an article I had posted on my blog directly related to my writing style and what he was seeing I have done, and those were the most valuable to my growth tips.

Then I met Barbara Silva and she helped me get to the next level, bringing a whole different perspective on the science of communication with others.

I went through Barbara’s Coaching Cognition course (that teaches people how to be a good coach) who thought me how to be a better listener, and when it is right to speak, how to give good feedback without hurting people’s feelings and how to express ideas while at the same time helping others feel important too.

Until then I was just vaguely realizing the importance of these things. But then Barbara shed some very bright light and made me realize that these are not only skills and embodiments of a good coach but anybody who wants to be able to influence people, whether as a business owner or just as a human being anywhere in life.

And so, after a brief evaluation of the progress I had made in the last 3 years from the time I had come to this country with broken English and no confidence and looking back into what I feel has really contributed to it I went ahead and answered my prospect’s questions.

I feel that anyone who is looking to improve their communication skills, which should be anyone who is looking to create success in business and in life, has to be seeking out one on one help from a coach, or to go through a course that teaches them how to be a coach.

This question could not have come in at a better time since people will be soon able to enroll at Coaching Cognition with Barbara Silva which – the training for coaches and the platform that allows people to hire a coach on any topic.

The training is six-month course and totally teaches you how to be a coach. And in the most fundamental level of being a good coach is learning communication skills.

For more information on this stay plugged in and keep an eye on your email box of when Coaching Cognition opens it’s doors. Or also, contact support@marketingmerge.com with subject Hire a Coach if you would like to learn more about this.

Partners in Progress,
DiDi Alcheva

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How well do you get paid?

At the end of your day are you satisfied with what you earned?

Did you feel you got paid what you were worth?

These are two coaching questions I get asked all the time:

1. The first is how new coaches can get clients and the second is how to get paid and set fees.
2. When developing the Coaching Cognition Program, the first question was answered – how do you get clients - We send them to you!

The second question on how to get paid was a little trickier.

Getting Paid Wasn’t My Strength When I Started My Home Business.

Well, maybe not the getting paid part…more like the expecting to be paid part.  I gave my time and services away.  A lot.

Now, I totally embrace the business model of giving value and over delivering.  There are times when it makes sense to give a product away or discount the price in the short term so that you build up credibility for the long term.  And I’ll always want to help people out when I can. But..

…you can’t run a business that way.  Even if you don’t need the money, your business does – just to stay up and running.  And I don’t know many folks these days that don’t need the money.

So now, here I was creating the Coaching Cognition Program designed to help other people get paid for their services!

That’s the thing with coaching.  It’s very common to find yourself working in the areas you yourself need and want to improve.

Structured Fees for Coaches

Mike Klingler and I spent an afternoon together planning out a structure for our coaches to use to set their fees.  This was about a year ago.

We deliberately set the entry level fees very low – in fact free.  Each coach, no matter what their background, would come into the system as a Trial Coach and offer three free sessions.

Then they would move up one level and be allowed to charge a whopping $25 per hour.

Why so low?

First, to make sure that ALL of our members could get one on one coaching if they wanted it.  Second, because even a new coach can feel comfortable in getting paid $25.

When I was starting out, I couldn’t find anyone to advise me on setting my fees.  Everyone I talked to either gave their coaching away for free, or they charged thousands of dollars each month.

Mike and I wanted to completely bypass that awkward period of time where a new coach almost randomly sets their fees.  They have no idea what to charge and when a client asks for their fee, they answer apologetically.  $50?  $100?  $250?

Even as they name the amount, in their heads they are thinking, “Are my services really worth that much?  Is this fee too high?  Too low?”

Our Coaching Cognition coaches don’t have to agonize over their fees.  They all start out low, and then move quickly up the Level system with the fee increases built in.  They move up by having delivered their coaching services to satisfied clients.  Their confidence grows along with their fee.

The “Level” Playing Field?

Here’s the fun part.

Today, I was at the doctor’s office.

In the middle of my exam, my doc asked me about my coaching.  Whoa!  Out of my comfort zone.  This wasn’t online – this was a live person right there in the room with me. I was caught completely off guard – no chance to rehearse, bolster my courage, or give my “elevator speech.”

I was asked what I get paid and I answered.

And then he hired me.

On the way home, I realized my own program, designed to solve the “get paid problem” for other coaches, had just worked for me.

I went through the Level system too.  I get paid what I do because I have delivered to happy clients.  And now I get to do it again. We start next Wednesday.

Oh…and I threw in a free session.  It’s not all about getting paid!

Barbara Silva

Coaching Levels at Coaching Cognition and Pay Levels

Trial Coach – Free Sessions / Receive three (3) positive reviews to move to the next level.

Level 1 Coach – Coach may charge client up to 25 credits/per hour. Coaches Commission =  50%, Marketing Merge = 50%./ / Receive three (3) positive reviews at Level 1 to move to the next level.

Level 2 Coach – Coach may charge client up to 50 credits/per hour. Coaches Commission =  50%, Marketing Merge = 50%./ Receive three (3) positive reviews at Level 2 to move to the next level.

Level 3 Coach – Coach may charge client up to 75 credits/per hour. Coaches Commission = 75%, Marketing Merge = 25%./ Receive three (3) positive reviews and expand your training available by adding a new topic to teach to move to Level 4.

Level 4 Coach – Coach may charge client up to 125 credits/per hour. Coaches Commission = 75%, Marketing Merge = 25%. / Coach may offer package deals! Create a product package – input a name of your product you are offering i.e. “Blogging Made Easy.” List how many sessions you will offer in this package and how many credits per session you will be charging.  You can offer a description with this package and may offer a discount/percentage off the standard rate you charge per session. The package will work the same as an hourly rate but each session will be treated as a one hour session. / Receive three (3) positive reviews and expand your training available by adding two new topics to teach to move to Level 5.

Level 5 Coach – Coach may charge client up 200 credits/per hour. Coaches Commission = 75%, Marketing Merge = 25%. / Coach may provide a link to their own eBook or product. Receive five (5) positive reviews and participate in mentoring new coaches to move to Level 6.

Level 6 Coach – Coach may charge client up to 300 credits/per hour. Coaches Commission = 90%, Marketing Merge = 10%. / Coach may coach other coaches, participate in the mentoring programs and create tutorials. If the coach is certified, they may become a Staff Coach or receive extra compensation for providing training in certification program.

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Working From Home – Coaching Cognition’s Dynamic Duo

Barbara Silva, author, educator, coach and home business entrepreneur, takes a break to sit down and have a cozy chat with her daughter, Kendall Silva.

Kendall is the newest addition to our Coaching Cognition team. She majored in psychology at Austin College in Sherman, Texas. Kendall realized early on that psychology was a perfect fit for her when in high school she determined that helping others was something that came naturally to her.

Watching her mother, Barbara, who enjoys working from home, go from learning how to do online marketing with the help of Mike Klingler and Renegade Professional and then branding herself as an educator, author and coach was awe-inspiring for Kendall. Kendall decided that she wanted to try her hand at marketing something that was near and dear to her heart as well.

Another Home Based Business Entrepreneur is Born

Kendall first dabbled with her own online marketing using her love of music as her niche and choosing young teenagers as her target market. Kendall, also writes, composes and sings her own songs and she decided that she would take advantage of MySpace to showcase her many talents.

Being a chip off the ole’ block, she began by visiting other people’s MySpace pages and leaving genuine and sincere comments. Kendall never mentioned her business nor did she do any self-promotion when leaving her comments.

Social Marketing Rule #1 – Never Self Promote

In a few short months, the people for whom she had left comments began to visit her MySpace page to see what she was up to and leave their comments for her, too. But more importantly they were listening to Kendall’s lyrics and enjoying her music! Mission accomplished. Kendall now has a community of people who look forward to her next project and we’re sure she won’t disappoint them!

A Home Business Opportunity – The Coaching Cognition Bug

It’s easy to see that Barbara and Kendall enjoy a very easy-going relationship with each other. They are very in tune with one another and often finish each other’s sentences. With Barbara’s home business opportunity, Coaching Cognition gaining momentum she knew she needed help. That is when she first hired Kendall to write an article for her coaching platform that was just in its infancy. Kendall quickly decided that she not only wanted to write the article but also become a part of her mom’s team.

With her counseling background and her love of helping others, Kendall felt that coaching would be a natural transition.

Kendall stated it best when she said that one of the advantages to working from home with her mother is, “I get to see her! Working with her doesn’t feel like work at all.” When pressed for any disadvantages to working with her mom, she coyly whispered, “I’ll tell you about that later!”

Making a Home Business a Family Business

Besides working with Coaching Cognition, Kendall also works a full time job in the retail industry. Shortly after deciding that coaching was a good path for her – Kendall’s company created a new position for her. They realized her natural talent and gift for taking her co-workers skills and enhancing them utilizing her coaching background. Hmmmmm…anyone else seeing the Law of Attraction working here?

Kendall and Barbara are having a wonderful time working from home together developing the training classes that will be used to train future coaches of Coaching Cognition. One of Kendall’s favorite things to do with her mom is to come up with the innovative and fresh ideas that bring about a mental image to help others grasp a concept they are planning on teaching to others.

Fun Fact about Kendall

At the tender age of 8, she invented the “Unburnable Flag” in response to the controversy in the news at the time about freedom of expression vs. desecrating our nation’s symbol. The flag is now housed in the George H. Bush’s Presidential Library and she received a letter from the President himself.
Welcome to the Coaching Cognition team, Kendall!

Lee Ann McVey left Corporate America over twelve years ago to become an entrepreneur and raise her two sons. Her people skills, sense of humor and thorough understanding of internet and affiliate marketing have created several joint venture opportunities for her such as Personal Touch Card Services with Kate Williams. For the past year, she has worked closely with Barbara Silva and is one of the core members of the Coaching Cognition Team. Lee Ann is the co-author of Learn to Build and Maintain Relationships, A Heart-felt Tool for Life.

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Even though our coaching doors haven’t officially opened, I know that many of you are already receiving inquiries about coaching.

The first thing to do is to either have your clients ask about purchasing credits by emailing support or you can send them the following email yourself.

This is the same one they will receive from our support desk:

You may purchase coaching credits from your back office.  Soon you will have an icon on your main menu that will take you to the coaching pages, but for now, there will be a couple of extra steps involved.

Log in to Renegade Professional.  When you are on the main menu page, replace the url in your browser at the very top of the page with:

https://www.marketingmerge.com/Coaching/BuyCredits.aspx

You can then buy credits in increments of 100.  1 credit = $1.  The credit card you have on file with us will be charged.  You may keep these credits in your account for as long as you are a professional – they will not expire.

You may choose to spend your credits with one coach, or choose from different coaches and different topics.

Once you have purchased your credits, send an email to support and we will contact you to get you matched with a coach.  Again, in short order, this will be something you will be able to take care of yourself from your back office, but the information is still being loaded into the system, so we are still making the appointments manually.

Coaches’ fees depend on their level in our system.

Some coaches charge as little as 25 credits an hour, some more.  Most coaches offer a fifteen minute free consultation for new clients so that you can be sure there is a good fit between you.

Let us know your time zone, best number to call and what time of day is good to reach you.  If you have already chosen the coach you would like to work with, let us know that as well.  We will get you all set up as quickly as possible.

Any questions can be sent to support@marketingmerge.com with Coaching in the subject line.

We look forward to serving you!

Have your client notify support when they have purchased their credits and that they would like to be coached by you.

Even though the programming is not yet complete, each client that you refer through Coaching Cognition will move you up in Levels.

Level 4 coaches can begin offering coaching packages which will be even more inviting to clients.

We’ll be featuring coaches as they move up in levels on our blogs, in the Renegade News, and on the Coaching Cognition page itself.

You might want to ask your clients if they would like to be interviewed about their experience with you!

Please share your coaching stories with LeeAnn McVey by sending an email to support@marketingmerge.com with Coaching News in the subject line.  She will be putting together the articles to highlight your Coaching Cognition experiences.

You can also contact LeeAnn for updates as to your current Level, fee structure, reviews, etc.  This information will all be available to you in your back office soon, but LeeAnn is the go to person in the meantime.

Barbara Silva

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Coaching Cognition – All Aboard!

Coaching Cognition is off to a tremendous start with requests for the upcoming        training pouring in.

Not on board yet? Click here if you haven’t gotten on the VIP notification list.

Find several Coaching Cognition testimonials at the bottom of this post.

The training is for those of you wishing to develop your coaching skills and mindset. It is also for those who wish to become a paid coach.

In case you missed them, the webinars introducing Coaching Cognition and how it can fit in with your business plans are now in your back office – Webinar #1 Developing the Coaching Mindset and Webinar #2 Get Paid to Coach.

You can also find them here for your convenience:

Webinar #1 Developing the Coaching Mindset

http://www.marketingmerge.com/backoffice/videos/CoachingMindset/presentation.asp

Webinar #2 Get Paid to Coach

http://www.marketingmerge.com/backoffice/videos/CoachingCognition/presentation.asp

Basic Information About Coaching Cognition Certification

The coaching training is being designed to meet the International Coaching Federation’s (ICF)  standards. We will continue to build out our course offerings in order to become accredited  through ICF.

This will allow those who wish to be certified as a professional coach through ICF to be eligible  after graduating from Coaching Cognition. This will, of course, take a bit of time, but we are  ready and able to meet these goals.

Becoming an ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC) involves going through a rigorous but  stimulating course of study along with documentation of coaching completed and received, and a required number of hours of supervised coaching by a Mentor Coach (MCC).

In order to serve as a Core Coach and participate in the training of other coaches at Coaching Cognition it will be necessary to hold ICF certification.

For those who wish to begin their coaching practice and start monetizing right away, the requirements are that you hold the Coaching Cognition Certification.

This means you will have completed the 12 part series and the accompanying assignments to be offered beginning in late October. This will allow you to coach Renegade Professional clients. Should you decide you wish to continue your own training and qualify for ICF certification, we will support you in doing that as well.

Quick FAQ Regarding the Submission of Video Tutorials

Several folks have asked about submitting the three video tutorials which are highly suggested for coaching candidates.

You don’t need to worry about this yet. If you decide you want to take the training with the end goal of becoming a Coaching Cognition Coach, we will take care of this after you fulfill your requirements to be Coaching Cognition certified. Lots more information on this to come.

If you wish to take the training for your own personal development, you will not have to concern yourself with the video creations – that will all be part of the next step AFTER the training.

Take This Next Step to Show Your Interest in Becoming a Coaching Cognition Coach

If you have not already done so, be sure to get your name on the list for the Coaching Cognition training.

We’ll be keeping you updated as we get closer to making this training available to you.

Coaching creates leaders!

Barbara Silva
Coaches Coach
Coaching Cognition

Coaching Cognition Testimonials

“Discover the Benefits of Bringing Out the Best in Someone with True Listening”

Develop the mindset and eye of a coach and make it so all your interactions take on more meaning.

Claire Covington

Claire discusses,

“How developing the mindset and eye of a coach makes it so all of interactions take on more meaning, because when you can really focus in with someone and treat them as if they are the most important person in the world, it does wonderful things for self esteem and confidence building …

… Barbara’s ability to be with you, to be with the people she’s working with — it’s like pouring sunshine on somebody, one can’t help but bubble up; one can’t help but to really see that they are more than they thought they were, or knew they were…”

“The Coaching Cognition Platform Under the Umbrella of Renegade Professional is the Best Thing That’s Happened to My Coaching Business”

“It’s been a treat sharpening our skills together under Barb Silva’s tutelage.”

Curt Johnson

Curt discusses,

Why he loves working with a group of kindred spirited talented coaches…
How, as a result of the way Coaching Cognition is set up, when working with a client that client can get help from other coaches or refer them onto another coach who has more expertise — it’s all win win because any client he works with he knows he can help.

“Discover the Systematic Approach of Coaching, and How Coaches Training will Personaly Help Your Business”

I almost immediately secured two new addtional clients who’ve never met me before with the information I learned from only two webinars.

Jerry Chen

Jerry discusses,

How he was able to go deeper into the relationship building process to find out exactly what his clients were looking for so he could deliver maximum value and maximum return on their investment (which is his coaching time).

…How the role playing webinars helped him get a better sense of how to build rapport and discover the needs of his clients…

…Why coaches training like this is worth tens of thousands of dollars for anyone who wants to get into a coaching role or receive coaching from the program because the Coaching Cognition coaches are the cream of the crop (due to the nature of the training that they’re receiving).

“The Coaching Cognition Platform Allows the Coach to Focus on Their Core Competencies which is to Solely Deliver Value to the Client in the Form Top Quality Coaching”

I only have to focus on delivering value to my coaching clients. I don’t have to worry about all the administrative pieces of a real coaching business.

Mike Wilson

Mike discusses,

The benefits of having the billing handled, not having to build his own coaching system or tools that go with building a systematic coaching business …

How everything that is needed to be a successful coach can be located on the Coaching Cognition platform, and all he has to focus on is the value of delivering top notch coaching.

How he has the freedom to focus on the customer without having to worry about all the extraneous details that are involved with a coaching business.

“Barbara Silva Has Shown Me What I Can Be (and Do) as a Coach and a Business Person”

Barbara has the ability see and help you see your self worth and your awareness of those. The Coaching Cognition program builds upon this foundation.

Lane Romero-Reiss

Lane discusses,

How with Coaching Cognition, you can know a lot about certain niches, but you don’t have to feel as if you know everything about everything…because everybody is helping everybody out – there is no competition.

It’s the very nature of the way Coaching Cognition is set up that you’re going to get your needs met and (as a coach) don’t have to feel as if one person has to meet all your needs. THIS “We, Inc.” model serves the customer/client in a big way.

Barbara – pure genius in the way she put Coaching Cognition together… she really wants to find a way to help everyone – both coaches and people getting the coaching.

“My Goal is to Help People Move onto the Internet to Build their Businesses Online — Coaching Cognition Has Been the Most Important Thing I Have Done”

I feel like this is the most important thing (Coaching Cognition) I’ve done other than partnering with Mike Klingler in the beginning.

Shelly Begarowicz

Shelly discusses,

When you learn how to coach people; to ask questions; to get to them to find the answers (and understandings) from within, it builds self confidence, and that makes you a better teacher, better leader. When you feel confident in yourself, it shows, everyone sees it, and that transforms your business – you just have that much more to offer.

“Coaching Cognition has Positively Affected Me and the Way I Do My Business”

Coaching starts with your relationships and the way you carry the knowledge you learn and how you apply that knowledge with your friends, family, business partners, clients and customers (everyone).

Becky Joubert

Becky discusses,

How she learned that coaching starts with your relationships and the way you carry the knowledge you learn and how you apply that knowledge with your friends, family, business partners, clients and customers (everyone).

…One of the huge bonuses of working with peer partners (peer coaches) where she participated in solving each others problems. Not only do she get to help other people work through their issues, help them solve their problems and smash the barriers that keep them from doing well in their business and relationships, she got her problems solved as well.

Becky is pleased with the direction Coaching Cognition has moved her as a successful marketer. She now sees coaching as the missing link that fills in everything that is needed to be a successful marketer and is able to offer that aspect to customers/clients.

“Save Time and Effort, Increase Pleasure by Eliminating the Traditional Pains of a Coaching Business – Focus on Coaching Value & Make Money”

I found a lot more value in working with another person one on one as opposed to buying product after product, ebook upon ebook and listening to personal development.

Eric Walker

Eric discusses,

The insights he’s gained with being a good listener, and how these listening skills have assisted with efficiency.

…How to address and diffuse anger and frustration while still being productive with a coaching session. It’s this skill that has also transferred itself into Eric’s personal relationships and made a positive impact.

…How learning by doing – working in peer coaching groups – has “doubled up” the learning so it’s not only absorbing learning, it’s also a reinforcement of the coaching lessons that Barbara presents from each coaching module.

…How not having to deal with all the administrative “stuff” of a coaching business is eliminated, and the only thing that he has focus on is being ready to coach.

“Feel Confident in the Quality of Coaching Sessions You Provide, Identify Needs with Ease, Find the Right Solutions to Help People Get Where they Want to Go Faster”

I have become a better person and a better leader today than I was before I met Barbara Silva.

Didi Alcheva

Didi discusses,

…the sandwiching technique that she learned from Barbara, and how it has made a positive impact on the way she interacts with her relationships, teammates, customers and prospects, and how she is deliberately remembering to use it.

…the W-A-I-T technique (Why Am I Talking) – how that has been of extreme value to Didi, and that now it’s becoming a habit (an excellent characteristic).

…how she is grateful to Coaching Cognition for simply sending her new clients.

“If You Understand the Value of Coaching Skills and How You Can Benefit to Be a Coach, You Must Look at Coaching Cognition”

Barbara is providing us with all the skills we need to become great coaches – whether we have 20 years of coaching experience or we have none. It’s amazing.

Cindy Schulson

Cindy discusses,

What coaching means for your business…

-helping somebody find the right path
-helping somebody find the answers and understandings inside of them
-helping them achieve their goals faster
-being a partner who walks beside them to reach goals and dreams.
-develop stronger relationships

Learning these coaching skills is something that you’re going to carry with you no matter what business you’re in.

How she is excited to merry internet marketing with network marketing and coaching, and how all these skills work together in a synergistic way. And now with Coaching Cognition platform, all these things come together.

“I Saw My Family Through Different Eyes”

I shared with my wife some of the different stories you (Barbara) had shared, and how people hear different things, and how important it is to communicate so people understand what it is you’re saying. And also, to hear what people are saying to you as well.

Adrian Schleis

Adrian discusses,
The importance that Barbara’s two webinars had on his perspective toward family. Adrian brings his son, Hunter, on screen and asks him how he likes it when his dad pays attention to him.

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