Screenwriting: Commonalities in Great Screenplays
The Hero's Journey is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon – understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters.
The Hero's Journey:
· Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.
· Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.
· Interpreted metaphorically, laterally and symbolically, allows an infinite number of varied stories to be created.
The Hero's Journey is also a study of repeating patterns in successful stories and screenplays. It is compelling that screenwriters have a higher probability of producing quality work when they mirror the recurring patterns found in successful screenplays.
Great Screenwriting
Great screenplays tend to follow the Hero's Journey; another thing they have in common is that they tend to extend one or more stages of the Hero's Journey:In Die Hard (1988), The Physical Separation is extended by a number of explosive action sequences, instead of the normal one.
In Out of Africa (1985), Karen's Atonement is compellingly drawn out: the trip with Denys.
In Shawshank Redemption (1994), we go off piste and engage with Brooks' story for a while: when he is released.
There is method to the above extensions; they serve valuable tangible, structural and story purposes...but they have the added effect of making the story a little special and less predictable. read more
RELATED RESOURCES:
* Hollywood Confidential -- Monthly Mastermind
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* Business Coaching Services
Screenwriting: Commonalities in Great Screenplays
The Hero's Journey is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon – understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters.
The Hero's Journey:
· Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.
· Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.
· Interpreted metaphorically, laterally and symbolically, allows an infinite number of varied stories to be created.
The Hero's Journey is also a study of repeating patterns in successful stories and screenplays. It is compelling that screenwriters have a higher probability of producing quality work when they mirror the recurring patterns found in successful screenplays.
Great Screenwriting
Great screenplays tend to follow the Hero's Journey; another thing they have in common is that they tend to extend one or more stages of the Hero's Journey:In Die Hard (1988), The Physical Separation is extended by a number of explosive action sequences, instead of the normal one.
In Out of Africa (1985), Karen's Atonement is compellingly drawn out: the trip with Denys.
In Shawshank Redemption (1994), we go off piste and engage with Brooks' story for a while: when he is released.
There is method to the above extensions; they serve valuable tangible, structural and story purposes...but they have the added effect of making the story a little special and less predictable. read more
RELATED RESOURCES:
* Hollywood Confidential -- Monthly Mastermind
* Screenwriting Programs
* Business Coaching Services
Screenwriting: What is a (Hollywood) Story?
To definitively answer this question, we have deconstructed more than 100 Hollywood blockbusters.
The answer is this:
a) A (Hollywood) story is about Transformation.
b) The process of Transformation is [a variation of] the Hero's Journey.
c) The above appies to all genres.
Initially a Hero [the term is not gender or culturally specific], is a Fish out of Water.
Normally there at least three challenges: the Outer, the Inner and the Romantic.
Pre the Transformation, the Hero is in a devolved state and hence the challenges are not conquered. As the Hero Transforms, so his (or her) challenges are conquered.
The process of transformation follows a common pattern: from Planet of the Apes (1968), to Gladiator (2000) to Goodfellas (1990) to When Harry met Sally (1989)...
The process [not is its entirety] is illustrated by the following deconstruction of: When Harry met Sally (1989). You will need to analyse many of our other deconstructions and our version of the Hero's Journey to clearly see and understand the pattern. read more
RELATED SOURCES:
Gary W. Goldstein - More than just a Film Producer
Tele-Seminars: Hollywood Confidential - Monthly Mastermind Group
Beginning Screenwriting - Commit and Start Writing!
1. I'm not ready.
2. I'm too busy.
3. I don't have all the answers yet.
4. I'm not a writer.
Well if you have had an idea swimming around inside you for a while then you are definitely ready, so that's no 1 gone.
Being too busy is a reality for many of us but we could probably all find a little time each day; there are plenty of books available on time management.You'll never have all the answers at the start and this is true of any new task or skill you want to learn. It's called the fear of making a mistake, wanting it to be perfect, wanting not to fail. If we give in to this one we will never start anything.
Do you think you're not writer? Well maybe so because not everyone can be but have you tried yet? Or is it just another way of not starting? You won't know you're a writer until you've written lots and lots. And here's the rub - the more we do something, the better we get at it: so you can scrub number 4 too.
Let's look at ways to begin at the beginning.
Have you heard that old chestnut, "a thousand mile journey starts with a single step"? I'm sure you have. Writing is just like that. You can dance around the issue for years but until you sit down and write the story you've always wanted to write, it just won't happen.
* Tele-Seminars: Hollywood Confidential - Monthly Mastermind Group
* Tele-Seminars: How To Get Out of the Box You're In. Now!
* Tele-Seminars: Scaling the Great Wall of Hollywood
Screenwriting - Five Golden Insights
Originality emerges from structure. Once you have a story idea, you can expand the idea into a story by using structure. In the initial extrapolation the new story structure will resemble the one being mirrored, but past a critical threshold, the needs of the new story will begin to dictate the structure. As you proceed (second and third drafts) the distance from the original mirror will increase significantly – enough that the terms “novel” or “original” can be applied to the new story. Hence originality emerges from structure and mirroring.
You can mirror structure but not ideas. If you analyse all your favourite movies or stories, scene by scene and sequence by sequence (admittedly, this relies on you knowing how to analyse stories), you will realise that you can argue that all stories are more or less the same. The expression “there is only one story” has some truth to it. Many writers, consciously or subconsciously, mirror story structure but not story ideas. After all, the audience has expectations as to what a story should be.
Time pressure versus incubation. Both are valuable. Initially use time pressure to extrapolate an idea into a complete story. Then allow incubation to provide you with richer insights.
Think of the apotheosis. Every hero has a seminal insight, an illumination - the apotheosis. Once you know what that insight will be, you can start building your story up to and beyond that point. If you know the apotheosis, then you know the hero's inner challenge - this helps you keep the hero and story centred. continue
* Tele-Seminars: How To Get Out of the Box You're In. Now!
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* Gary W. Goldstein - More than just a Film Producer
Screenwriting Tips - Using Freewriting to Unleash Your Creativity!
So you are hacking away at your screenplay but its getting harder and a bit tougher every day. Eventually you are looking at the same pages you had a week ago but instead of paragraphs and pages you're producing the occasional sentence and changing a word here and there. Where do you go now? What do you do when inspiration dries up? What have you got in the writers toolbox to get those neurons firing again?
'Free-writing' is one technique that should be used by the screenwriter on a consistent basis and not just for those moments when you are absolutely stuck or desperate.
What is free-writing?
Free-writing is the very simple technique of writing down whatever comes into your mind for a set period of time, say, about five minutes and no more. You do this without censoring yourself, which means you don't stop after one sentence and make a judgement about how good that sentence is or whether it is worth continuing with. Forget all that until you have filled up half a page, or better still a page.
- Take an idea that you have in your mind; maybe about a scene or a character.
- Pick several keywords that relate to the idea or concept that you want to write about. For example, you have a sci-fi concept, so you decide on: planet, ship, and turbulence. It could be anything.
- Pick something that excites you. Remember we are trying to get those creative juices flowing so it has to be something that you can feel motivated about and this exercise is all about getting past your own critical censor. It is a good idea to incorporate the keywords into sentences when you start the exercise. Even though you have just plucked them from the 'Ether ', using them somewhere in your following free-write will give you the initial direction you need. read more
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Romantic Comedy Screenwriting - 4 Ways to Make the Wrong Woman (Realistically) Unattractive
In the 21st Century, the obstacles that your lovers face will often involve a "wrong man" and "wrong woman." Usually amateur screenwriters (and bad movies) will just make the wrong woman a bitch with no explanation why she behaves that way, but you can do better than that.
It takes a skilled screenwriter to write someone who is clearly not a good match for the man and still make her a fundamentally good person. Usually, this not only makes the romance part of your script more plausible, but lays the groundwork for more comedy as well.
Here are four ways to evoke a funny, effective "wrong woman."
1. She's clingy. I've read a lot of material on dating and attraction (not to mention written some of my own), and if there's one thing that all of the experts agree on, it's that women who get clingy and needy are super unattractive! This is a great screenwriting tool to whip out because it will quickly turn off audience members, but because clinginess stems from insecurity, it doesn't make her come across as evil.
2. She assumes control. A woman who assumes control tends to make all the decisions in a relationship, using subtle tricks to get the man to always go along with what she has in mind. Making all the plans and decisions is actually very masculine, so a woman who assumes control is taking on a more masculine energy, and will quickly look much less attractive next to a leading lady who is radiating sensual female energy. (This doesn't mean that your leading lady has no control over herself or her life; it means that she has no need to control the man). A woman who assumes control in a situation does so because she doesn't trust her man to do the planning/decision making himself - in other words, she doesn't respect him. However, this is subtle - and will spare your script from any on-the-nose dialogue that you might have written otherwise to convey that disrespect.
3. She complains about everything. When a woman can't be pleased by anything a man does, there's little hope for the relationship. However, complaining can be done in a non-evil-bitch kind of way. When a woman complains all the time, it's because she "isn't feeling it" and mistakenly believes that it's because the man isn't doing something (that if he did do, she would "feel it.") Of course, the real issue is a lack of chemistry (hence, why she's the wrong woman).
4. She is a downer. A woman who is negative about herself and her life is completely unattractive. However, again, this comes from insecurity - we've all felt like we weren't enough and we are screwing up our lives. If you do your job, the audience will feel her insecurity, and we won't think she is completely evil because we will get where her negativity comes from, but we will still root for the more positive, upbeat leading lady.
In case you noticed a theme here, it's that the wrong woman is INSECURE, and her unattractive behavior stems from insecurities. When you understand this principle, it will be easy to create a compelling, realistic wrong woman. The audience won't hate her because they will sympathize - we've all felt insecure. However, the audience won't root for her, because the leading lady will be clearly a better choice.
* Tele-Seminars: How To Get Out of the Box You're In. Now!
* Tele-Seminars: Scaling the Great Wall of Hollywood
Screenwriting, Screenplays, Screenwriters - Good Ideas for Stories
Screenwriting + Visualization - The Key to Writing a Screenplay Easily
Let's face it, writing a screenplay can be tough. It's a daunting task. Especially if you've never written one before.I'm sure you've been stuck in a darkened theater watching a less than stellar movie and said to yourself, "I can do better than that!" The truth is, you probably can ... if you'd just "get yourself" out of the way.
What do I mean by that?
I mean bypassing the inner critic. That harsh voice in the back of your head that kills dreams and ambitions. That voice that says, "Who am I to think I can write a screenplay?" It can be vicious, evil, and completely debilitating. That's why you need to banish it from the creative process.
And the best way to do that is through the use of visualization. Creative visualization is a state of mind where you are completely relaxed and susceptible to positive affirmations and suggestions. It's a state that bypasses the critical part of the mind and accesses your right brain, the area where creativity stems.I'm sure you've been in an empowered state before. It's often called "being in the flow" or "being in the zone." It's the ideal creative state. It's where we strive to be in order to do our best work.
When we screenwriters are in that ideal state, ideas bubble up unconsciously, they flow into our consciousness like magic. We find ourselves typing scenes and dialogue effortlessly. We almost feel that we are in contact with something beyond ourselves.
Writer's block is just the opposite of this. It's where every idea you come up with is scrutinized and judged ruthlessly. You feel like every idea you have is terrible or has been said a million times before. You feel you lack originality or have absolutely nothing to say. But the truth is, writer's block is merely a protection mechanism, it uses fear to keep you from being hurt by venturing into unknown territories where "danger" lies.
But writer's block CAN be overcome with creative visualization. Creative visualization can transport you out of a state of stress or fear, and into a new space of inner calm, peace and tranquility. Additionally, a natural by-product occurs when the body releases all tension, thereby creating the relaxation response -- the perfect state for learning, healing, or focusing on goals.
Personally, I use visualization to help me get into the proper state of mind to write. I just relax, let go, and listen to my personal recording of music and affirmations. But you can easily create your own visualization. Here's how:
1. Compile a list of positive affirmations about writing, i.e., "I am an excellent writer", "ideas flow to me easily", "writing a screenplay is fun", " Every idea is a good idea", "I am so excited to be writing this screenplay!" Write down whatever you see for your screenwriting career, i.e., "I have written an Academy-Award winning screenplay" or "My writing is always in demand by Hollywood studios."
2. Purchase a small voice recorder. You can use a handheld cassette recorder, but a newer digital recorder is recommended because you can take it with your wherever you go to record your screenplay ideas as they come to you.
3. Select your favorite recording of meditation music. Play it softly in the background.
4. Speak your affirmations gently and slowly into your digital recorder. Repeat the series of affirmations as often as you see fit.
5. Find a quiet place and close your eyes. Listen to your new visualization twice a day with a pair of headphones to drown out distractions. Feel yourself relax and let yourself be swept away by your positive affirmations ... by your powerful new future.
Yes, visualization is a powerful technique that can be used to conquer writer's block and bring about new levels of creativity in your screenwriting career. In a competitive environment like Hollywood, any edge you can use can make the difference between success and failure.
Happy writing!
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A Real Screenwriter's Business Model - The Business of Next
By Marvin Acuna
Out • come {out-kuhm}
- noun
1. a final product or end result
The definition referenced above is confirmation that you have total control over one outcome... Completing your screenplay !
Will it be represented? Will it be sold? Will it be made? Who knows, I don't. But, what I do know for certain is this... if you decide to write a screenplay YOU can determine the story, the characters, the world, and when it will be a final written product.
As a strong reminder all other outcomes are not in your control. If you can embrace this as truth you will save yourself from years of heartache.
Just remember all other outcomes are out of your control.
For many aspiring writers the search for a representative to sign them and market their material or to align themselves with an established producer who will bring their words to life can be a daunting and frustrating task. It can make you SCREAM!
Submitting your material blindly and never hearing back a response is tough, but to submit material that has been requested and then NEVER hear back, ugh. Shoot me now.
That voice in your head turns on you. Doubt creeps in. Am I good? Am I wasting my time? Should I get a real job? Self-preservation of the ego kicks into overdrive. Then the big one: What have I done with my life? continue
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Screenwriting Process - 6 Steps to Your No-Budget Script
"If it ain't on the page -- it ain't on the stage."
Do you want to make your movie?
Low-budget, micro-budget or no-budget, you need to turn your story idea into a script.
Here's a no-nonsense way to get your movie idea from story form to screenplay in just 6 steps. For a more detailed look, just click on the link at the end of this article.
You already have an idea or maybe two that you think will will make a good movie. But how do you go from idea to script?
Step # 1 - Your Movie Idea
Let's test your idea first -- will it make a good movie?
There are many good screenwriting tips and this is a great one. The first thing you need to do is to get paper and pen and put your story idea into the following simple form.
- My hero wants to (what they want to accomplish)
- My hero will accomplish the goal by (what they are going to do)
- (Obstacle or obstacles to accomplishing the goal) will make it difficult for my hero to accomplish their goal
- The audience will care about my hero and seeing them accomplish the goal because (why will the audience care)?
You've just taken a giant step forward
Now you can see the very core of your story. You may have even discovered that your goal is unclear or that you need to give your audience a little more to care about and root for.
Step # 2 - Your Story
Congratulations, your story idea seems to have what it takes, so lets move on to writing out your story.
Start your movie with a situation that GRABS your audience.
Here's a good story format:
Your Title
A car speeds wildly down the road, followed by another.
The lead car skids through a sharp turn. The other follows. Two more fast turns, both cars continue.
Suddenly the lead car slams to a stop in front of a warehouse. The drivers door opens quickly and TRAVIS McCORD gets out and turns to face the on-coming car.
The other car pulls up fast, stopping inches from Travis.
After a beat, the driver's door opens and KANE steps out slamming his door shut.
What just happened?
You just grabbed the audience by the throat -- do you think they want to know what's going to happen next? Sure they do.
Now keep your story short. Leave the detail and dialogue for your outline. continue
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Beginning Screenwriting - Kick Start Your Script
All of these reasons are valid and will provide the necessary first burst of energy to begin this gargantuan task. And it is a big undertaking. People do write scripts in record time but it's not the norm. A good solid screenplay with well-rounded characters, interesting sub-plots as well as a convincing and engaging main story takes time and effort.
Why does it take so much time?
After you have exhausted the initial store of ideas that have propelled you to write in the first place, you will be left with only a skeleton framework or outline. You may have a few scenes. There may be the first signs of characters appearing and the beginnings of the big plot but they will lack the 'flesh' that keeps a reader turning the page and a page turner is what you want!
Who is going to read this?
As you write you should always be asking yourself the question, 'would someone reading this want to turn the page? Are they interested enough to carry on?' It may be a something you believe in because you have written it but then you're biased aren't you? If it hasn't got the necessary pace for an uncommitted reader then it's not working. But pace is something that will come later on with progressive drafts.This is your first draft and it will always be missing essential elements but that's ok, it's a first draft, that's what it's for. They're usually crap but it's crap with possibilities.
I'm sure there will be plenty of nuggets of potential good stuff in there. These are the rich 'veins' of material that you will be mining in the following weeks and months. But to begin with these are weak threads and embryonic ideas that have been born in the creative cauldron of your wonderful brain and they will need nurturing and gentle conjuring from the hidden depths.
Your first draft can be anything from a few pages to tens of pages. You can write long hand or type it up or invest in some scriptwriting software which will automatically format your work for you. 'Final Draft' or Movie Magic are good choices and pretty much industry standard, although a little pricey. It's unlikely whether it would be up to ninety or so pages when you first start. Don't try to do that. It will only be mostly rubbish that you will end up revising anyway.
The way to move forward from your initial scatter gun collection of material is to start working on the scenes that most excite you. They will most probably contain the essence of the idea that got you started and they will be the easiest to focus on. This is important in the early stages if you are new to scriptwriting. It is all too easy for a beginner to give up on a story having only written a dozen or so pages because they don't have a strategy for carrying on the writing impulse when inspiration dries up.
Getting past this means harnessing your emotional energy and you do that by working on the scenes that are the most fun and that engage your creative imagination. Your motivation will be kept at a high level and other plot-lines, thoughts and strands will start to come through. This way, by listening to your own intuitive voice, you will be able to more fully express the individuality of your own ideas and create a unique and non-formulaic screenplay.
Related Sources:
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Benefits of Product Licensing for Inventors
Product inventors are very talented individuals with the power to develop innovative products to meet the needs of a target market. While the ability to develop these products is an important one, many inventors fail to bring their inventions to the public because they lack the production capabilities and marketing skills of large manufacturing companies. This is where licensing can really benefit inventors with innovative ideas that would appeal to a number of people. Inventors can license their products to manufacturers with a solid market share and the ability to market these products to a target audience better than the inventor ever could.
Licensing is the transfer of copyright from one person or group to another person or group, where all parties to the transfer benefit in some way. The licensing of products is a common form of licensing and happens more than most consumers would think. Many of the toys, board games, action figures, and other products we see on the market have been licensed from their creators and manufactured and distributed by a large company. There are several reasons inventors would want to license their products to a company rather than taking care of the production and distribution themselves.
Licensing to a large company means the inventor will have more time to spend on creating additional products. Producing, testing, and distributing products is a time-intensive undertaking. Inventors who decide to manufacturer, market, and distribute their own products may find themselves spending more time on paperwork than on coming up with ideas for new products. It benefits inventors to license their creations to larger companies so that they can spend more time coming up with additional ideas that could also be licensed to other companies.
Licensing to another company means an inventor will not have to spend time marketing. Inventors are often very creative, innovative, and intelligent. However, these traits are best applied to creating new products and developing new ideas. Marketing products can be very time-consuming and can cause inventors to lose valuable time that they could be spending on new product ideas. Marketing is also something that is not easily done. Inventors are better served by turning marketing duties over to a licensee with extensive resources than attempting to do the marketing of their own products.
Licensing can give an inventor the upper hand during future negotiations. If an inventor takes advantage of the right licensing opportunities, their future products will have a much better chance of being picked up and distributed to a target market. For example, a board game creator may license his game design to Hasbro, a very popular game company. When future licensing opportunities arise, the inventor can show potential licensees that Hasbro licensed one of his products, giving him the opportunity to ask for more money or negotiate other benefits from the new licensee.
Unless you have the capital and capabilities needed to test, manufacture, market, and distribute your own products, licensing them to other companies can be an ideal way to profit from your ideas without losing time and money on unpleasant business tasks.
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Film and Video Production
By Alison Cole
Film and video production is the process of creating a motion picture film. This process consists of the activities from the initial development to the final distribution stage. While the process differs from one production company to another, there are certain stages through which film and video production goes.
Typically, there are the pre-production, production, and the post-production stages. Though the production stage is the occasion when the actual filming takes place, the other stages, particularly the pre-production stage, significantly influence the entire process of film and video production.
The pre-production stage is concerned with the development and revising of the script. Budgeting and financing decisions are made at this stage. More time spent on planning and designing the process helps with keeping costs low during the entire course of the process. Scheduling, casting, and set construction are completed during this stage.
The production stage is when the equipment needed for filming is set up and appropriate lighting and audio devices are put in place. This is the phase of principal photography, when the actual filming takes place with the director of the film overseeing the operations. This is arguably the most critical and expensive phase of the production stage. Generally, the start of the phase of principal photography signals that the production of the film would, in all probability, be completed.
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An overview of the many specific functions of a film producer
DEVELOPMENT / PRE-PRODUCTION
• Conceive the underlying concept upon which the film/production will be based
• Select the material upon which the film/production will be based
• Select the writer(s)
• Secure necessary rights for development and production of the material
• Supervise and oversee the development process (how the concept is developed into a screenplay)
• Secure the initial financing (e.g. studio or independent funding - equity and/or debt)
• Serve as the primary point of contact with the financing entity or entities
• Select the unit production manager
• Supervise the preparation of the preliminary budget
• Select the director
• Select the principal cast
• Select the production designer
• Select the cinematographer
• Select the editor
• Approve the final shooting script
• Approve and sign the final budget
• Approve and sign the final shooting script
NOTE: Some development and pre-production functions may be shared between the producer(s) and director. For example, it’s common for the producer and director to collaborate closely with regard to casting, selection of cinematographer and editor, as well as production designer.
PRODUCTION
•Oversee and approve the deals for the principal components of the film
•Supervise the unit production manager
•Consult with the director
•Consult with the principal cast
•Consult with the production designer
•Select the composer
•Consult regarding set design, dressings, locations and props
•Consult regarding visual and mechanical effects (if applicable)
•Consult regarding wardrobe, makeup and hair
•Manage and approve the weekly cost report
•Supervise ‘on-set’ and day-to-day operation of the production, talents and crafts
•Supervise ‘on location’ the operations of the location shoot and of talent and crafts
•View the ‘dailies’ and consult with the director and editor
POST-PRODUCTION
•Consult with the editor
•View and assess the director’s cut
•Participate in attaining and approving the final cut
•Consult with the composer
•Supervise the music recording sessions
•Supervise the titles and opticals process
•Consult on the answer print or edited master
•Consult on the marketing plan and materials
•Consult on the film’s distribution plan and advertising/marketing plan
•Participate in the publicity process
•Participate in the exploitation of the production in ancillary markets
Related Sources:
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The Assistant -Your Most Valuable Asset
The most important people in the film business, by far, are the assistants. Revere them. Befriend them. Treat them with unadulterated respect. Know their names and make them your ally.
CREATING AN ALLY
Whether your goal is to make yourself known to a producer, director, agent, manager, studio or independent film executive, treat their assistant with respect and courtesy, humor and politeness. Do not “rush” your way through the assistant or approach them as someone standing between you and your goal.
Just the opposite.
Approach the assistant as if he or she is precisely your desired objective. Communicate your appreciation without being overly solicitous. Use your precious moments on the phone well, stating clearly who you are, your purpose and your ‘why’. Your ‘why’ is about the assistant, the regard you have for their company, and your mission or goal that prompted your phone call.
Research in advance as best you can the assistant, the assistant’s employer (superior and company), films they or their clients have recently been associated with, hometowns, schools attended, interests and charities, and any other information you can locate. Know as much as possible about the person and company you a recalling, both to demonstrate your professionalism, build confidence and possibly find common ground. If you don’t know the assistant’s name in advance, research them after the first phone call. Google will often yield a treasure trove of insights and information.
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Business Coaching and Business Consulting - What's the Difference and What's the Outlook?
Business coaching and business consulting are two of my primary services. What's the difference, you ask? Wikipedia defines as, "Business coaching is the practice of providing support and occasional advice to an individual or group in order to help them recognize ways in which they can improve the effectiveness of their business." BNET defines Business Consulting as "an expert in a specialized field brought in to provide independent professional advice to an organization on some aspect of its activities".
It may seem like a small difference, but it is an important one. The critical issue is to identify what your business actually needs.If you need: ongoing help with reaching max potential, someone to confirm your decisions, cheer you on, a transformational relationship with a mentor...you are looking for business coaching.
If you need: situational help with a specific problem, to call in an "expert" for advice, an analysis and recommended remedy...you are looking for a business consultant.
Yes, those definitions are a bit oversimplified and quite often there will be crossover. I suggest you create specific definitions for your business and its needs ahead of time. In the long run, it will help you make stronger decisions about hiring a contractor for coaching/consulting services.
If you are thinking of opening a consulting business, particularly in Portland, OR, here's some recent research:
Although economic times are challenging in general, Portland has a positive outlook. Greenlight Greater Portland recently released a report indicating that the metro area would add 100,000 new jobs in 2008 and is predicted to grow economically by 29% or $14 million dollars.
Executive Coaching Secrets For Creating High Performance Teams - Developing Mutual Accountability
Are you working in an organization where leaders are good at building high performance teams? Do the leaders in your organization create powerful teams?
One of the most powerful questions one can ask oneself is How do I create teams that promote mutual accountability? Emotionally intelligent leaders create high performance teams that are accountable.
Are you good at developing high performance teams? Do you inspire your team by making work social and enjoyable? Are you adept at creating teams that produce high performance results?
Mutual Accountability Leads to High Performance Results
Though it may not seem like anything special, mutual accountability can lead to astonishing results. It enables a team to achieve performance levels that are far greater than the individual bests of the members of the team. To achieve these benefits, team members must do more than just listen, respond constructively, and provide support to one another. In addition to sharing these team-building values, they must share an essential discipline.
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Coaching - Identify Your Strengths and Diminish Your 'Weaknesses'
Coaching - Identify your strengths and diminish your 'weaknesses' or as I prefer to call it `your areas for development'
How are you going to do this?
One of the first things you can do is sit down on your own and tease out your understanding of who you are. What I mean by this is, in terms of identifying your strengths, you could look at what you are good at, look at what you are motivated by, look at what you are passionate about. Examine, for yourself, what you would do for free (if you could and still live a great life).
So here's the deal - I want you to complete these statements (and where appropriate make as long a list as you can - you are then able to have lots of choice)....
I am good at, and enjoy ...
The thing I am most passionate about in my life is...
My nearest and dearest tell me I am good at...
I am motivated by...
I feel excited by...
The thing I would do for free is...
When I was a child I was really excited, motivated, passionate about...
Related Sources:
Personal Development Programs
Business Coaching Services
Executive Coaching For Developing Powerful Teams - Creating a Common Purpose and Goals
By Maynard Brusman
Defining Common Purpose
Are you working in an organization where leaders are good at building powerful teams? Do the leaders in your organization create high performance teams?
One of the most powerful questions one can ask oneself is How do I create teams that promote individual and collective performance? Emotionally intelligent leaders create high performing committed teams.
Are you good at developing teams? Do you inspire your team by making work social and enjoyable? Are you adept at creating teams that produce intended results?
The best teams spend a significant amount of time and effort exploring, shaping and agreeing on a mutually defined purpose.This activity continues throughout the life of the team. Research on failed teams, shows that they rarely develop a common purpose.
Powerful teams also take their common purpose and translate it into specific performance goals. These goals relate to the common purpose and build on each another, moving the team forward towards achievement and creating powerfully motivating and energizing steps to success. The achievement of goals along the way builds momentum, fosters trust among members and helps build continued commitment
Specific performance goals may be such things as bringing a product to market in record time, a 50% decrease in customer complaints, or achieving a zero-defect rate while cutting costs by 40%. Transforming broad directives into specific goals provide first steps for forming the identity and purpose of the team. As the team progresses with small wins, they reaffirm their shared commitment.
Related Sources:
What is Business/Life Coaching?
How does Coaching work?
Business and Life coaching aid people to take charge of their lives by unlocking their natural ability to perform. A coach will help you to learn and increase awareness of the factors which determine your performance, increase your sense of self-responsibility and take ownership and control of events in your life. A fresh viewpoint from an objective third party can be a critical part in identifying and developing areas of improvement in all areas of life as well as for meeting the company's vision.
Through one-on-one or teams, coaching helps all individuals achieve their desired results through a combination of expanding awareness and building supportive environments that inspires growth. Coaching focuses on making changes in oneself in order for one to achieve their own goals & objectives. The aim of business coaching is to align corporate objectives with individual performer skills which then ensure that all employees are contributing better in the company's quest to meet its objectives.
Related Sources:
Success Secrets - Business Coaching - Goal Setting
Check out our web site to read about the business coaching program we offer. In this program, expert Gary Goldstein will share his success secrets, and goal setting techniques to help take your business to the next level!
Are you seeking creative strategies to successfully map a systematic, strategic blueprint to quickly, effectively and exponentially grow your business ?
If you want to quantum leap your results, increase your brand effectiveness and revenues….
If you suffer confusion about how to elevate your game, stop struggling and working harder for the same results…
If you desire customized consulting to close the gap between where you currently are and where you ideally want to be 12-24 months from now…
IF IT WOULD HELP YOU TO…
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Visit: Business Coaching Services
How To Get Out of the Box You're In… Now!
We've had overwhelming response for our accelerated tele-coaching program -- HOW TO GET OUT OF THE BOX YOU'RE IN. NOW! -- and are happy to offer this final opportunity to register and take your idea, project or business to the next level….
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This powerful 10 week teleworkshop -- plus 2 experiential bonus calls -- plus a PDF electronic workbook -- plus recordings of the entire program so you can go back and review -- begins on Thursday July 17th at 5pm PST. This program is specifically designed to…
- Laser focus your passion, purpose, intent, action and commitment
- Identify & quickly overcome any limitations, confusion and fears
- Teach concepts on how to organize the tools & resources you need to implement your vision
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- Provide templates, strategies and proven tools to expand reach & revenues
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- Powerfully and effectively communicate your business in 30 seconds or less