Kari Granger: The Art of Enrollment and Creating Compelling Proposals
Podcast Interview with Coaches Rising
How does one build a 7-figure coaching business in four years? Executive coach Kari Granger did just that and in this episode of Coaches Rising, she shares with us how she did it. In this conversation we explore the two aspects of building a coaching business, an alternative approach to sales, how to have transformative enrollment conversations and creating great proposals.
The Two Aspects of Building a Coaching Business
Most people starting a coaching business focus on acquiring the skills they need to be a great coach. That’s obviously necessary, but the other part of the equation is learning how to develop a business.
The foundation, Kari believes, is to provide extraordinary service and to always be on the (never-ending) path to mastery. A vital part of this taking the time to integrate learnings and develop our own approach that feels deeply authentic, rather than simply copying a model we’ve learned.
Making Friends with Sales
Most coaches have issues with sales, but a business is not a business without clients so it’s imperative that we examine our relationship to selling our services.
One distinction that Kari offers is that coaching is not the offer, coaching is a vehicle for the offer. The offer is the potential future that the two of you discuss. They’re not buying the number of sessions or whatever structure you’re proposing, they’re buying their future.
As a coach you are a co-creator of possibilities. That means you are being someone who co-creates a relevant future and a way to make that future a reality.
The Transformative Enrollment Conversation
In the beginning you just listen to understand, as you would in a coaching session; you’re listening for what’s up for the person, for where there’re at, for what world they’re immersed in and the why they’ve come to you.
The next step is finding out what their fundamental cares are (“It sounds like this is really important to you…”) and from there a new future starts to show up as they begin to give voice to that vision.
From there you can start suggesting strategies for how to get there, which can include a coaching structure. You can then say, “Would you like to see a proposal for me?” And suggest that they start working on some outcomes they’d like.
Creating a Great Proposal
What makes an offer compelling is bridging the person’s fundamental cares with what’s possible. Once you’re relatively sure the prospect is going to go for working with you, you can start putting together the proposal and ask them for their desired outcomes to include those.
You can also relate back to the enrollment conversation you had, and the future vision. They’re buying the outcomes, not the structure. One important thing is to make sure that your structure is able to provide the outcomes you’re agreeing to co-create.
Resources mentioned:
Dr. Fernando Flores
Leadership Impact Podcast
Sales Leader Development Training
Sales is a fundamental concern for every organization. Sales conversations, however, often produce moods of skepticism and distrust. While some professionals love the art of selling, others must deal with a subtle resistance to “sell,” even when they believe in the product or service. In this Granger Network program, we provide a new narrative for the sales professional, develop the capacity to conduct “transformative” sales, and manage and empower their sales team. Learn More
Kari Granger is an executive coach (Master Certified Coach) supporting leaders to align and elevate performance for themselves, their teams, and their organizations. She is a subject matter expert in both applying and teaching the concepts of transformative leadership under the most challenging conditions. Kari is a combat veteran and a distinguished graduate of the US Air Force Academy with an MA in organizational leadership. www.grangernetwork.com
Coaches Rising is an online coach training organization based in Amsterdam with a community of over 6000 coaches that is committed to radically further the impact coaches have in the world and the success they experience. Their podcast provides tools, tips and teachings from the world’s greatest coaches all with one aim — empowering you to be a transformational coach. www.coachesrising.com
Interviewer, Joel Monk is a leadership coach, educator, facilitator and entrepreneur. He co-founded Coaches Rising and is also a coach at companies such as THNK, Booking.com, Siemens and Naspers.
