Coach Express

by Angela Wahl

With all of the negative news in the media about the economic recession, it is difficult not to question the impact of the economic downturn on coaching.  Is coaching something people will cut in difficult economic times?  Will people be hesitant to invest in coaching during a time of uncertainty in the market? Will my business survive this recession?  The economic change that we have experienced on a global scale has, for many people, created fear, uncertainty, and inaction. All of which leave us feeling disempowered.

It is for this reason that coaching is needed now more than ever!  Although, the downturn in the economy may mean that some potential clients directly affected by the slow down cannot afford one on one coaching, and that some individuals and businesses will cut down on their discretionary spending, the changing economy also brings with it many opportunities for coaches.

So how do you survive and thrive as a coach in an economic downturn? Simply step back, reassess, and find out where the new opportunities are.  Consider these strategies when reevaluating your coaching business:

1. Check your perspective - What is your perspective on the economic recession and what it means for your business? Does your perspective support and empower you or does it leave you feeling frustrated and powerless?  What alternative perspectives can you take that will empower you in building your business?
2. Look for the opportunities - What personal life issues are presenting themselves in public awareness as a result of the change in the economy?  What industries and businesses are thriving despite the economic downturn? How can you add value to a group that needs you?

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By Bronwyn Bowery-Ireland

I recently moved from Melbourne, Australia to Shanghai, China. I was at an expat expo last year and a woman came up to me to discuss coach training. She was really interested in becoming a coach but had always done training face to face. The idea of doing it voice to voice was totally baffling to her. I asked her how she liked living in Shanghai to which she replied positively. She told me she was from Germany and one of the greatest challenges for her was being without her family, her mother etc who were all back in Germany. I asked her how she stayed connected to them and she mentioned that she emailed regularly and called them often. I then asked her if she felt close to them even though many thousands of miles away. To this she immediately replied with a very strong YES. (more…)

Join us for Positivity week!

The ripple effect of the huge economic crisis impacting our globe has presented many with difficult or challenging times. We wanted to do something to acknowledge and support our global community and are excited to pronounce next week as Positivity week.

Our aim is that during the course of the week, with your help, we will bring about as much positive energy as we can. We will be opening our virtual doors so that the world can come in and share their positivity intent during live teleclasses.

Read more - > http://tinyurl.com/daf63b

by Bronwyn Bowery-Ireland

It is time to take back the power. The only way to feel strong and certain is to follow your own sense of security. The greatest and only thing you can totally trust is yourself. Everything else is outside of your control.

Over the last couple of decades we have come to believe that large institutions such as banks and governments are the best organisations to invest in, be employed by and to uphold as pillars of society. But now in 2009 this notion has changed. Banks have crashed, governments have lost money as a result of the crash and now are having to support and fund banking institutions. The very basis or core of our societal underpinning, that we felt we knew, has been removed. The western world has been focused for some time on gaining more and more financially. Some say that as a society we have sacrificed family, friends, independence, and a sense of self all in the attempt to gain personal wealth.

Now after giving up everything the very last pinnacle of our existence has been removed from us as well. This is serious stuff. This feels like the end of the world. This is a world crisis. The media reports on the financial status of the world minute by minute, day by day. We all feel the crisis. It is huge. The crisis scares all of us. We are fearful of what will become of our properties, wealth, employment. How will we manage with less? The greatest fear is of not knowing, not knowing who will be able to provide the stability in our society for us. We thought it was the banks and the government departments. Employment in these types of companies was secure and gave you status. If these companies are no longer secure then what do we have to feel secure about? How will we find employment or investments that are secure and a sure thing?
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As some of you may know, my family and I moved to Shanghai just over a year ago.  We absolutely love living here and being a part of the ICA Shanghai community.  I remember when I first arrived, several of the students emailed and called me with support on how to get around and other great bits of information as well as making me feel so welcome.

Last week, one of our students Katrien, organised an ICA get together.  Below is the photo.  It was a great gathering and we all discussed how we wanted to meet up with one another on a quarterly basis.  Many people in the group have since volunteered to take on the next event and to host it in their homes.

The energy of the group was wonderful and I am always blown about how amazing each person is.  Every person has such an amazing story to tell ahd has achieved huge successes.  The ICA community in Shanghai is growing all the time and it is a wonderful part of the world to be in.  If you happen to be in this part of the world then reach out to someone in the ICA community to support you.

Photo from right to left:
Back row: William, Gus, Beate, Adile
Next row: Koca, Lois, Kang Kai, PoYee, Violet,
Silvia, Cecilia, Bron, Stefanie, Katrien, Lydia
Front row: Steve, Raf, Pin, Carlotta and Susanne.

As our student community continues to grow at a rapid pace, so too does the number of students graduating from our Certified Professional Coach Program. To ensure we can celebrate their success as close to their completion as possible, we now hold graduation ceremonies quarterly and are excited to announce that 29 Students attended a graduation ceremony held earlier this week. These members of the ICA community now proudly hold the designation of Certified Professional Coach (CPC). This is truly exciting and we wish them the very best for their new careers as accredited global coaches.

We welcome the following students to our ICA alumni:
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