Coach Express

By Sheri Boone, ICA Training Manager

“ACTO exists to be stewards of high quality coach training now and in the future. As stewards we continue to explore, challenge and evolve the meaning and principles of quality coaching training.”

The Association of Coach Training Organizations, of which ICA is a member, held their annual conference in SeaTac, Washington, USA, April 23 - 25, 2010. I was excited to attend and represent our excellent school. There were 35 people present representing 23 schools and the International Coach Federation (ICF).

Over the 2.5 days, we engaged in conversation about how we come together to support and advance the study and the practice of coaching. We discussed best practices for certifying coaches and for assessing credential applicants to ICF. In the spirit of cooperation and joining together, the mood was collaborative and positive. We worked on our vision and purpose statement for the upcoming year, confirmed working groups and elected the Board of Directors.

In addition, the ICF leadership present, confirmed the decision of the Board to keep the existing 3-tier credentialing system in place until January 2012. This does not mean that the 3-tier system will disappear in January 2012. It only means that anyone planning to apply for one of the existing credentials can rely on the stability of the existing 3-tier system through that time.

By participating in the conference ICA continues to be a leader in the conversation that promotes and advances professional coach training around the globe. We are a strong voice and it’s great to be aligned with others in putting it forward.

ICA is excited to introduce our amazing new Learning Leader Course!

Get 24 CCEU points while learning the skills and competencies to successfully facilitate a group learning or group coaching experience.  This eight week course will develop skills that can be used for group coaching, chair meetings, training, facilitating, development programs and team management.  It is designed for coaches, CEO’s, HR professionals, consultants, trainers, professional services, educators and anyone who is running group meetings.  Students will participate in 8 teleclasses, covering topics that include: Learning Leader, Action and Goal Setting, Creating a Trusting Space, Self Directed Learning, Developing Group Process, Creative Thinking, Open Communication and Resourcefulness.  Students will also participate in 8 Learning Labs that provide the opportunity to practice the theory learned in the teleclasses.

Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity!  Register now to receive certification of completion of this 24 hour learning leader course and to receive 24 CCEU points!

Two time options are available. Each course will run concurrently (you must attend the same time option for the duration of the course).  To convert the time to your location click here.

The entire course is only $699 USD

**Time Option 1**

When: Monday’s at 11.30am NY EDT
Start: 27 April, 2009
Duration: 8 weeks
Facilitators: Merci Miglino & Isabelle King
Cost: $699 USD

Register: Learning Leader Option 1

**Time Option 2**

When: Monday’s at 5.00pm NY EDT
Start: 27 April, 2009
Duration: 8 weeks
Facilitators: Michael Moniz & Sherry Read
Cost: $699 USD

Register: Learning Leader Option 2

This is a fantastic course, and excellent value.  Don’t miss this opportunity to take part.  Register now!

by Bronwyn Bowery-Ireland

At ICA we have been involved in strategic planning over the last couple of weeks. As we have been going through this process I have been very much aware of how the strategic planning process is changing.

Remember the days of five and ten year strategic plans. Corporations embraced this planning process. Now we are thinking strategically daily, minute by minute. Strategic plans are around 6 months in length. Change is rapid and so many breakthroughs are occurring, altering the landscape ahead. Six months or less is now very normal. Customers require feedback to be acted upon, their needs to be met and new products regularly appearing.
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by Robyn Logan

I see and talk to a lot of coaches who are well into their practice and still no website. They have business cards, they have a couple of clients, but they don’t have a website.

I don’t get this, because to me a simple 3 or 4 page website is the easiest and most portable thing you can do to promote yourself. It makes you look established and professional even if you feel you’re not. And there are so many low cost options available these days that there really is no reason you ever need to say “Oh, the website is coming…” ever again.

Read on to see me explode “The Top 5 Reasons I don’t have a Website” (more…)

Due to popular demand, we have scheduled a third time option for next weeks Train the Trainer Course.

The Wednesday 3pm time option is now full, but limited places are still available in both of the Tuesday courses. Our feeling is that these too will will fill quickly so, if you are interested in registering, act quickly to make sure your prefered time option is secured.

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Register now
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Three courses will run concurrently, offering two different time
options (you must attend the same time option for the duration
of the course). To convert the time to your location, visit
http://www.timeanddate.com

** Time Option 1 **

When: Tuesday’s at 7pm NY EST
Start: 4th November 2008
Duration: 6 weeks
Facilitators: Merci Miglino and Isabelle King
Cost: $299 usd

Register now - > http://tinyurl.com/3qknbz

** Time Option 2 **

When: Wednesday’s at 3pm NY EST
Start: 5th November 2008
Duration: 6 weeks
Facilitators: Karen Cappello and Sheri Boone
Cost: $299 usd

Register now - > FULLY BOOKED

** Time Option 3 ** (NEW!!)

When: Tueday’s at 11.30am NY EST
Start: 4th November 2008
Duration: 6 weeks
Facilitators: Karen Cappello and Sheri Boone
Cost: $299 usd

Register now - > http://tinyurl.com/6s4l4u
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Want to learn how to use teleclasses to market your coaching practice?
Want to create additional streams of revenue?
Want to learn how to create a unique training environment?

ICA’s TRAIN THE TRAINER course, starting November 2008, covers all this and MORE!

This six week course will develop your skills in delivering training via teleclasses, using the ICA model of training as a framework. Students will learn how to evaluate training course process and outcomes, and have the opportunity to faciilate a teleclass within ICA. The course includes a mentor trainer to support you, a blog to reflect your learning, resources and worksheets, and audios from each teleclass.

Two courses will run concurrently, offering two different time options (you must attend the same time option for the duration of the course). To convert the time to your location, visit http://www.timeanddate.com

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Time Option 1
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When: Tuesday’s at 7pm NY EST
Start: 4th November 2008
Duration: 6 weeks
Facilitators: Merci Miglino and Isabelle King
Cost: $299 usd

Register now - > http://tinyurl.com/3qknbz

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Time Option 2
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When: Wednesdays at 3pm NY EST
Start: 5th November 2008
Duration: 6 weeks
Facilitators: Karen Cappello and Sheri Boone
Cost: $299 usd

Register now - > http://tinyurl.com/4y6zx8

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Would you like further information?
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Please email training@icoachacademy.com or visit our website.

This is a fantastic course, and excellent value. But, don’t take our word for it, check out the great feedback we have received from previous course attendees….. (more…)

by Augustine Chow

Beginning in September 2008, ICA will launch a Chinese CPCP (Certified Professional Coach Program), to Chinese speaking coaches, from mainland China as well as Chinese speaking coaches living overseas.

“The program will be identical to our English program in every single aspect, except it will be conducted in Chinese putonghua language. For the existing ICA Chinese speaking coaches, this means that you can now choose to post your learning to the Chinese learning site, and conduct your peer coaching and supervised coaching in Chinese. To the mainland Chinese or the overseas Chinese, this will be one of the first internationally accredited coach training programs for Chinese speaking coaches,” said Bronwyn Bowery-Ireland.

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Do you know how much it costs to set up a coaching business?

Should you keep your day job or make a clean break?

Where will you find your clients?

Last week Robyn Logan interviewed three successful coaches and got the answers to these questions and more.

We had a great turn out for the ‘Spotlight on Coaching’ Teleseminar and for those that were unable to make it - we audioed it!

You can download the MP3 for listening in the car, or experience the streaming option through your computer.

Listen here

by Bronwyn Bowery-Ireland

I have recently been thinking about the notion of being a leader and I feel as though the role is more about providing a service to all employees and customers at the company than anything else. Many books I have read over the years often talk about the leader as being the visionary, the person who holds the light high above so all can see when at times it may seem dark, and the path forward uncertain. Although this holds meaning for me, it is the stuff between the lines that I could never relate to. There are examples of leaders being great figures who were to be admired,  and for some, even worshipped. I think this perception has also been supported by the media, as we see leaders being heroes, with great wealth and status.

The short answer for me is that Leadership is all about being a provider of a service. Just as everyone at International Coach Academy has a role to provide a service, my role differs only in that I am here to provide a service to employees and customers. My role is to support people in what they do. Certainly, leaders are also the holders of the vision and many other skills. (more…)

Last December I participated in a 55km bike ride. It was the first time that I have ever done such a thing. A friend of mine
suggested that we enter the ride as a farewell to me before I leave to live in China. My first reaction was complete shock and fear. I heard myself saying out loud ÒNo way can I do a 55km bike ride.Ó I only ride my bike every so often and as it has just been winter here in Australia I hadnÕt been riding for a while. My friend encouraged me and told me I could easily do it. I applauded her faith in me but thought it may have been good for me to have a little faith in myself as well. This seemed pretty necessary on such a long bike ride.I went away thinking about this challenge. It certainly would mean that I would be leaving Australia on a high; it could also mean that this would be way too stressful a thing to do so close to leaving.

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