“It’s summer time and the living is easy”…. time to get outside, hit the beaches and for many of us this means getting on planes – one of my favorite pastimes!

Have you booked your holiday? As a business coach and a business owner, I insist my client’s take their holidays– actually I encourage even much as a few weeks off. However at the start, my clients are often very resistant to take holidays, to go away and feel that the business will not cope, survive or will crash without them.

I thought I’d tackle this subject this year as I’m not sure what is going on with the weather system – seriously snow in May! It is essentially everyone takes a break, re-energise, recharges, spends time with family/partner and for me gets some vitamin D.

Intelligent business owners understand the value of taking time off, of getting away from the business. At the same time, they are concerned that their business success will falter if they are not there; who will answer customer questions? What if business operations have a hiccup?

Nearly  half of business owners fail to take a summer holiday, so it stands to reason that with clients and employees as demanding as ever, the holiday season is often also far from restful for many entrepreneurs.

That’s bad news for family members who have to deal with the business/entrepreneur in the family spoiling their summer cheer with constant on or tapping on a smartphone, and it’s bad news for business owners themselves. You have to be in one place at a time!

It can have serious consequences,  if you don’t get a break, you’re going to burn out, and you’ll never achieve the level of success you’re aiming for!

It’s tough to keep your pulse on your business’s health if you are a thousand miles away but with five simple steps you can ensure your business will continue to thrive.

• Plan ahead – Give yourself and your staff enough time to prepare and get used to the idea of being away from your business. I recommend planning taking a couple of days before your flight to prepare or to leave for last minute!
• Communicate, delegate, train and set targets. Some business owners fell “there really is no one who can do what you as well they do”, but if you’ve hired well, they do their job better than you and can fill in for you. Define who will take on additional tasks during your time away and train them so you are both comfortable.
• Create back-up plans. Define mission critical business operations and create a back-up plan that staff can follow in case of an operations failure.
• Get over yourself. Sure, it’s your business, your livelihood, and you probably are the pulse of the organisation. But…the business will survive without you if you’ve led your business and not just managed it. It might be an ego buster to come back from being away and have no emergencies waiting for you; trust me, you can get over that quickly by scrolling through your holiday pictures and by planning your next holiday immediately.
• Leave a return plan to avoid the post holiday horrors - ease yourself back into the saddle – leave a plan in advance as you do not want to undo all the relaxation. At this stage many of my clients are reaping the benefits the plan their next break.

As a high performer you have achieved a certain level of success due to common sense – 7 or 14 days in not a lot of time out of 365. So take perspective, relax, enjoy, unwind and comeback re-energize and full of new ideas.

Having something exciting to look forward to can make all that hard work seem worthwhile. So why wait!

If you absolutely, without a doubt, have to stay connected, define how often and for what you will connect. Consider having an employee send two to three key business indications daily.

Taking time off is invaluable to you and your business. You may be nervous about it, but by following these simple steps you will have the confidence and a plan to recharge your batteries and return with more energy. Call me today on 02890457045 and we’ll get a plan in place for this year and every year to come!

To create a successful business it is all about getting the balance right between the commercial (profits, revenues , margins) and the culture of a business (communication, team work , leadership.)

Get the communication right and increase productivity, build an effective team and profits will grow, inspire them through your leadership and your business will thrive.

You are the experts at what your business does. I am the expert on how you can best use your expertise to accomplish all your goals.

I have worked with many businesses throughout UK with massive success.

If you want your expertise to not go to waste and flourish in a business that works on all levels just contact us so we can begin your story. Call today and start leading your business to success on 02890457045

Confidence Vs Arrogance – An Undervalued but a Critical Life & Business Asset

.. the greatest of all is confidence …

“Somehow I can’t believe that there are any heights that can’t be scaled by a man who knows the secrets of making dreams come true. This special secret, it seems to me, can be summarized in four C s. They are curiosity, confidence, courage, and constancy, and the greatest of all is confidence. When you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way, implicitly and unquestionably.”

– Walt Disney (Artist, Film Producer)

The Confidence Vs Arrogance conundrum is perplexing – often people believe if they achieve their dreams, make money and get what they want in life, they FEAR that they will become arrogant!

Understanding the difference between arrogance and confidence will empower you to overcome this fear and further enhance your attitude towards your inner confidence.

What is surprising, is the lack of confidence held by our most talented leaders, business owners, managers and graduates

It is worrying that so many people are confused between Confidence and Arrogance. It is the most common issue I work with, whether it’s confidence in themselves, confidence in their work or in achieving their potential. Consideration must be given to:

How do you use your confidence? What is your impression of confidence, is it a liability or an asset?

Your confidence is extremely important in almost every aspect of your live, yet so many people struggle to find it or indeed develop it. Sadly, this can be a vicious circle, people who lack confidence can find it difficult to become successful or to allow themselves to succeed.

Arrogance Behaviour Vs Confident Behaviour – Do you know the difference?

Confidence means being committed to yourself, your life and reaching your potential but still having the right perspective and a healthy attitude. Arrogance, on the other hand, is confidence that has spun out of control. Confidence is cool; arrogance is ugly.

“If you have no confidence in self you are twice defeated in the race of life. With confidence you have won even before you have started.”  – Marcus Garvey

How can you develop confidence, succeed in life/business and avoid being arrogant

• Know who you are, what you want and accept every one of your strengths and weaknesses.
• Look at what you have achieved.
• Recognise where you have been, where you are and where you are going by setting bite-sized goals and celebrate success every time.
• Focus on what is right, not what is wrong.
• Be who you are and let others do the same.
• Keep the right people around you – who is positive, successful  and who will support you.
• Face your fears as it is famously quoted ‘…[fears] are the only way we know we are alive…’
• Hire me as your Coach. Working with a professional Coach will help you recognise and talk openly about what is holding you back, support you in developing greater personal resilience and ensure you unleash the confident person you desire to be.

We all have those days when our confidence wavers, it can be here one day and gone the next. It is important that you remind yourself that this will pass. Focus on what you have learnt, what you did well, what more you can do and how to position your next move to generate a more desirable outcome. Tomorrow is another day.

Not only do you have to find a balance but you also have to find your balance. Be confident, but not arrogant. Be humble, but not spineless. If you love what you do, nothing should stop you.

Be the fly on the wall and analyse your own confidence and the manner in which this is portrayed. No matter how good your intentions are, what matters the most, is how you are perceived. Ask yourself today, how am I being perceived?

“#1 problem that keeps people from winning, is lack of belief in themselves!”

So if what you are seeking is lasting relationships, long-term success and a better quality of life (in and out of the workplace) then you will be better served to forgo the pompous acts of the arrogant, and substitute the humility and quiet confidence displayed by true leaders (take a look they are all around us).

Confidence increases influence and attracts people to you. It breeds trust. The people we admire and look up to the most are usually those that know what they want and have the confidence to get it. Such confidence is conveyed via tone of voice, body language and other subconscious triggers. Understandably then, leaders must learn to communicate with great confidence and authority.

The main problem with Arrogance is that it inspires non-action and non-action means you will most certainly fail. Success comes to most people through action – it really is as simple as that.

The difference between arrogance and confidence is self-awareness. Once your confidence is mastered, it can change lives forever.

“Know Yourself, Believe in Yourself to Boost Your Personal Power

Confidence is the Essential Ingredient of Success in Life and Business”

If this is your time and coaching could help, contact me. We’ll talk it over and decide the best way to proceed. Email me:ann@infinitepeoplesolutions.com

Irish Times’ Innovation Awards are coming to Belfast

I attended the launch of the Innovation Cities Roadshow on Friday today in the University of Ulster. The Irish Times Innovation project will once again visit the main cities across the island and imparting expert insights into leading business issues and practical ideas on how you can develop your business performance.

There was a great gathering at the Innovation Cities Roadshow which attracted a wealth of business start up, leading local and international brands as well as key innovation academics.

After receiving warm a welcome by Michael McAleer, Innovation Editor, The Irish Times, Timothy Brundle, Director of Innovation identified the importance of innovation and the universities success with local companies. Brian Laverty from Vodafone Ireland educated attendees in new way if working and then we heard from John Ried, RepKnight a serial entrepreneur before a number of interactive presentations from Maurice Mulvenna & Angela Reavey.

The star of the show was the keynote speaker Norman Crowley, Crowley Carbon – what an inspirational entrepreneur with a candid, real life glimpse of a worldwide success from this island.

It was a great event, well done to the Innovative Team at the University of Ulster. Now guys let’s get entering these awards and get some major wins up our sleeves!

Get Entering at – http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/innovation-awards/

Most leaders can use someone to help them clarify and achieve business and life goals.  Whether a CEO, President, VP, CFO, Entrepreneur, Owner, Manager or other professional leaders can become an even greater success with an Life and Business coach.

Since 2005, Infinite People Solutions, has provided Life and Business Coaching to its clients for the purpose of “increasing their effectiveness and enhancing their lives and the organisations they lead.”

Ten Benefits for business owners and leaders in securing the coaching services of Infinite People Solutions are:

1. You will make better and quicker decisions in running your business. Often, you just need someone to confirm your decision or to enhance it. By having a business coach with expertise, he or she can help you move to a decision making model that is effective and minimizes the emotions of the decisions to be made.
2. We will hold you accountable to do what you commit to do. CEOs and business owners do a good job of holding others accountable, but do not always hold themselves accountable to do what they commit to.
3. You will make better and quicker decisions in running your business. Often, you just need someone to confirm your decision or to enhance it. By having a business coach with expertise, he or she can help you move to a decision making model that is effective and minimizes the emotions of the decisions to be made.
4. I will hold you accountable to do what you commit to do. CEOs and business owners do a good job of holding others accountable, but do not always hold themselves accountable to do what they commit to.
5. I will help you grow professionally and personally. Often times leaders need to learn a new skill or advise about handling a business or personal issue.
6. Isolation is removed. An Life and Business Coaching allows you to have a confidante whom you can share difficult situations without upsetting employees or family members.
7. Change is anticipated and managed. Seeing the need for change while working in the “whirlwind” and how to manage it can be difficult. Fresh eyes and objective perceptions are helpful. Raise performance benefits including cost efficiencies, direct cost savings, market impact and revenue/sales
8. Increase personal effectiveness including interpersonal skill, self management, life management and work/business strategies
9. You receive encouragement.  You receive honest and candid feedback.
10. I will help you TO SUCCEED!

According to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)’s 2004 survey:

• 79% of responding organisations use coaching
• 99% agree that it can deliver tangible benefits
• 92% agree that it can have a positive impact on an organisation’s bottom line.

Ready to Take Action?   It’s Your Move, and There’s No Risk! Click Here! to send Email and request a FREE initial consultation.

This gives new businesses and growing companies the opportunity for 2+ days of business coaching absolutely free. Call 02890457045

Ann Rodgers, Infinite People Solutions has been approved to deliver support under Innovation Enterprise Programme.  As an Innovation & Creativity Mentor, Ann will provide business owners/ entrepreneurs with intensive business ideas and the business acumen, expertise, networks and tools that they need to develop highly successful businesses and grow profits.  The ‘one to one’ mentoring approach concentrates on innovation focuses on promoting business sustainability, competitiveness and accelerate the growth of ambitious companies.

This gives new businesses and growing companies the opportunity for 2+ days of business coaching absolutely free.

For more information on whether you qualify for this fully funded programme, call Sharon Tracey Collins, Innovation Officer on  02882249494 or Ann Rodgers on 02890 457045 now or click on www.omaghenterprise.co.uk

Not investing in you is like floating down a fast river without a paddle, map or knowledge of what’s around the next bend. Things may go fine for a while, but at some point, you’re going to realise you made a giant mistake. Traditionally an employee’s career path has been left in the hands of a human resources department, but with more and more individuals taking control of their careers the role of the coach is becoming paramount

A study done in New York a few years ago found that people who ranked in the top 3% in every field had a special attitude that set them apart from average performers in their industries. It was this: They chose to view themselves as self-employed throughout their careers, no matter who signed their salary.

These are people who invest in themselves, hired a career coach, set goals, make plans, establish measures and get results.

To avoid such unforeseen disaster in your career, you need to invest in it to proactively and thoughtfully create a plan for achieving your career and life goals by investing in Career Coaching.

And if that doesn’t convince you, here are Career Coach’s 10 reasons why investing in your career is a must.

1. The Greatest Return on Investment, Anywhere The return on investing and improving yourself is astronomically higher than any financial investment you could make. From increased lifetime earning power and unimagined opportunities, to protecting yourself from unemployment and the satisfaction that comes from personal growth and success — the returns are enormous.

2. You’re the Boss of You If you’re the president and CEO of You.com then it’s your job to ensure you don’t go out of business. It’s your job to nurture growth and prosperity. You do this by carefully planning, performing consistently, operating true to your mission and investing in You Inc.

3. Become More Valuable Draw up two balance sheets for yourself. The first one should be a list of your financial assets and liabilities. The second should be a list of your skills, ideas, knowledge, marketability, personal networks, passion and ability to make things happen. Increase your personal net worth by investing in your second list. That’s how you’ll increase the assets on your first list.

4. Become Great You are capable of Greatness. Most of us settle for just getting by, using a fraction of our capabilities. This is tragic. Realise your greatness by identifying your talents and investing in your potential.

5. Achieve Your Goals Your Career and Life Goals are far too important to be just wishes. A mismanaged career can derail your life goals. Investing in yourself dramatically increases the probability of achieving your goals and is a real demonstration of your commitment to achieving them.

6. Create Your Own Future Your career is yours to mould. Investing in yourself gives you the clarity, power and tools to create your own future and take the path less travelled. Sometimes, investing means taking a risk, but that’s the price of entry for success and happiness.

7. Because the World Is a Complex Place You cannot know everything you need to know or do everything you need to do alone. You can’t be your best without help. Find and invest in those who can teach you, show you the way and help you achieve your goals.

8. Life Is Too Short for Mediocrity You don’t have the luxury of being mediocre — period. Whether you opt for self-improvement or outsourcing your weak areas to someone who can do them better, determine where you are mediocre and get help.

9. It’s a Cliche, But on Your Deathbed? The reason we hear this often is that it is so true. The passage of time will provide a perspective we don’t have now. One day, you’ll look back at your problems and successes and see them as bumps in the road. Your focus will be on the big picture: the life you led, opportunities pursued or abandoned, how happy you were and the legacy you left behind. Investing in yourself will give you the courage and determination to be happy and do your own thing.

10. Who Else Can You Count On? Let’s face it: You’re alone on this. No one has as much to gain or lose as you do. No one else is going to make those consistent investments in your development to maximise your career and life.

In 2012, thousands of professionals will see their role change, their income decline, and some will give up, change careers and move on. But not this client. She made her own choices. Is it time for you to take control of your life, career or business?

“I was at a cross roads in my career and felt I had lost confidence in my abilities and career direction. I came across Ann in Infinite People Solutions and undertook a few coaching sessions with her. One of my initial reservations was cost as I was paying for the coaching myself. However, I decided to look at it as an investment in my career and from the very first session, Ann helped give me the tools to work on my journey to get my career and my confidence back on track.

After 5-6 sessions, I can honestly say that I feel a different person and it enormously helped with me to focus my career on what I want.  Within a three month period I have been offered the job of my dreams, which is double my current salary.  I cannot emphasise enough the return on investment that this coaching with Ann has given me.  For anyone that initially thinks, ” I cannot afford coaching”, please re-consider as I can honestly say that it has being the best investment I have ever made in myself and I am reaping the benefits, not just career wise, but have the tools to help me in all aspects of my life” Michele, Head of Marketing, IT, Dublin

Imagine what’s possible!  Award Winning Certified Personal Life & Business Coach, Ann Rodgers has a 100% record on her innovative results driven CareerRite Programme –

Helping you get the job you’ll love …
and love the job you have….

To book email:  ann@infinitepeoplesolutions.com or call 02890457045

Life and Business Coach, Reap and Rewards Programme, Belfast, UK

Sowing the seeds for Life & Business Success

Wow, how fast did summer disappear? Even with it being the wettest summer in a hundred years, there was still a great deal to enjoy, to take time out, to renew, reassess and reset your business/career dreams and business/career goals. September is one of my favourite months of the year, as well being a busy business month, is a month of so many opportunities to make sales, to meet new partners/suppliers, attend events, to hire a coach, enter awards, hire new people and to make money.

Known as the harvest month, just like a farmer who plants seeds in the ground expects a harvest, we expect to see results from the time and energy we invest in business success. But just like the farmer (and you) must select good seeds and plan in advance in order to reap a good harvest.

That we have to sow in order to reap is a concept we are all familiar with. It is one of nature’s fundamental laws, which mankind has long understood and made use of. We cannot sow potatoes and expect to reap carrots! Some people want business and career success instantaneously. In reality, business and career success is a lot more like farming – it is a nurturing process. So what are you going to sow this Autumn?

Start Planting Now to “Reap Rewards”

September is a time for sowing the seeds of change, planting seeds in fertile ground and nurturing them for rapid growth. It is a time for action and therefore a time to confront any obstacles in your way – start today, fulfil your business goals and attain the following commercial outcomes for this year and next.

• Improved sales, revenue, cash flow or turnover
• Improved profit margins and profitability
• Reduced costs and improved efficiencies or productivity measures
• Increased valuation of the business, both in absolute terms and relative to competitors.
• Stronger internal leadership skills within team members.
• The ability to overcome internal obstacles and facilitate change.
• Better communication throughout the organisation, which can speed implementation of strategic and operational changes for all businesses.
• Improved staff morale, which can positively impact staff turnover, engagement, efficiency, innovation and client relationships.
• Improved clarity around, and agreement with company vision and values, which define acceptable behaviours and inform staff recruitment and retention strategies.
• Better work/life balance.

Get a running start to 2013 on my 90 Day Challenge on the “Reap your Rewards” Programme.

With only 3 months left in 2012 it is time to plan your pursuits for success in 2013. Now is the time to think BIG, be BOLD and take ACTION! I have helped hundreds of small business owners, professional and people like you take dramatic steps in their business to get you to the next level, achieve your potential and to make more money.

If you have millions of ideas and not getting any finished or even started in some cases

• Are you ready to take business forward, as the clock is ticking?
• Are you looking for support, business success tools and accountability?
• Are you prepared to make time to research new ideas, brainstorm business building ideas and plan?
• Are you a positive minded person and not afraid to work hard on strategies and systems for your business?

If any of this sounds familiar to you, my 90 day coaching intensive is perfect for you. The 90 day “Reap and Rewards” Programme provides a platform for you to explore the current state of life-business balance to provide an opportunity for you to set short, medium and long-term commitments and build in accountability mechanisms.

90 Day (3 Month) “Reap and Reward” programme provides business owners with structured exercises, useful tools and templates and new accountability frameworks to help you grow!

This programme is designed for business owners and entrepreneurs who are looking to launch their business and  expand their career blueprint. This Programme will also cater for seasoned entrepreneurs and professionals who are wanting a kick start to move their business or career to the next level in 2013.

Now is the time to live outside the limits of your past and beyond what your mind can conceive.

Why choose Coaching to ‘Reap the Rewards’ in your Life and Business

By selecting one of my coaching programmes which is driven by you and your vision, I will help you get focused on developing, launching, managing and growing the life and business you’ve always dreamed about. Engaging me as your coach offers you an opportunity to get an outside perspective and provides you with an objective sounding board on strategic issues and important decisions. As your coach, I will work closely with you to help navigate some of the common hurdles, less productive impulses and life/business experiences, including the daily ups and downs and dealing with success.

Find out how my clients has experienced great level of success from sowing, reaping and achieving high-level awards in their life, career  or business  – Client Success.

So if you would like coaching to make your life and business more exciting, more profitable and far more productive, take action!

I’ve got openings at the moment, and I’d enjoy talking with you. Call today to kick start your plans for 2013 on 02890 457045

‘sedit qui timuit ne non succederet’

He who feared he would not succeed…sat still”

“One session with Ann took away inferiority complexes I’d struggled with in my line of work. Overcoming that barrier led me to give the best interview I ever had with a self belief that I didn’t ever experience before.”

Emma, Belfast

I turn 26 this month driven,focused and inspired for the future…….!”

Elizabeth, Belfast