Dave Ferguson – Reap the Harvest
Dave Ferguson already had a successful coaching business before he joined the John maxwell Team. Since joining it however, his business success has simply exploded and he has been reaping the harvest of his time well spent with our mentors and the excellent curriculum of the program .
We met with Dave to find out the secrets to his success.
You already had a business Dave, how specifically did joining the John Maxwell Team take it to the next level for you?
My business existed for 5 years prior to joining JMT. I initially joined the JMT team to get access to John’s content to add to my business. What I got was a whole lot more. Great content, great mentors and great friends…all who influence me in one way or another.
What unexpected ways did being in the JMT help you?
JMT has stretched me beyond where I thought I could go. The mentors have engaged and challenged me and the team has inspired me. I now have a much bigger picture, a larger vision, and goals on steroids.
You have been having a lot of success with hosting events and getting contracts. Is there any advice you can share with our readers on how you do this?
Schedule your events and then worry about filling the room. My first event 8 years ago I only had 6 people show up. Some of those people have now been coaching clients, friends, and great referral partners. As far as coaching contracts, when I first started in the business I made the mistake of selling coaching sessions, rather then coaching agreements. I started out selling packages of 3, 6, and 12 coaching sessions. That just didn’t work. I found myself having to sell more then coach. When I made the decision to go to one year agreements is when my business took off.
How have you become known as a coach and speaker?
I get asked this a lot by other coaches. It’s simple, become famous locally first. Act like your running for mayor of your town…get out and shake hands and kiss babies. Get published in a local paper. Become the expert in your area. Volunteer, join like-minded groups, and network like your life relied on it. In my town, everyone calls me “The Coach!” Mission accomplished locally, now I’m working on nationwide and beyond.
Which of John’s material do you like teaching the best?
Without a doubt, I’ve fallen in love with the “15 Invaluable Laws of Personal Growth.” Let’s face it, without personal growth there is not growth. Before I taught my first Group on 15 Laws, I read the book 3 times. I literally wanted to become an expert on the material. In my first Group teaching on this content, I watched lives change over 8 weeks. One of them was mine!
How do you consistently grow your business?
I’m known as a coach, and while people may be confused about what a coach does, they know I’ve made significant impact in peoples lives and businesses. 80% of my business comes from the best sales team I could ask for, my clients!
Tell me about a client that refers you?
Now this is a great story. It’s how you build BIG MO!
I’m about to start my first 15 Laws Group and someone I don’t know signs up online, let’s call her Janie. The day before the group is about to start she calls me and says, “she doesn’t think she’s ready.” To which I say, “just come and if you’re not ready you don’t have to come back, ok?” She comes and for the first couple of weeks, just sits quietly in her seat and takes notes. Well, after the 3rd of 4th meeting, I’ve got a new Janie on my hands. She is now a fireball and is contributing constantly. Over the course of the 8 weeks, I watch her grow like I’ve never seen someone grow. Her life was changing right in front of my eyes. When the group ended, she wanted to know when we could start another one. She recruited all 32 people to the virtual session.
She then referred me to an executive of a large company, I’ll call him Mike, who paid me to speak, without blinking an eye. After I spoke, he asked me if I would be his executive coach. I signed a one year agreement with him. He then referred me to his second and third in charge. I am coaching them as well. I just recently signed a coaching agreement with another executive from that company. Mike has recently introduced me to his step-father who owns a large communications company. I have a paid consultation with him next week. This is BIG MO!
What in your opinion is the best way a business person can benefit from joining the JMT?
Dive in but be open to new ways. Listen to mentors and teammates, they have knowledge and experience you don’t necessarily have. Be confident, not arrogant. Follow the roadmap, it works!
About Dave Ferguson
Dave Ferguson is a highly sought-after Business & Life Coach, Business Consultant, Strategist, Speaker, Newspaper Columnist “Ask Coach Dave” with the credibility and insight to ask the tough questions to get people and organizations out of their comfort zones. He loves to say “I’m not an expert on your business…you are! I’m on expert on getting people to focus on what’s important in their business and life”.
To contact Dave, click here :http://www.johncmaxwellgroup.com/daveferguson