Reset Focus To Rev Up Results, Say Creators Of Visibilty Program For Entrepreneurial-thinkers

April 10, 2010 - PRLog -- Chicago – If the economic slowdown has affected demand for what you offer, consider re-evaluating what really matters to your audience and how you reach it, says a seasoned executive communication coach.

“Products, services and skills not deemed essential are at greater risk in a tough economy.  Yet, what’s experienced as ‘essential’ can be changed by what you offer and how you get the word out about the difference you can make, even in a recession.” says Jackie Sloane, president of Sloane Communications.

Sloane and Cheryl McPhilimy, president of McPhilimy Associates, have teamed up to offer The Breakthrough Lab April 29 at Catalyst Ranch to help entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial thinkers clear obstacles to increased visibility and success, particularly during a slow recovery. The two have worked with leaders and professionals in most industries to achieve goals through how they communicate and engage others.

When people become more focused on addressing the concerns of their audiences, they report dramatic increases in sales, desired results achieved in key meetings and greater influence and promotions, notes Sloane.

The iPod, launched in the recession of 2001, is an example of an offering no one arguably “needed,” she says, that has literally “changed what people want” by delighting users with a superior experience, ultimately altering industries, the way people buy and listen to recordings and the fortunes of the company that brought it to us. In developing and marketing it, Apple focused on dramatically expanded value and user experience, she said.

“Engaging people about what really matters to them and how you might impact that gets their attention, and often their involvement,” says McPhilimy.

The Breakthrough Lab, to be held from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., April 29, provides experiential learning, tools and a repeatable process for resetting focus on your audience and building momentum.

Session participants will identify goals and obstacles, work with a live case study as a group, and then on their own project, learning a process they can share with colleagues, designed to support them in developing a new approach to a challenge and identifying next steps to implement.

Future Breakthrough Lab sessions focusing on developing a plan and implementing it are planned.

McPhilimy and Sloane, who specialize in working with executives to increase visibility in the marketplace and within large organizations emphasize providing value as key to positive visibility.

Cheryl McPhilimy is an author and former journalist who speaks nationally and teaches programs at Loyola University Chicago. She works with leaders, entrepreneurs and boards on issues of messaging, strategy, visibility and public perception, particularly in high-stakes, high-profile situations.

Jackie Sloane works with clients to achieve goals through how they communicate and cultivate relationships. A program leader and speaker, she writes the Executive Coach column for Executive Travel, on leadership and communication for The Chicago Examiner.com, and will lead a program on personal marketing at University of Chicago’s Graham School next spring.

The Catalyst Ranch was founded to create an environment that enhances creativity and results for corporate meetings and educational events. It is also available for celebrations of all kinds. It is located at 656 W. Randolph, Suite 3W, Chicago, IL 60661 • (312) 207-1710. The program cost is $25, including light refreshments.

To register, access this link, or paste, including the hyphen and word, "breakthrough" into your browser: http://www.catalystranch.com/happenings1.html - breakthrough

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Sloane Communications, specializes in collaborating with clients to achieve goals through how they communicate, engage others and cultivate relationships. We provide executive, leadership and communication coaching, consulting and training.