It's easy to get caught up in operating a business, and not have the time to work on your business.
It's easy to be so close to things that you don't always see what's wrong.
It's easy to develop routines which, for the preceding reasons, we never think about again—whether they're the right routine or not.
In fact, it's not just easy. It's common. It's almost inevitable.
Bringing in a consultant. One of the more emotion-packed sentences in business today (right up there with the word 'outsourcing'.)
Here's the (broken) way it's often done: some guy who knows a lot about how to make businesses 'more profitable' (a potentially dangerous term) comes in and watches everyone work. They ask questions, usually not very tactfully. They offer suggestions; again, probably not working very hard to create a warm fuzzy feeling. 
The suggestions are usually focused entirely on money and often include 'downsizing'; er, I mean, 'right-sizing' because downsizing sounds so negative, where right-sizing is such a happy thought; firing people because your company wasn't the right size.
They leave a big fat document with lots of suggestions which, frankly my dear, they don't care if you implement or not. They just want to make sure the enormous check you wrote them is good.
I'm a heretic. I think that way is wrong. I think you're pretty nice people, and want you to think the same of me. I know that there's more to business than being 'more profitable', while at the same time recognising that without profit, you're not in business. I believe that recommendations left by a condescending jerk aren't likely to be implemented, because people don't like taking advice from condescending jerks. I'm neither condescending nor a jerk. I figure since I write books about how to provide excellent customer service, I'd better set the right example.
I offer a number of smaller business mentoring packages. This is the really big package.
For $10,000 plus travel costs, I'll spend a week with you, from breakfast to bedtime (or just business hours, if you prefer.) We'll talk about your business. I'll watch and ask questions and absorb who you are and how you think. We'll analyse what's happening and why and how, and then, we'll make simple but profound changes that will make your business easier, faster, more profitable, and more fun.
My wife and personal assistant Sue will be there to document the entire experience, take notes and generally make sure you can pay attention to what's happening without being so focused on writing stuff down that you don't have time to think and learn. We'll shoot video and record audio wherever it makes sense, so you have a very complete record of what went on.
We'll treat you and everyone associated with your business with dignity and respect. It's the only way we know how to treat people. I'll bet that's how you treat people, too, but in business today, you've almost certainly discovered that not everyone does, so we wanted to mention it.
What you'll get is a new way to look at how you do what you do, a new way to think about business. And not just some abstract concept of business, but your business, the one you live with every day, day in and day out.
Besides the commentary and suggestions in real time you will receive all the video and audio recorded during our week with you, and a written summary of my recommendations. It will cover everything from broad changes in thinking to specific actions you can take to implement those changes, without disrupting what you have to get done every day in the meantime.
I specialise in service businesses. I am not an expert in manufacturing environments, nor do I have experience working with retail sales. But if your primary business is serving people in some way, we're probably a good match. Even if your primary business is, in fact, manufacturing something or selling it retail, I'm delighted to work with you on the service portions of your business.
In short, if it relates to helping your people take care of your customers and each other and themselves and you, I can have a profound effect.
I believe that every business person has the answers to their greatest challenges right inside their own head, but because they're busy, too close to the problem, or just plain human enough to develop habits they forget to change, sometimes you need a specialist to draw up those answers, like water from a well.
Here are the two comments I get most regarding my coaching:
I specialise in getting you to think things you never thought of before, to see things in a completely new way. And, yes, you will change. Forever.
I will fundamentally alter your perception of how business gets done in a very personal and practical way. You will love what you do even more and do it so much better that the cost of this service seems trivial by comparison.
We don't for one instant believe you're going to make a decision of this magnitude based on reading a web page.
Please call Sue (916.390.2262) or use the contact form to schedule some time to discuss your challenges and questions.
We'll also be glad to put you in touch with folks from all over the world who'll share their professional opinions of me. I'll stifle my modesty long enough to suggest that you'll be impressed with what my clients and colleagues have to say about my ability to clearly see the simplicity hidden in the most complex challenges, and to create solutions which, in hindsight, seem obvious, even though they weren't.
While we think that concepts like privacy and discretion are baked into every trusting business relationship, we're delighted to address any and all non-disclosure agreements you and yours might feel are necessary.
When our week together is over, if you feel I haven't delivered on my promise, you won't pay my fee. That's right; I'll risk the entire $10,000 on your word.
Should that happen, we'll ask two things:
I hope that feels fair to you.
Not, of course, that I believe it's ever going to happen. Honest.
My 8-Week Intensive is $1,000. For eight weeks, we talk each week on the phone for however long it takes for you to feel ready to take the next step. I'm available to answer infinite emails. I'll give you specific direction to conquer your single greatest business challenge. At the end of the eight weeks, you will know, absolutely, that you've got this thing licked.
The ongoing monthly coaching is $250 and includes two calls and the infinite email. Rather than focusing on a specific project or challenge, this is better suited for someone who knows where they're going and just needs an outside eye on things, another brain with years of experience helping smooth the path.
The monthly consulting program is $75 and includes all the emails you can write or a single 30-minute phone call on any topic that'll help you. Of course, if you want more than a single phone call, you can do two at this price, or four for the monthly cost above.
If you've made it this far, you may be wondering how to fit yourself into one of these packages.
Don't.
If there's not something here that clearly calls your name, here's my challenge to you: Write down your dream coaching/mentoring program. Describe what it involves: phone calls, email, whatever; how often, how long, how much; the benefits you get, how it feels, how long it lasts, and even how much it would cost, in a dream world. Drop it into the contact form.
Then, let me amaze you by what I can do.