I have been getting so many questions about The CEO Factor™ Retreat that I decided to post the most frequently asked questions to help you decide if this is the right event for you. We have been busy putting all of the pieces together and launching the Manifesto and new website so until we get up all of the details for the event, here’s a sneak peak at what you’ll get when you attend The CEO Factor™  Retreat.

1. When is the Retreat?

The CEO Factor™ Retreat is scheduled for April 2-4, 2009

2. Where will the Retreat be held?

We are still working out the details and we will let you know as soon as possible; but, more than likely it will be in sunny, Southern California.

3. What exactly is a CEO?

The CEO is the Chief Entrepreneurial Officer. CEOs are the ones who give themselves a big fat permission slip to do more of what they love and what they do best…while creating new strategies to deal with the rest. CEOs are the LEADERS rather than the DOERS. They have a big vision, the ability to create amazing programs and solutions and the clarity about when to get out of the way so others can execute it. Sounds pretty great, right?

4. I have been hearing a lot of buzz about The CEO Factor™  Manifesto. Where can I get a copy of it and learn more about what it means to embody The CEO Factor™?

You can claim your copy of the Manifesto right now at www.theCEOFactorManifesto.com.

5. How many people will be at the Retreat?

We are keeping it small and opening it up to approximately 100 entrepreneurs.

6. Will you have other speakers at the Retreat?

No. You will be treated to 3 full days of intense work, exclusively with me and my amazing business partner Shawn Driscoll, where we will put a microscope up to your business and help you stop from being the bottleneck and start being the leader of the 7 & 8 figure business you had in mind when you started your journey in the first place…without killing yourself to get there!
While there are certainly occasions where events with multiple speakers all day long can be beneficial, this is not one of those times. The only thing truly on stage at this event will be YOU and YOUR Business. This event is designed to be highly interactive and experiential so we can dig deep into YOUR business and find out exactly what’s holding you back from achieving the extraordinary success you know you’re capable of.

7. Exactly who would benefit most from attending The CEO Factor™ Retreat?

This event is perfect for you if you…

• Consistently bring in mid to high 6 figures in annual revenue
• Are experiencing consistent growth & success and want your business to grow into a bigger EMPIRE
• Are the brand, star, founder and energy of your company
• Are the one bringing in the business and already have a comprehensive marketing strategy in place (even though it needs some tweaking)
• Want to leave a legacy, but also want to move on to something new
• Crave more time to enjoy your life
• Would benefit from unlocking more leverage
• Are spiritually minded, very coachable, open to learning and being led, and READY to implement, no matter how challenging it may be at first
• Don’t need your hand held and don’t require a ton of accountability to move forward
• Currently have a team of at least 3 – 5 people or more and know you need to expand your support
• Want to learn how to lead vs. how to do
• Recognize the person you’ve been up to now and the strategies you’ve used up to now WILL NOT GET YOU TO NEXT LEVEL OF SUCCESS
• Are the bottleneck and don’t know how to let go 
• Want to skyrocket your credibility factor to be “the star” of your industry 
• Need help knowing how to fund, build your team and streamline your current business model
• Are the creator, star and innovator who wants to up-level your ability to lead more effectively

And, maybe even MOST IMPORTANTLY, you are ready to be honest about what’s working and what’s not in your business and are ready to do whatever it takes, no matter how new, scary, uncomfortable, or challenging it is to achieve your business goals. 

The truth is this event is not for everyone. You see I am going to be pulling out all of the stops and giving you the top of the line tools and strategies I know will change your business forever.

Because of that, it’s important I bring together a group of entrepreneurs who are ready to play really BIG. And I mean so big that the ideas we’ll talk about will likely scare you to pieces. You’ll wonder if you’re ready for it. You’ll wonder if you’re ready to BE who you need to be to make it happen.

But that’s okay. In my book, if you aren’t feeling a little bit scared, you’re likely not playing a big enough game.

8. Ok, you’ve talked a lot about being the bottleneck. How do I know if I am being the bottleneck in my business and hijacking my own success?

Here are some ways to find out if you are being the BOTTLENECK to your own growth.

• You are the “main show”, the brand, and the sole service provider. This limits how many consulting/coaching clients you can take on.
• You are the only one who can do the marketing and oversee implementation for new ideas so you are limited to how many opportunities you can say yes to…or it never gets started in the first place.
• Your ideas and visions are huge and your team, can’t keep up. You are frustrated with how long it takes to get things done.
• When breakdowns occur YOU are ALWAYS the one to step in and solve the problem.
• You are experiencing lightening fast growth but don’t have the proper infrastructure to sustain the growth.
• Your delegation techniques are not effective. (Many of the tasks you delegate end up back on your plate to get done on time or correctly.)
• You need more people to keep up with everything but you don’t want to spend more money.  (You are in SHORT term thinking at the expense of long term growth.)
• You have the habit of learning things FIRST then delegating them.  You always have to learn it first before you hand a task off to someone else.
• Decisions have to be made by you, rather than training others how to think and make decisions LIKE you.

9. I often find that the best reason to go to events is for the networking opportunities. Will there be opportunities to network with others in a meaningful way?

Absolutely. Because this is going to be an event with such high level entrepreneurs who have so much to offer one another, I wanted to make sure I created opportunities for you to connect with each other at different points. So, this piece is built into the program in various ways. But, in addition to that, I am also putting together a special event for VIPs that will blow you away. More details on that will be coming soon!

10. Can you give me a sneak peak at what I’ll get when I attend The CEO Factor™ Retreat?

Sure. Here’s a brief summary of what you’ll get when you attend The CEO Factor™ Retreat:

• A highly interactive and experiential 3 days with tangible tools you can put into action immediately
• Live hot seats & Q&A sessions designed to help you get specific answers about YOUR business right on the spot
• A specific process for focusing on passion versus drudgery
• A step-by-step system for identifying patterns and blocks holding you back and EXACTLY what to do to get past them
• Simple and systematic ways to exponentially increase revenue and profit
• A tool to help you clarify your role as a leader and the legacy you want to leave behind
• An assessment that will help you make sure the team you have in place is the one that can take you to 7 & 8 figures
• Powerful networking opportunities between participants, including an opportunity to attend a high level VIP party with a very exclusive group of entrepreneurs
• Direct access to me and my coaching team
• Participation in a live mastermind where you will be able to implement strategies and try out tools right on the spot with other like minded entrepreneurs who will be there to support you and give you 5x the brain power you would have on your own.

11. What is the investment for this program and when can I register?

The full price ticket for this event is $3,750. However, we are offering a significant discount ($1500.00 OFF) to those who register for the event by December 31, 2008. We are also allowing each attendee to bring a partner or colleague for only $2,000.

We will be sharing a link for you to register soon but if can’t wait and you are ready to save your spot now, you can email us at info at successconnections dot com and put “Event Sign Up” in the subject box and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

12. Will you be offering affiliate commissions if I help you fill a seat?

Yes. Details on that will be available soon.

13. Will you be doing a preview teleclass to talk more about the event?

Yes. The teleclass will be held the first week of February. We will let you know more about it and how to register for it as details become available.

I’m just back from speaking at another live event.

And I’m noticing a significant trend…

Conference producers who have all the right intentions but not the right turnout (aka not enough people show up.)

So what’s going on with that? Live events are probably one of the most significant ways to get access to the right education to turn your business around. But over and over again I find that it’s hard to get people to show up? Its not that we have a decline in entrepreneurs starting businesses as that is actually growing. And I watch the people in the room having these huge breakthroughs so I know being there works.

Here are some of the things I saw happen for people at that event:

• Learned about a strategy, tool or new way of thinking to get better results
• Made new contacts with people who can really help make things happen
• Eliminated feelings of isolation and replaced with new friendships and mentors
• Transcended the “online networking” with tools like Facebook and Twitter to having real connections with real people who actually get you and want to do business with you
• Discovered how other people are making their business successful and short cut your own path
• Tapped into the synergy and “mastermind energy” of a group and get a million dollar idea (this happened to me this weekend)
• Socialized outside of the event so that the “getting to know” part could be more real (hence, connections that survive beyond the biz card exchange.)

I can probably make a list a mile long of the benefits of live events. So what keeps people from accessing this kind of resource? I’d love to hear your thoughts…

• Is it too many choices for what to invest your time and money in?
• Not clear from the event materials why you should come?
• Afraid to spend the money to travel?

What could possibly keep you from attending an event in person with all these possibilities? Anyway, I’m on a bit of a rant but I am curious and would love to hear your input. No matter how hard we all try to make online learning and networking a valuable tool, there just is no way to replace what can happen  in person.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts by commenting on the blog…I’ll post mine after I hear from you…

Ok, I’m going to blow a lot of people who know me out of the water with this one.

My ticket and a picture for proof!

I really went to a Willie Nelson concert this week. I’m not a country/western fan in any way as a matter of fact I go out of my way to tell people that I can’t stand it.

However, on Weds morning my good friend Liora called to say that her boyfriend had tickets and did I want to go? Of course I said yes. Because even though I don’t like country music, Willie Nelson has a special place in my heart because my grandmother and I used to listen to it together when I was a kid. Now that she’s not with us anymore anything that helps me feel connected to her is a winning proposition in my book. 

 Matthew Ferry, Maria
and Liora (in the hat.)

So off I went to join my friends for the Willie event.

 Me, Mark Victor Hansen (Mega events & Chicken Soup for the Soul),
Liora Mendeloff (in the hat), Matthew Ferry
(of the Mike Ferry Real Estate coaching clan),
Maria and Lynn Rose (singer and founder of the WOW Factor.)

And it was actually fun! Not only that, but I met up with some people I hadn’t seen in awhile and did some great networking in the process.

During all the songs that sound the same, Matthew and I talked a lot about just saying YES when the world invites you into a new opportunity. I’m really glad I said yes (cause there were a lot of reasons I almost said no like, “I don’t have time, I’ll just be getting off a teleclass, I won’t have time to eat dinner, I don’t really like C/W music”) but by saying YES I was in the right place at the right time to meet the right people …and have some fun in the process.

So what are YOU saying no to that should be a YES?

Hi — I wanted to let you know about a new company called My Millionaire Friends that is launching on January 1, 2008. This monthly coaching and networking program offers a lot of tangibles on a monthly basis (CDs and printed books and newsletters to name a few). They are running a special prelaunch price. Check it out at:
http://www.successcoachrecommends.com/millionairefriends.

And even if you can’t join right away–they have a great “How to Become A Millionaire Diagram and Checklist” you can download for free.

 One of the highest payoff investments I’ve made in my education and networking has been attending the Dan Kennedy/Bill Glazer Conferences. The one I just attended in St. Louis proved to be another stellar opportunity. A few of the take-aways that really shifted my thinking are:

• Find the niche inside the niche to unlock the gold
• Your reputation is more valuable than you think
• Implement with speed

I really loved that they focused so much on speed as I’ve found with the people who are attracted to this industry, many get so caught up in their ideas they forget to actually implement them! Or they got stuck with too much perfection, analysis and pursuit of the knowledge which leaves no room for getting to results. It’s been such a great theme that I’ve brought it to my Business Accelerator Mastermind Retreat that I’m conducting today (I’m actually writing this post from my ocean view room in La Jolla, CA.)

Another great payoff is always the connections. I met some amazing people and created many more opportunities for interviews, speaking and joint ventures. The thing that people forget sometimes is we all get so busy when we are in our day-to-day experience that its hard to lift your head up and remember to reach out to our peers. But being live and in person gives you an opportunity to be in the right place at the right time to get the right opportunities!

I remembered to pull my camera out of my bag a few times to get some pix with a few of the people I was able to connect with. (Hey, if you were one who said, “I’ll send you a picture” don’t forget!)

My good friends Ali Brown, theezinequeen.com and Lorrie Morgan-Ferrero
of Red-Hot-Copy.com. We have to fly across the country to
have lunch (we live within 45 miles of each other).

Rob Skrob, President of the Information Marketing Association and I.
Rob recently featured my Virtual Team Building Telebootcamp in the
magazine which generated a ton of buzz at the conference! Leveraging the power of
virtual assistants and outsourcing were big topics.

Kristi Frank, one of cast of the The Apprentice
show and me on a break.

I was invited as a guest to Bill Glazer’s
Mastermind Group Dinner. This group has really
attracted some amazing people — at $20k plus per year, I guess you have to be!

My friend Ali Brown and her beau
at the Mastermind dinner. She’s already got him
“productized” and on his way to info marketing mastery.

Bari Baumgardner, of SageEventManagement.com
hosted a really wonderful dinner with fellow clients
Scott Tucker, Fabienne Frederickson and others.

The best payoff is always the connections
you make in the lounge.  Victor, Jim, Rob,
Michele PW and I solving the world’s education
problems…it’s amazing how a couple of beers gets the dialog flowing! =-)

One of the best experiences of the whole conference were when readers of my ezine or blog would come up and say hi and introduce themselves. I met quite a few people who shared how they loved my ezine or had invested in my programs. Wow, that really was a boost to my weekend…knowing that I’m sharing stuff that helps you grow your business and increase your sanity! Thanks for making sure I got a chance to meet you!

If you are interested in taking your marketing knowledge to another level, I hope to see you at the next conference in April. It’s well worth the time and money!

Well Pam Tam thinks so.

A couple of wees ago I was invited to another one of her fabulous hollywood-style events. This one was called “The Premier” and was a high end networking event that infused the glamour of a Hollywood red-carpet gala.

The event was held at Nico Santucci’s Premier Mansion. This place just rocks! Here is a pix of the backyard:  

The pool area.

More pictures of this amazing place here: http://www.mansion11.com/

The emcee and The Prestige board member
Tracy Monteforte of WTPowers.com.

The emcee for the event was Alex Mandossian and he helped the 100+ attendees to create some great connections. Here are a few of the wonderful people I connected with (at least the ones I got pictures with.)

Beth Schnedier (www.processprodigy.com),
Lorrie Morgan-Ferrero (www.redhotcopy.com) and me!

Me and AJ Brown of TradingTrainers.com

This is a long story but I met Cyndney O’Sullivan from Sydney in
Australia last March at the Billionaire Bootcamp. Ran into her the
Friday before with a friend! Such a small world. I invited her to come! Cydney is a multi-millionaire who teaches women at financial strategies. www.msindependence.com

A new friend, Larry Benet, who is known as the connector.
Of course, I have to know someone who is known as
The connector. www.larrybenet.com.

If you get a chance to check out one of Pam’s events, I recommend it. She attracts some amazing people. There were many more wonderful people than I had time to get pictures with! Too much going on.

Plus I had a big job of interviewing all the guests on the red carpet as they came in. Hope to show you the video soon!

Are you itching for a way to generate some quick cash flow before the holidays?

Then you want to check out the Success Connection’s affiliate contest that is under way. There are a lot of prizes to be won in addition to some extra cash in your pocket before November 30th, 2007.

If you have an audience or network of people who would benefit from:

- Learning how to create the ULTIMATE lifestyle business with the ULTIMATE Success Generator.

- Discovering simple strategies to build a team of virtual assistants so you can delegate your weaknesses to other people’s strengths with Virtual Team Building Secrets.

- Get supported step-by-step in building a powerful virtual team to double, triple or quadruple your free time and revenue with the Virtual Team Building Tele-Bootcamp.

Then jump on board to win one of the prizes and generate some extra cash flow for the holidays this year! Our affiliates are creating some pretty interesting campaigns including:

- Blogging & Social Networking posts

- Email blasts to their lists

- Promoting some of our free & low-cost tools to add massive value to their lists

If you are not yet one of the Success Connections affiliates then go right now to: http://www.successconnections.com/affiliates/. The contest ends Nov 30th so get on board today.

Be sure to post here when you plan to activiate your campaign and if there is anything we can do to support you in winning this contest let us know!

Why would I fly across the country and spend over $3,500 to attend a marketing conference? Because it is one of the greatest investments I know of. Why? There are many reasons but the top 3 are:

• Revenue Potential: I made powerful new contacts that are excited to promote the new Virtual Team Building Secrets program we are launching. Many of the speakers talked about how a virtual team was key to their million dollar success. So of course, our program was a big hit!

• Connection: Dan Kennedy says that being an entrepreneur is the loneliest job on the planet. I reconnected with friends and colleagues that I don’t often get to see. When you work out of your home and spend most of your time on the phone, face time with high net worth colleagues is priceless. Here are pictures from a couple of dinners with “the gang.” It’s amazing how much networking gets done and new opportunties open up — even with people you already know!

Adam Urbanski (themarketingmentors.com), me,
Ari Galper (unlockthegamesuccess.com),
and clients Mary Pat Kavanagh (queenofmarketing.com)
and Michele PW (michelepw.com.)

From left to right: Ari Galper (unlockthegamesuccess.com),
Mary Pat Kavanagh, Dr. Jeff Hockings (leadingexpertstv.com,)
Michele PW (michelepw.com.), Adam Urbanski (marketingmentors.com),
James Malinchak, (collegespeakingsuccessbootcamp.com),
Ali Brown (ezinequeen.com), me and CeCe of SEO PR.

• Learning: I always walk away with at least five to ten new ideas that will help me run my business better or educate my potential clients about our programs. One of my favorite sessions was with a guy named Nido Quebin.

Nido Quebin, President of Great Harvest Bread Co
(and a lot of other stuff too ) with me.

Nido Quebin shared some really great points that really inspired me. Here are a few you might enjoy:

• Find out what poor people do - and don’t do it!
• Throw the box out the window! (aka don’t even try to have one.)
• The straightest line is the line between two points (listen to what you customer really wants — and do that!)

My last great highlight was getting my picture with Wonder Woman! I have some clients who tell me I’m like Wonder Woman to them — now I’m a little bit closer. =-)