As for your questions…

(1) The recording process we used for this call is indeed a useful and easy one – perfect for anyone looking to record their coaching calls in preparation for submission to ICF or IAC in fact. What you can do is sign up for a trial account at this link:

http://www.andrearecommends.com/audioacrobat.html

Then follow the instructions provided to test out a recording. You will need 3-way conference calling as a feature on your phone. You’ll find out first hand how easy it is.

Cost wise, the service is $20 a month, for what amounts to a very large amount of recording time. This service can be stopped anytime, however if you want your audio to continue to play, you will want to keep your account open. For example, the recording of our call today will stay open for anyone who wants to listen to it – and I pay $20 per month for that privilege.

(2) Content wise, teleclasses like this can take on many different formats. I like the interview style myself as well. Other formats I have found very effective are:

- Preparing 5 key points to deliver on the call in a fair amount of detail.
- Preparing 60 bullet points on any given topic, e.g. 60 Marketing Ideas in 60 minutes.
- Open Q&A is fairly popular too, we had an Open House call today with Graham White that took that format – essentially it’s like group laser coaching.

I think probably there are other readers here with ideas for class types – if you do, pitch them in the pot if you would so Linda gets more than one view? Thanks.

(3) Noise wise, this is definitely an issue that crops up. Depending on your conference call line, you will get this from time to time due to weather, technology the callers might be using, etc. Many conference call services give the moderators the ability to mute the entire call except the moderators. That was what we were doing with the *5. That’s usually the most effective way, though of course it cuts out any interaction. The number you press will depend on the service you use.

And yes, sometimes it’s speaker phones, cell phones or even voice-over-IP (computer telephony) or Skype technology that makes the calls go awry like that. But, it’s really not too bad most of the time – the benefits definitely outweigh these little things.

(4) You didn’t ask about the conference call service Linda but often people like to try this as a free service first as well. You can Google ‘free conference call line’ to find some or http://www.freeconferencecall.com is one that’s popular. Because of the number of calls we do in this format, both Open House and for pay, we have invested in a paid line service, of which there are several available as well.

Okay, I think that covers it! If I missed anything, holler again Linda okay?

Thank you for your kind comments. Coming from you – one of my first mentors – they mean a lot to me!

Deborah:

Your training hours (I assume it’s hours plural – you wrote “hour” in your message) may or may not be accepted by the ICF towards their certification. If the school you took the training with is an ICF accredited coach training organization (there is a list on the ICF’s website) then it’s a definite yes. If not, you can apply for ICF certification through the “portfolio” process. You will be required to document all the courses and the ICF will decide on a course by course basis whether they qualify.

With regards to IAC certification, your training will certainly stand you in good stead as part of your development, but in terms of IAC certification it is not relevant (since the IAC does not require completion of any particular training course).

Hope this answers your questions!

Barbra

I am curious about the process of using this conference call as a way to reach clients at a distance. I live in a rural area outside of Ottawa. If you have a moment I would appreciate any resources (and your insights) for the use of this medium. Things like:

- how you set up the content (really liked the interview format you used here with Barbara).

- is it costly?

- ways to manage the noise. Perhaps it’s people having their phones on speaker that did it? I heard you refer to *5 which seemed to help some of the time. What does that do?

Best of luck with launch. It sounds like it will be a wonderful resource for many people, possibly even myself.

Linda

The thing that really inspired me was Barbra’s answer to the most common difficulty coaches have in passing the exam.

She said,(paraphrasing) “they try too hard to solve the problems their clients bring to the table and don’t realize, it’s not necessary. Clients come to coaches for an opportunity to learn and move up the developmental ladder.”

I share this perspective as well.
Development will solve the problems and do a lot more than that!
It follows that coaches who listen to Barbra’s tapes (Learncoachingbyexample.com) don’t become masterful because they focus on their problems as coaches. They become masterful because she inspires them to embrace their strengths and take a leap in their development. They actually become a different KIND of person. That’s the profound impact masterful coaches have on people. It’s like a signature.

Immerse yourself with someone who is more developed than you are and you will rise to the occasion too. Thanks Barbra, for your awesome contribution to improving coaching worldwide through the certification process.