Does The CQ Approach™ Work? You be the judge ...

 

"I went from 15 members to 50! When I first started in Suzanne's program I was suffering about building my group. I would add a member and then lose one. I wasn't having fun. I had become a Chair because I wanted to make a difference but I was suffering so much with building my group it didn't feel like I was making the difference I wanted to be making. I felt more like a door-to-door salesman than a Chair.

Everything changed once I joined the CQC 2010 program. With the help of Suzanne and the CQC Program I moved from selling to Contribution as a way of being. I became much more self-aware and clear on what my Contribution is and how to articulate it in ways that are attractive to my Ideal Member Candidates. I am now also able to connect on a much deeper level with what Suzanne calls my “Peeps” (A.K.A., my Ideal Member Candidates, my Members, and those in the community that can and want to help me).

As a result of all of this I'm now having a lot more fun and not suffering about building my groups any more. I have a strong selection process and am adding at least 1 -2 new members every month. I now have 50 members (35 of which I added while going through Suzanne's program and doing what she teaches).

I'm very grateful for the learning that has happened for me. I was suffering a lot a year ago and now I'm having fun, making my Contribution, and Chairing the way I envisioned I would. Thanks again."

- Mark Taylor, Chair, Vistage NYC

 

"Suzanne, you gave me my power back. As a former longtime CEO, selling was not my strong suit. I feel that I am in my element again now that I've made the shift. Now, I see candidates go from “show me” to “I want to prove that I qualify.” Their competitive nature takes over and they want to be sure I see why they would be a good member. As a result, my "closing" ratio went from 30 to 80 percent!

Throughout our process, Suzanne was always encouraging, supportive, and positive, even when I felt like I was letting her down. When I became stuck, she put other things on hold and helped me work through exactly what was in my way with some very creative and powerful tools. The hour on the telephone went very fast and was filled with powerful and useful insight, suggestions, and support. And, my “telephobia” is nearly gone!"

- Ed Cox

 

"I want to share my recent success in building my CEO group. The group started one and a half years ago. I was able to build the group to 10 members, but recently lost 2 of my founding members due to cash problems and hostile VC investors. As far as Vistage was concerned I was never more than 8, because we carried these 2 members for quite a few months. You all know what this means in terms of my compensation and the group not feeling stable or dynamic.

In late October I hired Suzanne Livingston to be my coach. Suzanne uses sophisticated measurements to see if you are right for the job and to help you overcome whatever sales reluctance you might have. She also is very selective about who she works with – being quite candid about not being able to help some people.

The biggest difference for me was a mindset shift. That change made all the difference. Since November I have signed on five new members in the CEO group and am now at 13. I have a selection interview next week – keep you posted. With my one returning member and the three who want to join, but later – I’ll be at 16 by April -- it would have already happened but my members insisted I slow down -- I was adding too many new faces too quickly! what a great problem to have!. (Note – I also told three qualified CEOs that I didn't think they fit in my group ).  I have also signed up five Key members and two TA members in the same time.

As I shared with Suzanne, I had a psychotherapy practice for 20 years and have participated in countless personal development courses and certification programs, and without a doubt, her stuff is the best!"

- Carol Kunik

 

"I had no idea going into this that I would discover so much about myself, how I show up and why, how I have limited who I am and the impact my life can have.

I am doing the work of being a Vistage Chair with a fresh perspective and higher level of confidence, and that is also carrying over into other areas of my life including church, family, and friendships.

I live each day now with a deeper understanding of myself, and the intention to not hold back from who I was born to be and to use all of the unique gifts and experiences that have brought me to where I am.

I have changed how I generate qualified candidates, and that is beginning to gain traction. My SI’s are totally different, and it’s working well. And I am no longer going at this as a sales process. Being in selection is so totally different, and better."

- Greg Behm

 

"Suzanne, I just want you to know that I feel you are an extraordinary coach.  You see things in what I’m doing that I can’t see, and can point them out in a way that I can see what’s going on.  Then I have access to more than just a technique – I have access to myself, my experience, and my true desires.  I will always be grateful."

- Karen King

 

"My shift to a Contribution- Centered way of being has been a profound shift for me in virtually every aspect of my life. It has impacted my relationships with members, the way I show up at meetings with candidates and my relationships with others on volunteer boards. The program has also helped me develop the mindset and given me the tools to generate qualified candidates. I am very excited about the potential."

- Charlie Hawkins

 

"Thank you! Thank you!  You are a blessing to anyone who has the opportunity to work with you.  I've worked with the best in the self-awareness business and you are right up there in your insight, your ability to create a safe space, and to assist others to transform! The most significant things I gained as a result of our work together included:

Staying focused and hitting my group launch target date

Gaining deeper insight and clarity on my challenges with goal diffusion

Developing significant clarity on the kind and quality of member I'm looking for

Having a willingness to be easier on myself relative to my personal expectations

Achieving much greater self awareness in many respects

And, it surprised me that what I really wanted from our work together went well beyond launching my new group. The interaction with you, the questions you asked, the tools and homework you gave me were all the best. It was so worth it! I gained much more than I expected!"

- Lauryn Rice

 

Since I started the CQC 2010 program I've had a shift in perspective on being a Chair and a person. I defined and communicated my gifts and talents to create a unique mission and contribution that gave meaning and purpose to my role.

This created a sense of clarity, confidence and well-being that allowed me to select candidates for my group based on their compatibility with that contribution.

This allowed for more meaningful 1-1's and meetings as well as the selection of new members who come into the group with a stronger commitment to the group vision.

As a result, I've developed a comprehensive, individualized pathway to world class leadership that my current members now have. In addition, existing members have recommitted to that vision and taken more ownership of the group.

The communication of my mission and contribution has facilitated the creation of a group of partners deeply aligned with and committed to the success of my chair mission and contribution.

This has generated qualified and motivated group candidates.

As a result, my retention has stayed high while group size has increased.

Chairing has become easier, more effective and more fun!

Thanks Suzanne and fellow CQers!

- Gadi Pollack

"Thank you very much for your excellent coaching. With your help I was able to develop the right attitude when I’m talking with CEOs in 1-to-1s and in front of a group as well. What is even more important, you rejuvenated my soul and my drive so I really enjoy life in every aspect.  I also realized that I was the one who needed to change to make it happen.   You are welcome to use me as a reference, and I’ll always be very grateful for the persistent support you gave me."

- André Turcotte

"I have changed the way that I approach and evaluate potential candidates. I am no longer selling them - instead they are attracted to the program and to the group. The quality of the candidates that I have selected and joined my group since being in Suzanne's program for the Chairs are exceptional."

- Chris Britton

 

"Suzanne is my North Star who has guided me through my journey of discoveries. I believe I’ve landed on abundance and left behind scarcity."

- Ralph Aufheimer

 

"In the three months since I learned how to select without selling, I have added three new members and have more qualified candidates than I have ever had or ever expected to have. I have not made a single cold call or asked anyone to give me “referrals”. Contribution works!!

Sales seemed in direct opposition to selection! Selling didn’t work for me. And so I did less and less of it. My group didn’t grow. I was very frustrated (and somewhat fearful) by the time I heard about Suzanne.

I believed in selecting members but had no idea how to make that happen using the sales techniques I knew.
Contribution works!!"

- Nancy Starr

 

"In less than 4 months I have identified 11 qualified candidates for my three Vistage groups, and I have had five joins from these candidates. The most significant impact for me is I feel like I have rediscovered myself and my roots.  I have return to my Socratic-Questioning style of interaction with my members. I just feel a heck of a lot better about myself and my Chair performance."

- John Younker

"Suzanne has a deep, almost intuitive understanding of what’s going on with people. We had a lot of changes to make and our staff didn’t want to make them. I was very concerned but, somehow, Suzanne got all of us excited. We ended up really enjoying the process and we’ve gotten great results."

 

To learn more about working with Suzanne directly click here →