Research

Basic Business Viability Study

 

Hi, Everyone!

We’re pleased to announce that the Basic Business Viability Study for Independent Human Development Professionals (BBVS) is now underway.

Based on more than 10 years of foundational research and two prior studies, the BBVS explores the top 25 mission-critical activities independent professionals perform in building strong and thriving practices as trainers, coaches and consultants. The study reveals their strengths and weaknesses, sources of stress and untapped potential.

We know the results of the BBVS will be eye opening and valuable for everyone involved — and for our industry as a whole.

We need your help!

We’re looking for 500 human development professionals to volunteer as participants in the BBVS.

How are participants compensated?

We offer everyone who participates:

• a comprehensive ChangeWorks® Assessment focused on the the top 25 mission-critical activities you perform in building your practice

• a private debrief of your ChangeGrid®, identifying the strengths and weaknesses in your business strategy, revealing the specific challenges you face, your level of readiness to meet each of those challenges and your likelihood of success

• an action plan with specific insights, guidance and recommendations for eliminating those challenges and moving your business mode from survive to thrive

• periodic reports updating the results of the study to see how you compare to your peers

 

What are the qualifications to participate?

Participants in the study must be human development professionals (trainers, coaches, consultants, etc.) who operate private, full-time practices.  In addition, participants must agree to complete all three steps of the process.

Please note: This specific study is NOT designed for in-house or corporate-based professionals.

What are participants asked to do?

We understand how precious your time is, so we’ve designed the study to require as little of your time as necessary — and make the time you volunteer a powerful and valuable experience for you and your business.  Participants are asked to volunteer a total of 60 to 75 minutes of their time, spread over three simple steps:

Step 1: Complete a short ChangeWorks® Profile.

For this study, we have prepared a customized ChangeWorks® activity list, focused on the 25 core business development aspects of building a private practice in the human development industry. The ChangeWorks® Profile asks you to consider each activity, then rate the levels of Ability, Challenge, Size and Importance you associate with each. This step is conducted online at your convenience and takes just 15-20 minutes.

Step 2:  Participate in a private debriefing of your results.

Your ChangeGrid® will be debriefed with you privately by one of the developers of the ChangeWorks® System. During the session, you’ll gain insight into each of the 25 mission-critical business-building activities and see how well you are responding to each of them.  This private session lasts 45-60 minutes.

Step 3: Provide us with your feedback.

Immediately following your private debrief, you’ll be asked a very short series of questions about your experience with the ChangeGrid®. This step takes 5-10 minutes.

How can you maximize the value you receive?

To help you get the greatest benefit from your participation, pay particular attention to the bulleted list of guidelines detailed below.

• Please read the directions for the completing a ChangeWorks® profile carefully before filling out the survey. A wide range of responses is possible for each question, so it’s important to understand what those ranges mean before you answer.

• The BBVS presents 25 specific “Problem Areas” against which you will assess your current business model and performance. Read the descriptions intently, and think candidly about your answers. The more honest you are with yourself, the more accurate and useful the results will be to you.

• Once you begin the profile, you will need to finish it in the same sitting or you will need to restart from the beginning at a later time.

• In order to have your BBVS report properly prepared and sent to you, please make sure you fill out the contact information section completely and accurately.

• All information shared will be kept TOTALLY confidential.

Click HERE to begin the BBVS survey

Virtually every professional who participated in our 2010 study said the experience helped them take their businesses to a new level and delivered far more value than they anticipated. I’ve included a few comments from our 2010 study for your review.

We hope that you will take advantage of this opportunity – and help us in helping members of our professional community to build careers that truly matter to themselves and the countless clients they serve.

To Your Success!

T. Falcon Napier

T. Falcon Napier
Founder
The Institute for Productive Tension

 

If you have any questions, please contact Linda Napier at (704) 987-6500.

 

If you would like to see some of the interim results of the study, please LOOK HERE.