The IT Girls Coach

What is ISO and why would it be important for the International Coach Federation to become ISO compliant?

About ISO

ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is the world’s largest developer and publisher of International Standards.

ISO is a network of the national standards institutes of 162 countries, one member per country, with a Central Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland, that coordinates the system.

ISO is a non-governmental organization that forms a bridge between the public and private sectors. On the one hand, many of its member institutes are part of the governmental structure of their countries, or are mandated by their government. On the other hand, other members have their roots uniquely in the private sector, having been set up by national partnerships of industry associations.

Therefore, ISO enables a consensus to be reached on solutions that meet both the requirements of business and the broader needs of society. Read more >>>

The ISO standard sought by the International Coach Federation is ISO/IEC 17024:2003: Conformity assessment — General requirements for bodies operating certification of persons.

This International Standard aims to harmonize the various procedures used around the world for certifying the competence of personnel in different professions.

It will provide a global benchmark for certification schemes to ensure that they operate in a consistent, comparable and reliable manner worldwide, thus establishing an environment for the mutual recognition of schemes and facilitating the global mobility of personnel.

Today, thousands of certification programmes exist for personnel in practically every industry, in particular in the service sectors, from healthcare personnel and financial planners to safety professionals and non destructive testing operators, as a means of demonstrating their professional ability. One of the functions of the body carrying out certification of persons is to undertake an independent assessment of education/training, experience, demonstrated knowledge and skills applicable to the area for which the certification is awarded. This process is known as a “certification scheme”.

The new standard, ISO/IEC 17024, Conformity assessment - General requirements for bodies operating certification of persons, provides a uniform set of guidelines for organizations managing the qualifications and certification of persons, including procedures for the development and maintenance of a certification scheme. It is designed to help bodies operating certification of persons conduct well-planned and structured evaluations using objective criteria for competence and grading in order to ensure impartiality of operations and reduce any conflict of interest. Read more >>>

Update on ICF Credentialing and ISO

The following are frequently asked questions that the ICF has been receiving regarding potential changes to the ICF Credentialing Program.

There are many more details and specifics to be finalized and probably many more questions to be asked and answered. As such, four open calls have been scheduled in October (October 9, October 14, October 20 and October 22) to allow for a conversation around proposed changes. Please visit the ICF Event Calendar for more information.

Additionally, a special e-mail address has been created should you wish to forward a comment to ICF Headquarters regarding this topic. Please use isocomments@coachfederation.org.

Read more about the ICF initiative here >>>

International Coach Federation

Come out from the shadows and become the office star! 

Tuesday 3rd March 2009 @ 8pm UK  (3pm EST)
Cost: £37 (for one hour webinar plus 30 minute Q&A session)
Booking Form

Simple and effective steps to develop your confidence in the office and be viewed as a valuable member of your team!
Do you sometimes feel like you are the office mouse? Do you worry that you are not taken seriously at work, are you afraid to speak out when the situation calls, do you lie in bed at night kicking yourself for being so timid? If you WISH you could be more confident then this course is for you!

How you are perceived goes a long way to how well you will do in your chosen career. Developing your confidence will enable you to achieve career success that right now you dare not even dream about.

This presentation will cover:
• The art of re-invention – simple enjoyable steps to a new, confident you.
• Even when you are not in the office your desk gives away more secrets than you could possibly imagine. Learn how to get it to whisper the right information!
• What to do if you feel you are not being taken seriously, or feel left out at work.
• Easy to follow steps for training others to see you in the way you want to be perceived in your working environment.
• …and finally we will share the six simple words that will motivate you every time!

Book here

The ICF Celebrates International Coaching Week, February 1–7, with findings from new client survey.

Switzerland, Feb 1 2009 – An overwhelming majority of individuals who have experienced professional coaching report being “very satisfied” with their coaching experience and would repeat it, according to the first global survey of coaching clients commissioned by the International Coach Federation (ICF).

The ICF is releasing findings of the landmark ICF Global Coaching Client Study in conjunction with International Coaching Week, which will be celebrated among professional coaches worldwide, February 1–7, 2009. The full report will be available by March 2009.

To conduct the ICF Global Coaching Client Study, the ICF commissioned independent research firms PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and the Association Resource Centre Inc. in 2008 to gather reliable, in-depth data on the ever-growing number of individuals throughout the world that have experienced professional coaching in their lives. This study serves as a companion piece to the groundbreaking ICF Global Coaching Study released in 2007.

From late September through November 2008, 2,165 coaching clients from 64 countries responded to the client survey, which was offered in English, French, German, and Spanish.

The highlights of the survey findings include:

Switzerland

• 46.9% male and 53.1% female coaching client respondents
• 62% reported having experienced coaching for between 3-9 months

The main reasons stated for obtaining the services of a coach were:
• Business management
• Interpersonal skills
• Self esteem
• Self confidence
• Work life balance
• Career opportunities

96.8% of the respondents reported that given the same circumstances, they would repeat the coaching experience, with 29% reporting that they were somewhat satisfied and 71% very satisfied with the experience of coaching.

ICF defines coaching as partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential. Coaching is a distinct service and differs greatly from therapy, consulting, mentoring or training. Individuals who engage in a coaching relationship can expect to experience fresh perspectives on personal challenges and opportunities, enhanced thinking and decision-making skills, enhanced interpersonal effectiveness, and increased confidence in carrying out their chosen work and life roles.

The International Coach Federation is the leading global organization for coaches, with more than 16,000 members in over 90 countries, dedicated to advancing the coaching profession by setting high ethical standards, providing independent certification, and building a worldwide network of credentialed coaches. The ICF is the only organization that awards a global credential which is currently held by over 4,400 coaches worldwide. For more information on how to become or find an ICF Credentialed coach, please visit the International Coach Federation website.

Women’s Career Success Series: Part 1. Setting Boundaries in the Office
Presented by Krissy Jackson

Date:Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Time: 01:00 PM — 02:00 PM EASTERN TIME

It is a fact that women tend to experience more difficulty setting boundaries than men do. We’re socialized in a way which makes it seem like we’re “bad” if we are too assertive. This webinar will teach you easy, but successful strategies for setting and enforcing your boundaries, and being liked and respected for doing so.

My clients often comment that they’re afraid that if they say “no” or speak out that their colleagues will not like them, or even heaven forbid, that they will become the office B**** that everyone loves to hate.

Do you sometimes feel like you are the office mouse? If you worry that you are not taken seriously at work, are afraid speak out when the situation calls, or lie in bed at night kicking yourself for being so timid, this webinar is for you.

If you don’t address this issues you will soon find that you:
• become overwhelmed
• have to work longer and longer hours to keep up
• become emotional - weepy or snappy
• loose the respect of your peers
• no longer enjoy your job
• burn out

The Presentation will cover:
• How to set and enforce your boundaries and be respected for it
• How to train others to respect your needs
• How to delegate with ease
• How to say yes and no - keeping everyone happy including yourself
• How to under-promise and over-deliver

Take on the challenge - I guarantee you that the rewards will be well worth it.

Sign up now  to join me on the 30th and learn how to start your year on the right foot.

GET SMART! Try the bottom of the class on for size.

There’s a time and a place for everything. The same can be true when it comes to being smart. This is not about being dumb, but rather about being aware that there are many times in life when it pays to not be the smartest one in the group.

Read full newsletter here

Career Strategies:

Why it is Important to Plan Your Exit Now!
Presented by Krissy Jackson

Everyone Needs an Exit strategy! - According to a recent poll conducted by CareerPath.com, 40% of the 1,400 workers surveyed said that they planned to change jobs within a year, of this group only around 20% had an exit strategy.

Whether you’d like to leave for better opportunities or simply because your job is not working for you - I can promise that if/when the time comes to look for greener pastures the transition will be a lot less painful, perhaps even enjoyable if you get a strategy in place now.

This presentation will cover:
• Why everyone needs an exit strategy even if they love their current job
• Tips for keeping up with industry trends
• Effortless weekly maintenance checks that will make your resume stand out
• How having an exit strategy can help you improve your career path
• The importance of your performance contract
• Networking tips that will have people coming to you with job offers

Suggested Attendees: Everyone

Date: Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Time: 04:00 PM — 05:00 PM EASTERN TIME
Register for this webinar now

NETWORKING MADE EASY

Three different strategies for three very different kinds of people

Remember the old saying, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know?”
Well, in this competitive age, the rule has never been truer. If the thought
of networking makes you cringe, you will love this informative course,
which will show not only why networking is essential for YOU but also that
networking is not a “one hat fits all” approach. There is a specific method
to suit every kind of person, even introverts!

 
What to Expect From This 4 Part Networking Course:

Course begins on Tuesday 29th July at 6pm
Tuesday 29th July - Tuesday 15th August

Our 4, one hour, weekly Group Coaching Sessions will be conducted via
webinar / and a teleconference line. You can also get added support during the
week from others just like you on my Online Networking Discussion Forum.

Objectives:

You will

· define exactly what you want to achieve from networking
· learn who YOU should network with
· learn how networking can help you to grow
· learn how networking can affect your business or career long term
· develop a clear networking strategy
· discover the intricacies of the three notable networking arenas
· define which arena is most suited to your personality
· practice your newly learned skills within the group
· expect to increase your useful network significantly over the next 6 months!
· enjoy the process immensely!

Also included:

· Strategies for networking within each networking arena.
· Ten top tips for networking within each networking arena.
· Membership in my Networking Forum for group support and to ensure
lessons learned become second nature.

What some of the participants in the last course said:

I want to thank you again and say that being part of your networking
programme was a wonderful experience. It’s interesting to mention that I
learned LOADS about networking but — surprisingly — I learned possibly
more about me as a person. You rock!
Angela Carson
Spain

One of the things that I really appreciated from the course is the fact that
you have given a label to something that I had not really appreciated
before. That is inner circle networking.
Darren Sharman
Germany

I would say this course has been a great in-depth introduction for me
because I have really never had to do networking. I did have a lot of
apprehension about what it would entail. But, from this course, I have
determined that there are a lot of things that I can do and that
I am already doing that will work perfectly, including some live networking.
I think you’ve given a lot of wonderful pointers on how to do that. So, I feel
really excited.
Valentina Zeff
USA

I just learned so much, it is fantastic. I have learned basically that networking
is work, but it is a little bit fun too. I am more excited about it I have to say,
than I was before. I think, I will reach out more in the future than I have been
I am amazed at all the opportunities that there are for networking. I am also
thrilled to find that I do some of them already just naturally.
Suzy Schwarz
Germany

Two for the price of one! …in the true nature of networking, if you sign up
with a friend you both get the course for half price.

But the course numbers are limited to 12 participants
- so don’t miss out. Sign up using this link now!

When we attend a conference we all hope to leave with at least one gem that will move our businesses or careers forward - and at the ICF conference in Geneva last weekend I was not disappointed. In fact I am so excited by this program that I just have to share it with you.

Have you ever sat through a keynote, or in this case danced through one and had a complete “OMG that is ME” moment? Well this was even more poignant as I realised that this particular foible belonged to ALL of my clients too! And now I have a fun way we can all address this issue together and become more whole.

What is the issue? We are all hopeless organisers - Ok, not the end of the world I agree. But that was not what struck me, it is the other patterns that organisers fall into that really made my eyes pop - they are all the classic problems you come to me with.

Well you know me; I am never one to sit on my laurels - especially when there is fun to be had. So as soon as I have a group of 6 people I will start a mastermind group that will put some yin back in our yang and vice versa. If you are up for the challenge email me and I will add you to the list of perspectives.

And until then, grab a copy of the book and see what it is that has me so fired up!

Move to Greatness

Focusing the 4 Essential Energies of a Whole and Balanced Leader

You have all 4 energy patterns. But if you’re like most people, one is Home, two are preferred, and another is the key to your greater effectiveness.

What are these patterns of personality, and how can you find and use your natural strengths, and also access weaker patterns when you need them?

This book gives you the map for how you can literally move yourself and others to greatness. You’ll find the wholeness and balance that is your work at its best, your life at its fullest.

Order your copy on Amazon now!

The ICF 2008 European Coaching Conference is only days away - have your registered yet?

The ICF ECC2008 Geneva Organizing Team members, our hosts in Geneva in June, are working joyfully and attentively to make sure that every detail is considered and that we will experience a roster of exciting and innovative speakers and workshops while networking with old and new coaching friends and colleagues.

They have designed an enticing programme with the theme “Connecting Worlds” to inspire, educate and connect on many occasions through formal and informal networking.

Find full program here

I’m going, I hope I see you there.

Krissy
The IT Girls Career Coach