The Millionaire Mind Support Network™

For some, Memorial Day is a three-day weekend that marks the unofficial beginning of summer. This day of remembrance has become a time for family gatherings, picnics, barbecues and sporting events — a time to celebrate the miracle of our daily lives.

Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day, a time set aside to bring flowers and flags and other tributes to decorate the graves of Union soldiers of the American Civil War. It was expanded after World War I to include American men and women who perished while in military service to their country. To many people, especially the nation’s thousands of combat veterans and their families, Memorial Day is an important reminder of those who died in the service of our homeland. Fire and police departments observe Memorial Day by remembering and honoring members lost in the line of duty.

The dichotomy of life and death is expressed as we honor those who have died to make our life possible. We honor that sacrafice by living our life to its fullest measure.

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus, called “the Wise”, a Roman emperor and one of the most important Stoic philosophers expressed this thought when he stated,

“When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive - to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.”

What I Know For Sure…

In the March, 2008 issue of “O” magazine, Oprah described her early experiences “working” for money. Still in her early teens, she learned a great life lesson — her ‘worth’ was not defined by what someone was willing to pay in exchange for her work. She defined her own ‘self worth’ by choosing to express energy doing what gave her joy and nurtured her being.

“ For me, money has always been about an energy exchange, following the law of cause and effect. I give my energy to the work and in exchange, am rewarded with a different form of energy —money. This in turn lets me acquire, create and build other forms of energy from the necessities of food and shelter, to material possessions that embrace the quality of life to endeavors that help others reach their full potential.

I let money serve its purpose. But, I don’t live to serve money. I think that’s why we have such a beautiful relationship.”

— Oprah, March 2008

Are you defining you own self-worth — or, are you allowing an old money blueprint define how much money you receive for the work you do?

It is always a good time to review the ‘Who, What, When, Where and Why’ of your money blueprint.

Millionaire Minds Use the Attitudes of Wealth To Tend Their Prosperity Gardens

Doug Nelson’s voice is haunting my thoughts and gnawing at the edges of my Comfort Zone. When I look in the mirror I almost expect to see a BIG RED DOT on my forehead from focusing on my 10% of ‘fear-based-what-ifs’ instead of my 90% ‘action-based-why-nots’

Since the Dallas Millionaire Mind Intensive (MMI) last month, I have taken at least one action, every day to move past the perfection paralysis that has defined my comfort zone. Interestingly, even though I have experienced some very anxious moments taking action, doing the very things that make me uncomfortable — I’m still alive. I asked for ‘the sale’ and the sun and moon are still in orbit and being apprehensive or afraid is not fatal. It just feels like that for a moment or two…possibly three.

In the Secrets of the Millionaire Mind Index, T. Harv Eker has noted 38 references to action. Considering the book is only 192 pages long, Millionaire Minds value action. The dictionary defines action as “something done so as to accomplish a purpose.”

One of the first actions T. Harv Eker suggests for Millionaire Minds is ‘Declaring’ our Attitudes of Wealth every morning and every evening while looking in a mirror. On page 16 of Secrets of The Millionaire Mind, T. Harv defines a Declaration as a “statement of official intention to undertake a particular course of action or adopt a particular status.” Everything is made of energy, and all energy travels in frequencies and vibrations. Therefore, each declaration of wealth carries its own vibrational frequency. When stated aloud, the declaration’s energy pulsates throughout the cells of our body expressing its unique resonance in the form of a message to the universe and our subconscious mind.

I found the process of declaring My Attitudes of Wealth, with 100% intention, while looking myself in the eye, intimidating and uncomfortable. To be one of 700 enthusiastic souls shouting our declarations with verve and passion was some how easier than staring myself in the eyes and forcefully declaring my intention. It is a shockingly intimate process to personally pledge the action required of each declaration.

During the Millionaire Mind Intensive, our trainer, Doug Nelson stated that, “our mind always has the questions, but it is our heart that has the answers.” He asked us to be aware of how we were feeling about a statement or course of action and make a practice of sensing how our body resonated as we took action or declined to take action on an issue or opportunity.

During this past month myself, and my belief system, have gotten to know each other.
While declaring my Attitudes of Wealth ‘mano-a-mano’ my has body sensed fear, doubt, and inertia, as well as exhilaration, joy and a complete commitment to taking action.

“When the subconscious mind must choose between deeply rooted emotions and logic, emotions will always win.”

— Wealth Principle, Secretes of the Millionaire Mind, Page 22

Keeping the commitment of looking myself in the mirror and declaring my Attitudes of Wealth, passionately with intense emotion and absolute belief twice a day is an action step I can take. The only risk I face, is banishing a belief system that no longer serves me.

In The Millionaire Mind Support Network™ May 21st Blog we’ll look at how taking or avoiding action is an integral part of our money blueprint and some Millionaire Mind tools we can use to change the beliefs that keep some of us from taking action.

If you have misplaced your Attitudes of Wealth Declarations T. Harv and Peak Potentials has you covered.
Go to http://www.millionairemind.com/graduates/index.html
In the left hand navigation bar click on the Attitudes of Wealth button.
The Attitudes of Wealth are available as a downloadable PDF

MORE Millionaire Mind Intensive Graduate Support!

In the same Navigation bar you will fins the 90-day Wealth Conditioning Program, The VAKS, A Money Jar Streaming Audio “Action” class and other resources.

Live Well, Take Action and Prosper,

Sandi

YouPublish is Mark Victor Hansen’s Latest Publishing Innovation

Last night’s Peak Potentials Ambassador program teleconference was lead by Manny Goldman. It was OUTSTANDING! At the beginning of the call he mentioned that all the suggestions he intended to discuss would be applicable to any business venture. Manny referred listeners to several social networking sites as a way to expand our professional networks. He mentioned a site that Mark Victor Hanson had developed, YouPublish, went live on May 11, 2008. As soon as the Ambassador Talk was finished I reviewed the YouPublish site.

WOW!!

“What a gift to the technically timid! I LOVE the clarity of the instructions, the visual simplicity of the site, the ease of posting, and the flexibility to change things, whenever. I first posted my ebook for sale and then changed it to free — and now will unabashedly invite my list to check out YouPublish.”

— Esther Jantzen, YouPublish Customer Comment

You publish.com lets you publish any file, so you can upload books, music, videos, photos, spreadsheets, CG files, seminar packages, software… whatever! And you can sell your creations — or share them for free. It’s up to you!

You can even do combinations of files, like a book and audio together. Just select both files when you upload. When you join YouPublish, (IT IS FREE TO JOIN!) you’ll get your own URL (web address) and a public profile page to showcase your works and creations—and every file you publish has its own URL too! You’ll also get a referral link to send to all your friends.

My referral link is:
youpublish.com/referredby/millionairemind

The site is VERY user friendly. Click the instructional video. It will guide you through the registration and publishing process. This site really addresses the issues setting up a shopping cart, accepting payment; download capability, all of the ecommerce stuff that usually stops would-be authors at the starting gate. In just a few minutes you will be able to:

* Publish any file, in any format.
* Create your own public profile page to showcase your works.
* Join a community of users from 26 countries (and growing!).
* Sell your creations or share them for free.
* Find useful files and download them at your convenience.
* Get paid for referring your friends.
* Dead simple and wicked fast.

There is no fee for setting up an account on YouPublish and no fee for posting your publications (e-books, audio, videos, photos, software, seminar packages, and the like).

The largest file YouPublish accepts right now is 100MB. This will improve this as site develops.

When you sell products on YouPublish, you get 50% of the revenue, and they get 50%. (Traditional publishers pay 7% to 10% to authors, and last time we checked, Amazon was paying 35% to its e-book publishers.)

You will also receive 7.5% of publication sales from user accounts registered using your Personal Referral Link. This will expire in two years. You can’t get paid for referring yourself or somebody else in the same household.

To keep things efficient, YouPublish will only make payments when there is $100 or more owing to your account.

Payments are made monthly.

The first time YouPublish pays you, they will ask you for all the information they need to get the job done. You need to claim money owing to you within one year.

You are responsible for paying your own taxes (guess we all are).

The stuff you publish can either be free or you may require a payment for downloading. If you set a price for your stuff, it needs to be at least $1.00. (The credit card companies won’t process anything less.)

You get to keep all the rights to the stuff you publish through the YouPublish site. You give YouPublish the right to store the stuff their servers, make back up copies, and do all the other stuff they need to do to provide their services. You also give the other users on the site the right to download, print for their own use, and generally use the stuff they download.

There is much more information on the YouPublish site. Spend some time looking around; sign up as part of the community.

This site is ONLY FIVE DAYS OLD…

and with Mark Victor Hansen behind it — you know YouPublish will be HUGE!

When you go the site please use my reference link —
youpublish.com/referredby/millionairemind

I’m really focusing on my “Lucrative opportunities always come my way,” and Being an EXCELLENT Receiver” Attitudes of Wealth.

I’m ready to receive “Lots of Link-Love!”

Live Well, Publish and Prosper,

Sandi

So what are you doing with your “Give” jar?

During our Millionaire Mind Intensive weekend, Doug asked us to think about our BIG Dreams. What would our Financial Freedom really mean to us. What would we do with our time, treasure and talent. It was interesting to note that most of the participants had a dream of helping others in our world.

When Michael Skye stood up, he had an Action Plan. If you have met Michael you know that he is an agent for change. His company, VisonForce is dedicated to training visionary leaders, entrepreneurs and those who will change the world instead of talking about it.

VisonForce has taken the lead on organizing a truly remarkable event — Prosperity For All 2008. Michael and a group of VisonForce alumni have made some scholarships available to the Prosperity For All 2008 event.

Scholarships

Scholarships to the upcoming Prosperity For All 2008 event are being offered through the One Million Visionaries campaign. The scholarships make it possible inspiring individuals to attend VisionForce’s iStand Experiences, including the iStand for Prosperity For All 2008, at a reduced price. These scholarships are provided by iStand alumni, who have purchased a scholarship for a rising visionary or a visionary activist, and are standing for them as their sponsor.

Rising Visionary Award – A scholarship for visionary change agents currently lacking in financial resources Visionary Activist Award – A scholarship for visionary activists, who give much of their time in service without pay.

Honoring the Dreamer Scholarship – A scholarship for facilitators of the Awakening The Dreamer Symposium

To apply for one of these scholarships, you must first submit your completed application. Download your application here.

To learn more about the scholarships, read below.

Rising Visionary Award Rising Visionary Awards cover full tuition to an iStand Experience, less room and board, which means the recipient only needs to pay for room and board. For the upcoming 2008 iStand Experiences, full tuition is $2,495, of which $695 is the room and board fee. This makes the value of this scholarship $1,800.
A rising visionary is typically, but not always, an inspired young visionary who has been standing for a better world even in the face of having little financial resources. An example is Clovis Ategeka, a 25-year-old entrepreneur in Kampala, Uganda, who built an internet café, where he teaches entrepreneurship and VisionForce tools to others. Another example might be a young visionary musician, who is barely getting by financially, but whose music is inspiring the world to take a stand. The only limitation on the number of these scholarships given out is the quantity of scholarships purchased by iStand alumni (or others).

Visionary Activist Award Visionary Activist Awards covers $1,200 tuition to an iStand Experience, which means the recipient only needs to pay $1,295 to attend one of the upcoming 2008 iStand Experiences, priced at $2,495, including room and board. The value of this scholarship is $1,200. Recipients of this award are inspired individuals, who standing for humanity through activist efforts, contributing time, effort and energy—often with little or no financial compensation. The only limitation on the number of these scholarships given out is the quantity of scholarships purchased by iStand alumni (or others).

Honoring The Dreamer This special scholarship program was started by Michael Skye, after his participation in the Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream Symposium. A limited number of Honoring the Dreamer scholarships are awarded per year.

Have you been inspired by the idea of the Prosperity for All 2008 event, but don’t feel you can participate at this time. Michael and his iStand alumni are doing their best to get as many scholarships funded as possible. Is this a cause that speaks to you? Maybe after reading about the event, listing to the podcasts and videos at a heart level you might feel, “this is a “Give” jar worthy cause. If so why don’t you contact Michael Skye and ask how you can support the Prosperity for All 2008 scholarship fund.

Millionaire Minds Take Action!

What happens when highly diverse people find common ground?

“A minor miracle,” says Peter Challen, VP, U.S. Federal Aviation Administration

“People take responsibility for their future,” says Aideen McGinley, Permanent Secretary, Northern Ireland

What Can Millionaire Minds Do To Support The Prosperity For All 2008 Movement?

As visionary leaders standing for prosperity for all, we know that our visions and visionary leadership are critical to creating positive change in ourselves, our communities, and society. We also recognize that we can’t do it alone. For, even as we stand boldly as leaders with brilliant visions for positive change, we need those with authority, resources, information, expertise, and need to achieve our own visions and truly create change in an interconnected system. Future Search enables people from all walks of life discover and act collaboratively on their shared aspirations, even when they assume it is not possible (click here for stories from multiple sectors).

The 50 visionary leaders, who attend our June 10-15 event will be immersed in these processes to build alliances and engage in actionable projects during the final two days of the event. We’ll be connecting you to the Future Search Network of facilitators you can call upon to build bridges in your community to co-create a prosperous future for all involved.

Get Involved!

Would you like to get involved with the Prosperity For All 2008 movement? Awesome! We’ve created a list of actions you can take to get more involved… of course, your genius is always welcome. So, let us know what other brilliant ideas you have:

* 1. Join the PFA 2008 RISE! Training Program. You’ll receive first-class training in the three key technologies behind PFA 2008…

o 1. VisionForce technology
o 2. Future Search technology
o 3. Internet technology

You can join here…

* 2. Post the PFA 2008 flyer everywhere. On the internet (MySpace, Facebook, Gaia, etc.), in your hometown (grocery stores, laundromats, willing businesses, etc.), and anywhere else you can think of. Let’s get the WORLD thinking about Prosperity For ALL!

Here’s code you can paste into your MySpace (or similar) profile:

<a href=”http://www.prosperityforall2008.com”><img
style=”border: 0px solid ; width: 324px; height: 426px;” alt=”"
src=”http://www.prosperityforall2008.com/pfa-flier.jpg”></a>

Here’s the flyer you can download and print off:

# 3. Join the PFA 2008 Facebook group (and invite all your friends). We created a cool Facebook group specifically for PFA 2008. You can join here, participate in this global discussion, and spread the word about this movement!

# 4. Create your own flyers, groups, videos, etc. and post them all over the internet… telling the world about your stand for Prosperity For All! Again, let’s get the world talking about this world-changing movement.

Here’s some popular social networks you can join and spread the word on:

1. MySpace
2. Facebook
3. Gaia
4. Hi5
5. Friendster

Here’s some popular video sharing communities you can join and upload your inspiring videos to:

1. YouTube
2. MySpaceTV
3. Metacafe
4. Revver
5. AOL Video
6. Yahoo Video

# 5. BE One of the 50 standing with us in Austin, TX June 10-15th. Registration Is Now Open

http://www.prosperityforall2008.com/rise.html

Millionaire Minds are Leaders and Leaders Take Action.

Think of ONE THING you can do TODAY
to Support Micheal Skye, Shawn Madden and The Prosperity For All 2008 Movement.

What happens when highly diverse people find common ground?

“Children’s lives get better,” says Sharad Sapra, Director, UNICEF/Operations Lifeline Sudan

Most of you know Millionaire Mind Intensive Grad, Michael Skye as the founder and director of the VisionForce Boot Camp — an experiential training for visionaries, entrepreneurs, artists and leaders. VisonForce offers an intensive, integrative learning experience, which includes running, yoga, breathing exercises, silent reflection, one-on-one coaching, logical diagrams to facilitate new paradigm shifts and thinking processes, individual work with the course leader in front of the room, and hands-on practice and demonstrations in the use of VisionForce’s iStand Dynamics.

Michael has been inspired to ‘Standing Up’ to a global challenge — he with the aid and support of other Millionaire Mind Intensive graduate, Shawn Madden and Jennifer Foster are sponsoring the ‘Prosperity For All 2008 event — 50 Visionary Entrepreneurs and Leaders To Take A Stand And Form Alliances For Global Prosperity.

On June 10-15, 2008 fifty visionary entrepreneurs and leaders will unite in Austin, TX, answering a call from Future Search facilitator, Nancy Polend, to “face everything and avoid nothing to stand for prosperity for all in our lifetime.” Polend has teamed up with VisionForce, a leadership training company, to convene a special alliance-building week-long event, called Prosperity For All 2008, that aims to prepare and mobilize visionaries to stand powerfully for prosperity for all in our lifetime.

Ms. Polend, Program Director of Prosperous Communities, Prosperous Nation at the Future Search Network, envisioned Prosperity For All 2008 after attending a VisionForce training called the iStand Experience in March. While there, her vision for engaging humanity in the creation of a new abundant world, which is backed up by the proven Future Search methodology, its global network, and a practical strategy, inspired the VisionForce team to stand with her by holding their next iStand Experience exclusively for those willing to stand with her for prosperity for all.

Offering practical tools for reaching their highest personal potential, the iStand experience immerses visionary leaders in experiences that clarify their vision, resolve inner conflicts, create powerful relationships, and find inner strength necessary for walking the visionary leadership path. The dedicated alliance-building sessions provide opportunities to discover connections, find needed resources, and create collaborative partnerships among visionary entrepreneurs and leaders creating prosperity for all.

“Empowering new paradigm leaders is more critical than ever,” says Michael Skye, VisionForce founder. “As the economic picture darkens, existing structures fail to solve our most complex global challenges, and traditional leadership models fall short, we need a fundamentally new way of working—within ourselves, our organizations, and our communities—if we are to create a world that is abundant for everyone.” That, he says, is what this event is all about.

“The iStand experience gave me access to a critical missing piece I needed to fully step into my power as a visionary leader,” Nancy claims, “and the alliances I needed to bring my vision into reality.” So moved by her experience and by VisionForce’s support, Nancy is playing a key role in making this event just as powerful for others. “The possibilities for inspired collaborative action from a room filled with visionary leaders, all focused on the same goal, are tremendous. I wouldn’t miss this opportunity to stand for others, share what I have with them, and make connections that can quite literally change the world.”

To learn more about this event, please visit http://www.prosperityforall2008.com or call 1-877-844-6667.

The Prosperity For All 2008 APPLICATION PROCESS IS NOW OPEN

Leaders, by their nature are self selecting.

If you feel inspired to take an active role in this event give Micheal a call and offer your support.

ALL success begins with a definite purpose

In ‘Think and Grow Rich’, Napoleon Hill states that ALL success begins with a definite purpose — a clearly defined picture in your mind of precisely what you want in life.

But, what if our purpose, our passion, is so far out of our personal Comfort Zone, that we hardly dare voice it, even to ourselves.

That is when we tell our mind, “Thank you for sharing.”
That is when we use the many creative visualization techniques and processes we learned during our Millionaire Mind Intensive, to see, feel and experience our successes as part of the manifestation process.

When discussing how to expand our Comfort Zone, Doug asked us to practice being aware and advised listing to our hearts. He said, “ Our mind asks all the questions, but our hearts have all the answers.”

Since the Millionaire Mind Intensive, I’ll ask my self a question, be still and just notice how that question “feels” in my body.

If I get some resistance or discomfort, I’ll ask myself, ”Why?”

I keep working with the ‘FIVE-WHY’ process until I can identify which files, in my personal financial blueprint, are holding me hostage in my existing Comfort Zone.

As I take steps to move beyond my self-set, Comfort Zone boundaries, I continue the processes and exercises in my 90-day Wealth conditioning handbook. Each day I recommit to another stretch goal.

In the past three weeks, I have spent a lot of time out of my comfort zone. The good news is that I’m having more success than ever…so it’s working.

Doug said, “The BIGGER our WHAT, the EASIER our HOW.”

I found a video featuring Napoleon Hill — He agrees with Doug. We each have the power to take our own mind and direct it to whatever ends we desire.

Napoleon Hill talks about his meeting with Andrew Carnegie

Copyright © Millionaire Minds, LLC 2008
All writings here are copyrighted. You may not use them without written permission but you may link to the posts or give out a link to the posts. And remember, You Have a Millionaire Mind!

The Millionaire Mind Support Network™ Is Always Ready to Celebrate Successes

Millionaire Mind Intensive Graduate Shawn Madden’s email tag line says it all…. “Passionate Music for Conscious People, Being the Change and Having a BLAST!”

Since his work with MMI grad, Michael Skye’s ‘VisionForce Boot Camp’ (experiential training for visionaries, entrepreneurs, artists and leaders) and participation in the Millionaire Mind Intensive, Shawn says, “I’ve found my voice, I can feel you with each keystroke, and I’m ready to start communicating in a way that I never had the courage before to undertake.” Shawn has stepped up to be a passionate leader for change. He is booking his summer tour of Conscious Celebration and partnered with fellow Millionaire Mind Support Network™ grad Michael Skye’s VisionForce, to produce the ‘Prosperity For All 2008’ event that will take place in Austin in June. Shawn says, “It is the most exciting thing I have ever taken on in my life.” Now based in Austin, Texas, Shawn Madden is inviting his fans to join him on a mission to elevate the human spirit in Conscious Celebration.

“Shawn Madden exudes a never-ending stream of beautiful and electric energy. Each of his performances have spirited me away to a world filled with magical tempos that rise and fall and he tickles my imagination with his diverse range of material.”

— J. Brehm Stern, Leander, TX

Shawn is known for creating unique events that bring together individuals, groups, communities and organizations that are committed to creating a sustainable life on our sweet earth. He encourages, and facilitates participation in his performance with grace and ease, making everyone a part of the show and creating an environment where everyone is invited to celebrate being human, to relish being alive and to connect intimately with others in a spirit of collaborative community. He says, “I approach every event with the intention to uplift people on a spiritual level – without necessarily ever invoking spirituality at all. It’s the spirit of humanity that is calling out right now for love, compassion, and honor in our dealings with one another. The events that I help design and facilitate are intended to create all of that through celebration of humanity’s spirit.”

“I am here to be a catalyst for the rampant shifting of paradigms that MUST happen QUICKLY for human beings - indeed, for life - to survive and to thrive on our planet. The good news is: SO ARE YOU! And there are MILLIONS of others just like you and me who are waking up to the urgency of what must be done.”

Shawn’s passionate, conscious music brings joy to all everyone who hears him. If you’re inspired by Shawn, and what he is doing, then please spread the word by passing this Blog on to friends you think would enjoy his vibe. Shawn is reaching out to all people who are passionate about being the change that the world needs now and creating a world that works for everyone! We can make MAGIC happen together, one voice at a time, one celebration at a time, being fully present, one moment at a time. Shawn is very clear that the future of music lies in creating intentional relationships with fans. If you are not already on Shawn’s List, please go to http://www.myspace.com/shawndavidmadden and sign up. With Shawn you are guaranteed much, much love, light, and laughter. The most relevant place to find out what Shawn up to right now is http://www.prosperityforall2008.com. He has posted a video of a brand new song that he is writing to bring about awareness of the ‘Prosperity For All’ event and the movement to create a prosperous world for all humanity. There is also a podcast in which talks about his up coming tour and the event schedule. Shawn has posted the dates for his Summer Tour.

Be sure to check the EVENTS section of Millionaire Mind Support Network™. We’ll be posting his new gigs as soon as Shawn sends them to us.

Conscious Celebration Tour Dates (so far)

May 16 2008 7:00P Acoustic Love: House Concert w/ Teresa Storch & Jason Luckett Austin, Texas

Jun 20 2008 8:00P Indie Buzz Boot Camp St. Louis, Missouri
Music marketing tips and self-promotion ideas for independent songwriters, musicians and bands.

Jun 25 2008 7:00P New Bohemia JuneFest Cedar Falls, Iowa

Jun 29 2008 7:00P Boulder, Colorado The Laughing Goat w/ Michael Garfield Boulder, Colorado

Shawn expresses his passion for Conscious Music and ‘Being the Change’. Check Shawn and is music out at his many digital hangouts:

• http://www.myspace.com/shawndavidmadden
• www.shawndavidmadden.com
• www.shawnmaddenmusic.com
  
• www.soundjourneyproductions.com
• www.consciouscelebration.com
• http://theaffluentartist.wordpress.com/
• http://shawn-madden.gaia.com/

In the May 9th, 2008 Millionaire Mind Support Network™ Blog we’ll bring you more details about VISIONFORCE’s new project, “Prosperity For All’

Millionaire Minds Celebrates the ACTION that Leads to The Success That Inspires Others!

Copyright © Millionaire Minds, LLC 2008 All writings here are copyrighted. You may not use them without written permission but you may link to the posts or give out a link to the posts. And remember, You Have a Millionaire Mind!

Strong Structure Makes for Winning Partnerships

Partnering creates a climate for success by building a cooperative management team dedicated supporting each other reach mutually stated goals. Members of the partnership must undergo a change in mindset and discover how it is in their best interest to cooperate.

There are three basic steps involved in establishing the Partnership relationship.

Nurture the new relationship through personal contact

Since Partnering is an attitude change aimed at building a new relationship, it is important as a first step to establish the new relationship through personal contact. Success in a Partnering arrangement depends on the personal commitment of the management team. This commitment is built through personal relationships that must be formed early and reinforced throughout the partnership.

A joint statement of goals and establishing common objectives

The second step in Partnering is crafting a joint statement of goals and establishing common objectives in specific detail for reaching the goals. Achieving these intermediate objectives will lead to success for both members of the business alliance.

Identify and establish specific communication processes

Finally, successful partnering identifies specific processes to avoid miscommunication problems, mediate disputes, evaluate performance, promote cooperation and encourage celebration.

Although these basic steps create the essential partnering relationship, teamwork is crucial to instill the Winning Partnering Sprit. Establishing cooperative processes for evaluating opportunities and solving problems is an other feature of successful partnering. Evaluation mechanisms should be specific in measuring the achievement of the objectives that will make the project a success. A system for problem solving, which will provide for expedited decisions, should be established.

Another essential feature of Winning Partnership is committed people. Successful partnershio needs champions throughout the organization who are willing to take risks, use professional judgement, and make management decisions in a new cooperative environment. Partnering is for people who believe in cooperation, rather than confrontation, as the most effective and efficient way to achieve their goals.

How Do We Know If Partnering is Working?

When Partnering is successful, old competitive patterns change and a new spirit pervades the working relationship.

This new spirit has many indicators:

• Sharing — The Partners share a common set of goals.
• Clear Expectations— Each partner’s expectations are clearly stated, up-front, and provide the basis for working together.
• Trust and Confidence— Partners actions are consistent and predictable. Trust is earned when one’s actions are consistent with one’s words. We must ALL “walk the talk”
• Commitment— Each partner must be willing to make a real commitment to participate in the partnership.
• Responsibility— Responsibility is recognizing and accepting the consequences of our choices. Partners are accountable to each other and should agree up front on measures for mutual accountability.
• Courage — Partners have the courage to forthrightly confront and resolve conflict.
• Understanding and Respect— Partners understand and respect each others responsibilities, authorities, expectations and boundaries, as well as any honest differences between them.
• Synergy — The partnership is more than the sum of the individual partners. The relationship is more powerful than any of the partners working alone because it is based on the collective resources of the partners.
• Excellence — Partners expect excellence from each other and give excellence in return.

These are the positive indicators of a successful partnering effort. If you look closely at the list again, it is clear that most of these indicators are based on the ability of the partners to communicate and solve problems.

Successful partnerships and business alliances need to create a blueprint for their new relationship, which can be summed up in a charter. The Partnering Charter defines the long-term goals and objectives for the business project or objective. This is a win-win charter. It is a collaborative effort written by all participants and therefore includes the overlapping goals of the project team. Common goals are: a quality project carried out in a timely and cost effective manner. To achieve these goals, the team must transform them into concrete objectives and action items which can be measured at follow-up sessions. If all the goals and objectives are achieved, both parties will win.

The Partnering Charter should include objectives that will provide measurable milestones for success on the project. These objectives should be specific and should be the framework for a Partnering implementation plan.

The implementation plan fills out these objectives by including measurable details. For example, the implementation plan can call for a target dollar amount of savings, or a specified cost growth percentage. These are just a few examples of how specifics can be added to the objectives to make them part of a viable plan for ensuring project success.

Minimum Standard Requirements to play the Winning Partnership Game

Do You Have Tracking Systems in Place for These Major Functions?

• Costs
• Quality Assurance
• Materials and Services
• Information Sharing and Lessons Learned
• Product and Service Procurement Requirements
• Performance
• Do Your Process Controls Coordinate with Those of Your Primary Customers
• Have You Planned for Modernization and Innovation?
• Are You Making the Best Use of Computers and Automation?
• Do You Support Working in Teams?
• How Do You Evaluate and Address Training and Safety Needs?
• How Do You Acknowledge Employees for Quality Performance?
• How Do You Document Your Efforts for Measurable Results?
• How Do You Marketing Your Successes
• Using Your Quality Partnership as a Marketing Tool
• Using Your Champion to Position You as a High Potential Quality Supplier
• Using Productivity Gains to Fund Innovation
• Using Your Expertise and Your Innovative Successes to Market Yourself as a Value-Added Partner
• Using Your Successes to Expand Your Client Base in Other Industries

Copyright © Millionaire Minds, LLC 2008

This Blog is extrapolated from, “The Quality Partnership™ Facilitating New, Effective, More Profitable Relationships, © 1993, H. Sandra Chevalier-Batik — presented at the 1993 EPA HUB Procurement Conference. All writings here are copyrighted. You may not use them without written permission but you may link to the posts or give out a link to the posts. And remember, You Have a Millionaire Mind!