Do
you remember when I reached out to a handful of local therapists last year —
asking if they would have the time to give me some feedback on our “teen”
book?
Recently,
I touched base with one of them and gave her an update on everything that was
going on with us. She was very excited about our progress and wanted to
set up a meeting with us and her boss — to brainstorm on how their practice
could help promote our books and give us feedback and test our stuff.
I
passed all of this news to Katherine. It turned out that Katherine knew
of this therapist through a mutual friend and was excited over the idea of
collaborating with the group.
So,
we set a time to meet with the therapist and her boss — thinking a
brainstorming session of 4 would be beneficial.
Boy!
Were we surprised when we were ushered into their conference room and came
face-to-face with about 10-12 people, sitting around a table, eating their
lunch.
Once
they made room for us around the table and introduced themselves to us, they
started interviewing us — with questions dealing from number of years we’ve
been doing this, how much our type of work was worth, what our fee structure
was for sessions and workshops, what education and certifications we had, what
documentation and billing systems we had for workshops and presentations… and
the questions went on and on…
Imagine
how we felt when we’re expecting a 4-person interactive brainstorming session,
and instead, we walk into a 12-person tag-team group interview!!
By
the end of the interview, the group proposed that they promote a relationship
workshop based on the book, for a maximum of 20 people (to be held in their
conference room) — charging a fixed price per person and splitting the
revenue. They also wanted bios and pictures to post on their website,
along with a date for the workshop. They wanted to write up a contract
for the workshop, with their fee breakdown for the use of their space and their
promotional efforts. After all, they
are in the business to make money — as they reminded us.
They
were also very interested in working with Katherine regarding her solo
business — which is separate from our joint writing ventures.
As
you can imagine, we left their office feeling a little dizzy and juggling mixed
feelings.
The meeting
was enlightening, to say the least. It did make us think about things we
hadn’t thought about before. The business-like approach this therapist
group took with us solidified our own desire to focus on the personal side of
connecting with others — especially in the way we approach our work and how we
partner with others.
For
us, it’s not just business…
It’s
all about… well, what it’s always been about… relationships.
I
don’t understand why, but most people separate their business persona from their
personal one. They’ll conduct themselves
differently at work than at home. You
hear it all the time: “It’s not
personal; it’s business,” — as if there’s a separation between the two… as if
there are different rules to follow… as if we’re not relating with each other
in both settings.
No…
we shouldn’t separate the two. All of us
are in the business of relating — or at least we should be. That’s the only way to do business.
So,
I’m not quite sure how the relationship with this therapist group will develop
and grow. Since presentations and
workshops are Katherine’s domain, I’ll let her take the lead on this. If she wants to pursue this avenue for our
joint venture, I’m with her. If she doesn’t want to do it, I’m with
her. If she just wants to deal with this group for her solo business, I’m
with her. If she wants do the relationship workshop to open an access to
other network opportunities, I’m with her. Whatever
she wants to do, I’m with her.
No. For us, it’s not just business; it’s about
relationships.
.
That’s
where I am… 
