If you had the chance to learn from those who’ve achieved both professional and business success as mediators, what would you most want to know? That’s what Kristina Haymes wondered, too. And she did more than wonder…she decided to take her questions directly to nine successful mediators in the U.S. and Canada.
The result of Kristina’s hours of diligence and hard work is The Mediation Business and Marketing Success System, a CD audio set. Kristina was kind enough to provide me with unedited copies of her interviews so that I could write a review. I should say right up front that I’m one of the people interviewed for the series. My impressions of the interviews are honest, if not impartial!
With three hours on a train coming up last week I had the chance to listen to three of the nine interviews that are part of the CD set: Forrest “Woody” Mosten, Teresa Wakeen, and Gary Furlong. A month or so ago I’d listened to the interview with Bernie Mayer, Ph.D.
These interviews were compelling indeed. I didn’t want any of them to end and comforted myself by imagining how nice it would be to sit down with any of these four folks, have a good cup of java, and talk shop. I started my audio journey wondering how much helpful information there would be for practitioners who’ve been in the field for a while and have a part-time or occasional practice already. I walked away with clarity that there’s quality information in these interviews for both new and experienced practitioners who want to grow their ADR practices.
With a few days’ percolation time since I listened to the interviews, here’s what most stands out:
- All spoke eloquently and passionately about their ADR work. It’s the enthusiasm for what they do that hooks the listener, makes you sit up in your seat, and think, “Ok, they have my attention.”
- Each exudes a warm, inviting presence that makes you understand immediately why parties would be drawn to them. While their passion and success may be the hook that initially grabs your attention, it’s their presence that keeps you listening.
- They speak frankly about what they believe it takes for mediators to create full-time practices in 2006 and beyond. This is no glossed-over set designed simply to cheerlead you into the future.
- There’s sound business development advice. Now, naturally I say that because the approaches these professionals share mesh very closely with the advice I give mediators! While each puts their own special spin on ADR practice development, there’s rather stunning continuity in advice across the interviews, really driving those points home for any listener. There’s simply no getting around the foundational building blocks for a successful practice.
- Each also speaks about the trends they see in the field and the implications of those trends for building a thriving practice. Again, there’s some real similarity in the trends mentioned and any ADR professional would do well to consider them.
I came away from my listening experience very impressed with what I heard. No, I’m not impartial about it. When I agreed to be interviewed by Kristina, I didn’t know who would be in the final interview lineup and could only guess at the quality of the outcome. Listening has made me a real believer in her project and I hope you’ll take a serious look.
Copyright © 2006 by Tammy Lenski. All rights reserved.
