Home > Training and Certification > Conference 2007 |
June 3-5, 2007 - Voice of America Campus - West Chester, OhioThe 2007 Sherpa Recertification Conference
The 2007 Sherpa recertification conference on the Voice of America property north of Cincinnati, Ohio, couldn’t have been more well received. This second annual event had twice the floor space, twice the presentation time and twice the passion about building a global Sherpa Coaching community. Graduates from every university program, 2005, 2006 and 2007, attended, along with the ‘oldest living Sherpa’, a graduate of the 2004 certification pilot. Those who participated were re-certified until July 2008, by fulfilling the requirement for continuing education credits.
Sunday’s program drew many attendees for an early bonus session on sales and marketing. Paul Boucherle, CSC, Penn State 2007, led discussion on building credibility for the Sherpa brand and closing the deal. The evening wine and cheese reception at the conference hotel was a full house.
In a surprise move, conference sponsors Sherpa Coaching LLC announced the 2007 Sherpa of the Year award a little early. Recipient Jerry Kleinhaus of Oakley Advisors, CSC University of Cincinnati 2006, was given the award by outgoing Sherpa of the Year Bill Smith of Pinnacle Coaching. “This is an honor.”. Kleinhaus stated. “The process makes the coach, and I’m happy to be recognized as an outstanding Sherpa.”
With a travel schedule that keeps him in Philadelphia Monday through Thursday, Kleinhaus still coaches six clients in the Cincinnati area, starting at 7 AM on Friday, and going through Saturday lunch. ”Jerry Kleinhaus sticks with the Sherpa process and stays in touch. He’s found that he can propose large coaching projects of his own and be included in our work, because he’s part of the Sherpa Community”, said Sherpa Guide author Judy Colemon.
The conference welcomed its first international guest, Gitte Hegelund from WorkPartners Denmark. After traveling four times from Denmark to classes in Dallas, Gitte, CSC Texas
Christian 2007, had no problems with the lengthy commute. She brought a case study and worked with a rotating panel of coaches to find new ways to reach a difficult client.
“I have to admire Gitte for her willingness to take constructive criticism. Facing a battery of experienced coaches, she was open to new ideas, and shared a few of her techniques as well.”, said Sherpa Managing Partner Karl Corbett. “This was hard work, and it was a great learning experience for everyone in the room.”
Sherpa Guide authors Brenda Corbett and Judith Colemon opened on Monday, June 5th with new material on ‘Removing Your Clients’ Roadblocks to Successful Coaching”. Turns out the roadblock can be the coach, and the authors introduced five areas in which coaches can improve their skills.
Allison Davis, CSC Penn State 2007, finished up Monday morning with a presentation on “Building The Sherpa Community”. In the process, she built ‘message teams’ to work on a half dozen projects for 2007-2008.
Bill Smith, CSC Xavier 2005, gave an afternoon talk on his coaching experience. For new Sherpa graduates, this inside look at the coaching experience was valuable. “I’ve learned all the theory, but when it comes down to two people sitting in a room, practical advice is so important.” said one participant. “Bill gained a lot of fans today.”, Sherpa Guide author Judy Colemon said later.
Doug Bolton, publisher of the Cincinnati Business Courier, gave a luncheon address on “Reaching the Business Press”. In a ‘reverse keynote’, he took a barrage of questions from the audience, then covered each one in turn, showing a mastery of his trade and a pretty good memory, too.
Following the “fish bowl” panel discussion, authors Corbett and Colemon fielded questions on coaching technique, dealing with executive contacts and creating a referral network.
Dinner at the Soho Japanese Bistro at Voice of America Centre was one of the conference highlights. Food cooked tableside by samurai chefs, an open bar with boats of sushi and even some dancing. Author Brenda Corbett promised that: “What happens at Soho, stays at Soho.”, so few additional details are available.
Tuesday kicked off with expanded material from author/educators Corbett and Colemon, in a presentation entitled “Framing the Sherpa Question”. Wide-ranging discussion covered ten key points that make for great facilitation in a coaching environment.
The morning finished with networking agreements, and a look forward to the Fall 2007 season. With the number of graduates set to double, from 50 to 100 over the next year, a tightening of certification requirements was agreed upon. Charles Clute, CSC University of Cincinnati 20006, closed the proceedings with his original “Sherpa Song.”
Sherpas intent on building their coaching practice and building the community came away with a new passion and a new network. “Graduates who stay in touch get the assistance, the attention and the work that comes with building a community. That means coaching assignments and a chance to get paid for building a client list.”. Sherpa Guide author Brenda Corbett said. “It also means stepping up to contribute to the Sherpa brand and to work with others to establish a rational/technical foundation for an important new industry.”
The 2008 Sherpa recertification conference will be held the first week of June at Savannah Center, a new conference center in northern Cincinnati's Union Centre business district.
