Coaching and Think Tank Teleconferences
Heartstorming Services
On-going Think Tanks Teams:
Over the past three years, I have presented teleconferences with up to twelve members in each group. Almost 60 artists have participated in Heartstorming Think Tank Teleconferences. These courageous men and women have committed to career growth and change. They have met together in two hour telephone sessions twice a month for over two years. In addition members have met with me for a minimum of one hour a month in individual sessions. The teleconferences function like a think tank. Members present challenges and the group comes up with solutions. Members have stretches between sessions which encourage them to reach outside their comfort zones. Work is posted on our own Yahoo Group.
Teleconference members call from all over the country. Members are at varying degrees of experience and ages. We are great believers in diversity. While some people have never seen each other face-to-face, we have built remarkable trust and support. Members have expanded their services. Some are creating books. Another has offered a television pilot to a network. Several have had exhibitions in museums and galleries. Most have expanded their markets. Some have sought help in acquiring a new rep or in improving rep relationships. They have clarity on who they are and what they stand for.
I continue to present on-going groups; each with a one year commitment from members. New groups are forming regularly. They work!
The tuition for membership in on-going groups is $300 a month which includes two group sessions each month and an hour of individual coaching. Members place their monthly fees on a credit card. Call me for more information or to register.
Additional Services:
Coaching offers you an opportunity for affordable individual consultations. During a coaching session all of my energy is focused on you. Coaching starts out by identifying and usually restating a particular opportunity for your career. Subjects have included portfolio enhancement, identification of new creative projects, sales training, re-invention, promotion and sales training, exploring new market alternatives, etc. We focus on a particular goal or desire at each session. There are stretches between each session to lead you towards your goals.
Is Coaching Right For You?
We'll find out. That's why the first session is free. Coaching sessions are booked in segments of four hourly meetings. The fee is $175 per hour or $700 for each segment. Fees are placed on a credit card. Usually after the first six months, we meet on a monthly basis. I will recommend a specific program for you. Call me to set up an appointment. There are no obligations.
I am also available for:
Portfolio analysis and enhancement
Picture selection
Concept development
Promotional ideas
Customized seminars
Corporate trainings
Public speaking
Individual consultations
Sales and marketing trainings
Interested or Curious?
Call me to schedule a session.
610-253-9418
Some Testimonials
Portfolio analysis and enhancement
Picture selection
Concept development
Promotional ideas
Customized seminars
Corporate trainings
Public speaking
Individual consultations
Sales and marketing trainings
Interested or Curious?
Call me to schedule a session.
610-253-9418
Some Testimonials
Ian is a troublemaker. He makes artists uncomfortable with their circumstances and urges them on to explore the limits of their talent.
He asks improbable questions and often makes difficult suggestions. He has brought together a group of very accomplished professional artists to goad each other into further acts of creativity. I'm privileged to be in this group. It has been one of the most positive experiences of my career. I feel (I hope) I've made life-long friends, and I know we've taught each other a lot.
Matthew Klein
212.255.6400
http://www.matthewklein.com
http://www.matthewklein-artworks.com
Ian's Virtual Think-Tank Team has been valuable to me in many ways. Since I am located in the Midwest and run a small studio, I have felt isolated to what might be going on in other parts of the country and being able to talk with experienced photographers from around the U.S. has been a big help. I have called other members several times to ask questions or get advice.
However, the biggest reason that I joined the Think-tank group is Ian. I am always amazed by the ideas and solutions that Ian can come up with around various problems. I feel that having access to Ian and his creative thinking makes the Think-tank group a must for anyone looking for alternative and creative ways to deal with all the challenges that photographers face in today’s market place.
Michael Regnier
913.362.5599
www.regnierphotography.com
Think Tank was one of Ian's greatest ideas to date. It was a gamble to all of us but it turned out to be beneficial in ways no one could have imagined. A truly diverse group of photographers from all over the place but the themes, experiences and advice we all shared was useful and informative. Wednesday nights became phone call night and nothing could interrupt that. Guys called in from Cars, hotels, homes, wherever. I only have good things to say about it.
Stewart Cohen
214.421.2186
www.stewartcohen.com
Ian Summers has done it again. He's found another way to "stir the pot". I was honored when he asked me to become a member of his first "Think Tank Group". His idea of pulling together a group of bright, intelligent, accomplished photographers from all over the USA and getting us to commit to a 2 hour conference call one evening a week has been a great experience. Everyone made a commitment to open up and give all we had to the group. The results have been amazing and the bond between us is also something we are all comfortable with. I think we have charted new territory and have gone places few in our business have been before as a group.
I now have a great group of interested and caring individuals all over this country who I think I could call upon for ideas and advise anytime. I hope we can continue this long into the future.
Wild Bill Melton
603.668.0110
www.wildbillstudios.com
Ian's group has been a wonderful bonding experience. I feel I have a group of artists, geographically distributed, who are very supportive. In a world where I find myself working mostly alone, the camaraderie has been terrific. Ian has been instrumental in facilitating this process and nurturing a feeling of trust and sharing. I feel very positive about the process and format.
I would be happy to talk to anyone about the group process.
Mark Tuschman
650.322.4157
www.tuschmanphoto.com
Here is a support group that is hard to find elsewhere. Did I accomplish everything I had hope for? No but this is my problem -I do know that this group kept me so busy during slow winter times that I did not have a chance to get that out of work depression! …To become this close with people on the telephone and to make this commitment to each is a wonderful thing.
Fred George
212.481.3060
www.fredgeorge.com
He asks improbable questions and often makes difficult suggestions. He has brought together a group of very accomplished professional artists to goad each other into further acts of creativity. I'm privileged to be in this group. It has been one of the most positive experiences of my career. I feel (I hope) I've made life-long friends, and I know we've taught each other a lot.
Matthew Klein
212.255.6400
http://www.matthewklein.com
http://www.matthewklein-artworks.com
Ian's Virtual Think-Tank Team has been valuable to me in many ways. Since I am located in the Midwest and run a small studio, I have felt isolated to what might be going on in other parts of the country and being able to talk with experienced photographers from around the U.S. has been a big help. I have called other members several times to ask questions or get advice.
However, the biggest reason that I joined the Think-tank group is Ian. I am always amazed by the ideas and solutions that Ian can come up with around various problems. I feel that having access to Ian and his creative thinking makes the Think-tank group a must for anyone looking for alternative and creative ways to deal with all the challenges that photographers face in today’s market place.
Michael Regnier
913.362.5599
www.regnierphotography.com
Think Tank was one of Ian's greatest ideas to date. It was a gamble to all of us but it turned out to be beneficial in ways no one could have imagined. A truly diverse group of photographers from all over the place but the themes, experiences and advice we all shared was useful and informative. Wednesday nights became phone call night and nothing could interrupt that. Guys called in from Cars, hotels, homes, wherever. I only have good things to say about it.
Stewart Cohen
214.421.2186
www.stewartcohen.com
Ian Summers has done it again. He's found another way to "stir the pot". I was honored when he asked me to become a member of his first "Think Tank Group". His idea of pulling together a group of bright, intelligent, accomplished photographers from all over the USA and getting us to commit to a 2 hour conference call one evening a week has been a great experience. Everyone made a commitment to open up and give all we had to the group. The results have been amazing and the bond between us is also something we are all comfortable with. I think we have charted new territory and have gone places few in our business have been before as a group.
I now have a great group of interested and caring individuals all over this country who I think I could call upon for ideas and advise anytime. I hope we can continue this long into the future.
Wild Bill Melton
603.668.0110
www.wildbillstudios.com
Ian's group has been a wonderful bonding experience. I feel I have a group of artists, geographically distributed, who are very supportive. In a world where I find myself working mostly alone, the camaraderie has been terrific. Ian has been instrumental in facilitating this process and nurturing a feeling of trust and sharing. I feel very positive about the process and format.
I would be happy to talk to anyone about the group process.
Mark Tuschman
650.322.4157
www.tuschmanphoto.com
Here is a support group that is hard to find elsewhere. Did I accomplish everything I had hope for? No but this is my problem -I do know that this group kept me so busy during slow winter times that I did not have a chance to get that out of work depression! …To become this close with people on the telephone and to make this commitment to each is a wonderful thing.
Fred George
212.481.3060
www.fredgeorge.com
Comments
Ian:
I am working on my first podcast. I have been asked to be a guest on www.phototalkradio on January 21, 2006 8-9AM PST Your new site is rich with stimulation and wisdom. Do you have a link to the gallery in Minneapolis where your work is being shown? Thank you.
Gs
Posted by: gil smith | January 15, 2006 09:39 AM